x2 on the Reliable. I bought the small 18x36. It will actually hold more than one might think. If I was able to choose a size something like 20(22) x 42 would be ideal. Still able to sit on the Swim Platform and just a bit more capacity. Everything is a trade off on a small boat, and getting the cooler off the floor is huge.
Reliable Kill Bag Best Deal?
- Thread starter Fish Assassin
- Start date
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
I paid 42.00 at Trotac last year I think...
Used Katch cooler for a few years. There are OK but kinda small. OK for smaller fish(So will NOT work for you FA) Will barely hold a smaller Tyee. Do not use shoulder strap if you have a big Tyee in it as the strap will rip the bag due to weight and cheap build, but what can you expect for $20-$30. I ended up only using to pack my fish from the boat to home.
/ fishon
/ fishon
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
LOL Space!! I think you have to try one and think outside the box of what everyone else does. As soon as I got one I realized how awesome it was...You could just fold it up when you weren't using it, and even with fish in it it didn't get in the way at all....Not everyone has the room to put a massive cooler on there boat... they can do just as good of job...
I have loaded mine up and it the max I have done is two fish one just abut thirty and one mid twenty. And they both fit. I always put a bag of ice in there in a fish bag so it doesn't leak, and it keeps the fish cold pretty much all day...
At the dock hauling big coolers is a pain in the butt compared to any of these... I may look into a different one this season... Or else buy a second one...
I have loaded mine up and it the max I have done is two fish one just abut thirty and one mid twenty. And they both fit. I always put a bag of ice in there in a fish bag so it doesn't leak, and it keeps the fish cold pretty much all day...
At the dock hauling big coolers is a pain in the butt compared to any of these... I may look into a different one this season... Or else buy a second one...
Is it easy to wash out or are you left with festering bungus in the corners and seams. I do get the space saving it would be great inside of a uninsulated fish locker as a way to keep the fish cold and locker clean though. For 30 bucks cant go wrong you could buy almost ten for the price of one Reliable.
Fish Assassin
Crew Member
I just ordered a 20x48 last night from the PNT website. 
$215
KV1 I use mine alot and at the end of the day I just hose it out with fresh water. It's clean enough that I'd climb in it and eat lunch. No odors, no festering corners or seems. I have filled my larger reliable kill bag with slush to chill my fish many of times then just pulled the plug and it's now packed in ice.
I now own 2 different sizes and leave my igloo cooler on the dock
$215KV1 I use mine alot and at the end of the day I just hose it out with fresh water. It's clean enough that I'd climb in it and eat lunch. No odors, no festering corners or seems. I have filled my larger reliable kill bag with slush to chill my fish many of times then just pulled the plug and it's now packed in ice.
I now own 2 different sizes and leave my igloo cooler on the dock
Fish Assassin
Crew Member
Once you own one you'll know why they can fetch that dollar. Buy one that's built correctly the first time around and save money in the long run.
fishnwhenIcan
Well-Known Member
Has anybody used the Koldzone by Konezone? I ended up getting one from Nikka at the boat show. I'm not sure on the quality yet, only used it once so far. I'm wondering if the zipper will hold up?
TenMile
Well-Known Member
I have used the one sold by Westmarine -- made by CE Smith. Measures 22" x 66" and it's HUGE. We've stuffed it -- I think our max was something like 16-18 fish plus ice in one outing and there was still room.
Ended up with an issue with the zipper after the first season (one of the zipper pulls detached). Westmarine replaced the entire bag at no charge -- that's the advantage of dealing locally vs. mailorder.
http://www.westmarine.com/portable-canopies/c-e-smith--tournament-fish-cooler-bag--6867824
Ended up with an issue with the zipper after the first season (one of the zipper pulls detached). Westmarine replaced the entire bag at no charge -- that's the advantage of dealing locally vs. mailorder.
http://www.westmarine.com/portable-canopies/c-e-smith--tournament-fish-cooler-bag--6867824
Fish Assassin
Crew Member
Well I bought mine thru Pacific Net and Twine in Parksville/Coombs. Dealt with a small local company.
West Marine is a US Giant are they not?
West Marine is a US Giant are they not?
TenMile
Well-Known Member
Yes agreed. More directed at looking at eBay or online options. Westmarine did the replacement with absolutely no hassle -- I called them, explained the issue, they ordered me a new one (without even inspecting the old) -- and I simply swapped out the bag when the new one arrived. A local small guy will often do that too.
Hali_hauler
Member
I just ordered a 20x48 last night from the PNT website.
KV1 I use mine alot and at the end of the day I just hose it out with fresh water. It's clean enough that I'd climb in it and eat lunch. No odors, no festering corners or seems. I have filled my larger reliable kill bag with slush to chill my fish many of times then just pulled the plug and it's now packed in ice.
I now own 2 different sizes and leave my igloo cooler on the dock
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Hali_hauler
Member
I just ordered a 20x48 last night from the PNT website.
KV1 I use mine alot and at the end of the day I just hose it out with fresh water. It's clean enough that I'd climb in it and eat lunch. No odors, no festering corners or seems. I have filled my larger reliable kill bag with slush to chill my fish many of times then just pulled the plug and it's now packed in ice.
I now own 2 different sizes and leave my igloo cooler on the dock
I am looking to buy a reliable bag what size would you recommend? I bank fish and would like to hold 8 springs and 8 cohos.
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wishiniwasfishin1
Well-Known Member
I think I may be missing something. How can a bag hold 8 springs and 8 coho? Thats likely over 200lbs of dead fish! Can a guy actually carry a full fish bag?
Fish Assassin
Crew Member
The 20X48 seems perfect for me for day fishing. It will easlly hold a two-three guys catch for the day.
The 28X48 I'd list what all I had in it but some of you might roll your eyes. I'll just say it holds two day limits for two guys on WCVI and you figure out what that may include and there was still room for more...... Bag was half full of slush to start. Then drained out
The 28X48 I'd list what all I had in it but some of you might roll your eyes. I'll just say it holds two day limits for two guys on WCVI and you figure out what that may include
and there was still room for more...... Bag was half full of slush to start. Then drained outGo reliable or don't bother. The drain plug is critical to keep the water out of the ice and off of your fish. We have a monster 36x72" reliable bag and can load it with about 16-20 tuna depending on size. it always cleans out nicely and is built super tough. when full you would need a crane to lift it but typically at the end of the trip we remove fish one at a time and deal with them. when not in use it folds down nice and small and is easy to stow. the only downside is they will not hold ice as long as a good quality cooler like a yeti...
Hali_hauler
Member
FA... I am a believer I just want to get the right size the first time. So when you say 2-3 guys are you including some chickens? Could the 20x48 work for four guys salmon only for the day or is the 28x48 that much bigger? And one more question how tall is the 28x48 when it is full? Does it get shorter the fuller it gets? I am looking to fit it on the transom of a 2301 seaswirl.
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