Minnow Buckets... Tools Of The Trade

by Bob Jensen

As fishermen most of us own a minnow bucket or two. They're not glamorous and we probably don't brag to our fellow fishing buddies when we buy a new one. Fact is, most fishermen look at a minnow bucket as a basic necessity with little regard for what an important tool it is. As fishing styles become more specialized, so have the options and styles of bait containers. Not all buckets are created equal and differences do exist in design and functions. Many will make your fishing more efficient and convenient. More anglers are discovering the advantages of owning different types of buckets to match the various ways they fish. Here's a quick guide to choosing the right style of bucket for the different ways you may fish.

Trolling Style Buckets

Trolling style buckets offer a more hydrodynamic shape that is designed to pull easily through the water either behind a boat, or a wading angler. This style of bucket is also ideal for fishing in current as they swim or flow of water and will not roll over. My choice is the Frabill 5401 Flow Troll. Its balanced keel system keeps it floating at a 45º angle so it pulls easier and the bait door floats face up for easy access to your bait. This bucket constantly aerates the bait as it swims against the current. Its self-closing door and locking tab feature keep bait from escaping.

Key Points:

Designed for pulling behind a boat or used in current
Ideal for wade fishing applications
Automatic aeration of bait as it moves through the water

Two-Piece Style Buckets

A favorite style with shore anglers. A two-piece bucket allows you to change water easily to keep baitfish alive and frisky. The inner bucket can be tied off to the bank or dock for constant aeration of bait. The biggest draw back with this style of bucket is that they can be messy. Most two piece buckets drain water through its side which can splash water all over you , the dock or the shore.

The Frabill Min-O-Dipper bucket is different. It drains water directly out of the bottom of the inner bucket and into the outer bucket eliminating the splash.

Key Points:

Designed primarily for use from shore or stationary position
Allows changing of water when necessary to keep bait fresh
Bottom drainage ports eliminate splash

Insulated Foam Buckets

Foam buckets do a great job of keeping bait alive in extreme heat or cold. Their insulating qualities keep the water at a more constant temperature, which means cooler in hot weather and also a deterrent to freeze-up when it's cold. The biggest problem with these buckets is that they are fragile and may never see a whole season's use. The other problem is trying to change water. Because of their separate lid design, changing water with the bait inside can be very tricky.

Frabill's Kool Keeper bucket combines the advantage of foam insulation with the added durability of a tough molded plastic outer bucket. The best of both worlds. The vented plastic lid also lets you change water without losing bait.

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