Hey there my fellow fishing enthusiasts and welcome to my post where we will check out my 3 best portable aerators for live bait this year. Although artificial baits can increase your success rate in angling, live baits can still offer specific advantages such as giving your target fish its natural prey.
Now, the challenge for you is how to keep your bait alive as you fish which is where a portable aerator can assist. So for those of you looking to work with live bait I have had a look around and come up with 3 good portable aerator options below.
Let’s check them out…
My three recommended portable aerators for live bait
I will review these in more detail below however if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience:
What are portable aerators for fishing?
A portable aerator is a piece of equipment that functions in the same way that an aquarium aerator does. Its main application is to preserve the live fishing baits you placed inside a bucket by providing movement and oxygen within the water.
There are of course a number of options here such as a live bait well however for portability, an aerator will assist in keeping fish alive in any bucket or container you have.
What should you be looking for?
Below are some of the factors you should consider as you look for a good portable aerator for live bait…
- Compatibility
- Durability
- Capacity
- Quietness
- Power supply
- Additions
Compatibility
This aspect applies to the aerator’s compatibility with freshwater and seawater. Of course, angling occurs in both types of waters and therefore the portable aerator you buy should work well in them. When you shop for portable aerators, check their water type compatibility.
Durability
Compared with freshwater, saltwater is more unkind to our fishing equipment since it contains sediments that can cause damage. If you intend to buy a portable aerator, ensure that it can handle the punishment of seawater splashes.
Here you should consider how water-resistant and corrosion-resistant the product is.
Capacity
This quality describes how many gallons of water the product can aerate. Portable aerators can help supply oxygen for a bucket with a capacity of two to seven gallons. Advanced aerators however have an ability to aerate any container of up to 50 gallons of water.
Quietness
Bestselling portable aerators are those that can manage to operate quietly. Some produce a vibration that generates annoying sounds as well as damaging the internal components, which is another good reason you should buy those quiet products.
Power supply
Portable aerators may run using D batteries or through a rechargeable power supply. Those with a built-in battery can be charged using an external power supply via a USB connector to allow for a prolonged battery life of up to 12 to 15 hours on average.
Additions
- Hanging clip: This is a must-have for portable aerators because it attaches the product to the bucket or container.
- USB port: You may connect your power supply using the USB port of the portable aerator in order to charge the product.
- Air outlets: As the name implies, the air outlet is where the product introduces oxygen into the container filled with water. Some products have single air outlets while others have two. The latter is helpful in supplying oxygen to two buckets. One bucket for your live baits, and the other is for your catch.
FAQ
How long can a fish live in a bucket with an aerator?
Technically, if the water is kept clean and there is enough oxygen, then there is no reason why a bucket can’t work the same as a normal fish tank where fish can live indefinitely. However, for most aerated baitfish in a bucket, in my experience you can expect them to live for around 2 – 3 days.
Do fish need aerators to survive?
Yes they do. Just as humans and animals can run out of oxygen in confined spaces, fish will exhaust oxygen in water as well. An aerator will keep oxygen levels up allowing the fish to live happily.
My three recommendations broken down
So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:
1. Fishernomics Wireless Live Fish and Bait Aerator
This first aerator is USB rechargeable and durable enough to protect the pump from water splashes. The product’s noise is also reduced, which is another quality to consider for portable aerators. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Fishernomics
- Power supply: USB rechargeable
- Capacity: Not indicated
- Water-resistant: Yes
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.5 x 3 inches
- Weight: 0.40 pounds
Other inclusions:
- One air stone
- Hanging clip
- Rubber footing
- Splash guard
- Silicone air tube
Why have I chosen it?
This portable aerator and pump is equipped with two modes that work well in preserving its charge with a continuous run time of up to 13 hours and an intermittent run time of 25 hours. With its rubber footing, the product’s noise is significantly reduced, keeping it more quiet making it perfect for night fishing etc.
2. KEDSUM Battery Aquarium Air Pump
This next portable aerator option is very reliable and delivers oxygen that can supply a container with 10 to 50 gallons of water. See its specifications below:
- Brand: KEDSUM
- Power supply: USB rechargeable
- Capacity: 10 to 50 gallons
- Water-resistant: Yes
- Dimensions: 5.3 x 3.3 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 0.97 pounds
Other inclusions:
- Single-button operation
- Two air outlets
- USB power cord
- Two air stones
- Two 6.5-foot air tubings
Why have I chosen it?
This product has two air outlets with a pair of 6.5-foot air tubings that allow you to supply oxygen for two buckets simultaneously. It is operated using a single button: (1) Press for two seconds to turn the pump on, (2) Press again to access the intermittent state, and (3) Press once more for shut down. This is a great option for fishing scenarios where you want to keep your catch alive as well.
3. Frabill Ice Min-O-Life Aerator
My last item is a well-known brand useful for both freshwater and seawater fishing. It clips to any bucket and reduces operation noises as well. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Frabill
- Power supply: D batteries
- Capacity: 15 gallons
- Water-resistant: Yes
- Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 2.7 inches
- Weight: 0.75 pounds
Other inclusions:
- Water-resistant gasket and switch
- On and off switch
- Air hose
- One air stone
Why have I chosen it?
This product has an excellent performance in aerating your bucket filled with bait and catch. The pump is super quiet and not much configuration is needed to make it function well. And best of all, it is perfect for those who like to fish in both fresh and saltwater environments as well.
Conclusion
There you have it, my three best portable aerators for fishing to keep your baits and catch alive and well. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual, let me know of your experiences with them.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time
Have fun
Paul
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Hope this makes sense.