Thread: Live Minnow Cooler

Engel makes an awesome bait cooler, they have the 13qt, 19 and a 30qt. The aerator that comes with them are not worth two cents (my opinion), but the coolers themselves are top notch. Also, I like a good modified 5 gallon bucket with lid and insulated liner and aerator, a lot cheaper then a bait cooler, but got to be careful in rougher water or roads when in transport. The Engel shines in transport, you lock the lid on it and don't have to worry about it losing your bait.

Snubby...that 5 gal modified bucket is stabil in transport or rough water if you put it in a milk crate.

I use a old 5 gallon water cooler and put a bubble box on it. Drill a hole for the tube and seal with aquarium sealer. Works great


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I like videos l have seen of the Engel coolers but have used the old 5 gallon bucket for years.
I have a 12 volt aerator wired up in boat and carry frozen water in drink bottles to keep cool in warm weather.

I find the 5 gallon bucket to be too large (tall). I prefer a 3 gallon bucket. The same lids purchased for the 5 gallon work on the 3. Find you some dense, soft, foam insulation and wrap the exterior of the bucket with it. Use high quality duct tape to wrap around the insulation. Purchase a 12 volt aquarium aerator, ( I like the kind with two hoses) I changed the stone out to one that emits very small bubbles. For about 20.00 bucks you have a top notch minnow stay alive bucket. Extremely stable, and very efficient.

I transformed an old 2 1/2 gallon Igloo water keg into a bait cooler. I used a large cable tie to go around it, which I hang the bubbler on. It works great.

I have a 19 quart Engel up front and an air line ran to my back seat to a 12v 2 line bubbler. I agree the Engel bubbler is loud. I tried a frabil for a while but decided the 12v is better while on the boat.

I use a 4 lb protein powder container and I have a small aerator velcroed to the top. I can keep about 5-6 dozen alive all weekend.