bait buckets

[gary]

I have heard and seen several advertisements for these "aqua-life" minnow buckets. Has anyone out there bought one? Are they as good as what the advetisement claims? How long could you expect two D-cell batteries to last? Are they over priced because a "recreation label" can be attached to it? What would a reasonable price be?

[bregall]

The Walleye In-sider magazine (july 2001) page 14, gives has a write up about the Frabill "aqua-life" bucket. Yeah its expensive but even a handy-man would have trouble building one of that quality for much less. I am heading to LBDN Nov. 1-4 and plan on fishing with a lot of large redtail chubs, if you ever bought them you know there not cheap!(approximately .50 a piece). Keeping them alive gets very high priority. I don't plan to use this bucket every time I fish during the year, but for special outings I don't take chances. If i spend $30 a trip on minnows... you get the point. Look at it as a good long term investment. see ya on the water!

[Dave S]

You might want to check the archives. Several months ago a number of people expressed that they were having problems with this aerator overheating and batteries lasting a fraction of the promised time particularly at higher temperatures as I recall. Frabill posted on WC indicating that the aerator motor was being redesigned so that it would not overheat. Sounds like existing aerator motors were being replaced. I am waiting until next year for redesigned aerator before purchasing one of these buckets. Good concept, Just some bugs with the first aerator motors which are being redesigned. For colder temperature Fall fishing probrably works fine.

[Stormsearch]

Gary,

Several of us waited as long as possible to purchase hoping to get the redesigned motors - not sure if we did. We bought (3) of them for our use perch fishing on Lake Erie. We have used them 4 times, about 6 - 8 hours of fishing. All of our buckets are still running pretty strong on (2) D cell batteries.

The aeration of the buckets work really good. Just a quick note however about the light underneath. The bulb becomes lose during shipping. All of ours were lose so we needed to tighten them. There is a sticker stating that but didn't pay any attention to the warning labels. And so far, no issue with the overheating. But we haven't used them in 80+ heat yet in direct sunlight either. Frabil did post here as mentioned and would replace motor if there was a problem if you keep your receipt. That sounded pretty safe with us. Good luck.

[Chad]

I have used the AERO Bait bucket for years without any problems. these are the little blue ones.

[RANGER]

I use the "Cool Bubbles" minnow bucket and I wouldn't be without one. The batteries last, as advertised, 100 hours (or there about) running full time. The bucket is insulated, a nice size and can keep emerald shinners ALIVE for more than an hour :) ! Actually, for as long as I have needed them. I imagine the Frabill would be as good and maybe better with the 12 volt aerator!

Go for it!

[Sparky]

I have the Aerobait 5 gallon bucket that runs on D cell batteries.
The longest that I've kept bait in it has been 4 nights. I kept the bucket in a cool spot and kept fishing. I was amazed! I've never tried that again but, it did work as advertized. It is a little strange not having a bucket of dead bait at the end of a days fishing. I've had that bucket for at least 6 years. It's still ticking away when needed. Others may work just as well but, it seemed to have all of the right features. It's round, the air is injected into the bottom, it's battery powered, and circular like the expensive bait tanks on heavy fishing rigs. I read a review of it in Walleye Insider magazine and followed their advice. They were right on about this one for me.