Ice fishing minnow bucket question

[Minnetonka]

I use a tub-sled flip over house that I either pull by hand or behind a snowmobile. I am looking for a smaller, tough minnow bucket that will not tip over easy and will not get brokem easy like a plain styrafoam type. I have used a small styrafoam minnow bucket that fits in a coffee can and this works ok except for the coffee can get water in it and rust out fast. What do others use, that is small, wont tip over, us tough and does not have holes in the top for water to slosh out? Any suggestions with a brand name supplied would be appreciated.

Thanks

[nitroant]

The kind I bought for the same reasons is the Frabill Min-o2-life bait station box. It looks like a tackel box and has a snap down cover. It also comes with a battery operated air pump so there is one hole to the outside if you decide that the pump is junk (Its really loud and kind of bulky) but some tape will fix that problem. Its got a basket that lifts in and out of the water too so you don't need a scoop. I think I paid like $30 at Gander for mine. Have not used it much, but has worked good when I did. Frabill did come out with a new pump that is quiet I guess, but its like $30 too. Admin took this off once already, but you can find a picture of it on the manufactures HSOforum, which you can figure out.

[Gus]

Clam has a 2 1/2 gallon minnow bucket on their HSOforum. I have one and so far has it's ups and downs. The size is about perfect but the lid screws on. Replace that lid with a standard 5 gal pail lid for easy on and off and no trying to twist off a frozen lid. The other bad part is it does not come with a styrafoam liner bucket of any kind so you need to either pick one up from a store or go without insulation. Two negatives and one positive but I think the size and shape positive outweighs the negative in my mind.

I almost bought the bait box that nitroant has but I wasn't sure if that lid would freeze shut or not. Nitroant, has it frozen up on you yet?

[Dan Thiem]

I really like using a little cooler for a minnow bucket. A small six packer works great. It's sturdy, has a tight lid, and don't tip over very easy.

[jerkin'm]

An old thermos works well too..also the sturdier style tupperware containers...

[Toothfish]

Quote:

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I really like using a little cooler for a minnow bucket. A small six packer works great. It's sturdy, has a tight lid, and don't tip over very easy.

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That's what I use..you can almost bowl with one of these small coolers and still save the bait!!

[nitroant]

Gus-

The only time it froze up on me was a trip up to Hibbing when it was in the back of the truck for 3-4 hours in -0 weather, but it popped open pretty easy that time.

[minnbowhunter]

i just put my syrofoam bait pail inside a 5 gal plastic pail

works for me

[HarryG]

I have a flip style portable that I have secured 2 milk crates and two 5 gal buckets. For minnows, I use a 2 1/2 gal bucket with a snap type lid. (Usually for sale at your local bait store)I then place the bucket in one of the 5 gal buckets. I don't lock the buckets in as the ice can break it. I just loosely snap both buckets together and it seems to work well. I have heard the small cooler works well but I have trouble with it bouncing around in my house. If I had a different set up, I am sure it would work just fine. The minnow bucket is the most difficult thing to transport. This is the best I can do.

[minneman]

Ive found the best thing is a wide mouth water cooler, screw on top with the little spout to drink out of, Ive got 2, sorry i forget the brand name but there about 9-10" dia, and about the same high, you could probly get 5-6 pop cans inside. the spout works great for checking depth w/out drilling when you need water.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

The water coolers are made by Rubber Maid.

They work very well as bait containers, and the plastic threads are large enough that they are easy to open, even if frozen.

Cliff

[blackdog1101]

This may be cheesy, but what about putting a foam bucket inside a plastic coffee can. I know Folgers is in a plastic container nowadays, not the older type of metal coffee can.

[Captain B.R.K]

Quote:

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This may be cheesy, but what about putting a foam bucket inside a plastic coffee can. I know Folgers is in a plastic container nowadays, not the older type of metal coffee can.

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This actually might be a good idea, though I don't think the newer versions of their plastic cans are as tall as the metal cans. I think they are more wider than they are taller these days.

I buy plenty of folger's coffee, so i'll check this out.

I to am having an issue as to what bait bucket to use during ice fishing. I recently bought Plano's Worm and Leech bucket (orange twist off top) Small and sweet as it has insulation in it. The only downer is that water leaks out of the top.

My ears are open on this one. I too want to find that perfect bait bucket

[smmurphy]

Brandon,

What size is the screw on cap? The plumbing departments at menards and/or home depot have gaskets that may fit and stop your water leak.

Shawn

[eye1000us]

I'll second the water cooler.I use a 2 gallon with a large screw on top.I pull my flip over all over cross country at speeds up into the 40's.This seems to work about the best even if it takes a serious flip it stays intact.The lid will freeze up a little every once in awhile but if I put in front of the heater the lid is thawed enough to open by the time I've scooped out my holes.Also, a little silicon spray around the edge helps but don't over do it.

[iffwalleyes]

I have one of Frabill's minnow buckets that looks like a small cooler. It has a gasket and lip around the top so if is pretty water tight. It also isn't too big that it takes up a lot of space. Some times the lid will freeze but if you have a pliers along it doesn't take much to pop it open. Plus it has a aerator but I seldom use that. It also has a minnow net insert that is the same size as the inside of the container that you can just pick up and it pulls all the bait out so you don't need a minnow dipper.

[tashit]

I went with the small cooler idea. It doesn't leak and it's easy for me to transport in my sled. It has frozen a couple times but it was easy enough to pry open with just my hands. I used the water jug idea for a little while but I think it's easier to just pull the top off the cooler than have to unscrew a cap everytime I want a minnow.

[metrojoe]

I use one of those small ones that fit inside a coffee can and the best solution I have found for the rust problem is after you slip the bucket in the can use your can opener and cut the bottom out. I then sit the whole works inside an ice cream pail for spillage during tranport.

I recently purchased one of the bigger styrofoam buckets that fit into a 5 gallon pail and snap a lid on that. If the pail does go over you'll have a small lake in your sled/truck, but you wont have to clean up any minnows. Of course the bucket takes up alot of room and may not be ideal for the guy who's looking to save space and weight.

[Blue Kayak]

I was in a thrift store in Mankato yesterday and saw a dozen or so coolers that would have worked for a minnow bucket. When my styrofoam bucket needs replacing, I'll try a small cooler. Thanks for the tip.

[G_man]

I've had the plastic Folger's coffee can thought for awhile as well. I just finished our first plastic can and tryed the small minnow bucket inside it. It doesn't fit because of the grip feature Folger's added to the plastic can over the old steel can. I went out and tryed to find Folger's in a steel can to no avail -- they only sell plastic now. Hence, I'm looking for a steel can without having to purchase coffee from another producer as we like Folgers.

Maybe instead of cutting the bottom off the steel can, you could just pop a few holes in the bottom ...

[Captain B.R.K]

G Man, thanks for checking out the plastic Folger's idea. Sure sounded good didn't it. Unless Murph has an idea for us plastic goes that can solve the lid problem.

Otherwise the picture provided above looks like a nice bait bucket.

[smmurphy]

Brandon,

Is this the worm/leach bucket you referred to?

If so, I think I can get a gasket that can seal the lid.

[The Yeti]

I use a small Igloo type cooler. The kind where if you pull the handle all the way down to one side, it locks the lid into place. Works awesome!

[jigginjim]

Has anyone tried the new baitpuck 2 container? I have used it several times this winter. It may not be large enough for sucker minnows, but it worked great for crappie and fatheads. I have kept 2 plus dozen crappie minnows, and 1 dozen plus fatheads for a whole day. It rounded around on the ground with a screw on top it didn't leak water all over. Let me know if anyone else has tried it?

Come on hard water, or lets go float the boat.

[metrojoe]

I've thought of just punching a few holes also, but it's amazing how fast and bad those cans rust. I've also noticed that some of the steel cans are coming with a foil seal that just pulls off. There is a lip around the edge that may make it too small. In which case, I guess you could flip it over and cut the bottom out. I haven't seen one of those small buckets recently. I suppose the bait shop is the place to get one.