Aerator?

[The_Diesel]

Thinking about getting a small aerator that I can put on my minnow bucket and then be able to keep minnows for longer time. Anyone have one or use one? Not completely sure it's worth the extra money, but it sounds good in theory. I was looking at the Frabill Aqua-Life Portable Aerator, it runs off batteries, 12 volt and 120 volt; and is only like 31 bucks from Fleet Farm online. That way I can leave it plugged into the wall over night at home, plug it into the ATV when I'm on the big ice, or just use batteries when on the smaller lakes.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product...ortable-aerator

[BartmanMN]

Nice, last year I believe they only came with batteries so a HSO member modified his so he could plug it in. This new model looks to be the ticket for you. I want one.

[Hardyboy]

i use a Quiet Bubbles unit looks like a transistor radio with a metal clip on the back of it to clip on your minnow bucket or pail and it works fine for me. Runs on just batteries so no plugging it in though. I put batteries in it last year and it made it thru the season on one set. I only use it when im on the ice.

[The_Diesel]

You think you get longer life out of your minnows that way, Hardy?

[Hardyboy]

In my opinion yes they last longer and it doesnt freeze up as much with the aerator running keeping the water moving. i had minnows in a bucket that lasted me over a month last year with little die off. dont know how much longer they would have lasted as i used them all up before they died.

[The_Diesel]

Awesome. Thanks a lot. I hear live bait is hard to come by in the cities area too, so that should make trying to find some less stressful for me. I appreciate your input.

[Burbot]

If you are still on the thread diesel, I use aerators 24-7 when ever I have bait. I have a aquarium bubble that plugs in to the wall; done fishing bait goes in the bait/beer fridge, I leave the same plex tube in the minnow bucket switch to the bubbler and run the electric plug through the refridgerator seal; cool and oxyginated; while on the lake/transporting i use the same system as Hardyboy Frabill Quiet bubble, I get about 48 hours on two D-cell. I think I have had a minnows death certificate read "Cause of death due to starvation". Bait is really expensive no matter how you aerate it will pay for itself in one year.

[popriveter]

I have a cooler in the basement with a $5 walmart aquarium aerator. I don't use a bait bucket aerator. The place I buy bait gives very generous scoops and the home aerator keeps them alive so long I only buy bait a few times a winter.

[BDiss]

I have a wall unit that used to be in an old fish tank that i had. i use that when at home. when on the ice or in the boat, i usually just use the water from whatever body of water that i am on. the only thing that i do is i buy some de-clorine from the pet store, make new water, and dump the lake or river water on the lawn so i don't transport the water to the next lakes or rivers. it's fairly cheap and fresh water is always good for them minnows.

[hydro]

I use an aerator as well. It's just an old fish tank model with an "airstone" to weight the hose down. I keep the minnows in the garage and the bubbles tend to keep the water from freezing over completely. Works great!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I picked up a Mr. Bubbles air bubbler from wallmart for $8. Works well. If I'm just out fishing for the day I don't use it. Just throw some ice/snow with the minnows. If I'm on a trip to something like upper red and fish out of a shack for a few days, I use the bubbler. When I get home from fishing the minnnows go into a fish tank in the basement till I need them.