A fish bag is the best alternative for fishermen looking for a space-saving option on their fishing outings. They are adaptable, strong, and insulated to preserve the freshness of your catch. However, not every fish cooler bag is made equal. To help you choose the fish bag that's best for you, we'll go through what each style of fish bag offers in this buyer's guide.

Which Should You Buy: Fishing Coolers or Fish Bags?

Make sure you have the appropriate container before leaving so that you can avoid trouble in the water by selecting the appropriate one. A cooler bag for fish is comparable to the kind of cooler you may bring camping. They are designed to prevent ice from melting for extended periods of time and have exteriors constructed of durable plastic that can survive heavy use and the environment.

However, fishing coolers have the disadvantage of being heavier and taking up more room than fish bags, which makes them difficult to use in kayaks and cumbersome on smaller ships.

Fish bags are more pliable and smaller, but they are still incredibly strong. For quick solo expeditions or those who have smaller fishing boats or kayaks, insulated fish bags are a suitable option. They can also be utilised on longer journeys, though.

Fish bags are generally the most flexible choice. They are often constructed from robust materials like polyester. All of the fish bags from Reliable Fishing Products are crafted from vinyl-coated polyester and stitched with mildew-and UV-resistant thread.

What to Look for When Purchasing a Fish Bag?

When purchasing a fish tote or bag, you should take into account the following eight factors:

  • Capacity
  • Waterproofing
  • Weight
  • Insulation
  • Durability 
  • Cost
  • Warranty
  • Extra features

Below, we'll go through each of them in more detail.

  1. Capacity

When you don't have much room to store your catch, capacity becomes a problem. Insulated fish sacks can help with that. Choose the appropriate size for your ship and the species of fish you intend to catch. For instance, you wouldn't go tuna fishing with a salmon bag. Reliable offers a wide range of bags specifically for this use, ranging from 18" by 36" salmon bags to 30" by 90" tuna bags. All of the reliable fish storage bags include durable handles, making them easy to carry even when they are full after a productive fishing day. In comparison to traditional coolers, they also take up less floor space because they don't have to lie flat.

  1. Waterproofing

Few elements are more crucial when selecting a fish chiller bag than waterproofing. Make sure the one you choose will prevent water from touching your fish. Water is obviously a component of fishing, and your gear will at the very least become slightly damp. Polyester with a vinyl coating, used to make Reliable's bags, is guaranteed to keep water out.

  1. Strength

Almost always, a fishing cooler will be heavier and more difficult to carry than a bag. A fish bag is your best option if you're looking for something lightweight to transport.

To be precise, we provide both flexible and rigid designs. To compete with most coolers, we insulate the latter with several inches of closed-cell foam to maintain fish cooling. Structured bags are hard, yet they are still small, lightweight, and designed to fit inside a kayak.

  1. Insulation

Never overlook checking the bag's insulation before purchasing. Its sole goal is to keep your fish cool till you reach home, after all.

Verify the thickness of the insulation layer to ensure that ice won't melt during extended days on the water. Our line of bags includes a half-inch of closed-cell foam insulation, which keeps the cold for an extended period of time. (It also prevents moisture, making it much simpler to clean the interior of your fishing bag.) All of our bags are white to reflect sunlight and maintain the coolness of their contents.

  1. Durability

A bag that can withstand the elements is what you need. Your equipment will be battered by the sun, wind, and water; therefore, it must be sturdy. Consider how durable the material of your bag will be. Is it vulnerable to punctures? Our handles and seams are stitched with UV and mildew-resistant thread, which prevents fraying. Additionally, the YKK zippers on our backpacks are composed of non-corrosive metals, so they can withstand frequent use on the sea.

  1. Price 

It can be tempting to choose the least expensive alternative when looking for a new product. The lowest alternatives, nevertheless, frequently don't produce the best outcomes

It is best to view your fishing equipment as an investment. Spending less money up front on a fishing bag may save you money in the short run, but it may cost you more in the long run when you need to replace it after a year.

The same is true for fish bags made at home. They aren't as well insulated as real fish bags and aren't expected to survive very long because they are made from recycled materials.

However, you don't need to spend a tonne of cash to end up with a quality product. Compared to other leading brands, Reliable's products are more affordable and offer better value.

  1. Guarantee

When making a significant investment, you ought to think about getting a warranty. Bags of fish aren't an exception. Most websites that sell high-quality bags will include some sort of warranty to support your purchase, and it's typically worthwhile.

Reliable offers a one-year warranty on the craftsmanship of all of our bags since we are so sure of the calibre of our goods.

  1. Added Benefits

Our range follows the general rule that a decent fish bag would include an integrated drain plug somewhere on the body to facilitate simple cleaning. Every bag, including our rigid kayak line, has a drain to make cleanup easier after the trip.

While not absolutely necessary, additional bells and whistles can greatly enhance your overall fishing experience. For example, some bags have a separate section for drinks and snacks, keeping your lunch and catch cool at the same time.

Our collection of huge fishing bags have gusseted bottoms, which allow them to stand upright on their own and extend for even more capacity to hold that enormous tuna or stack of salmon until you can bring it back to shore.


Purchase a Quality Fishing Bag

Having the correct kill bag can make the difference between a successful trip and a spoilt catch, whether you're going on a multi-day fishing expedition or just a quick kayaking trip. All of the items stated above, as well as nine various sizes of fish bags, two sizes of kayak bags, and three different fish blankets, may be found at Reliable Fishing Products.

Take a look at us now, discover our history, and discover why we provide the greatest fishing bags and equipment available. After that, grab your boat and go sail! 

How long will the fish or ice stay chilled in this cooler?

It has been shown that Opah Bags can keep fish and ice frozen for up to 96 hours at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This time, keeping the bag in the shade will be more important than higher temperatures.

What is the duration of the coolers' warranty?

On every work, a one-year limited guarantee is provided.

How are the fish kept cold in the bags?

To protect your catch from the elements, Opah Cooler Bags combine thick closed-cell foam with a very strong 18 oz. PVC Vinyl. With this mixture, ice might last up to 4 days.

How can I prolong the ice's stay in my bag?

Reduce the number of times you unzip your bag to help the contents stay cooler for longer. The warmth increases when the bag is opened more often. Avoiding direct sunlight is also beneficial. The temperature inside a boat in the ocean will drop below normal freezing levels if seawater and ice are combined to create a slurry.The bag can leak.

No, the catch bag's bottom is designed to prevent leaks.

The bag is it heavy?

The insulated death bags are very light when empty. Fish may make the sack pretty heavy when you load it up. The bag is constructed with sturdy handles and extra straps all around it for stability. A hefty bag of fish is an excellent issue to have if you have one.

Does the bag support itself?

Yes. Opah Insulated Kill Bags are all stable. The bag doesn't tip over because to the gusseted shape, which maintains it upright.

What capacity do the bags have?

The Fathom 4 has a capacity of around 85 quarts. Halibut, Yellow Tail, Bonita, Whitefish, Small Tuna, Cod, Ling Cod, Salmon, Grouper, Cabrilla, Cabezon, Dorado, Striped Bass, Trigger Fish, and Redfish are among the species that it is excellent for keeping.

The capacity of the Fathom 5 is 150 quarts. Outstanding for storing Skipjack tuna, Big Eye tuna, Yellowfin tuna, White Sea Bass, Grouper, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi Dorado, Amberjack, Kingfish, King Mackerel, Cobia, Trevally, Snapper, Albacore, Halibut, Yellow Tail, Bonita, Whitefish, Tuna, Cod, and Salmon.




The capacity of the Fathom 6 is around 260 quarts. Excellent for holding Coral Trout, Jewfish, Bluefin, Skipjack, Big Eye, Yellowfin, Tuna, Cod, Salmon, White Sea Bass, Grouper, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi Dorado, Amberjack, Kingfish, King Mackerel, Cobia, Trevally, Snapper, Albacore, Halibut, Yellow Tail, Bonita, Whitefish, Tuna, and Cod.