Can I use a cooler with an aerator for keeping bait alive?

Yes, for short trips like a morning on the lake. A battery-powered aerator keeps oxygen flowing, and the cooler prevents water from warming up too fast. But it’s not a long-term solution — the tight lid traps ammonia from fish waste, and the deep, narrow shape limits gas exchange. For a few hours it works, but for overnight or multiple days, get a proper aerated bait bucket.