Bait Motel, floating minnow cage

[Swampseed]

Grizzly jig has a floating "Bait Motel" for keep minnows. It's 36"x38" 165 gallons, anyone ever use one or something like it?? I have a 1/2 acre pond I could put it in.

[canebreaker]

Mom had a pond, a pier with 55 gal plastic barrels as floats under it. I made a box with 1/8" hardware cloth, 12" wide, 24" long, 36" deep. First it was tied to the side, heat would kill the minnows. I cut a hole in the center with a cover, that was better. The pier was on the northeast side of the pond. We moved it to the southeast side and minnows would live longer.

[cwright]

I have not used it, but did make a floating bait tank to keep shad in beside the pier on Lake Hickory. I used the coated hardwire cloth and made it for about $25. I will try to get a pic to post here.

[canebreaker]

I have a 5 gallon bucket. I drilled lots of 1/4" holes in it and a snap lid that's easier to remove. I tied an 8 oz weight to the inside on one side so the bucket will sink after a while. I tie a cord to an anchor, run it through the handle and tie to a gallon jug for a float. Another cord is tied to the bucket and jug. I fill the minnow bucket with the water from the big bucket instead of surface water. On a 3 day or more trip I'll buy a pound of minnows and haven't lost the first.

[cwright]

Mine looks very much like these. Just add one of the floating tubes for swimming pools around inside top and fasten in place and you are set.

[canebreaker]

A neighbor made or had one made like that. About 12" diameter 30" or 3' long. I picked it up from his trash pile years ago. Have never used it.

[Swampseed]

Thanks for ideas guys!