BWCA Frabill or Bait King for leeches? Boundary Waters Fishing Forum

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Frabill or Bait King for leeches?

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KarlBAndersen1

05/23/2020 10:43AM

For those with experience using both - which one do you prefer - and why?

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WhiteWolf

05/23/2020 10:49AM

bait king. Seems tougher and more leech security.

The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.

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Zwater

05/23/2020 11:52AM

Bait King by far.

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Oldtown13

05/23/2020 11:59AM

I have only used Bait King, but hard to imagine the Frabill would be any better. Bait King works very well.

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schweady

05/23/2020 12:37PM

Leech King. I guess mine was labeled with that name back in the day to differentiate it from its larger cousin, the Bait King. I got a second one a couple years back, same smaller size, labeled Bait King. Go figure.

Bombproof against critters who consistently robbed from any Frabill design we tried.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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Me2012

05/23/2020 01:39PM

Used both.
Will only use the bait king in the BWCA. 5 years without a problem.

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KarlBAndersen1

05/23/2020 02:16PM

schweady: "Bombproof against critters who consistently robbed from any Frabill design we tried."

Odd. I've had mine unscrewed twice now by what I assume were otters.
And they're so friggin' big. That huge lid seems like a waste to me.

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schweady

05/23/2020 05:11PM

KarlBAndersen1: "schweady: "Bombproof against critters who consistently robbed from any Frabill design we tried."

Odd. I've had mine unscrewed twice now by what I assume were otters.
And they're so friggin' big. That huge lid seems like a waste to me."
I've found ours with the cover slightly loosened overnight. We've debated whether it was otters or from bouncing in the wind and waves. I hold that it was a careless trip mate, but have always kept my mouth shut. We'll occasionally consider putting a large rock inside and sinking it, but I think maybe that gives snappers some leverage. Anyway, zero leeches lost so far.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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PikeEatPike

05/23/2020 06:06PM

Bait king all the way. We have had 3 units all unscrew one night. It's from the wave action against the rocks. Still using the same one from 10 years ago. Drilled a hole through the lid and run a wire through it

Be Somebody Who Makes Everybody Feel Like a Somebody

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Cc26

05/23/2020 07:11PM

Can you post a picture of yours with the wire?

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schweady

05/23/2020 07:30PM

PikeEatPike: "Drilled a hole through the lid and run a wire through it
"
Smart mod! Where the two pieces thread together, the overlap measures nearly 2 inches. A simple loop of wire through there would do the trick, indeed. -- No concerns with introducing leakage?

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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Savage Voyageur

05/23/2020 07:57PM

Bait King by far is the best. Just drill a hole and insert a bent cotter pin do it does not come apart.

"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD

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Captn Tony

05/24/2020 06:29AM

The bait king lid does come unscrewed in the waves. I put an eye bolt in mine and use a small bungee to keep it from unscrewing.

You're going to HELL and you're going to drag me with ya!! -Gunsmoke

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mcsweem

05/24/2020 05:52PM

bait king, put a rock in it and sink it once you get to camp. I always take a little container to take leeches on day trips and leave the bait king back at camp.

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DeanL

05/25/2020 09:29AM

If your mind isn't already made up I'll add my name to the bait king list. We've never had issues with ours but I like the preventative mods you guys mention.

"Leave it as it is.....The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it." Theodore Roosevelt

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fishEH

05/25/2020 09:31AM

Many years of use from my bait king. Never had any issues, except when we had to paddle back across Burntside because we left it at the portage!

Tried a Magic Leech Locker and it was trash. The little tabs get worn very easily and the handle can open from swaying on portages. https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Leech-Locker/dp/B0000ATL7T

Never tried the Frabill but the Bait King just plain works. KISS!

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schweady

05/25/2020 02:33PM

fishEH: "Tried a Magic Leech Locker and it was trash."
True that. All here should take a look at the product in your link to know exactly what NOT to trust. A buddy lost every leech the first night after leaving the entire supply for the trip in one of these. Painful.

(Not So) Magic Leech Locker

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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Mad_Angler

05/28/2020 11:37AM

I have a big bait king that I love. I use it to bring in 1-2 lbs of leeches in at the start of each trip. I also use it to store leeches while at camp. If you tighten the big lid pretty tightly, the lid will not come off from waves or critters.

I like to leave the bait king at camp and take a few dozen leeches with me while fishing.

What do you use while fishing? I have a leech tamer. It is very easy to get leeches out during the heat of fishing action. But the velcro has started to fail. Now, my leeches escape.

Should I just buy a new leech tamer or is there a better solution??

Leech tamer

Fish where the fish are...

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schweady

05/28/2020 01:12PM

Mad_Angler: "What do you use while fishing? I have a leech tamer.
Leech tamer "
Yes, this. It's our go-to in each boat while out fishing, but never overnight or long-term in-camp storage. Sometimes, cleaning threads and gunk out of the hook side of the velcro will bring it back to near-new. Otherwise, bite the bullet and replace.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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BnD

05/28/2020 01:17PM

Absolutely Bait King for camp storage. In the canoe we use these Nalgene wide mouth storage drill many small holes in the lid and leave under canoe seat (shade) refresh water once in a while. Waayyy better than standard Nalgene bottles+++++ Easy to get into to retrieve a leech while fishing plus no more lost leaches from leech tamer BAD velcro (Yes we've been through many and lost many leeches as the velcro doesn't close tight. We've tried all the different velcro mesh leech tamers.... NO Good too much bait loss no matter how careful we are resealing.

The wide mouth Nalgene storage containers are the best way we've ever had for leech storage while fishing without question. Try one. Cheap too.

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fishEH

05/28/2020 08:08PM

I just place the Bait King in the bottom in the bottom of the canoe and take the lid off. Refresh the water every hour or two.
On a side note, Frabill irritates me as a company. They are quite big and well known, but their website is awful. It lacks pictures, videos, and details of the products.

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WhiteWolf

05/28/2020 08:35PM

"On a side note, Frabill irritates me as a company. They are quite big and well known."
Much like a net to a fish. And the only thing I think Frabill makes well...

The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.

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Wables