minnows?

this ive been having a real hardtime keeping my minnows alive, I have a bubble box portable airator...any ideas on how i might keep them alive longer?

dead minnows will work just as well. Keep em cold!
 
BH

Yea keep em cold,airater helps,shinners are real tough to keep alive ,iv found out live ones are better then dead for crappie atleast sometimes it dont matter

S-10

I do as Skip does.  freeze a bottle of water and take it with you. Cut the plastic away and put in the bucket with the minnows. It will last longer than cubes.

I do the same thing except there is no need to cut away the plastic. I been reusing the same bottle for 6 yrs. Just refreeze and reuse.

If you have shiners, it's almost a losing battle on a hot day in a boat. Ice definately helps them last longer, that's for sure. If you're at anchor, tie onto your bucket and throw it over the side. This is the best way that I've found to keep them. Also, the bigger the bucket, the better. I have a 5 gallon bucket that I use for shiners and they definately stay alive longer in it than a regular minnow bucket. If using a 5 gallon bucket, drill a hole in the lid for  your aerator tube and feed it through the hole, then put your bubble stone on. Throw a frozen water bottle in and they will keep much, much longer. It takes up more space, but it is worth it. If you need a 5 gal bucket with a lid, go to a local grocery store that decorates cakes and go to the bakery dept. Their icing comes in 5 gal buckets with lids. Just hose it out and you're good to go. They may give them away or might cost you a dollar or two, but at least you know that it didn't have harmful chemicals in it. Hope this helps.

True, but for crappie, you want 'em lively.

I find the trouble with shiners when fishing the Erie piers, is....they die as soon as they hit the water!!!!
I have no trouble keeping them alive for hours, even overnight, in a cooler with a little ice and a bubbler...but...start fishing and they are lucky to last one cast. So, now I usually bring a few dozen fatheads with me from Pittsburgh.....

I remember the first time i went out for perch. i bought 5 dozen minies. the guy at the bait store questioned my bucket. he told me they wouldnt stay alive very long because of the temp change. he was right. i went a mile to the ramp and by the time i got there EVERYONE of them were dead. i bought a frabil insulated minnie bucket, 5 gallon with an aireator and they stay alive ALL day. even into the next day. Also watch what kind of water you make your ice with to. i have seen some tap water kill them to. Good luck i hope this helps.