Cooler or Fish Bag?

[Dschaffer]

Hey all,
I am trying to decide between continuing to use my 120 qt cooler, which I often bungee to the rails on the deck above the cuddy, or buying a fish bag and keeping it in the floor storage locker. I fish mostly for Lake Michigan Salmon that are usually 15 to 30lbs. I believe the state record is 42ish, but fish in the 20-30lb range, are much more common.
What do you guys do/use? That storage in the floor between the two seats pretty much sits empty because it doesn***8217;t stay dry. It seems a good use for it would be ***8220;fish in a bag***8221;. I used to keep ice in it and just put the fish in there, but it is no fun to clean. I appreciate any thoughts/insight.
Thanks

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Dschaffer

Hey all,
I am trying to decide between continuing to use my 120 qt cooler, which I often bungee to the rails on the deck above the cuddy, or buying a fish bag and keeping it in the floor storage locker. I fish mostly for Lake Michigan Salmon that are usually 15 to 30lbs. I believe the state record is 42ish, but fish in the 20-30lb range, are much more common.
What do you guys do/use? That storage in the floor between the two seats pretty much sits empty because it doesn’t stay dry. It seems a good use for it would be fish in a bag. I used to keep ice in it and just put the fish in there but it is no fun to clean. I appreciate any thoughts/insight.
Thanks

I have a 120 qt cooler that I keep in the stern. They make cooler brackets that you screw to the floor that the cooler fits into so it doesn't slide. Makes a great seat when slow trolling. Doesn't really get in the way. Every fall I fish Salmon and Steelhead in Lake Ontario. Great fishing.

.

[phatdaddy]

I took an old igloo cooler that would fit down in the floor box and cut the top inch or so off until the hatch would close and just used that as an insert. At the end of the day, just lift it out to transport fish and easy t o clean.

Not the best at holding ice, but worked great for a day trip.

Bags are great for larger fish, but I think they take a lot of ice and crushed ice works the best, to pack around the fish

If going king fishing, which are usually long and skinny, I take two or three bags of ice, throw them in the hold and just lay the bags on the fish as caught, also gut and bleed before going in the box

I usually only go out for 3 or4 hours, so that might make a big difference also.

[Dschaffer]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

I have a 120 qt cooler that I keep in the stern. They make cooler brackets that you screw to the floor that the cooler fits into so it doesn't slide. Makes a great seat when slow trolling. Doesn't really get in the way. Every fall I fish Salmon and Steelhead in Lake Ontario. Great fishing.
.

Yeah. I***8217;m pretty happy with my current setup which is similar to what you do. I put the cooler on the bow when others are fising with me but usually I just bungee the cooler handle around the passenger seat and use it as a bench. King and Coho are my favorite. I can get into other species pretty regularly, mostly Lake Trout, but the silver is where it***8217;s at!

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

I took an old igloo cooler that would fit down in the floor box and cut the top inch or so off until the hatch would close and just used that as an insert. At the end of the day, just lift it out to transport fish and easy t o clean.

Not the best at holding ice, but worked great for a day trip.

Bags are great for larger fish, but I think they take a lot of ice and crushed ice works the best, to pack around the fish

If going king fishing, which are usually long and skinny, I take two or three bags of ice, throw them in the hold and just lay the bags on the fish as caught, also gut and bleed before going in the box

I usually only go out for 3 or4 hours, so that might make a big difference also.

I really like this idea. My current cooler is pretty busted up so I think I***8217;ll give it a try and see which I prefer. If it doesn***8217;t work out, I***8217;m ready for a cooler upgrade anyway. Thanks!

[charlie_the_tuna]

i don't really have an issue with a cooler/bag decision because i don't catch any fish. i hope to one day and until that day comes, i can't really comment one way or the other.

[Blue_Runner]

Fish bags have their place, especially with big fish on small boats. Like the time I caught a 50lb class YFT. It would have needed to lay on the deck without it. Also fish too long for the box or cooler like kings, wahoo, amberjack, stud dolphin, etc. I say go for it. If it didn't work out you shouldn't have any problem selling.

[Dschaffer]

Originally Posted by charlie_the_tuna

i don't really have an issue with a cooler/bag decision because i don't catch any fish. i hope to one day and until that day comes, i can't really comment one way or the other.

Your profile picture tells a different story! How you managed to hold that mighty beast long enough for a picture, is the stuff of legends!

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

Fish bags have their place, especially with big fish on small boats. Like the time I caught a 50lb class YFT. It would have needed to lay on the deck without it. Also fish too long for the box or cooler like kings, wahoo, amberjack, stud dolphin, etc. I say go for it. If it didn't work out you shouldn't have any problem selling.

I rarely fish more than 6ish hours. I think if I got a bag big enough for say 10 20lb Salmon, I would be pretty well covered. I could put frozen bottles and what not in it, and keep it zipped up until the first fish. Then just keep it “folded” under the locker door. I like the idea because it seems pretty clean and portable. I think I’ll try cutting the cooler first and see how that goes. Or maybe some other type of easy clean liner for that locker? ***129300; The previous owner did install a switched bilge pump in it.

[SkunkBoat]

I removed the passenger pedestal chair and mounted a 120qt there as a bench with cushion top. Made a back rest with coaming.

[Dschaffer]

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

I removed the passenger pedestal chair and mounted a 120qt there as a bench with cushion top. Made a back rest with coaming.

Nice! Great idea. Thanks for sharing

[SkunkBoat]

fyi, the hinge side has to be toward the centerline of the boat so you can fully open it.