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You have several good options when it comes to choosing the best minnow bucket on a budget. The one I like best is the Frabill Insulated Bait Bucket.
If instead, you’re looking for the BEST minnow bucket at any price, then look no further than the Engel 13 Quart Live Bait Cooler. The only hesitation I have with the Engel, and other premium bait containers, is the price. But, I suppose in some situations, a premium minnow container can be justified.
Below you’ll find a breakdown of 6 different types of minnow containers. Following that, I discuss which ones I prefer for different styles of fishing, whether that be fishing from a boat, fishing from the bank, or fishing from a kayak.
Different Styles Of Minnow Buckets
1. Don’t Buy A Cheap “Foam” Minnow Bucket
One of the worst minnow buckets you’ll run across is the simple lightweight foam contraption shown above.
These things are basically disposable, and they are priced as such. They usually only cost a few dollars, but please do the world a favor and don’t buy one of these. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve seen floating in my local lake, sitting on the bank, or crushed on the side of the road. They are basically garbage, and that seems to be how people treat them.
Besides being lightweight, and extremely breakable, they are also prone to tip over easily. Whether that be on the bank, in a boat, or in the back of a truck, it’s going to eventually spill your bait out everywhere.
There is a old well known trick of placing them inside a 5 gallon bucket to protect them, but I still don’t see that as a great solution to an obviously inferior product.
As you can see in the photo below, I’ve made the mistake of buying these things over the years. This year, I threw most of them out because all but one of them was leaking.
Solid Foam Minnow Buckets
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Cheap | Fragile (cracks and leaks) |
| Lightweight | Terrible for the Environment |
| Semi-Disposable | Tends to tip over and spill |
| They do keep minnows alive and well | Easily blows out of boats and vehicles |
*Don’t buy a solid foam bucket!
2. Are Caged Minnow Buckets Any Good?
A step up from a solid polystyrene foam bucket is the caged foam minnow bucket. As you can see from the picture above, I was a fan of these for quite a while. I even made my own wooden top for them, so I didn’t have the foam lid flopping around in the wind.
Until this year, I felt pretty good about recommending caged minnow buckets. That was before I moved all of my stuff in to, and back out of a storage unit over the last 12 months. We were recently going through the process of selling and buying a house. After the move was complete, and everything was settled, I came to realize all 3 of these caged minnow buckets, shown above, were leaking!
Guess which containers were not leaking, and were as good as ever. The plastic ones!
Obviously my equipment got bumped around more during the move than I thought. But, I sure didn’t expect all 3 of them to experience catastrophic damage. With that said, caged buckets are still light years better than uncaged ones. They are still not durable enough for long term use.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Cheap | Fragile (cracks and leaks) |
| Lightweight | Bad for the Environment |
| Semi-Disposable | Annoying flopping foam lid |
| Keeps minnows alive and well | Won’t hold up long term |
| More durable than regular foam buckets | |
| Good overall size and shape | |
| Does not tend to tip over |
*Don’t buy a caged foam bucket!
3. The Best Minnow Bucket On A Budget Is An Insulated Plastic Container
The next step up from a foam bucket, and it’s a huge step up, is any insulated plastic container. They still have foam, but the foam is heavily protected by an outer shell of plastic.
I’ve had a plastic Plano minnow bucket for a very long time. It has withstood quite a bit of abuse, and just keeps going. I plan to continue to use that bucket, but I recently found myself in the market for a 2nd container. That’s actually the reason I decided to research minnow buckets so thoroughly for this article.
I finally settled on the Frabill Insulated Bait Bucket. These small insulated minnow buckets fit into a sweet spot. They’re not expensive, not over built, not under built, not too big, and not too small.
There is another similar Frabill bucket which includes an aerator incorporated into the lid. Many people seemed to have complaints with that aerator for various reasons. So, I opted to go with the plain Jane bait bucket, and just slide my own battery operated aerator onto the available mounting slot. See more about aerators below.
As for size, I don’t usually prefer larger 5 gallon containers, as they take up too much space in my 18 foot boat. I find that, with an aerator, I can fit plenty of minnows into one of the smaller buckets, like the Frabill, for a typical day’s worth of fishing.
If I need more minnows, such as in the case of fishing with a partner, or if I’m spider rigging, I’ll simply carry a 2nd bucket.
Insulated Plastic Minnow Buckets
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Cheap | Some are small |
| Very Durable | Handles are sometimes plastic and fragile |
| Lightweight | |
| Keeps minnows alive and well | |
| Does not tend to tip over |
*If you’re on a tight budget, buy an insulated plastic bait bucket.
4. The Best Minnow Bucket Is Actually A Cooler Style Bait Container
Cooler style bait containers are very nice, but they’re also quite expensive. I’ll admit, I don’t plan to buy one any time soon. I’m all for quality, but a high end minnow bucket doesn’t top my current list of financial priorities. Nevertheless, for those that wish to go for the best, the Engel Live Bait Cooler is a strong contender.
Based on reviews from all over, and personally laying hands on one, this thing is the best minnow bucket I’ve seen.
Build Quality
When it comes to high end minnow buckets, Engel is obviously committed to dominating this space. The build quality is noticeable. Engel’s have durable steel hardware, and a 5 year warranty. It seems like they may even listen to user feedback to make improvements. Recently they re-positioned the aerator tube to run through the top of the lid, instead of the side, which is a nice improvement.
Best Size
I would prefer the 13 quart size for crappie fishing from my 18′ boat. But, Engel offers other sizes as well. Perhaps I’d go for the smaller 7.5 quart if I was planning to use it in my kayak, and one of the larger sizes if I was using it in a larger boat.
Features
The Engel comes with an efficient 2-speed pump and a net. There seems to be almost no complaints when it comes to the pump that’s included with the Engel. This battery operated aerator also allows the use of a 12V adapter, which enables you to run the pump all night from a cigarette lighter plug if needed.
Engle bait coolers are well insulated, and keep minnows alive for a long time, as long as you have that aerator going. If you fish often, the initial cost of such a cooler would probably get offset by the reduction of dead bait.
A bait cooler like this is also much easier to clean than some other options. Because of this, you could even use it for dual purposes. The 13 quart option will hold 18 cans of your favorite beverages, so there is that.
Finally, you also won’t have the splashing and loss of water that you typically have with other minnow “buckets”.
Negatives
Obviously, the price is a negative, as it’s much more expensive than other options. And, like other high end purchases, you have to commit a certain level of protection to them. I’m sure, with one of these sitting in the back of your truck, it might have a tendency to sprout legs and walk off, if you know what I mean.
One day I’ll have an Engel Live Bait Cooler, one day. 🙂
Cooler Style Minnow Containers
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Premium components | Very expensive |
| The most durable option | A thief attractant |
| Keeps bait alive and well | |
| Securely latches | |
| Less water loss from splashing | |
| Dual purpose (drink cooler) |
5. Are Metal Minnow Buckets Any Good?
The short answer is yes, metal bait buckets are OK. They certainly tap into the nostalgic side of folks. I won’t lie, I think they look cool as well.
However, there seem to be a lot of complaints about modern day metal minnow buckets rusting prematurely. So, I’m not sure how well they’re galvanized compared to their ancestors.
If you’re looking for something you can tie to your dock for an extended time, or leave floating in a stream, this is probably still going to be your best option. Or, if you’re just want something that brings back a sense of nostalgia, this is certainly the ticket. They are very affordable, so you don’t really have a lot to lose.
I did strongly consider going this route myself, but I opted for a trusty plastic bucket instead.
Galvanized Minnow Buckets
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Cheap | Possible rusting issues |
| Durable | |
| An aerator may not be necessary | |
| They don’t tend to tip over |
6. Floating Minnow Buckets
Floating minnow buckets certainly have their place for crappie fishermen. I like them both for kayak fishing and bank (or pier) fishing. Not having to have an aerator is a huge plus at times. The only one I have experience with is the Frabill Flow Troll, pictured above.
There are 2 sizes available with these Flow Troll containers. I’ve only used the smaller 6 quart option, so I can’t speak specifically to the Magnum Flow Troll, which holds 10 quarts.
These buckets are rated for both freshwater and saltwater. My flow troll does double duty for me. I use it for kayak crappie fishing as well as for occasionally chasing trout and reds in the marsh.
Features
The design of a floating minnow container is such that a weight is affixed on one side, which forces the access door to float upward. This provides constant ready access to your bait. The door has a locking mechanism which I honestly have never used. I just leave it unlocked. The spring loaded door automatically closes the opening once you pull your hand out with your bait.
These style containers are both cheap and effective. They work well for kayak fishing, wade fishing, fishing from a dock, or fishing from the bank.
No Aerator Needed!
One of the biggest selling points to such a minnow bucket is that you don’t have to have an aerator while fishing. Because the container provides a constant supply of fresh water to the bait, you can use this style of bucket to hold a large number of baits, or even to hold larger baits. Besides storing minnows, I also sometimes use it to store sunfish when I’m chasing flatheads.
Floating minnow buckets are also quite useful for wade fishing, fishing from the bank, or fishing from a dock.
Negatives
The smaller 6 quart Flow Troll creates a noticeable, but manageable, amount of drag behind a kayak. Because of this, I don’t think I’d recommend the Magnum Flow Troll for kayak use. I think that the magnum sized version would be more useful for wade fishing or stationary fishing from the bank or a dock. But, that’s just my opinion.
It can also be annoying when the floating bucket bangs against the side of your boat.
Finally, some people complain about the strength of the handle, but I have never had any issues myself.
Floating Minnow Buckets
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Affordable | They create drag in the water |
| Durable | Bump against boat causing noise |
| No aerator necessary | Handle is sometimes weak |
| Works for larger baits | |
| Lightweight | |
| Easy to retrieve bait |
Best Minnow Bucket To Match Your Style Of Fishing
Now that we’ve summarized the different styles of minnow containers available, let’s discuss which one you might choose for your style of fishing.
1. Best Minnow Containers For Boat Fishing
It really depends on how big your boat is as to which container you should choose.
Boats With A Narrow Bow
I have what I consider a “normal” sized crappie boat. It’s an 18 foot metal boat with a flat carpeted floor. The floor of the bow is about 50 inches wide. So, in my case, a standard sized minnow bucket of 2 to 3 gallons is pretty good. I don’t like the larger 5 gallon versions, as they take up too much floor space. If someone is fishing with me, I’ll take along a 2nd minnow bucket from which they can use from the back of the boat.
Boats With A Wide Bow
If, on the other hand, your boat is fairly wide up front, then you might consider a larger minnow container. Boats large enough to fit two crappie fishermen, side by side on the bow, are typically large enough to have a single larger container between the seats. This is when I would consider one of the cooler style containers, or a 5 gallon sized minnow bucket.
2. Best Minnow Bucket For Kayak Fishing
Floating Containers Are Best For Kayak Fishing
It does depend on exactly what kayak you have, and how large it is, as to which minnow bucket to choose. But, in my opinion, the best minnow container for kayak fishing is usually a floating minnow bucket.
As you can tell from the photo above, I have a fair amount of experience with the Frabill Flow Troll Bait Container. If it breaks, I plan to buy another one to take it’s place.
* Some Observations I’ve Had When Using Floating Containers
Because the Flow Troll’s access door is always floating upright, it’s easy to retrieve bait while dealing with the restricted movement that comes with kayak fishing.
It’s also nice to not to have to deal with an aerator while kayak fishing. When I’m kayak fishing, I like to keep things simple, peaceful, and quiet, without the annoying buzz of an aerator.
* Capacity Can Be An Issue With Floating Minnow Buckets
One thing to note about the Frabill Flow Troll is that it’s stated 6 quart capacity is misleading. I’m sure the Flow Troll likely does hold 6 quarts when it’s floating sideways in the water. However, you’re going to eventually want to remove it from the water, and stand the container upright.
I typically remove the Flow Troll from the water while kayaking from spot to spot. This is because if you leave the bucket in the water, it creates noticeable drag when trying to move quickly.
When you remove the Flow Troll from the water it only holds 3 to 4 quarts. So, it depends on how much bait you have, as to whether that’s a problem for you or not. This isn’t typically a problem, as long as you understand this capacity issue.
* You May Have Issues With Drag
While it is true that one of these floating minnow buckets creates drag in the water, it’s worth it to not have to deal with an aerator.
To combat the drag issue, I simply remove the bucket from the water and set it in front of me when paddling between spots. It has a nice flat bottom that rides quite nicely on any flat surface in your kayak.
* The Noise May Bother You.
Another thing to be aware of is the tendency of a floating bait container to unexpectedly bump against the side of your kayak. This can certainly be annoying, particularly if you’re trying to stealthily catch fish in shallow water.
Cooler Style Containers Also Work Well For Kayaks
With all their negatives, I do still prefer floating minnow containers for kayak fishing. But, if the negatives outweigh the positives for you, I also think cooler style minnow containers are a great option for kayaks.
Cooler-style minnow containers will require an aerator, but they eliminate some of the negatives of a floating container. Sure, they will have the noise of a buzzing aerator, but they do away with surprise noises of a floating container banging against your kayak.
Cooler style containers also eliminate any issues with drag on your kayak.
Finally, if it’s cold outside, an on-board bait container is probably a better option for a kayak.
3. Best Bait Bucket For Bank Fishing
For bank fishing, any style of minnow container should work fine. Assuming you aren’t walking a long ways from your vehicle, size doesn’t matter too much. I do still think I’d opt for some form of insulated container so that you don’t have to babysit your minnows in the case of hot weather.
If I were doing a lot of bank fishing, I might lean toward an insulated container which could double as a seat. Whether that be a cooler style container, or a large bucket, I like the idea of double duty.
It depends how far you plan to walk from your vehicle as to which container is best. A large cooler style minnow container might be too heavy to carry very far. Also, if you go the cooler route, you obviously need one with a handle.
I’ll be honest, using a 5 gallon bucket with an insulated liner makes a pretty good minnow bucket for bank fishing. That’s probably what I would use.
You’re Also Going To Need An Aerator
Assuming you don’t choose a bait container that already has an included aerator, you’re definitely going to want one.
I prefer the aerators from marinemetal.com. I’m not necessarily claiming they’re the best available. But, I can say they’re cheap, and they have always worked well for me.
Here are the two aerators that I typically use – Bubble Box and Baby Bubbles. Whichever portable aerator you buy, I recommend purchasing a 2nd A/C powered bubbler to go with it if you plan to ever fish consecutive days.
Below is the one I have – 110 A/C Aerator from Marine Metal. These things pay for themselves many times over if you plan to save leftover bait for consecutive days. I use my A/C powered bubbler for keeping crappie minnows overnight, and I also use it for beach trips to keep bait shrimp alive overnight.
Conclusion
Buy what you can afford, but don’t waste money on those solid foam buckets you find at the bait shop. Instead, try to think ahead, and make sure you always bring your bucket to the lake so you don’t have to buy one there.
No matter what you choose, you’ll want an aerator to go with it. Typically this is going to be a battery operated bubbler. I like the baby bubbles aerator. It’s cheap, durable and easy on the batteries.
Figure out how many minnows you typically need, and buy an appropriately sized container.
Any one of the 4 designs listed below are all good, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use any of them.
These Are All Good Options
| Frabill insulated minnow bucket |
| Frabill Flow Troll floating minnow container (for kayak fishermen) |
| Engel 13 Quart Live Bait Cooler (when cost isn’t an issue) |
| Frabill 8 Quart Wade Bucket (for an old school nostalgic bait bucket) |
Now that you have your minnow bucket, check out my other article about the 3 Best Crappie Baits. I’ll give you a hint, one of them is minnows.
Happy Fishing,
Augustus Clay
