Decent,solid minnow bucket

[rockman]

I already tried searching the archives for an answer,but still have a question.I had two styrofoam minnow buckets crack/split on me this weekend,resulting in no water in the bucket and dead/frozen bait.I have had it with those styrofoam buckets that slide into the 5 gallon pails.A small styrofoam minnow container also bit the dust.Any recommendations what bucket to use for minnows, and where to purchase a decent minnow bucket/pail? Are those Frabill plastic only buckets any good,especially for ice fishing use?It seems like a plastic pail with the styrofoam liner would be the way to go.The old metal pail with the styrofoam liner would be the ultimate, but where does a guy get those at, if they are still available? I am looking for something that can be put in a portable fishhouse pulled behind an atv, and not tip over all the time.Also something that won't fall apart after one season.

[brady_d]

We use old coolers. They work very good but make sure you use one with out the screw on lid. That will freeze on and you'll be waiting to fish until you get that lid off!!

[PerchJerker]

I don't know what brand my minnow bucket is for sure but I think it's a Frabill. It's all plastic, not insulated. The top has a lid that flips up. It's about 1 gallon size, maybe a little more. I keep it inside a 5 gallon bucket. Works great for crappie minnows, fatheads, shiners, maybe a few suckers. If I was fishing with a lot of big minnows I'd use 2 of these buckets or a larger bucket.

[Bulldoggr]

I have the Frabil Minnow bucket i use all the time. It is about the size of an ice cream pail. It used to have a Styro foam liner in it. It froze up on me a broke. So i use only the out Plastic now. It holds up real well IMO.

I also have used small old coolers.

[dairyman]

buy some ice cream in the plastic buckets and use those----helps recycling too!!

[storm_rider_1]

I also use the frabill one , and my styrofoam also froze and broke, so i use just the bucket and lid. I like that it fits pretty snug in a 5 gallon bucket.

[Bullwinkled]

I use a 2 quart plastic cold drink thermos, like you would carry to a picnic. A small plastic minnow scoop fits in it also. In winter will carry enough minnows you should never run out in a day. This way it is compact, no leakage, good handle,etc. I just add a scoop of ice shavings at the hole and they last all day. Works realwell for the Fishtrap Pro as I can just toss it in and not worry about it during travel.

[crappiekiller1]

i have had the one styro foam one that had the metal cage around which worked really good and held up a long time, until buddy put it close to the heater. then had the frabill one wasnt to bad. styrofoam broke and had just plastic pail. then went to good will and found old cooler with the lid that locks down. you know the ones that have the green or orange top to them and couldnt be happier.

[rockman]

The Frabill minnow bucket might be the one I need.Like I posted originally,styrofoam by itself, is not my friend anymore.I have had two 5 gal. styrofoam sleeves freeze inside the pails just recently, and when that happened, the minnow buckets fell apart.The thermos suggestion is interesting.I may have to give that a try.Keep the suggestions coming,and thanks for the replies.

[Scott K]

I too go through many minnow buckets a year, I have used a small cooler, and think that is what I am going to start using more. The styrophome ones either I kick it, it cracks in the portable, or I leave it in the back of the truck and it breaks.

[rockman]

I have used the same cooler to haul lunch to work in for the last 15 years.It has lasted through anything,and everything.That Coleman cooler would work fine for a minnow container.I do remember now, a fishing launch captain on Mille Lacs that used that same cooler for leeches and minnows.Looks like I found my solution-thanks,4wanderingeyes.

[FrontenacPike]

An old 5 gallon bucket has worked perfect for me. I got it for free, it has a lid and also makes for a great chair when I'm running and gunning for fish. I just couldn't justify paying $25 for the same thing with a logo on the side.

[PerchPounder]

Plano makes a plastic bucket with a non-removable styrofoam liner that sounds like it would be exactly what you are looking for. If I am remembering corectly it is model #722 and holds about 2 gallons of water. It also fits perfectly into a five gallon bucket for transport. You could check there HSOforum for other options.

[Sandmannd]

 Originally Posted By: LukerNLeever

I have the Frabil Minnow bucket i use all the time. It is about the size of an ice cream pail. It used to have a Styro foam liner in it. It froze up on me a broke. So i use only the out Plastic now. It holds up real well IMO.

I also have used small old coolers.

That's what I use for ice fishing. So far it's been good and the foam is still in tact.

[jwhjr]

I use the Frabill one as well. I put it in a 5 gallon to keep it from spilling. I've had good luck with it so far.

[rockman]

Now your talkin'. I will look at the Plano bucket, the Frabill,and a cooler.I need to see which one is better on the price.Thanks,everyone.

[MuleShack]

 Originally Posted By: PerchPounder

Plano makes a plastic bucket with a non-removable styrofoam liner that sounds like it would be exactly what you are looking for. If I am remembering corectly it is model #722 and holds about 2 gallons of water. It also fits perfectly into a five gallon bucket for transport. You could check there HSOforum for other options.

Same here....

I like the fact that it fits inside the 5 gal bucket. It limits the splash while traveling on the ice.

[walleyeaddict]

i use the 4 seasons minnow bucket...not sure if it is made by frabill or plano?? It is 2 plastic buckets one inside the other and fits inside a 5,6,or 7 gallon bucket.

[sodajerk]

I use a Plano model 700. I just checked the Plano HSOforum and they still make it. It's one plastic pail inside another, with a round flip-up lid in the middle of the top. The inner pail has slots in it about an inch above the bottom and its own handle on top, so when you lift it up the water drains into the outer bucket and the minnows are easy to grab, since there's less water for them to flee in terror from your hand. I keep a small dip net inside it and use that to get them out.

It's also really easy to change the water. Just lift out the inner pail and the minnows still have an inch of water to keep them alive while you put fresh water in the outer pail. Then put the two pails back together and your minnows are good to go.

Both the inner and outer pails are fairly heavy duty plastic

and have good, solid handles.

I've had it for a long time and it's held up well. No problems or complaints.

[polarsusd81]

Hey Rock

The best one I have ever used was a home-made jobby that I got at a local bait shop one time. They used a coffee can and had styrofoam inside of it for insulation. Had a little string handle and styrofoam lid. Worked great for 3 or 4 years, then I lost it.

The other thing I have used is a coleman cooler, just a small one, like 12x9x6-8 deep with the flip top lid. That thing worked great as well. Similar to what the others were talking about...works great to carry lunches.

Now though, the only time I use minnows is on a trip to lake of the woods or something along those lines, so I just try not to worry about it.

[slipperybob]

Foam by itself is pretty weak and will probably leak over time. Often I get my minnow, but I ask for it in a bag. I put that whole deal in my minnow bucket. If I get anal, I will cut the excess part of the bag down to just above bucket lid. Helps to keep bucket cleaner.

If you're getting the bagg it also goes well in just about any cooler container. Round, box, or even soft sided ones...Well not so much soft sided without any type of wall reinforcement. LOL's

[tom fellegy]

the sixpack size plastic cooler with the handle that folds down to lock the lid in place. it fits in the rack on the snowmobile, doesn't leak too much, and when the lid freezes on, just smack the lid a few times and it will break free. it also works great in the soft water season for nightcrawlers..........tom fellegy

[Chode2235]

I have the Plano bucket (711 or something like that), and it is great. It is really the best of both worlds, it is a hard molded plastic bucket with a styrofoam liner. The styrofoam keeps it insulated, and the outter bucket keeps it safe.

Plano customer service was awesome too. I froze the styrofoam bucket and it started to leak. I sent them an email they sent me a new foam bucket.

[Duffman]

I'm a bag in a soft cooler guy. Just twist it up and secure it with a rubber band before heading out to the next spot. Just make sure you do not deprive the minnows of oxy for too long. It's not the greatest for insulation, but I do not have to worry about lids freezing shut.

[CrappieAttitude]

 Originally Posted By: polarsusd81

Hey Rock

The best one I have ever used was a home-made jobby that I got at a local bait shop one time. They used a coffee can and had styrofoam inside of it for insulation. Had a little string handle and styrofoam lid. Worked great for 3 or 4 years, then I lost it.

I have two of these and they do work great. You can actually use the plastic coffee can lid to seal the deal. They work great for splitting up a scoop of crappie minnows into two containers. The only downside you need to buy cheap coffee in order to get the tin containers.

CA