Building a Better Bucket
Posted by Spencer Bauer on 18th Oct 2021
Building a Better Bucket
Ya can’t catch ‘em if they ain’t there. Finding fish is definitely the most important part of fishing. Having good bait is a close second. The difference between good bait and bad bait mainly depends on how well you take care of it. Here’s a few tips and tricks that will help you keep whatever live bait you use happy and healthy.
not an actual product
If you take a moment to think about it, the 5 gallon bucket is a pretty diverse tool, at least in terms of the functions it offers for the money. I mean, it’s not that hard to find one in a ditch on the side of a county blacktop. On the other end of the spectrum, you can buy the “ultra premium” version and it will cost you north of half a Benjamin. An angler carrying a bucket as they walk down the bank is an iconic image and for good reason. Buckets are diverse tools for anglers, and here’s a few tips to make them even better!
Lose the Handle
This is my absolute favorite bucket hack. Take off the standard handle and replace it with either a section of very thick rope, or a shoulder strap from a duffle bag. This allows you to carry the bucket on your shoulder, freeing up both hands for hauling fishing rods, coolers, or for grabbing brush as you crawl up the river bank. On top of that, it’s generally a more comfortable way to carry it when walking to your favorite fishing spot, no matter how far away it is.
Put a lid on it
When it comes to most things, especially fishing, I’m a big proponent of multi-use items. This limits the amount of stuff you need to bring, and makes you more efficient as an angler. If you’re going to bring a bucket, it might as well act as a chair. There are many different types of lids you can attach to your bucket, some with cushion, some without. Whatever one you choose is up to you, but it is very convenient to incorporate your bucket and chair into one. It also makes getting ready for a fishing trip easier and faster.
Organization is nice
There are lots of ways to organize your bucket. Some people simply toss all of their stuff in the bucket and head to the water. Nothing wrong with that, but it can be annoying when you’re digging through your bucket and can’t find the things you need. I’m a fan of attaching as many of your needed accessories to the outside of the bucket as I can. The simplest way to do this is to take your pliers and attach the sheath to your shoulder strap. This makes them easily accessible and easy to find when you need them. It also prevents you from accidentally forgetting them. If you want to take it a step further, you can attach mounts on the outside of your bucket for storing tackle, stringers, or whatever your imagination comes up with. Bucket organizers are also handy, and usually reasonably priced. I don’t use them because many aren’t compatible with a lid, but like many things in fishing, it comes down to personal preference.
Use your imagination
You’re only limited by the ideas you come up with. The best part of it all? Buckets are cheap. If you come up with a crazy idea and ruin your bucket trying to make it happen, that’s okay. Just keep your eyes peeled next time you’re driving around and grab one off the side of the road.(then again, maybe that’s more of a midwest thing). Either way, they’re cheap and easily acquired. Take a little time on the front end to make your next fishing trip a lot more efficient and effective. This helps you get on the water faster, and more often. That’s the real trick to catching more and bigger fish.
Patience is a virtue, at least that’s what they say. I’m not sure who “they” are. Apparently no one who’s tried to consistently catch daytime flatheads. If you can pull that feat off, you know patience is the last thing
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