4 Things to Know About Using a Cooler With an Aerator for Bait

It works for short trips A cooler with a battery-powered aerator keeps bait alive for a few hours on the lake. The cooler slows water warming, and the aerator adds oxygen.

Cooler lids trap ammonia Tight seals prevent ammonia from fish waste from escaping. You must change the water every few hours, or the bait will suffocate.

Coolers have poor gas exchange Deep, narrow coolers offer less surface area for oxygen exchange than a proper bait bucket. A dedicated bucket with a wide opening and built-in aerator is better.

Skip it for overnight storage For keeping bait overnight or multiple days, buy a proper aerated bucket for around $20. A cooler setup is only reliable for a single morning of fishing.