Posted By: trav1921
Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 07/31/15 11:07 PM
Looking for options to keep bait alive, I fish off a pontoon that doesn't have a live well. Does anybody have any recommendations?
Posted By: Ian679
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 07/31/15 11:41 PM
I picked up a 5 gallon bucket bucket from walmart for 4$ and got a AA battery air pump from academy for 3$. The pump will last about 24 hours continuous. Works great IMO
Posted By: steveiam
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 07/31/15 11:50 PM
Bait as in Shad ?
Or perch and minnows?
Your needs will determine the answer-
Posted By: Luke79
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 07/31/15 11:51 PM
I did the same thing with the 5 gallon bucket and it works great. I've kept a lot of perch alive in it
Posted By: Ian679
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/01/15 12:22 AM
I also bought a bubbler that plugs in at home so I'm not using batteries all the time. the longest I've kept perch alive is about 6 days in the colder months. Put em in the shed and left em
Posted By: trav1921
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/01/15 01:24 AM
Shad and Perch both. I didn't know there would be a difference. I would like something for both if possible. Thanks for the info fellas
Posted By: spazm09
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/01/15 02:08 AM
One of the keys to keeping shad alive is not have corners in whatever you put em in. Coolers are fine for perch but not shad. For shad get something round. Those big plastic buckets (25 gal+) with an aerator would work for shad. But shad a sensitive so they might die anyways. Perch will in a bucket, a cooler, tote box, etc... as long as you have an aerator.
Posted By: spazm09
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/01/15 02:11 AM
About the corners, shad bang there heads against them. That's why you want something round
Posted By: trav1921
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/01/15 02:51 AM
Oh okay, I did not know that. Thanks for the info. Sounding like the 5 gallon bucket with aerator is the way to go, without spending hundreds on
Posted By: Ian679
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/01/15 05:27 AM
Also in my experience never mix your shad and perch together. For some reason the shad die faster. They also produce alot of slime and kills the perch. I've never had shad last very Long. The bigger ones, if not to many, may last an hour or so in the 5 gallon setup.
Posted By: spazm09
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/01/15 04:57 PM
For big gizzards you'll want something bigger than a 5 gal bucket. But it'll work for threadfin and smaller gizzards
Posted By: Outfitter Nomore
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/01/15 08:43 PM
PM Me I can get you all laid out with the Bait well Filter system and all,
Posted By: mad_catter1990
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/04/15 12:39 AM
http://www.ehow.com/way_5670138_homemade-bait-well-shad.htmlHere's a link that tells you how to make your own homemade shad tank. And I imagine you can make it for less than $150 which isn't even a fraction of the costs you would pay for one of the overpriced custom made name brand shad tanks they sell online... hope this helps. I think I actually may make my own as well!!
Posted By: JRR
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/04/15 01:17 AM
Actually there is a nice oval aerated one at academy. Has insulated soft cover with pockets and carry straps, works great for minnows and would work well for a dozen or so threadfins. Has D cell air pump.
Posted By: J.StoneRepairs
Re: Aerated bait bucket recommendations? - 08/04/15 03:04 AM
My summertime trick to make perch and shad last longer is to slowly cool the water down. I add a little ice to my bucket a little at a time in this heat.