Occasionally, anglers have had problems with the aerator failingįrabill Flow-Troll Magnum Minnow Bucket - Best Bait Bucket for Wadingįrabill’s Flow-Troll has been a favorite of bank anglers since it was first introduced, and for folks who fish from a Jon-boat, kayak, or canoe, it’s a great way to keep live bait alive longer.For multi-day excursions with live bait, this is a very hard cooler to beat, and for on-shore anglers like surf-casters or crappie addicts, it’s nice to have a bait cooler that doubles a seat! Pros: Keeping shrimp alive for days in the Florida sun is normal performance from an Engel, and minnows are simply no sweat. Overall, I rate this bait cooler very highly. The Engel cooler also comes with a bait net, making retrieving your minnows or shrimp a snap. If it does happen to you, I recommend an after-market aerator rather than a replacement from Engel. Typically quite loud, it can stop working unexpectedly, which can cause serious bait issues! Fortunately, that doesn’t happen often, and most anglers find that this bait cooler works well season after season. Those batteries will typically last for 72 hours or more, running constantly.Īnd if there’s a weak point to the Engel system, it’s this aerator. It comes with a 2-speed aerator that runs on two D-cell batteries or via plug into a 12v accessory socket. High-quality gaskets create a tight seal between the lid and body, and the result is that Engel’s bait coolers hold their temperatures at bait-pampering temps in even the hottest weather. Related: Best Fishing Knife, Best Fishing Pliers, Best Fish Hook Removers, Best Fishing Net Best Minnow Buckets Reviewed Engel Live Bait Cooler - Best Bait Bucket for Long Trips and Big BoatsĮngel produces what by any metric are the Cadillacs of bait coolers, and if you have an appropriate power source and the space, it simply doesn’t get any better than this.Įngel starts with a reasonably high-quality cooler body that’s rugged, thick-sided, and well-insulated with molded polystyrene foam. Marine Metal Cool Bubbles CB-35 - Best Live Bait Bucket.Frabill Flow-Troll Magnum Minnow Bucket - Best Bait bucket for Wading.Engel Live Bait Cooler - Best Bait Bucket for Long Trips and Big Boats.Below, you’ll find a brief buying guide, as well as reviews of some of our favorites. If you’re in the market for a good live bait bucket, we’ve got you covered. But time and again, I see anglers relying on sub-standard bait buckets-with predictable results! Unfortunately, bait shops and Amazon stock a wide range of products, some of which are simply too terrible to even consider. Whether you chase slabs with minnows, toss shad to big cats, or throw shrimp to reds, you know that hot weather and live bait don’t mix.Īnd to keep your expensive or hard-won bait at its best, you need a the best bait bucket that can provide hours-perhaps even days-of cool, aerated water.