Thread: Insulated Bait Cooler

I was searching the internet for something to keep bait from overheating and saw that Engel had a bait "cooler". I thought it was cool, but unfortunately it came with the Engel price tag($79.99 for 13 quarts). I was in Walmart today and gathered everything I'd need to make my own. I went to Lowes for the hardware. The only hardware you'll need are all weather screw. I chose 10-24s (1-1/2" in length) and matching size nut to fasten.
I used a 3/16 drill bit to make my holes into the cooler. You'll need a 3/8 rachet to fasten it down from the inside.
You'll need to take this small metal clip off of the aerator to mount it to the cooler.

post images The bottom screw should fit perfectly when the batteries are set in.

image hosting over 2mbI used a 1/4" bit for the lid and added some adhesive.

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image search Lastly just put a little marine adhesive and you're set to add bait. Total cost of project $27. When its hot in the summer time and all that adding water can be a pain in the butt. Hopefully yall will find dis useful to keeps yo skrimps cool in the hotter months.

Dard good work should work great thanks for sharing.

Nice!! Great idea!

That is pretty damn awesome, gonna be making one when i get a lil free time, great idea and great work

Cool setup.

Dropping in a frozen bottle of water will help keep the temps down without adding freshwater ice.

Those things are really handy. I use to have one of the big igloo water coolers that have the screw on lid and spout to drink out of setup similar. Took the spout off and made a shim to allow the air hose to pass through and then sealed it with silicone. Attached the aerator box to the plastic clip for the cup dispenser and it was good to go. Kept bait a lot longer than a normal insulated bait bucket.

Thanks for the idea SNAKE, already had the stuff laying around the house, did a couple personal preference modifications, i ran the hose through the side instead of the top, and i used the clip from the bubble box as a backer for the nuts on the inside

I should have ran the hose through the side like you did. Looks better that way.

I figured through the side there would be less movement on the hose and less chance of the silicone being workes lose over time of use

How do ya'll like your bait "coolers" since you've had a couple of years now to use them? Pros / cons / any modifications? Been thinking about making one. Just wondering if the lid needed to be vented to keep the aerator working and not pressurizing the cooler.