FISH STORAGE??

[JK12]

I have a question about some sort of fishing storage. I have a storage compartment on the front of my kayak that has a detachable lid on it. It is really a wasted compartment because i don't use it for anything. I was curious if anyone has used this compartment for any type of fish storage. What kind of bag could be placed in the storage(maybe by riveting it or something similar) compartment to hold fish. I just don't want to use a ice chest or pay for one of those bags. I was thinking maybe some kind of canvas material or tough plastic could be attached to it, so it is strong enough to hold the fish you catch, and by it being in that storeage hatch it will make it easier to access... thanks for any suggestions.

[Psycho Joe]

Personally I keep that hatch closed while on the water. It is a good place to keep a dry bag with a change of clothes or an MRE, but not easily accessible.

What type of kayak do you have?

I will help you figure out the best way to store your fish.

[JK12]

i have a 12ft. ocean kayak scrambler xt

[Yak-a-Lou]

The fish bags that many of the guys use are only $10-$12. With care you can get more than a full season out of them. Use frozen Gatorade bottles and the ice you won't buy willpay for the back in just 4-5 trips. I don't understand the hang-up here. Help?

[Yak-a-Lou]

Meanwhile, put your kayak in a swimming pool. Take the hatch off and put 50 gallons of water inside. Now paddle around the pool for a while. You'll come to understand very quickly why you want that hatch in place.

BTW... WELCOME to the addiction!!!

[JK12]

Thanx "Yak"!! where can i find one of those $10-12 bags? the only ones i have seen are pretty expensive. And you say you use gatoride bottles as ice cubes?

[papawd]

Academy has a bag in the camping area, that is where I usually find'em .....California Innovations .. I think is the manufacturer about $12.00 You can use them as Yak a LOu said for a while ...I use ice from ice machine also milk jugs, 2 liter bottles etc. .... I put about 2-3 pounds of loose ice in bag andput bag in a ice chest with a few frozen jugsleave ice chest in vehicle when Ya get back cut a jug or 2 open to top off ice on fish ,,,when get home clean with a little bleach or simple green ....good luck

[Yak-a-Lou]

papawd covered it pretty well. Only things I do a little different are:

I use small Gatorade bottles (12 oz?) because for the same weight I can carry more of them and more of them helps spread the coolness around. Treat the bag somewhat gently when putting fish in and taking them out. Fins will eventually poke holes in the bag. This is another reason for using Gatorade bottles.... they keep melt-water from dripping down your butt. When I get off the water I'll either add loose ice to the bag or transfer my fish into a proper ice chest with loose ice.

When the bag rides behind my seat I fold the over for an extra layer of insulation between my fish and Mr. Sunshine. On really hot days I'll add a folded white bath towel on top of the bag for even more insulation.

California Innovations used to make better insulated bags but I haven't seen one of the good ones in several years. The older ones last longer and are tougher but they used to cost $20. IMHO, they were worth it. Wish they'd bring them back. Meanwhile, you can get by fine for 3-5 hour trips with the current bag. Sam's Club carries them also. Get the lightest color available. Silver is, IMHO, best since it helps reflect light/heat. Not sure if silver is available any more.

[yak-aholic]

The only colors I saw at Academy were black or black. Well, one had about 4" of green across the top and the other red. I definitely wish they were offered in lighter colors.

[Yak-a-Lou]

Try Sam's Club. Last time I bought some over there they had red, light (baby poo) green and something else... maybe a dark blue.
I opted for the lightest which was the baby poo green.

[papawd]

HOT LIKE IT IS NOW, I WOULD PUT A BLACK TRASH BAG OVER THE ICE IN ICE CHEST ,,, THIS DOES HELP FOLD IN HALF OR WHAT IT TAKES

[Mudbug66]

This has been a really good read for me as I have just recently started my own Yaking adventures. Fish Storage has been a real concern for me also. I tried the front hatch idea and "DO NOT" recommend it. I practiced the movement of placing fish in the hatch while I had the Yak in the pool and although this seemed easy at that time believe it was totally different on Lake P this past weekend. Even a little wave action changed the dynamics emensely. Not to mention the added weight in the hull from the melted ice really burdened tracking speed. I'm really looking forward to the fish bag idea. Plan on getting back out there this weekend and continuing my education ;).

Also would like to say that I think this is a great site and as a newbie have really enjoyed all the ideas and support that I have seen demonstrated by members here. You guys ROCK!!!!

[fishtaco]

I have a question about some sort of fishing storage. I have a storage compartment on the front of my kayak that has a detachable lid on it. It is really a wasted compartment because i don't use it for anything. I was curious if anyone has used this compartment for any type of fish storage. What kind of bag could be placed in the storage(maybe by riveting it or something similar) compartment to hold fish. I just don't want to use a ice chest or pay for one of those bags. I was thinking maybe some kind of canvas material or tough plastic could be attached to it, so it is strong enough to hold the fish you catch, and by it being in that storeage hatch it will make it easier to access... thanks for any suggestions.

I use the front hatch of my Tarpon 120 for fish storage. I put my Sam's bag (California Innovations) up there, then slip the fish into the bag. The bag is cheap, like $15 tops, so you can afford it.

[Psycho Joe]

If you are using ice, add a little salt. when it does start to melt it will actually stay colder than without the salt.