When you’re out kayak fishing having a bag to put and fish you catch into is a must.
The last thing you want is for fish to be flopping around your kayak, making it smell and getting toasted in the sun.
Best Kayak Fish Bag Cooler
Best Floating Cooler For Kayak
The best fish bags will be towable or tie on to the front of your kayak and create an insulated place to store your catch, ensuring that it stays ice cold until you go home and put it in the freezer.
Not all fish bags are made the same though, and in order to show you the best of them, I’ve trailed through hundreds of reviews to come up with the best fish bags which you can read about below.
The Best Kayak Fish Bags
The Best Kayak Fish Bag Cooler
Wilderness Systems Insulated Cooler
Made from heavy-duty TPU coated rip-stop 420 denier nylon for long-lasting durability and is even tough enough to handle any sharp fish fins that might try and push through it.
Wilderness Systems Insulated Cooler
The Wilderness Systems Insulated Kayak Cooler is made from heavy-duty TPU coated rip-stop 420 denier nylon for long-lasting durability and is even tough enough to handle any sharp fish fins that might try and push through it.
Design
This fish bag is designed to tie onto the front of a kayak and fits most models out there.
It has a good capacity for your fishes and has great insulation with closed-cell foam to ensure it keeps maximum freshness all day long.
Compartments
The cooler comes with two separate compartments, each with its own access point.
This means you can use one compartment to store drinks and food, and the other for fish storage.
There is more than enough room.
On the top, you’ll also find a big mesh pocket that’s perfect for putting any fishing gear that you want to keep accessible while kayak fishing.
Portability
These fish bags also come with backpack strap handles that make loading your fish to take back home from your day of fishing a lot easier.
The only downside to these fish bags is that they are not leakproof and your ice water will drip out of them, so make sure to drain it before you sling it over your shoulders, or you could end up smelling quite fishy.
Specs
- Type: Tie on
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Size: 29 x 16 x 7 inches
- Insulated: Yes
- Floating: No
- Waterproof: No
- Towable: No
Pros
- Made from durable and long-lasting materials
- Great closed cell foam insulation for keeping ice, your catch and beverages chilled
- Separate compartments for drinks and fish
- Multiple access points
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight and can be carried as a backpack
- Fits most kayak types
- Good drainage for excess water
- Mesh storage pocket for carrying extra gear
- Enough space for large fish in these fish bags
Cons
- It’s not leakproof, ice water will leak out
Seattle Sports Kayak Catch Cooler
Another soft fish bag that ties on to the top of your kayak with ease and will fit most models out there too.
Seattle Sports Kayak Catch Cooler
The Seattle Sports Insulated Cooler is another soft sided cooler that ties on to the top of your kayak with ease and will fit most models out there too.
Design
These kayak catch coolers come in two parts; an outer bag with closed-cell foam insulation and a reflective outer coating that keeps everything cold all day, plus a removable inner liner inside for your fish.
This allows you to leave the outer bag on the kayak, and take your fish home in the inner liner, saving you carrying the whole cooler rig each time you go kayak fishing.
The inner liner is simple to clean too, making life a little easier.
Capacity
The fish bag has enough capacity for a day’s fishing for crappie and other smaller species, but it’s not very deep for bigger fish like grouper or snapper.
The cooler comes with backpack straps for potability and on the top, you have some bungee webbing available to stow any items you might need to access quickly while on the water.
Materials
The cooler is also super light and made from durable materials, so you won’t have any issues with longevity or moving it around.
The downside to this cooler is that it does leak any ice water as it melts, and there is no separate compartment to store drinks or food.
Specs
- Type: Tie down
- Weight: 2.1 Pounds
- Size: 19 x 12 x 5 inches
- Insulated: Yes
- Floating: No
- Waterproof: No
- Towable: No
Pros
- Fits most kayak types
- Comes with an internal bag so you can leave the shell on the kayak
- Insulated and great ice retention for keeping fish fresh all day
- Reflective outer coating to increase insulation on the coolers
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight and portable
- Durable build and materials
- Can be carried as a backpack
- Bungee webbing for adding extra gear
Cons
- No separate compartments for drinks or other gear
- Leaks out the ice water
- Not long or deep enough for large fish
Seattle Sports Roll Cooler
Great if you plan on going after smaller species like bluegill or keeping a few large species like grouper as the dimensions are quite sizable.
Seattle Sports Roll Cooler
The Seattle Sports Roll Cooler is quite a simple series of fish bags that do get the job done.
They are great if you plan on going after smaller species like bluegill or keeping a few large species like grouper as the space dimensions are quite sizable and will hold quite a sizable catch.
Features
The cooler is well insulated and has a heat reflective inner lining to keep everything cold all day.
The cooler features an inner lining for your fish, so you can leave the outer bag on the kayak and just take your catch home without removing the whole setup.
Lining
The lining on these coolers does leak though, which is not the best, so you might end up with some fish slime seeping out.
They aren’t that thick either and any spines are quite likely to pierce through these fish bags.
Accessibility
The cooler is accessed via a roll top, so there is no bag zipper to deal with while you have a fish wriggling around.
If you roll it three times, the bag does become semi-waterproof too but there are no extra gear storage compartments available to store any other items in.
Portability
The one main thing this cooler is missing is that there are no handles available for loading your catch into your vehicle.
If you catch a lot, you’ll have to hold it from the bag bottom.
Specs
- Type: Tie on
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Size: 32 x 19.5 x 5 inches
- Insulated: Yes
- Floating: No
- Waterproof: No
- Towable: No
Pros
- Easy to attach to the top of your kayak
- Fits most kayak types
- Insulation has heat reflective interior for keeping you catch cold and drinks cool
- Simple to use and get into
- Durable build
- Removable inner lining for easier cleaning
- These bags have enough space for a sizeable catch
Cons
- Inner lining leaks into the main bag
- The inner lining is thin and not so durable
- No straps for portability
The Best Floating Cooler For Kayak
CreekKooler PuP Floating Cooler
Designed to be towed behind your kayak. Awesome for keeping your catches and drinks cold while you’re out kayak fishing.
CreekKooler PuP Floating Cooler
The CreekKooler PuP Floating Cooler is designed to be towed behind your kayak rather than being strapped on the front.
This may save you some extra storage space on the top and at the front that you may need for your fishing gear and other items.
Insulation
The cooler has great insulation and keeps ice for up to 24 hours.
It’s awesome for keeping your catches and beverages cold while you’re out kayak fishing but the capacity is a bit limited due to the dimensions.
Storage
This cooler holds 15 quarts inside, so about 15 cans plus 5-10 lbs of ice.
It’s not that deep and you’ll struggle to hold large game fish in there, but if you’re going for smaller species like crappie, you could probably get 20 odd in the cooler without much worry.
Lid
The lid is watertight to ensure nothing else gets in like seawater, but the opening is not wide enough for bigger species like snook or stripers.
There are quite a lot of downsides to these coolers when kayak fishing, which is unfortunate as I do think the towable design is better than a tie for space saving reasons.
Maintenance
Firstly, they are a bit tricky to clean, and if you want to keep it smelling nice, you’ll have to take a brush and scrub the insides well, rinse and drain it out the lid again.
Another problem is that even though the bag is towable, this fish bag tends to nosedive so you’ll not only be dragging extra weight, but you’ll also have the cooler holding you back, which is the last thing you want.
Accessibility
The last issue with this is how accessible it is.
Imagine landing a fish, and having to try to get your cooler from behind you so you can put your catch away.
The last thing you need is to be messing around in this movement, and you could end up dropping and losing your catch in the commotion.
Specs
- Type: Towable
- Weight: 8 lbs
- Size: 27.75 x 8.55 x 14.75 inches
- Insulated: Yes
- Floating: Yes
- Waterproof: Yes
- Towable: Yes
Pros
- Saves space by being towed behind the kayak
- Good insulation and durable
- Holds ice for 24 hours
- Ideal for keeping your catch cold
- Great for storing drinks in when you’re fishing catch and release
- Watertight lid
- Comes with two drinks holders
Cons
- Tricky to clean
- Small opening to fit larger species in
- Can nose dive and slow you down when paddling
- Limited space inside
- Not the easiest to access while holding a fish
Top Pick
Reliable Fishing Products Insulated Kayak Bag
It’s light, durable, and has enough storage space inside for carrying a lot of fish.
Reliable Fishing Products Insulated Kayak Bag
The Reliable Fishing Products Insulated Kayak Bag is one of the best and most popular kayak coolers on the market for three reasons:
It’s light, durable, and has enough storage space inside for carrying a lot of fish.
Capacity
If you plan on hauling a lot of fish, this is one of the best kayak cooler bags to choose.
It has a total capacity of 70 quarts as it’s quite deep, so you’ll be able to fit all the fish/ items you need, want, or like inside.
Design
The bag is shaped like the nose of a kayak and has three rings on each side so that you can lash storage down with ease.
It fits the top of most kayak brands available and is really simple to use while fishing.
Durability
These fish bags are semi-rigid so that they keep their shape, meaning you won’t have to mess around with pushing fish right to the front to make space at the back, you can just throw them in through the large zipper entry.
Materials
The cooler is made from durable materials that are both UV and mildew resistant to make sure they survive out fishing, carrying catches, and to stop them from getting smelly or moldy inside.
Insulation
These fish bags also come with excellent insulation to keep everything cool.
Everything you put inside this cooler will stay cool all day while you keep on kayak fishing.
It keeps ice well but you may find it leaking out through the zipper when it melts.
The only downside to this cooler is the high-price but it’s always better to choose quality and durability over a deal in my eyes.
Specs
- Type: Tie down
- Weight: 3 lbs
- Size: 36 x 8 and tapers from 10 to 20 wide – inches
- Insulated: Yes
- Floating: No
- Waterproof: No
- Towable: No
Pros
- UV and mildew resistant bags
- Good accessibility
- Good capacity, the best in the review
- Fits most kayak types
- Well insulated to keep everything cool
- Durable build
- Three tie downs on each side to keep the bag on your kayak
- Simple to clean
Cons
- Expensive
Precision-Pak Catch Cooler Yakcatch III
Made from super-tough and durable 420D/PU ripstop polyester, is insulated, and keeps things cold for days or long periods.
Precision-Pak Catch Cooler Yakcatch III
The Precision-Pak Catch Cooler Yakcatch III is another tie-down style of fish bag that fits most kayak brands.
It has clips on the sides to make attaching it quick and simple and does a great job of keeping things cool during a day’s fishing.
Durability
The cooler is made from super-tough and durable 420D/PU ripstop polyester, is insulated, and keeps things cold for days or long periods.
It comes in two parts, a big outer bag, and an inner dry bag/tube.
The outer bag has multiple access points with a velcro opening going lengthways on the top and a box opening at the end.
Dual Access System
The dual access system makes it easier to unload your catch at the end of the day and to get into the top corners to give the cooler a thorough clean.
The dry tube is perfect for holding ice and ensuring all the ice melt doesn’t drip out into your kayak.
You could even use it for items you wish to keep dry and throw the ice in the main compartment if you wanted to still use the cold elements of the cooler.
Size
This is one of the longest coolers available at 42 inches and is ideal to take fishing on days when you know you’re going after bigger species or are likely to catch a lot.
This fish bag has all the space you need to store and keep a sizable catch cold.
Portability
The one annoying thing about these soft coolers is that when you want to take your catch home, the straps aren’t so great, and you’ll have to balance the entire weight of the bag on one shoulder – which can lead to aching arms.
Specs
- Type: Tie down
- Weight: 3 lbs
- Size: 15.75 x 9.75 x 42 in.
- Insulated: Yes
- Floating: No
- Waterproof: Yes – dry tube included
- Towable: No
Pros
- Durable build with high-quality materials
- Insulated to keep your catch fresh
- Good capacity for large or lots of fish
- Comes with one dry tube for ice or personal belongings
- Dual access
- Easy to tie down to your kayak
- Fits most kayak types
Cons
- Hard to carry when full
What Is A Kayak Cooler?
Kayak coolers or fish bags are insulated bags that you either tie onto the top of your kayak or tow behind you. They can even fit some paddle boards
They are the best and right place to put your fish when you catch them to ensure they don’t go bad so you can continue fishing.
On non-fishing days, they are perfect for keeping drinks and food cool while you enjoy kayaking around.
In case you’re looking for regular fishing bags, we also have the Best Fishing Backpack review.
Types Of Kayak Coolers
Cooler Bag
This type of kayak cooler is soft, comes in the same shape as the top of a kayak, and will tie on to the front of your kayak with ease.
They are insulated with good accessibility, simple to clean, and have awesome portability.
Ice Chest
These are rigid coolers, like the ones you’d take camping.
You place them on top or in your kayak while you paddle around.
They are quite hard to access and they take up a lot of room in your kayak which could be used for other gear but they are better insulated.
Towable Cooler
A towable cooler is a hard shell cooler that you tie onto the rear of your kayak and drag around.
They are ideal for saving room on your kayak for other gear as they are out the way but a little tricky to access when you want to put a fish in them.
They also add extra weight to your kayak while you’re paddling around and can nosedive, making paddling harder.
Check out the CreekKooler PuP Floating Cooler below…
Why Buy A Kayak cooler?
Advantages
Lightweight
Kayak cooler bags are much lighter than a regular cooler making paddling around a lot easier.
The last thing anyone fancies is towing around extra weight, especially when you’re fully loaded with fishing gear.
Easy to lash down
Kayak cooler bags are also much easier to lash onto your kayak as they come with special rings just for this purpose.
This means they’ll stay on your kayak, even if you capsize.
Plus you won’t have to worry about having to jimmy-rig some kind of lashing system to ensure your home cooler doesn’t fall off and go drifting away.
Can hold big fish
Kayak cooler bags can be up to 42” in length, giving them enough room for larger fish to stow away into.
The last thing you want is to catch a fish that’ll feed the whole family for it, not to lay in the cooler you have taken with you.
Fits in a kayak
Kayak cooler bags are also designed for most fishing kayaks and they lay perfectly on the top of the front or can be towed behind.
A normal cooler may not find a convenient place to rest in a kayak, and it could easily then fall off the side.
Who should buy a kayak cooler?
If you love kayaking or kayak fishing, you should own a kayak cooler…
With a kayak fishing cooler, you can go for lengthy days out with a picnic and drinks with your friends and family.
Plus you’ll have the ability to keep your kayak clean and you can store fish cold and ready for the freezer without the hassles of taking a normal cooler that doesn’t match your kayak or might fall overboard because it’s hard to lash down.
Things To Consider When Buying a Kayak Cooler
What are you going to use it for?
Are you going fishing, picnicking, or both?
If you’re picnicking, life is a little easier as you can pick any kayak cooler but if you’re fishing, you’ll need to access the kayak fish cooler easily when landing a fish and you’ll want to be able to clean it easily after it’s covered in slime.
What size is it?
How much fish do you intend on catching and what species are they?
If you’re going after larger species like grouper, a bag with more room is best and what you want.
The same goes if you plan to haul a lot of fishes when you have the chance.
TIP
Check that the volume of the cooler matches your needs.
Is it insulated?
All the coolers are insulated, but some are better than others.
It shouldn’t be an issue for kayak anglers going on a day trip, as all the coolers will ensure your catch stays good for up to 12 hours.
But if you plan for a few days of fishing trips, you’ll want a cooler that can handle it.
How durable is it?
Life on a kayak is tough for a cooler. If you bought one of the best tandem fishing kayaks from my review, you’ll know how tight the space is and how you’ll be hard-pressed to find shade for your cooler.
It’ll be in direct sunlight, have fish spines in it, have to carry a heavy load, and be wet a lot of the time.
If the cooler isn’t durable, it’s not going to survive for much time.
How Heavy Is it?
You’ll have to carry your cooler to and from your kayak, and paddle with it onboard.
The lighter it is, the easier all of this is going to be.
TIP
Be sure to pick a cooler that you can carry and paddle with, with ease.
Summing Up
Finding the best kayak coolers for your outdoor adventures isn’t so simple and I hope the reviews above have helped you stumble upon the right cooler for you.
Remember it’s all about having enough room in the cooler for your catch and being able to access it easily.
The Best Kayak Fish Bag Cooler
After that, you can think about how well insulated is you won’t be out on your kayak for days at a time, the fish just need to be kept cool for a few hours
If you still haven’t managed to decide, here are the best two I would pick.
Top Pick
For all-around durability and great space, the Reliable Fishing Products cooler is the best one..
You can put a large haul inside it, it’ll stay cooled, and it’s about as durable and quick to clean as a cooler can be.
The Best Kayak Fish Bag Cooler
For functionality, Wilderness Systems Insulated Cooler is the right choice.
This kayak cooler bag has three separate storage areas for your gear, drinks, and fishes, plus it has a solid build and is simple to access.
Feel Free To Share!
Thanks for reading my article, I hope you found it useful.
Please feel free to share it with any friends who love to kayak. If you’re in the market for the best kayak paddle for fishing, I have a review on that as well.
You might also be interested in some of my other articles around, like this one about portable rods or maybe this article about portable fish finders that will help ensure fishing from a kayak is a whole lot easier. Feel free to check them out on this site.
