Minnow Bucket Lid Freezing

[blackdog1101]

Is there any way to prevent the lid of a foam minnow bucket from freezing onto the bucket?

[Bassinbob84]

I never found a way. I use the cheap $3 plastic buckets now. You can trip over them and they don't break either

[BrdHunter01]

Yep, I'm done using foam.... Just got sick of breaking them and buying 3 of them a year. Now I have a 2 liter plastic jug from target that have yet to break....

[icehousebob]

I use the plastic Rubbermaid or Coleman coolers that I buy at garage sales. Get the type with the attached lid so it doesn't blow away. just flip it open, grab your minnow and tap it shut. I use a 12 pack cooler for a group or a 6 pack cooler when by myself. If it freezes shut, just thump it with your fist. [PoorWordUsage] proof and they last almost forever. My only problem is my sons forget who owns them.

[Northlander]

Get a Igloo or Rubbermade twist top beverage cooler. Your minnows wont ever spill and they wont break even in your tub going 45mph on the snowmobile. Best $8 I spent in a long time. Foam bait buckets should be banned. All they do is break and wind up poluting the waters.

[Jim Uran]

Darn good tip Northlander, I've never thought of a twist top cooler, next time I go out shopping that's exactly what I'm going to get.

[Fredd]

Sorry for being ignorant guys, but what is this twist top you speak of???

[BD110]

I use the same thing myself after seeing how well it worked for Northlander. The top will stick from time to time but unlike foam you just give the top a smack with the palm of your hand and it twists right off.

I is truly a great way to keep your minnows!!

[BD110]

Fredd,

I didn't see your post when I was typing mine. It's a twist top insulated water jug with a spout about one gallon or gallon and a half size. Does that answer your question?

[Fredd]

Are you guys talking about insulated water jugs??

[Jim Uran]

it should!!!

[Fredd]

Yes, thanks BD.

[Fredd]

Great idea, just have to make sure that the fishing buddy doesn't go for a swig of beverage.

[blackdog1101]

That's a good idea, I'm going to look for one too. I really only use a bucket for sucker minnows, so I'll need to get a larger one. Like Northlander said, these foam buckets breal too easily and are bad for the environment.

[Wanderer]

At least you don't have to worry about the water splashing out and all over with the twist top.

I use a Plano bucket. White with a yellow plastic lid. The bucket is lined with foam but doesn't touch the removable top.

With the top having a flip lid opening that snaps shut, I can open it in any weather. I keep a knife with me and when the bite is hot and I don't want to fumble with getting the heads off the minnows for jigging, I'll take a few out and pre cut them and leave them laying on top of the bucket for quick re baiting.

To lessen the splash out during the ride, I just put that Plano bucket in a 5 gallon pail as you would that full styrofoam bucket and wedge it in the front of my portable sled. It doesn't tip or splash out much at all.

Just another option.

[buzbunni]

I use a Plano bucket. White with a yellow plastic lid. The bucket is lined with foam but doesn't touch the removable top...

To lessen the splash out during the ride, I just put that Plano bucket in a 5 gallon pail

I use the same bucket. Great product.

In the Winter, I take out the styrofoam insert and just use the bucket as is. I use the styrofoam mostly in the summer to help keep the water cool. No need for that in the winter.

To keep the water from splooshing through the top, I lay a plastic grocery bag over the top (the lid is off at this point), ant then I just press the lid down over that.

I have a styrofoam bucket in my Frabill Sit-N-Fish that I like to use once in awhile, and I do have lid freezing issues with that product. I was wondering if a few thumbtacks inserted into the lip edge might help to alleviate the freezing problem? Less surface area to freeze, but even if they did freeze a bit they would likely pull out. I think I will try that next time out.

[Wanderer]

To keep the water from splooshing through the top, I lay a plastic grocery bag over the top (the lid is off at this point), ant then I just press the lid down over that.

Sure to be a tip I'll use. Thanks!

[herefish101]

Is there any way to prevent the lid of a foam minnow bucket from freezing onto the bucket?

to awnser the actual question that started this thread, just put chapstick around the lid where ever it's going to touch the bucket and bam! no more frozen lids. then you dont have to go out and buy anything new.

[Wanderer]

Or, Blackdog could try the bag trick on his foam bucket as well.

The bag, chapstick or something else that doesn't hold water or freeze should work.

I can put my last foam bucket back into service now.

[Northlander]

Yes. I got mine at Home Depot but every Mart of Target sells them.. Mine is orange and white and about 8" round by 12" high.

They really do work great. If the top freezes a bit just smack it a few times with your ice scoop.

Forget the chapstick on foam, that will surely freeze up and break down the line.

Try this beverage cooler and you wont go back to anything else. Its been about 6 or 7 years on this one and its works just as good today as when I got it.

[bikeoutback]

Started using old 12 pack cooler this year, problem is mine doesn't have a flip lid and the lid isn't completely tight so some water splashes out when carrying it across the lake so I may have to look into the twist top.

[Wanderer]

I tried the cheap plastic bag trick on my Plano minnow bucket last weekend and it work out very well!!

[DTro]

Here’s another tip.

Ask for the minnows in a bag. Then put the bag of minnows in the container, but don’t open the bag until you are out fishing.

So spills, and the bait bag makes a great trash receptacle.

[Duffman]

I use a soft cooler and the minnow bag setup. But only the soft coolers that have a plastic insert, because the bag will get holes in it eventually from ice forming. They aren't the greatest insulators, but they work.

If I'm moving, rubber-band it up until the next spot or home. Just remember to open it up when you get home to keep the minnows from suffocating.

I keep old minnow bags in the cooler for throwing fish in.