Author Topic: keeping bait bucket from freezing (Read 2288 times)

ovidgsd · « **on:** Jan 12, 2009, 09:38 PM »

How can you keep your bait bucket from freezing if it is outside all night and it is -11 f ?

icedevil · « **Reply #1 on:** Jan 12, 2009, 09:40 PM »

i keep mine in an unheated garage i have to but the bubbler in and point a small space heater at it to keep the temp around 40ish

buddah · « **Reply #2 on:** Jan 12, 2009, 09:55 PM »

Aquarium heater.

JimP · « **Reply #3 on:** Jan 12, 2009, 11:13 PM »

Use a cooler and bring it into the basement. I keep mine in an unheated foyer that stays about 35 - 40. You want your bait water around 35 - 40 so you don't shock it when you use it. Especially smelts. Hope this helps. If you are talking keeping it on the ice. Use a cooler. It will help insulate and keep the water warmer on a cold day. It gets cold enough and it can be tough on the bait. Gonna be cold this week.

BeautifulMamaLacy · « **Reply #4 on:** Jan 12, 2009, 11:13 PM »

I think the question is meant to ask... "how to keep the bait bucket from freezing while out on the ice ice fishing?"

It's pretty easy to know how to when you're home.

BeautifulMamaLacy · « **Reply #5 on:** Jan 12, 2009, 11:15 PM »

Quote from: JimP on Jan 12, 2009, 11:13 PM

Use a cooler and bring it into the basement. I keep mine in an unheated foyer that stays about 35 - 40. You want your bait water around 35 - 40 so you don't shock it when you use it. Especially smelts. Hope this helps. If you are talking keeping it on the ice. Use a cooler. It will help insulate and keep the water warmer on a cold day. It gets cold enough and it can be tough on the bait. Gonna be cold this week.

Great minds think alike.

JimP · « **Reply #6 on:** Jan 12, 2009, 11:22 PM »

Yup, I wasn't sure.... Sorta the same answer anyway... "Use a Cooler"

jacksmelt71 · « **Reply #7 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 04:37 AM »

if im at a remote camp i bury the thing in the snowbank. if you put about 2ft of snow on it itll stay unfrozen down to -20. just dont forget to mark where you put it! lol!

ovidgsd · « **Reply #8 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 06:44 PM »

all good, but, Yep, it was meant to be - "when out fishing"

- overnight in particular. I'll be camping out in northern/north central Maine this weekend - current overnight forcast is -10? but I like the ideas, put the insulated bait bucket inside a cooler and then bury it in the snow - that sounds like it will work - thanks!

me0nat0 · « **Reply #9 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 07:12 PM »

If jacksmelt gives you a tip about serious winter conditions...take it!

pegasus · « **Reply #10 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 07:14 PM »

ETHANOL

Wolley · « **Reply #11 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 07:23 PM »

Wow, camping out. ???Id be more worried about your fingers and toes freezing

pegasus · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 07:26 PM »

Or your plumbing might fall off.

robbfishing · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 07:29 PM »

Quote from: pegasus on Jan 13, 2009, 07:26 PM

Or your plumbing might fall off.

GasBlaster · « **Reply #14 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 07:30 PM »

Insulated bucket in a cooler and then into your sleeping bag .

ovidgsd · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 07:36 PM »

yeah, the bait bucket will be fine in the snow bank - definitely not near the plumbing or in my sleeping bag. It is gonna be a great, albiet cold weekend - lots of wood ready run the wood stove in the tent

- no, not a backpacking tent!

3 brothers and a dog, and hopefully lots of fish !

kimball07 · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 07:42 PM »

i've froze 2 buckets(shiners) already $:-\$ , don't worry paul smelts were remembered and are safe.

THANKS SMELTSLAYER

next time i'm taking the ride too

smeltslayer · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 08:06 PM »

Quote from: kimball07 on Jan 13, 2009, 07:42 PM

i've froze 2 buckets(shiners) already $:-\$ , don't worry paul smelts were remembered and are safe.

THANKS SMELTSLAYER

next time i'm taking the ride too

Come on up.

He mentioned you might like it up in this neck of the woods.

kimball07 · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 13, 2009, 08:20 PM »

Quote from: smeltslayer on Jan 13, 2009, 08:06 PM

Come on up. He mentioned you might like it up in this neck of the woods.

you know it

Mainehazmt · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 14, 2009, 06:45 AM »

yea come on up we can teach ya how to act on real hard water! not how you have that softer tropical ice down there!

Troutbuster · « **Reply #20 on:** Jan 14, 2009, 10:53 AM »

ovidgsd are you coming up with the big group from mass on the yearly trip? Colin

timschrots · « **Reply #21 on:** Jan 14, 2009, 12:47 PM »

ok. I am going to give an age old secret.

Tie a rope to the bait bucket. Put a rock in the bucket. Drop it down the hole.
done. No freezing and no shocking the bait. just don't cut the rope when chipping the hole back out

Fish Monger · « **Reply #22 on:** Jan 14, 2009, 01:35 PM »

Is there a new rule about that now? I could be way off base, but I thought there was something about banning holding bait in the water.

Air bubbler is the easiest way.

When I was younger they used to make a galvinized metal bucket that had a styrofoam interior. Styrofoam seems to really slow down the icing, but I haven't seen one of those in nearly 20 years now.

Mainehazmt · « **Reply #23 on:** Jan 14, 2009, 01:36 PM »

ONLY IF IT IS CLOSED TO ICEFISHING WATERS

trucker · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 14, 2009, 01:37 PM »

Quote from: timschrots on Jan 14, 2009, 12:47 PM

ok. I am going to give an age old secret.

Tie a rope to the bait bucket. Put a rock in the bucket. Drop it down the hole.
done. No freezing and no shocking the bait. just don't cut the rope when chipping the hole back out

That is a really good idea

Fish Monger · « **Reply #25 on:** Jan 14, 2009, 01:39 PM »

Quote from: Mainehazmt on Jan 14, 2009, 01:36 PM

ONLY IF IT IS CLOSED TO ICEFISHING WATERS

you are probably right, I can't remember where I was reading it online.... was just a thought

but yup, that would be about the best way to handle it then!

me0nat0 · « **Reply #26 on:** Jan 14, 2009, 01:49 PM »

Quote from: timschrots on Jan 14, 2009, 12:47 PM

ok. I am going to give an age old secret.

Tie a rope to the bait bucket. Put a rock in the bucket. Drop it down the hole.
done. No freezing and no shocking the bait. just don't cut the rope when chipping the hole back out

p.s.-it works for beer too, just use a mesh/burlap bag instead of a bait bucket.

timschrots · « **Reply #27 on:** Jan 14, 2009, 02:01 PM »

I had no idea it would be illegal in maine. I think it's still ok in Nh.

If you do something like the bucket in the hole over night make sure you use a heavy rope or even cable. I lost a bucket or two because I chipped the line by accident. oops.

News:

Author Topic: keeping bait bucket from freezing (Read 2288 times)