Keeping your catch

[longbowdave1]

I'm new to kayak fishing. I must admit, i enjoy panfishing the most. I like to keep some fish for a meal too. I bought a floating fish basket to tow along in the yak. I've seen others that fill a 5 gallon bucket with a few inches of water and keep it on the boat for a make shift livewell. What is your method that works for you?

 

[stubrew]

I'm new to kayak fishing. I must admit, i enjoy panfishing the most. I like to keep some fish for a meal too. I bought a floating fish basket to tow along in the yak. I've seen others that fill a 5 gallon bucket with a few inches of water and keep it on the boat for a make shift livewell. What is your method that works for you?

I'm a fish basket guy also.

 

[BDD]

cooler with ice.

 

[longbowdave1]

Ill have to see what size cooler would fit up front. I have a few small coolers at home that might work. Fish on ice does make for some firm fillets when cleaning them.

 

[ryanh487]

I was looking at these. Not sure if they'd work for me, but maybe they will for you depending on which yak you have.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ma...549307&device=c&keyword=116994035&Channel=pla

 

[longbowdave1]

I was looking at these. Not sure if they'd work for me, but maybe they will for you depending on which yak you have.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ma...549307&device=c&keyword=116994035&Channel=pla

Thats cool. Never saw one like that.

 

[j_seph]

Why not a stringer? Simple, little storage volume, even a pieces of paracord.

 

[longbowdave1]

Why not a stringer? Simple, little storage volume, even a pieces of paracord.

Yes, thought about that option as well. Got to see what works out for me.

 

[j_seph]

Yes, thought about that option as well. Got to see what works out for me.

Wouldn't see a problem with it myself as that is how I will do it if I decide to keep fish. Luckily we ain't got no gators up this way to worry about grabbing them LoL

 

[BDD]

Fishing the Flint , I had stringers get caught on rocks and ripped off.

 

[Gbr5pb]

Had a turtle ? or 2 try to swim off with my stringers

 

[DEERFU]

I use a small (18-20") soft sided cooler strapped in the storage area behind my seat. I have this one but it was a gift https://www.polarbearcoolers.com/category/hunting-coolers.html. Walmart has some cheap ones that would work just fine

 

[Stang]

I've tried a stringer and a basket but felt like I was dragging a wind sock. Slowly moving while fishing isn't bad but when you decide to go back to the ramp, truck or new fishing area throw the fish on deck. You can definitely feel them holding you back and will act like a rudder at times....my experience anyway.

 

[dirtnap]

Why not a stringer? Simple, little storage volume, even a pieces of paracord.

Was fishing in St Joseph Bay and had a stringer with 2 or 3 trout on it and had about a 6 or 7 ft shark come swimming by? Decided I better put them in the kayak. Them was some good underwear too

 

[ryanh487]

Had a turtle ? or 2 try to swim off with my stringers

Had a bass steal 2 or 3 big ol bream off my stringer one time. Swallowed em tail first and thrashed around until the head popped off. After the last one I finally got him to bite my rooster tail, but he broke the end off the ultralight I was fishing with. Right as I got him to the bank. He was only 3 lbs, too, and he went on the stringer himself.

 

[Duncan]

I use a 50 can soft cooler from Walmart, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-50-Can-Insulated-Cooler-Tote-Solid-Red/865922428

It's under $5, it will fit in a milk crate, the zipper is fairly sturdy f you keep chapstick on it. I freeze some water filled coke bottles and there is ice in there at the end of the day.

 

[Ruger#3]

I use a small (18-20") soft sided cooler strapped in the storage area behind my seat. I have this one but it was a gift https://www.polarbearcoolers.com/category/hunting-coolers.html. Walmart has some cheap ones that would work just fine

This is what I use as well.

 

[oldguy]

Down here in the black water a big ol' mud fish will sneak up and try to help himself!

 

[jeardley]

Was fishing in St Joseph Bay and had a stringer with 2 or 3 trout on it and had about a 6 or 7 ft shark come swimming by? Decided I better put them in the kayak. Them was some good underwear too

I had the same thing happen to me in St Joe Bay 4-5 years ago (Only 1 trout though). I bought the Kayak bag from Academy for my next trip down there. It works pretty well, and I've put a limit of trout plus a redfish in it. It hold Ice pretty good to. I put about 1/3 of a 10lb bag in and it's still cold a few hours later after being in the sun. Was a good investment I've been happy with.

 

[Upatoi Sportsman]

I saw a video on YouTube where a guy made one of those kayak bags from windshield reflectors for your car. Also for short trips those hot/cold bags you can get at grocery stores work also.