large bait puck and minnows.......

[erickol]

Any one ever use one of the large bait pucks for minnows? I travel pretty light, but tonight dragged along the minnow bucket. I would have prefered to just take along a small amount in a smaller container. I suppose tupperware would work, but the pucks much stronger and the lids close tight even in cold weather.

other than the obvious lack of O2, which I suppose could be remedied by removing the lid while on the ice, I am thinking it might work ok.

Are these things water tight? I would try filling my small one with water and testing, but I just put my spikes to bed in the fridge and don't want to disturb their dreams (I' pretty sure they are counting big 'gills instead of sheep).

[Jim Hudson]

The large bait pucks have two tiny holes on the lid, they will leak a bit of water, but not much.. If that is a problem, just epoxy the holes shut, and your golden.

[Ed Carlson]

Pack fresh live well drained minnows in a kosher salt mix and fill the puck or like pocket sized container.

I do this with my minnows most of the time, no water to slop about and freeze things up, for jigging there appears to be no detriment to it.

Just toss them in the freezer, they will not freeze solid, just firm.

I in fact I am a strong believer that walleye and perch like the salt.

[deadeye]

I use a coffee can minnow bucket if im traveling light. It fits inside a standard coffee can with the lid and is airtight. I made several BWCAW trips with one in my backpack and never had a leak. I didn't walk out more than 2 hours without having a fishing stop and they never died on me so it worked great. Vados sells them still.

[Ed Carlson]

The $2 coffee can stro cooler that fits into a Foldgers tub...yup there are sweet. Got mine at Gander...like the size, convenience, and cost.

They also are the right size for beding bulk leech's in during the summer, in Frabill Leech bedding..works awesome..they last months in there in the fridge without any water to [PoorWordUsage] with.

[erickol]

Thanks guys.

I will be looking for a coffee can cooler. sounds like the size will not slow me down .

I have always packed salted minnows into the BWCA, (or live leeches in a small leech locker), I never thought to try them around here. It is for sure worth a try..... that would be a great space saver right there.

[UMDSportsman]

get a small insulated water jug. I have seen people use about a ~2qt one maybe igloo brand or something. I know that is all some people use for a minnow bucket.

[dairyman]

I use a peanut butter jar--they're plastic and have a screw on lid

[FL SNIPER]

the small insuleted water jug sounds like a great idea!

[UMDSportsman]

I have seen a couple people do it, i have also seen a couple people use small coolers, which i think is also a good idea, but not as good as the water jug.

Cool, just realized this is post #400 for me.

[charliepete2]

I forgot the bait bucket at home and used a screw top nalgene bottle once. It worked great and was real portable. I didn't have any trouble suffocating the minnows over the course of a night.

[Far-I]

Not really what you were asking, but i do use a baitpuck for crapie minnows when i'm runnin' n gunnin'. I just throw half a dozen or so in there w/out any water and just use the heads to tip my jig or spoon. This, of course, when their biting and its not neccesarily important to get a lively presentation under the ice.

[zamboni]

I seen a guy use an old Pringles can once. I would think a plastic tennis balls can would work pretty good as well

[jigginjim]

I have the large bait puck, and care my minnows for an afternoon or evening of fishing. You can't care that many larger minnows in the puck. But I have had 6 small sucker minnows in mine. I also care about 2-3 dozen crappie or fatheads i the puck. I hot glued the holes shut, figure once i get to the lake it will be opened up. I have kept a dozen crappies minnows in it for a full day all were nice and lively.

[erickol]

Guys, thanks for the input. today I used a glass nestea bottle, (you know the thick brown glass one with the green lid)

they are small, durable, leak tight screw top. I put about a dozen and a half crappie and fathead minnows in before work (7am) with the same cold water they were in. I drive all day, and they rode in the vehicle with me, tucked away from any direct heat (the backseat floor). I unscrewed the lid twice throughout the day to check 'em and agitate the water..... and they were great. I got off early (about 2pm) and fished three lakes (well, the river and two lakes). they were very lively. Good enough for a decent walleye and a handful of dink crappies (the cats eluded me today) The only issue was the water in the jar starting to freeze while out on the ice (no portable today) for a couple of hours. I'll be sure to keep 'em in my jacket pocket when it's this cold. Worked like a charm. They are in the fridge now thawing out..... curious to see how long they can go in this container?

[Northlander]

I use the large bait puck when hole hopping. I will also at times salt minnows and freeze them and then use the bait puck just like Ed said.