Live Bait Aerators and Tubes

Given my lack of success with SB for the last month, I am thinking about breaking down and fishing live bait. I hate soaking bait, but I would like to get the SB jinx off my back. I noticed at Del Valle this weekend, people were using bait tubes. My questions are as follows:

When do you use a bait tube vs an aerator?
If you are using a bait tube, how do you keep them alive during transport from the bait shop?
What size and style of hook do you use for minnows?
Do you weight the bait or flyline?
Where is the best places to purchase and aerator and tube?
Are there any places in Livermore, Dublin or Pleasanton that sell live minnows?

Thanks! Scott (GB2)

Bait tube while on your kayak.  (I can't think of a reason not to use a bait tube if you're in your kayak.)
Bucket/cooler with aerator for transport in the car/truck.  If you don't need to travel very far, golden shiners (unlike anchovies) are pretty hardy and can probably make it to the lake in a bait bucket without an aerator.

For general technique on using minnows for striped bass see Sean "Scwafish" White's article
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=42

Hopefully others will chime in on where to purchase aerators and minnows in the south bay.

If your using minnows forget the aerator and just stick them in a little bucket of cooler. golden shiners are TOUGH!  You will only need an aerator if you get a bunch (over a dozen jumbos), or you can just add fresh water every once in a while.

Shad and chovies are a whole nuther story.