I have had three. I like the reliable kill bag the best so far.

 

Reliable. Best quality and worth the few more $$$ you will spend. You will never have to buy another. Unless you fish Tuna or mega bottom fish, go with the smallest size, 18" x 36", because salmon are smaller and limts are less frequent. Also holds lots of crab and fits well on deck or in the floor. I have never filled my 20" x 48" and wish I had the smaller one.

 

“A few more $$$s…” ?? They want $279.00 for that bag and you put crabs it it? How many 12-15# salmon can you put in that thing?
I’m sorry… but I’m just not feeling the love to save a little room in your boat. I’ll stick to a hard cooler in the bow myself. Kirk

 

I recently picked up an Opah Fathom 4 for salmon. It's bulky and built like a tank but also claims to be a %100 leak proof design. I personally haven't tested that yet but I have read of almost all other kill bags leaking so if you intend to put it in your cab or trunk that may be something to take into consideration. @uplandsandpiper has a video on his Spilt Milt youtube channel comparing some kill bags for kayaks, one being the Opah. Here is a different video directly comparing Opah to Reliable, take it for what it's worth:

 

Never fails ... The OP asked about a "catch bag" not how things are done on the SS Minnow. Sell Crazy someplace else, We're all stocked up here.

 

Sounds like you bag alot of gold fish

 

If you want a Cadillac it's gonna cost you. In the 20 x 48, I'd say 8-10, 12-15# with a couple 1/2g. ice blocks. Never happens because I fish no more than 4 people. Bow works to, but windshield door hits coolers. Crabs do great, very tough material. I like that it fits in my floor. Have a nice day!

 

I have been happy with my Wilderness Pack Specialties, heavy duty straps and well insulated. I keep my kill bag full of ice in the boat’s fishbox. Fits perfect, makes boat cleanup a little quicker and easy to carry fish to the cleaning station

 

I interpreted the OP's question as wanting recommendations on insulated fish bags, not a food fight over whether coolers or kill bags are better.

Reliable bags are great. They will hold ice as well, or better, than a hard-side cooler, they have pleated bottoms that let them conform to the shape of whatever is inside them, and they squish down flat for storage when not in use. Use the loops on the ends to attach some straps or rope, and they will stand nice and flat against the gunnel and not eat up precious deck space like a cooler. If you take care of them, they will last many seasons. Only downsides are that as noted, they are not leak proof, and if you really fill them up they turn into football shaped blobs. Some guys try and seal the stitched seams with 3m 5200 but I am dubious of how well that works (especially on one that has already been used and coated with fish oil).

The newer Opah and other welded PVC bags should be leakproof. Some of them hold ice better than Reliable (thicker insulation), some do not. I bought a cheap-ish Goture one 2 summers ago to supplement my fish storage... it was much less expensive than a Reliable and it doesn't leak, but it doesn't hold ice nearly as well.

 

Only downsides are that as noted, they are not leak proof, ...
Some guys try and seal the stitched seams with 3m 5200 but I am dubious of how well that works (especially on one that has already been used and coated with fish oil).

Bought a WPS bag last year. Tested it with fresh water and it leaked like a sieve. After drying it out for a week or so, I applied 5200 and after curing, still leaked. Second coat reduced the flow, but still leaked. Finally got it sealed after a third coat on all seams and the drain. It looks bad, but holds water now. While it looks solid, I don't trust the 5200 long term. We'll see how it holds up. As a precaution, I bought some 4 mil bags off Amazon that I plan to use inside and only put ice in the bag itself. BTW, the first attempt with pure silicone was a failure and peeled right off.

Can't imagine using a bag that leaks fishy water into the insulation, out the seams and onto the floor of the truck, car or boat. Once that bacteria/mold starts growing in the insulation, you can never go back. Seems like the manufactures should seal the bags during construction.

 

I interpreted the OP's question as wanting recommendations on insulated fish bags, not a food fight over whether coolers or kill bags are better.

I’m sorry about not offering a suggestion for replacing an insulated fish bag. But I looked into purchasing one myself a few years ago to replace my hard cooler, and never could get past the price they want for something that leaks fish juice all over your boat. If that makes me a bad person. I can live with it. No food fight intended…. Kirk

 

Hmm. I don't get leaky fish juice all over from my Reliable. It may leak but I use frozen blocks contained in 1/2 g. milk jugs to contain any melt off. Also, I thoroughly bleed and rinse fish before they go in. This seems to minimize any liquid that may occur. I know many like the ice slurry to cool there fish down, and for that method I think any bag is going to leak. A cooler then is the only way. One thing is for sure, I don't like my fish soaking in any liquid for any length of time and using solid ice block jugs cools them down well, without all that mess. My 2cents.

 

I'm with run-n-gun. Loose ice doesn't go in the bag.

 

I use the cheap bimart Calcutta bag $33 I freeze Gatorade bottles and toss 5 or 6 of them in there I have had no issue with them leaking going on third season I've had about six 4 to 10lb coho in them with room for a couple more when it fails I'll by another for $30ish bucks I'm sure it would get destroyed quick if i put crab in it though

 

I use the cheap bimart Calcutta bag $33 I freeze Gatorade bottles and toss 5 or 6 of them in there I have had no issue with them leaking going on third season I've had about six 4 to 10lb coho in them with room for a couple more when it fails I'll by another for $30ish bucks I'm sure it would get destroyed quick if i put crab in it though

[emoji817]

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Worth checking out. Claims watertight.

 

Reliable. Very well built.

 

Kuuma works for me

 

Are those the ones that Englunds sells? Every time I go in there I see the kill bags hung up on display (right by the stainless propane crab cookers ) and have to fight to keep from melting my credit card. Not sure of the brand, other than I recognize Reliable and it's not one of theirs.

 

A couple of years ago, when we decided to move up from the 'cheepy' bags, I ran across Canyon. I called them and they ended up custom building 2 bags for us that hang from the bow rails on our Whaler. We can easily get 2 Chinook and 4 Coho in each bag and it was less than $200 for the pair. They are welded seam, don't leak a drop, and guaranteed for life. I know they also make 'standing bags' as well. The quality is outstanding and hold ice a loooooog time. An alternative possibly. jc Tuna Maru

 

Ive had good luck with the kill bags they sell at Fishermans with their logo on it. Not sure who actually makes them but Ive have mine for over six years and although it does leak a little Im surprised at how well its held up.

 

3yrs on that one, doesn't leak, except the tag end of the zippers when shut, just cleaned it up for another season at B10

 

Check out JParks Upholstery in Hillsboro. They do boat tops and make really nice custom to order kill bags. They have reenforced handles, zippers and insulation and they don’t leak.
I have a few bags and my JParks custom bag is by far the best of the group.


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I have the Opah (salmon model). It is much better than the other brands I have used.

 

Only issue I had with Reliable is it came with instructions to buy some sealant and where to put it, so I did.

When you buy top of the line I think you should expect more. With that said it has never leaked and I am very hard on all my gear.

 

I had a custom size bag made by North American Tarp in Longview. The sell them under the name Rugged Made. Very durable and an excellent value as far as I'm concerned.

North American Tarp, LLC

Durable Custom Tarps and Covers for Industrial, Commercial and Residential Use

northamericantarp.com

 

Totally agree purchased mine at Bob's sporting goods in Longview locally made product. NO LEAKS

 

Pretty happy with our Reliable fish bag for transportation in just a fishing rig. Had a Wilderness Pack insulated box made for the in floor fish box of our NR Seahawk and it works well for the purpose intended. Different applications, but both do the job.

 

I had a custom size bag made by North American Tarp in Longview. The sell them under the name Rugged Made. Very durable and an excellent value as far as I'm concerned.

North American Tarp, LLC

Durable Custom Tarps and Covers for Industrial, Commercial and Residential Use

northamericantarp.com

This is the answer. These bags are killer. Extremely well made, welded, leakproof, drain plug, cool colors, can be custom or pre-made... all the good stuff!

 

This is the answer. These bags are killer. Extremely well made, welded, leakproof, drain plug, cool colors, can be custom or pre-made... all the good stuf!

I bought a North American Tarp bag 3 years ago. Very happy with it doesn't seem to leak like my buddy's Reliable bag. Seems plenty tough as well.

 

 

Great way to keep your dog cool in summer…now THAT is an expensive doggie bag….lol

 

I use the cheap bimart Calcutta bag $33 I freeze Gatorade bottles and toss 5 or 6 of them in there I have had no issue with them leaking going on third season I've had about six 4 to 10lb coho in them with room for a couple more when it fails I'll by another for $30ish bucks I'm sure it would get destroyed quick if i put crab in it though

I have one of those that I use. They do leak pretty bad, but I take a large 3 mil contractor debris bag with me to put fish and ice in, then put the contractor bag in the kill bag. However, my next kill bag buy, will be a Reliable. When the budget allows.

 

I have one Calcutta bag. The zipper is so hard to use I never use the thing unless I need a real small killlbag for something. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

 

I randomly searched bags on Amazon about 3 years ago and ordered a Reliable one. Reviews said it wasn't water proof, but they also said to use some kind of sealer inside on the seams. Haven't had any issues with it at all and I'm pretty hard on my equipment.