How do I keep my minnows from dying so quickly when I cast them into 45-50 degree water?

[Ohioguy25]

I catch my creek chubs in a trap and then take them in a cooler in my kayak or to bank fish. This time of year, however, no matter how cold the water in my cooler is they don’t seem to last more than a cast or two. 
 

Do I have to keep them submerged in the water I’m fishing in order for them to acclimate so they don’t get shocked or do they just have a lower tolerance for being nose hooked/fighting to get free in frigid water?

[Manly Studson]

Good question. I had the same problem. I purchased minnows to fish in the South Georgia heat. The minnows were in very cool water at the bait shop. They didn’t live long in the warm water. I don’t use live bait often, so answers to your question are appreciated here too.

[Bankc]

Temperature shock can kill bait fish, but so can a lack of oxygen.  So if you're not using highly oxygenated water to begin with, a bunch of them will suffocate pretty quickly in a small bucket.  And even with oxygenated water, they'll still suffocate after a while.  You got a lot of fish in a little bit of water.

 

So look for one of those dual buckets so you can keep them in the lake or river water, so they stay out of the heat of the sun, and get plenty of fresh water and oxygen.  These are especially good for baitfish that you caught yourself, as you can keep them in the same temperature of water that they came from.  Just be sure to replace the water in your big bucket right before you decide to change locations.  Or get one of those insulated bait buckets with an aerator attached.  ThOse are best for store bought minnows and stuff, though you still risk shocking them when you cast them out.  

[Ohioguy25]

8 hours ago, Bankc said:

Temperature shock can kill bait fish, but so can a lack of oxygen.  So if you're not using highly oxygenated water to begin with, a bunch of them will suffocate pretty quickly in a small bucket.  And even with oxygenated water, they'll still suffocate after a while.  You got a lot of fish in a little bit of water.

 

So look for one of those dual buckets so you can keep them in the lake or river water, so they stay out of the heat of the sun, and get plenty of fresh water and oxygen.  These are especially good for baitfish that you caught yourself, as you can keep them in the same temperature of water that they came from.  Just be sure to replace the water in your big bucket right before you decide to change locations.  Or get one of those insulated bait buckets with an aerator attached.  ThOse are best for store bought minnows and stuff, though you still risk shocking them when you cast them out.  

Yeah, I’ve got an aerator clipped on an insulated locking Engle bait cooler with a net insert to change water easily.

 

Is it as effective to simply fill it with the water from the river I’m fishing right before I start or do I need to put them in the river and let the acclimate for a bit before starting and keep them in there?

[gim]

Minnows are used a lot up here in the north to target a variety of species.  They are primarily used in the spring, fall, and winter.  Summer is a big no no.  Anything above about 55 degrees is just useless for minnows.  The problem is that minnows are kept in about 50 degree water in the bait shop so if you dunk them into a lake or river that is 70, they aren't going to last very long.  If you insist on using live bait in the heat of summer, a leech or worm is a better option.  But IMO, artificial lures are the way to go.

 

I am not sure why the chubs that the OP is talking about are dying so quick if he trapped them and then started using them in a location that has a similar water temperature.  Some minnows are hardier than others.  Golden shiners are notorious for dying quickly.  Sometimes they die if you look at them wrong.

[Ohioguy25]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

Minnows are used a lot up here in the north to target a variety of species.  They are primarily used in the spring, fall, and winter.  Summer is a big no no.  Anything above about 55 degrees is just useless for minnows.  The problem is that minnows are kept in about 50 degree water in the bait shop so if you dunk them into a lake or river that is 70, they aren't going to last very long.  If you insist on using live bait in the heat of summer, a leech or worm is a better option.  But IMO, artificial lures are the way to go.

 

I am not sure why the chubs that the OP is talking about are dying so quick if he trapped them and then started using them in a location that has a similar water temperature.  Some minnows are hardier than others.  Golden shiners are notorious for dying quickly.  Sometimes they die if you look at them wrong.

I only fish creeks for smallmouth so that moving water never gets that warm, I have had a lot of success fishing minnows and crawdads all summer, nightcrawlers occasionally too.