Minnow bucket options

[jr50]

I am looking at getting a cooler style minnow bucket to keep my minnows alive in the garage between outings.  I’m looking at the Frabil, Engel,and Calcutta.  I’m looking at the 13-19 qt size.  I’m looking for pros and cons of these brands or others I’m not thinking of.  I have been using a bucket with aerator now but looking for something to keep them freezing when my garage gets into the 20s. 
Thanks

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I am looking at getting a cooler style minnow bucket to keep my minnows alive in the garage between outings.  I’m looking at the Frabil, Engel,and Calcutta.  I’m looking at the 13-19 qt size.  I’m looking for pros and cons of these brands or others I’m not thinking of.  I have been using a bucket with aerator now but looking for something to keep them freezing when my garage gets into the 20s. 
Thanks

I have an Engle very happy with it.

[bubbagill]

I have been very pleased with my Engel. 
 Pros the unit is tough keeps minnows good for days on end and the basket is really handy for keeping fingers dry.
  Cons two that I have found and they are relatively minor.  One is the lid can build up with ice making the seal not perfect and the other is if in a sleeper the aerator is rather loud.
  Overall bullet proof unit that has paid for itself three times over in keeping bait alive.

[fish/hunt4ever]

Depends on how many you want to keep alive as I have the 30 quart one and can keep 5 to 10 dozen minnows alive for awhile I usually take them back to my dryer drum in the creek but live the 30 quart one and would say that size is perfect for a few to a bunch of minnows. I have the model without the net inside but just found out I can get all the parts for the cooler as well so that is a plus, and pretty affordable as well.

[Papa Sly]

I have one as well here are my observations. Great quality, very sturdy and solid. The first problem I have had the last 2 years is with the lid and gasket, if it gets even a little wet the entire lid freezes and you have to pry it open. I have tried chap stick and vasoline on the gasket but it didnt help. Secondly I hate the net basket. The last thing you want to do every time you need a shiner is to take all 4 or 5 dozen shiners out of the water just to get 1. Its very bad for the shiners life to keep doing this. I mostly tip-up fish so on a good day this in and out of the water all day kills them. I just use a regular net to get one out at a time. I use the Clam lithium air bubbler so cant speak on the one that came with it.

[fish/hunt4ever]

On the freezing of the lid I do not have a way to stop it but I leave it open a little while out in the ice with the latch just holding so I can get my redneck chisel to pop it open when I need another minnow then take it in the camper to warm up to get the ice off of it but when it is frozen shut even the chisel works great and does not break anything when you slide it in and twist to pop it open. Need to buy another one to have to keep my statewide and caught minnows separated.  Good luck on which one you buy my buddies wife bought the frabil one for him and he never got to use it and tried to sell it for 60 bucks at the yard sale when she paid 80 for it and no one snagged it. Oh well maybe I should get that one and just see the difference in the two but I think that one was to 19 qt frabil.

[E Z turn]

I have the 19 qt Engel and use it all the time in the boat. Talk on another site that chapstick on the seals helps prevent freezing.

[jr50]

Engels sounds like the way to go.  I plan on leaving it in the garage and transporting what I think I will need for the day into a clam minnow bucket that hangs from my sled. 
Thanks for the input.

[Iceassin]

I have a 48 qt. cooler that I turned into a minnow livewell ( holds everything from Emeralds to big sucker minnows...several hundered isn't a stretch) that is kept in my shed. I use the Marine Metal Super Saver 12V aerator. It will handle up to 30 gallons @500 g.p.h. and only draws 1.9 amps. I power it with a 120V > 12V transformer. Also a ceramic heater in the shed for the really cold temps. And if I take it with me for an extended trip, I use an Amped Outdoors 30 amp. Lithium battery until I reach my destination...cabin,etc. Full charge lasts 12 - 15 hours. I do a 50% water change every 3 to 4 days, adding a little Finer Shiner water treatment after each change.Then I just scoop what I need for the day into either a 5 or 18 qt. cooler. I use those smaller aerators for these. Hope this helps.

[RStock521]

I've been happy wtih my Engel as well.  I do wish it had stainless hinges, but I haven't had an issue with the platic ones yet. 

On the ice, I typically just use a Coleman 1-gallon water cooler.  I add a handful of snow to keep the minnows cold and they live all weekend long, which is more than enough for me.  I like that it's watertight and has a smaller footprint than my Engel.  Only $12 at Wally World too:  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-1-Gallon-Beverage-Cooler-Jug-Blue/23787717?athbdg=L1700

[sra61]

We tried the cooler styles and the lids always froze down really bad. I went to this Frabill Aqua Life Bait Station and have been very happy with it for 3 years now. at 6 gal. it's deep enough that freezing the lid down has never been a problem. We keep a lot of minnows for 4-5 days every trip.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/frabill-aqua-life-bait-station?ds_e=MICROSOFT&ds_c=Shop%7CCAB%7CTopPerformers%7CHunting&msclkid=d0ace470b381183d469b85c2fe3aec08&gclid=d0ace470b381183d469b85c2fe3aec08&gclsrc=3p.ds

[PikeKing23]

Usually just use a 5 gallon bucket with twist lock lid. The secret weapon is this popcorn bucket! We use these to transport minnows to tipups when setting up or changing baits. They also fit nicely down an 8" hole for getting water to cook, clean, or just change the water in the big minnow bucket. Use the handle and your hands don't even get wet. Works great. I always bring 1 for every person. No more waiting for 1 guy to finish baiting before the next guy can set up.

[FilletShow]

Great idea PikeKing.  Now I just need to go to Great America to get one.  Anyone else know of a similar bucket that is readily available?  I like the handle and dipping aspect like you mentioned.  Always use a frozen scoop to shovel snow and water into the big bucket.

Fs

[wyogator]

I use an old Igloo 110 for the garage with an aquarium pump. Works like a charm.  I keep it about half full and replace about 5 gallons a week (one five gallon bucket left out for 24 hours).  You can keep as many minnows as you could possibly need.  When I go fishing, I transfer a dozen or two to a small Frabill minnow cooler.  I am considering a 13 qt Engel because the Frabill leaks.  Now, Frabill makes a “magnum” version.  But I’m not so sure about the built-in-the-lid aerator and plastic hinges.  I don’t know, I think the Engel is probably better.  Maybe I’ll just get the cheaper one.

[Knot there yet]

Round Orange Gatorade cooler keep water from freezing and doubles as a seat

[Uppervalley Kid]

Not the biggest fan of frabil buckets

[Roccus]

I use an Engel.. an application of plumbers silicone grease helps with the lid.. it's not perfect, but 90%  of the time it doesnt freeze down
. I use a plastic frabil minnow scoop, it floats and is square, makes catching the bait easy.. and because  it floats, just let it float around inside the cooler.

[bart]

I use 1 gallon and 2 gallon insulated jugs. I run the aerator through the mouth piece while at home, it has worked well for me.

[filetandrelease]

 I don’t run tipups so a 2gal insulated magic bait bucket works fine , far as in the boat I use a 25qt black paw built in aerator
 My bud runs an old Plano of similar size

[Hardwater2]

I use 1 gallon and 2 gallon insulated jugs. I run the aerator through the mouth piece while at home, it has worked well for me.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

That’s pretty clever👍

[kpd145]

I just use a regular 5 gallon and a good aerator.

My garage is not heated and I do sometimes get ice build up in really cold temps, but I check them almost daily so I just remove the ice from the aerator and the edges and refill with fresh water.

The engel is the better of the bunch and I have used them but what Pap sly said is true, the basket is kind of not worth it in the winter. Just remove it and use a floating net.

[jedhead]

I use 1 gallon and 2 gallon insulated jugs. I run the aerator through the mouth piece while at home, it has worked well for me.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

great idea! Got a few from knee and shoulder surgeries with the Cyro cuff, may have to put em to use!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I've been happy wtih my Engel as well.  I do wish it had stainless hinges, but I haven't had an issue with the platic ones yet. 

The hinges aren't stainless? I coulda swore mine were....

[On The Lam]

Engel 7.5 quart for me for jigging and my Finicky Foolers.  I ditched the net and use a plastic scoop as mentioned above.  I also have a 19 quart Frabill I keep in the garage as a homebase for minnows in the winter, but I find it too bulky and heavy for me to take on the ice for day trips.  I also replaced the Engel aerator with a Marine Metal aerator.  The stock aerator, at least mine, was junk.  I had the plastic hinges, but swapped them out for their metal ones, which you can buy.

[ship of fools]

I bought an insulated water cooler off of Craigslist for $10 and it works like a charm. It stops the crazy / quick temperature swings that happen when the bait sits in a 70 degree car for a couple hours on the trip to and from the lake and I leave it in my garage and it never freezes.

[AcezHi]

Bought a cheap 50Gallon plastic tote from Home Depot.
I buy a few weeks worth of shiners 5 or 6 dozens at a time and leave in the garage with an aquarium air pump.
Worked great last season and I cut my trips to the bait shop...
I use a bait cooler on the day I fish. It clamps down nice and water tight for the ride onto the lake.
I do put Vaseline on the seal to stop icing of the cover.

[RStock521]

The hinges aren't stainless? I coulda swore mine were....

Stainless front latches, but plastic hinges.

[RStock521]

[Finnt]

I use 1 gallon and 2 gallon insulated jugs. I run the aerator through the mouth piece while at home, it has worked well for me.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

I made my own out of a 16 qt igloo , and put a aerator on it. Got the aerator at local pet store, is a back up aerator for fish tanks and it will run for about 2 days on a charge. USB charger with li batt. You Can choose  different modes I like the mode that runs for ten sec. Then off for ten secs. Plus I use about 4 drops of Mr juice in the water. It's keeps.tje water in good shape for about a week. And the cooler fits in the fridge in the basement to keep the temp perfect for ice fishing

[straightShot]

I bought a 19 qt. Engel this past weekend for the same purpose. I plan on using it for my minnows that remain in my garage.  The net should help in quickly moving them to the container that I use on the ice, and the almost 5 gallon capacity should be good for having enough water in the Engel to support the minnows.

Things to note are that while a 120V to 3V DC power adapter can be used to power the aerator by plugging it in to a wall outlet, it does not come with the cooler.  A 12v cigarette lighter adapter is included or you can use 2 D batteries.  I'll probably pick up a 3V 1A power supply that I can just plug into an outlet in the garage.