Fishing Cooler Reviews
Fishing can be one of the most fun and relaxing ways to get supplies for dinner whether you are camping or having a fish fry, but one of the most common pieces of equipment that are forgotten about is the cooler.
You may not know it, but there are some coolers that are specially designed for fishing, and we found some of the best ones that you can check out today. You can also check out some of the most common questions people have about them and the answers we found.
Top 5: Fishing Coolers Review
Product Image & Rating (Out Of 10) | Product Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
9.9 | ||
9.7 | ||
9.4 | ||
9.4 | ||
9.1 |
This is possibly the most versatile and useful fishing cooler out there now. It is one of the few that has rod holders attached to it, but it is even rarer since it can hold up to four rods; most can usually only hold up to two.
The size is pretty decent since it can hold up to 30 quarts, but it is a little expensive. Still, between the size and the rod holders, the price is pretty much worth it.
In terms of insulation, it is one of the best, though the outside can get a little warm since the main color is tan and not the usual white or off-white color that most coolers are, it is also one of the most convenient coolers if you like to fish from your kayak or canoe.
Pros
Cons
This cooler is one of the best if you are planning to do either a lot of deep-sea fishing or just a lot of fishing in general since it is one of the largest coolers out there.
If you are also the type to do a lot of fishing with a big group, then you may want to even think about getting it in one of the 'sizes' that it can come in: a single, 2-pack, 3-pack, or even a 5-pack.
It does require a lot of space, but if you have a large trunk or an empty back seat, you should be able to make it work; if you do not want your car to smell like fish, putting it in a truck bed can be a good option.
Pros
Cons
This is probably the best cooler for kayak fishing since there is usually less room for fishing equipment on kayaks compared to canoes. The built-in seat with a back and cushion is pretty comfortable, too.
But you might not like the fact that the inside is not insulated like the rest of the coolers on this list; it is simply lined with styrofoam and not the hard, insulated plastic. Although, it is pretty decent about holding the cold in and keeping the heat out for not being as insulated as some of the other coolers.
Pros
Cons
While this is not specially designed for fishing, you might still like to try using this cooler to store your fish, even on a canoe, since it has a nice amount of space without being too bit, 28 quarts, it has a built-in handle, and it has cup holders on the top of the lid, too.
You can also get this in a larger size if you are doing dock or boat fishing as well: 70 or 120 quarts; the price can vary quite a bit based on the size, though.
Pros
Cons
This is another cooler that is specially designed for fishing, and it is possibly one of the more affordable models out there that is not a styrofoam one.
The material can feel a little weird and the handles are a bit on the cheap side, but it can hold a decent amount of fish, take up only a little bit of space, and you can get it in a single-pack, a 2-pack, or a 4-pack, too.
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions
How Big Should Your Fishing Cooler Be?
It all depends on how many fish you plan on catching, but you always want at least one-third of the cooler's space to be filled with ice so that they stay as fresh for as long as possible.
Most of the personal-sized coolers that are used a lot for a small boat or kayak fishing are anywhere from 25 to 30 quarts, and these are usually just big enough to fit in a kayak or canoe without taking up more than a foot or two of space.
Although, if you are planning on going fishing for some of the larger species of fish, then a bigger cooler is probably better for you. For multiple catches of a large-specie fish, a cooler around 100 quarts or so can be pretty ideal, but you may need more than one depending on how long you are fishing for and how many people you are fishing with.
What Kinds of Unique Features Can a Fishing Cooler Have?
There are some fishing coolers that have built-in pieces of equipment that can make the day a bit easier, like rod holders and even seat padding on the top of the cooler so that you have something to sit on. Most have the common cup holder, though.
Typically, the smaller coolers tend to have the better extra features compared to the larger ones which are more specialized for carrying big fish.
What Makes Fishing Coolers Different from Regular Ones?
Besides the size differences and extra features, technically nothing. Although, there are some that are designed to keep water out of the cooler in case you tend to spill a drink on it or something similar so that your fish do not taste like coffee, soda, beer, or what else you are drinking while fishing and relaxing.
Final Verdict
The ENGEL Cooler/Dry Box with 4 Rod Holders - 30 Qt - Tan comes out on top this time as the best between the size, functionality, and reliability in keeping your fish cooler for longer.
If you think you might want to use it, feel free to click its link above to see the size and rod holders for yourself, and you can compare it to the other coolers, too.
