Aeration systems

airshot · Mar 14, 2023

Was at the local Bass Pro ding some winter browsing and struck up a conversation with another shopper looking at bait bucket aeration systems. They are getting expensive and still same poor quality. I offered him my solution and thought I woukd share it on here. Rather than the puny battery systems that wear out quickly and eat up batteries, I devised my own system and it has worked excellent for over 12 years. I have an old Frabil bait bucket, about 5 gallon size and the pitifull battery pump only lasted a year and so didvthe many replacements offered thru warranty. I finally got smart and bought a plug in your lighter socket inverter, that changes 12v dc into 110 household current. You can find these in most auto dept at any store for less than 20 bucks. Go to any aquarium dept and buy a small aerator, under 10 bucks and they seem to last forever. I also picked up a cord with a pair of battery terminal clips and a lighter socket on the other end. Clip the cord onto my house battery on my boat, olug in my inverter, plug in the aerator and attach to my airline and stone. Boy does it make bubbles !!! Far better than any battery unit, can run it all day with very little loss of power on my deep cycle house battery. On some ocassions I have left over minnows to use for the next day, just plug my bucket into house pkug while my boat batteries get charged for the next day. This system has worked without any issues for 12 years, far longer than any battery pump I ever used and creates far more bubbles, my minnows can last for days. Just thought some of you might be interested.......

FuzzyGrub · Mar 16, 2023

I have been using aquarium pumps for years to keep the bait alive at the house. Never thought of using a small inverter on the boat. Those Frabil pumps don't last, even if you use the 12V plug.

Ray Clark · Mar 18, 2023

Last year I built a live bait well using the method shown in this vid: Fishin-n-Stuff live bait well

It will keep minnows alive for three days, as along as the aerator keeps going and the water doesn't get too warm. I've never tried any of that live well additive that's supposed to keep the minnows alive. Batteries seem to last a decent time; it will also run from 12V or household current. It uses the Frabill pump; we'll see how long it lasts.

Pics of my live bait well:

senkosam · Apr 4, 2023

I don't have the luxury of a livewell like in the bass boat I used to own. Now it's just a plastic box and a bucket to change the water ever so often. The fish are brought home and stocked in my pond. Very few don't make the 35 min. trip but that's a good idea using a 12v aerator for the trip home.

airshot · Apr 4, 2023

senkosam said:
I don't have the luxury of a livewell like in the bass boat I used to own. Now it's just a plastic box and a bucket to change the water ever so often. The fish are brought home and stocked in my pond. Very few don't make the 35 min. trip but that's a good idea using a 12v aerator for the trip home.

Yes, it does make a difference. Years back after my own pond was built, I had acess to a few private ponds to get bass and bluegills for stocking my own pond. Used my big cooler with my adapter and aquarium pump and necer lost a fish, some were in there for close to an hour. Aeration makes a BIG difference !!

airshot · Apr 4, 2023

Ray Clark said:
Last year I built a live bait well using the method shown in this vid: Fishin-n-Stuff live bait well

It will keep minnows alive for three days, as along as the aerator keeps going and the water doesn't get too warm. I've never tried any of that live well additive that's supposed to keep the minnows alive. Batteries seem to last a decent time; it will also run from 12V or household current. It uses the Frabill pump; we'll see how long it lasts.

Pics of my live bait well:

View attachment 113942 View attachment 113943

Hopefully the new models last longer than the older units...Best life I ever had was two years, Frabil kept replacing them for another two years, then offered to return my money. I traded my refund for two brand new bucket liners and extra air stones. Then built my aquarium pump/ inverter project, no failures since...