Dive into TackleWet's selection of insulated fish bags! With a wide range of types and sizes available from popular fishing brands such as Daiwa, Madfish, and Icey Tek, there are so many different quality insulated fish bags and coolers to suit your technique and style of fishing. Whether you're a newcomer to fishing or a long-term angler, our knowledgeable team is ready to help you find the perfect fishing catch bag online or in-store today.
A cooler bag for fish is comparable to the kind of cooler you may bring camping, such as a YETI cooler. They are designed to prevent ice from melting for extended periods and have exteriors made of durable plastic that can survive heavy use and the environment.
Fishing coolers have the disadvantage of being heavier and taking up more room than fish bags, which makes them difficult to use in kayaks and cumbersome on smaller boats.
Fish bags are more pliable and smaller, but still incredibly strong. Insulated fish bags are suitable for solo expeditions or those with smaller boats or kayaks, but are also ideal on longer journeys. Fish bags are generally the most flexible choice for storing your catches.
The following factors should be taken into account when choosing a fish bag:
Capacity: Choosing the appropriate size for the fishing you do, and the species you intend to catch.
Waterproofing: Make sure you choose a bag that will prevent water from touching your fish and that will protect your gear.
Weight: Cooler bags will be heavier and more difficult to carry than a regular insulated fish bag. If you’re looking for something lightweight to transport, a fish bag is your best bet.
Insulation: The thickness of the insulation layer is important to keep your catch cool and ensure your ice won’t melt.
Durability: Your equipment is sure to be battered by the wind, sun, and water, so you should ensure your bag is durable. Is it puncture-resistant? Are the handles and seams sturdy enough to withstand any mildew?
Cost: While it may be tempting to choose the least expensive options, the cheaper the cost, the lower quality bag you will receive. Your fishing gear is an investment, and ensuring you choose one that is durable, well-made and a bit more expensive will ensure you won’t have to replace it in a year.
Warranty: As with above, when purchasing an investment you will want to ensure your fish bag comes with a warranty to support your purchase.
Extra features: Some handy features to look out for include an integrated drainage plug for simple cleaning, gusseted bottoms that extend the capacity, allowing the bag to stand upright on its own, and for you to hold that enormous salmon or tuna. Colour is also important, as most insulated fish bags are white to reflect the sunlight and keep your catch cool.
Depending on the brand, size of the fishing bag, what kind of ice you use in storage, where you go fishing, and many other choices will affect how long you can keep ice inside your insulated bag.
Reducing the number of times you unzip your bag to help the contents stay cooler for longer. The temperature inside will increase when the bag is opened more often. Avoiding direct sunlight is also beneficial.
Icing fish is the best way to keep them fresh once they've been killed and gutted or filleted. Crushed ice works best because it packs more closely, cools more quickly, and keeps fish colder than would blocks of ice or frozen bottles of water. So, after gutting the fish, rinse them in cold water and surround them with crushed ice. Don't let fish soak for long—even in icy water.
Use the same strategy with fish at the cleaning table. Unless they're fresh and lively from a livewell, the fish should already be iced. Once a fish is cleaned, immediately immerse it in iced water. Once it's chilled, give it a quick rinse, pat it dry with a towel, wrap it with cling wrap, and surround it with crushed ice. Crushed ice keeps fish for at least five days, although the table quality of the flesh deteriorates slightly each day.
Super chilling is a way to keep gutted fish that can be kept on ice for five days or often longer. Properly stored fillets can be kept for up to five days, although, as we've said, it's best not to fillet fish until you have to.
To super-chill, line the bottom of an insulated cooler with several inches of crushed ice, leaving the drain open. In another container, mix coarse ice cream salt and crushed ice at a ratio of 1 to 20.
TackleWest stocks a variety of insulated fish and cooler bags from popular fishing brands such as Assassin, Daiwa, Berkley, Nomad Design and more. Contact us or visit our friendly team in-store for tips, advice, and assistance finding the right insulated fish bag for your next fishing trip.
