Topic: The Best Fishing Coolers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 61 times)
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Topic: The Best Fishing Coolers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 61 times)
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If you fish on a small boat and don’t have room for a full-size fish box, the Reliable Fishing Products Kill Bag is the perfect solution. It also makes a great option when you catch a fish larger than your fish box. You can pull out the vinyl-coated polyester soft-sided cooler, add a little ice, and slide the fish inside. High-quality, leak-proof zippers keep the cold and fish slime inside. The bag is pleated and gusseted to fold flat or stand upright, and the best feature is the drain plug, an unusual but fantastic addition for a soft-sided cooler.
When the fishing hole is down a path, over a hill, through a river, and across the beach, grab the Igloo Trailmate Journey cooler and hit the trail. To keep the cooler rolling, two over-sized, corrosion-resistant wheels cover soft ground and roll over rocks and logs. An aluminum handle makes it easy to control the heavy cooler but conveniently stows away to save space. You can also convert the handle into a work space when you add the included serving tray. When it’s time to go, the serving tray stores in the underside of the lid. The Trailmate Journey has a dry storage co*partment, gear pockets, and a bottle opener for those times when the fish aren’t biting. Stainless steel hardware and aluminum co*ponents ensure that the Trailmate Journey keeps rolling for many miles.
The classic white Coleman 316 Marine Cooler is a fixture on fishing boats around the world. Light, inexpensive and versatile, this cooler can take a beating on a boat or the back of a truck. The 150 quart model has space for the biggest fish or a week’s supply of food and beverages and contains a UV resistant coating to prevent the plastic from breaking down, warping, or fading. To serve as an extra seat, the lid can hold up to 250 pounds. Inside, an antimicrobial coating keeps the cooler mold and stain free. For just over $100, the Coleman
316 Marine Cooler has huge capacity, simple features, and reliable ice retention for a great fish box at a reasonable price.
Do you need a dry box, leak-proof cooler, and a live well with rod holders? You get it all with Engle’s 30 Quart Dry Box/Cooler. It’s co*pact enough for kayak fishing, loading onto an ATV, or carrying to your favorite distant fishing spot. The 30 Quart Dry Box/Cooler can acco*modate a day’s worth of bait or lunch for the family. Four vertical rod holders keep rods in place for easy transport. You can even trust the dry box to protect camera equipment and electronics during stormy, wet conditions. It’s so reliable that I trust it as my favorite lunch box. The Engle cooler/dry box doesn’t have a drain plug, and the lid is sealed and latched so there’s no danger it will leak even if it flips upside down. For anglers who want to keep minnows or leeches alive, this is an ideal option. It co*es with a battery powered aerator that bubbles the bait inside. It will keep even the most sensitive crappie minnows alive during a long day on the water.
The ICEY-TEK 200 emerged in the late 80s as one of the first high-performance coolers and the rugged fish boxes are still popular with pro anglers and co*mercial fishermen. With models up to 1100 quarts, ICEY-TEK offers sturdy roto-molded plastic and high-density insulation that can handle even your largest hauls. While their appearance might not wow anyone, these coolers are all performance.. The simple, boxy, white design emphasizes ice retention and durability with a marine-grade gasket and UV-resistant stretchy rubber latches to seal in cold air. Molded handles under the lid make the huge cooler easy to carry. Two large drain plugs remove meltwater and make clean-up easy. You can even lock the lid on the ICEY-TEK 200 for an equally capable dry storage locker.
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I have to admit, I’m a cooler snob. I have 15 coolers stacked in my garage and a couple more outside. I fish from a fishing kayak, motor boat, and shore, so I have the best fishing coolers everywhere I go. My collection continues to grow and includes soft coolers, coolers with wheels, budget models, and high-dollar brands.
This cooler addiction started a few years ago when I had to replace the 120-quart fish box in my boat. For over a decade, I used and abused tons of less expensive marine coolers. Inevitably, I would break the hinges, snap the latches and eventually crack the outer layer and expose the yellow foam inside. Each time I replaced my fishbox, I would consider one of the premium models. Then, I would see the $700 price tag and chicken out, but after my third cheap fish box, I decided to bite the bullet, and I coughed up the extra dough and bought the best fishing cooler in the store.
While there are some downsides, like extra weight and reduced capacity, the advantages of the best fishing coolers outweigh them. Since then, I’ve set a new bar for keeping my catch and my lunch cool. In this review, I share what I learned about choosing the best fishing coolers so you don’t have to waste time or money on anything less.
The biggest improvement in fishing coolers is durability. Modern coolers feature sturdy hinges molded into the cooler body with a corrosion-resistant rod. The cooler shell is made of roto-molded plastic that is nearly indestructible and easy to repair, and the latches are tough and secure enough to offer easy access without accidentally breaking or opening. I prefer low-profile hinges and latches that take less space in the boat and won’t snag my clothes. Most importantly for anglers, the best fishing coolers are easy to clean, because the outside and inside of the cooler is smooth enough to shed fish blood and guts. One of the biggest downsides, though, is weight. Many premium coolers are a little heavier than the old white-plastic fishing cooler, but this is a tradeoff for added insulation and sturdier construction. So, don’t be surprised to find that your top-tier fishing cooler is heavier and bulkier than an old-school cooler of the same capacity.
The most important job of a fishing cooler is to keep the contents cold. While any cooler will hold enough ice for a day on the water, the best fishing coolers maintain temperature for longer with less ice. The latest generation of super coolers brag about how long ice lasts. Pack the best coolers on our list with cube ice, and the contents will still be frozen five or more days later. This is great for maintaining ice on a camping trip or multi-day fishing expedition. Even for a day-long fishing trip, these efficient coolers require 30 percent less ice than leaky, drafty old coolers.
During the course of a fishing trip, opening and closing the cooler lid and filling it with fish lets in heat and quickly melts ice. To improve ice retention, the best fishing coolers use thicker and heavier insulation, and the lid is sealed with a gasket to prevent hot air from entering the cooler when it’s shut. Quality latches are key to getting the most out of the best cooler, and they should have a tight fit to co*pletely seal the contents.
Premium prices are probably the biggest barrier if you’re considering an advanced cooler. While the best budget cooler co*es in at around $100, the same-size premium cooler might cost four-times as much. Don’t let sticker shock keep you from investing in one. The best fishing coolers will last way longer than a cheaper model. You won’t have to replace hinges, handles, or latches either. And, with a premium cooler, you can buy less ice and expect it to last longer.
Generally, it’s a good idea to have a cooler for fishing. Not only does a cooler keep your bait and catch cool, but the best fishing coolers also preserve food and beverages and serve as dry storage for gear. As soon as you land a fish you plan to eat, it is important to put the fish on ice. Cooling the meat prevents bacteria growth and improves the meat’s texture and firmness. Cleaning a cold fish is a lot easier, too, because it’s firmer and easier to cut and remove from the bones. If you release your catch, you’ll still need the best fishing cooler to keep your lunch and beverages cold.
A good size cooler for fishing depends on your intended use and purposes. In addition to external dimensions, coolers are classified by their capacity. A ten quart cooler is big enough for bait or lunch, while a 150-quart cooler is a standard fish box for an offshore fishing boat. To determine the size fish cooler you need, measure the space where the cooler sits to make sure it can hold the one you have in mind. Coolers co*e in many different dimensions. A 100 quart cooler by one co*pany may not fit in the same space that a 100 quart cooler from another co*pany. In addition to the cooler’s outer dimensions, look for a room inside to fit your catch.
When I store fish, I prefer a cooler that’s long enough for the fish to lie flat without bending. For example, speckled trout and redfish average 20 to 25 inches, so I look for a 30-inch-long cooler to acco*modate my catch. If you primarily target panfish, a 50-quart cooler will hold a day’s limit. On my 20-foot center console boat, I have a 120 quart fish box and a 35 quart lunch cooler. To store bait, I use an eight-quart soft cooler to hold a frozen ice pack and my day’s supply of squid, clams, and cut bait. I stick the smaller cooler into my 120 quart fish box and frozen bait stays solid all day.
The cost of the best fishing coolers depend on the brand and capacity.Instead of repairing and replacing a cheap fishing cooler, anglers want a cooler that will last for years without fail. But sturdy co*ponents, a durable shell, and days of ice retention co*e at a price. Depending on the size, the best fishing coolers typically run north of $200, but the performance and reliability make these high-dollar coolers worth the money. Not only will the cooler endure years of abuse, but it’ll also hold ice longer and save time and money in the long run.
I recently replaced a 120 quart marine cooler with a same-size premium cooler. The new fish box is easier to clean, holds more fish with 30 percent less ice, and doesn’t need a repair every time I go fishing. I spent years avoiding expensive premium fishing coolers trying to save money but ended up losing more in the long run. Treat your cooler like an investment and you’ll save a lot of time and money.
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Buying an expensive cooler might seem intimidating at first, and there are plenty of ways to talk yourself out of it. Trust me. But if you spend enough time on the water, having the best fishing cooler isn’t just an investment in your gear, it’s an investment in your fishing. And if you want to maximize your time on the water, a quality fishing cooler is a great place to start.
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