How do you’ll keep shiners happy and alive ,,, they’re getting close to a buck each ….. and they’re getting tough to get around here …

I use an aquarium air pump and bubble stone in an old kitty litter bucket. I manage to keep them in the for a couple weeks if I change out the water every couple of days.

You could also setup an aquarium at home for storage
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Good one, thanks

I keep mine in a 35 Gallon Rubbermaid barrel in my shop, fitted with a canister filter that pumps the return water through an old aquarium chiller set to 40 ( the digital is off, the new temp probe is back ordered. the water is @39).. water is drawn from the center through 3/4 pvc that is drilled all the way around top to bottom with 3/16 holes so bait cant get pulled into it, the return is drilled on one side with larger holes at the bottom and progressively smaller one towards the top, it is angled so there is a slight counter clockwise rotation, this keeps the bait oriented and moves scale and waste towards the middle so it gets pulled into the filter.. I have the bottom fitted with a pump and strainer for quick water changed and draining, I have potable water piped to the tank so I can top off after drawing water.. a flat air stone is place where the return is to help keep the debris moving.. the set up is extreme for most people, but I keep 6-10 dozen shiners at a time ( I trap my own bait), the chiller assures that I never get temperature shocked bait, as any change over 5-7 degrees in 24 hours will shock them, just a trash can outside with an air stone and occasional water changes would accomplish the same thing, it is just more labor intensive and inconvenient..

Aquarium in the basement with pump/airstone. 50% water change every other day w/ decchlorinator. Bigger tank/tote = less water changes
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I keep mine in a 35 Gallon Rubbermaid barrel in my shop, fitted with a canister filter that pumps the return water through an old aquarium chiller set to 40 ( the digital is off, the new temp probe is back ordered. the water is @39).. water is drawn from the center through 3/4 pvc that is drilled all the way around top to bottom with 3/16 holes so bait cant get pulled into it, the return is drilled on one side with larger holes at the bottom and progressively smaller one towards the top, it is angled so there is a slight counter clockwise rotation, this keeps the bait oriented and moves scale and waste towards the middle so it gets pulled into the filter.. I have the bottom fitted with a pump and strainer for quick water changed and draining, I have potable water piped to the tank so I can top off after drawing water.. a flat air stone is place where the return is to help keep the debris moving.. the set up is extreme for most people, but I keep 6-10 dozen shiners at a time ( I trap my own bait), the chiller assures that I never get temperature shocked bait, as any change over 5-7 degrees in 24 hours will shock them, just a trash can outside with an air stone and occasional water changes would accomplish the same thing, it is just more labor intensive and inconvenient..

Joe, you never cease to amaze me,,, awesome setup.. thanks


Aquarium in the basement with pump/airstone. 50% water change every other day w/ decchlorinator. Bigger tank/tote = less water changes
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I guess it’s time to get serious with my bait setup…
I bought a 110 / 1.5 volt DC transformer to run the Bubble Box between trips…. Two D batteries cost about the same as a dos of those critters… :-)

I expect a report on tomorrow’s fishin ….. ;-)