question about live bait.

[mdzika]

I just started fishing flatheads last year, so this may be a dumb question. How does everyone keep there bait lively when fishing flatheads, especially during this heat? When I go out, I use a big insulated minnow bucket with an aerator. It keeps my bait really lively, but it is so noisy. The constant "buzz" gets really annoying after a couple hours. Does anyone know of any aerators that aren't very noisy? I was thinking about getting a minnow bucket that you can just throw off the side into the water, but I haven't found one that is big enough to hold a dozen bullheads. Any suggestions? Thanks, Marc

[DTro]

I know quite a few guys just take a 5 gallon bucket and drill holes in the side and top (cover).

Works well.

[Bagley]

I always use a fish basket to keep the bait in. There is plenty of room to hold a lot of bullies, suckers, or chubs.

Bagley

[jtk15]

I use a five gallon bucket in transit with air, and then your basic minnow bucket over the side. Bullheads are no problem-I probably had 15-20 "large" 7" in there Saturday night with no problem. You can pack bullheads in there and they are fine-I have had a very difficult time with suckers, chubs seem to be a little better with doing the same, but only 12 medium and definately need ice in transit.

Most do use five gallon buckets from what I have seen. Problem with that is, bucket is large to take in my 14ft boat, and the bucket can be a pain to get in to retreive more bait vs. a minnow bucket.

Basket idea seems pretty reasonable though-I assume you use a bucket in transit then.

Seems with bullheads you could throw them on the floor of the boat and an hour later bait them, and they go nuts. Resiliant little things!

jk

[Bagley]

In transit, i've been using a cooler with an aerator. On the warmer days I will put ice in there also. You have to make sure the water is warmer in the cooler before you transfer the suckers and chubs into the river water otherwise they stun and die. When we get to the river I start cycling water from the river into the cooler to warm them up so I can put them in the basket.

Bagley

[Fisher Dave]

Floating fish baskets work good when your on the water.

I have a big 50 quart cooler on wheels I modified with a livewell recirculating pump.. no problem keeping 100 bullheads alive, or a mass amount of suckers or chubs.. only down fall it is 12V.. so a battery is required when away from home, or a converter works good at home... very important to keep changing out the water.. daily if there is a ton of bait.. keeping the water cool is a must for anything but a bullhead.. but the bullheads wont survive either if you let the water get over 90 degrees(out in sun on a hot day with no ice).. A pop bottle filled wth ice can work nicely.

[mdzika]

Thanks for the pointers everyone. A lot of good ideas. Marc

[BIG DS]

If you are intrested in a quieter areator, Frabil makes one called the Aqua-Life for 39.99 or Gander carries one that puts in pure oxygen only, makes no noise at all, and is priced about the same.

[mdzika]

Thanks bid ds.