Kill Bag Recommendations?

I got a Feel Free from I think CCK. It was cheaper than a Hobie and has an inside removable bag that keeps the insulated bag clean. I place plastic ice packs/blocks between the liner and the insulated outside. No meltwater to leak in my car. But I usually keep fish on the stringer and transfer to the cooler bag for the ride home. The ice blocks are stored in a smaller cooler with my beer/food until needed. The bag has fit up to a 37" halibut. 

If a sea lion ever dumps me, I will probably bring the bag out on the yak more often.

JDC wrote:

<snipped> . . .  It was cheaper than a Hobie

I’ve heard that phrase a few times!’

In order to keep fish as fresh as possible my normal routine was to keep fish live on the clip, bleed them when heading in, and right onto ice after landing.

Since I was flipped out of my kayak last week at Shelter Cove ( https://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=101746.225 ) when a sea lion grabbed my fish I have decided to change my method. The only place for a kill bag is in the back, and that means that I have to give up on carrying a crate. Not having the crate eliminates 4 rod holders which is another issue.

Thanks for the link. This looks a little too large, and I'm not sure if upright or flat will work best.

The recommended kill bags in this thread are no longer available so looking for current recommendations. My kayak is an Eddyline Caribbean 14.

I just bought a kill bag, also had to sacrifice my crate. I went with an affordable bag from Amazon. Works like a charm, and big enough for a few nice sized fish. Holds ice for much longer than I expected it to.  So far very happy with this one:

Buffalo Gear Insulated Fish... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R3X1R1T?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

In order to keep fish as fresh as possible my normal routine was to keep fish live on the clip, bleed them when heading in, and right onto ice after landing.

Since I was flipped out of my kayak last week at Shelter Cove ( https://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=101746.225 ) when a sea lion grabbed my fish I have decided to change my method. The only place for a kill bag is in the back, and that means that I have to give up on carrying a crate. Not having the crate eliminates 4 rod holders which is another issue.

The recommended kill bags in this thread are no longer available so looking for current recommendations. My kayak is an Eddyline Caribbean 14.

Look at AlexB's avatar - I run my taco-style kill bag the same way between my seat back and my box in the rear compartment. The built in rod holders on my outback are behind the kill bag and still accessible (although tough to see without an extension) and my crate is accessible as well. The main issue would be if it would interfere with your paddle stroke. Cheers, Brad

My kayak is a bit narrower so it might stick out to the sides too much.

If you want a quality bag that will hold ice for days, can be used as a backpack.... I would highly recommend the Opah Kayak Kill Bag or their Fathom 3 standard kill bag. Been using their bags on my yak as well as on the charter boat. Been beating them up trying to make em fail and it has held up great!! No issues with spines or punctures has about 2-3" of insulation. I can fish all day and still have frozen bait when I get back to the rig. I have even filled it up with a limit of Herring and Dungeness Crab. When not fishing I use them for off-roading and camping. I call em a soft Yeti, one that you can actually pick up. The Opah price point is a little high and the Opah team is working on a redesign to help lower the cost.

I do help the Opah guys out at shows and online, so I do have a preference so just wanted to point that out. Not on their pay roll or anything like that.

I can also demo or show you all of their bags. If you have any questions or want to check em out shoot me a DM.

A lot of the members of Coastside use the Opah bags, and highly recommend them. I have been looking at the K3  bag for a while but it hasn't been available at Opah or any of the retailers. Do you know if they plan on resuming production on this one? The #3 upright looks good too.

The only place for a kill bag is in the back, and that means that I have to give up on carrying a crate.

I'm curious why is the bow not an option?  That's where I run my kill bag and it's nice and convenient.  That way all fish handling happens in front of my chair.  I keep 2 clips.  One to dangle during bleeding and then transfer to the clip in the kill bag so I don't accidentally knock a fish overboard from the kill bag.  Ice goes in the kill bag while rigging up on shore and stays without water until the first fish.  Then I add water to the bag with ice and fish.

The Eddyline is pretty narrow, and is difficult for me to go from sitting flat to a kneeling position. I can spin side  saddle pretty easy to reach in the back but can't reach far enough forward. Plus I have my FF center mounted, and the forward rod holders stick into the area as well. I may put the kayak on the garage floor and practice getting to the front to see if it might be doable.

CE Smith - Tournament Fish Cooler Bag - Fish Bag Cooler for Fishing Accessories
 https://a.co/d/8cAiGgX

Thanks, sounds like a nice bag but I could never get it on my kayak, and so far I've only been able to dream about catching the size, and type of fish you routinely bring in. 

I got a Feel Free from I think CCK. It was cheaper than a Hobie and has an inside removable bag that keeps the insulated bag clean. I place plastic ice packs/blocks between the liner and the insulated outside. No meltwater to leak in my car. But I usually keep fish on the stringer and transfer to the cooler bag for the ride home. The ice blocks are stored in a smaller cooler with my beer/food until needed. The bag has fit up to a 37" halibut. 

If a sea lion ever dumps me, I will probably bring the bag out on the yak more often.

I will check it out. I think Mable will keep any sea lions away.

The only place for a kill bag is in the back, and that means that I have to give up on carrying a crate.

I'm curious why is the bow not an option?  That's where I run my kill bag and it's nice and convenient.  That way all fish handling happens in front of my chair.  I keep 2 clips.  One to dangle during bleeding and then transfer to the clip in the kill bag so I don't accidentally knock a fish overboard from the kill bag.  Ice goes in the kill bag while rigging up on shore and stays without water until the first fish.  Then I add water to the bag with ice and fish.

The Eddyline is pretty narrow, and is difficult for me to go from sitting flat to a kneeling position. I can spin side  saddle pretty easy to reach in the back but can't reach far enough forward. Plus I have my FF center mounted, and the forward rod holders stick into the area as well. I may put the kayak on the garage floor and practice getting to the front to see if it might be doable.

That makes a lot of sense.  I forget you real kayakers often mount the FF on the centerline where it is convenient    When I'm skippering my pedal barge, it's off to the right and so the path to the bag on the bow is clear.  Being a barge, it's easy for me to crawl around the entire deck.  Thanks for the clarification!

Now that you bring up the difference, though, also keep in mind the weight & balance difference.  Mounting the bag aft of you keeps the center of buoyancy closer to your chair while the bow definitely shifts it forward.  On my barge it's not that big of a deal, but it definitely plows through more waves than without it.  Something to think about

just fyi West Marine is having a sale on theire Reliabe brand kill bags at the moment

If you want a quality bag that will hold ice for days, can be used as a backpack.... I would highly recommend the Opah Kayak Kill Bag or their Fathom 3 standard kill bag. Been using their bags on my yak as well as on the charter boat. Been beating them up trying to make em fail and it has held up great!! No issues with spines or punctures has about 2-3" of insulation. I can fish all day and still have frozen bait when I get back to the rig. I have even filled it up with a limit of Herring and Dungeness Crab. When not fishing I use them for off-roading and camping. I call em a soft Yeti, one that you can actually pick up. The Opah price point is a little high and the Opah team is working on a redesign to help lower the cost.

I do help the Opah guys out at shows and online, so I do have a preference so just wanted to point that out. Not on their pay roll or anything like that.

I can also demo or show you all of their bags. If you have any questions or want to check em out shoot me a DM.

A lot of the members of Coastside use the Opah bags, and highly recommend them. I have been looking at the K3  bag for a while but it hasn't been available at Opah or any of the retailers. Do you know if they plan on resuming production on this one? The #3 upright looks good too.

Opah is currently working on a re-design to help lower the cost. I've been working with them on some improvements to make the bag even better! Should be coming out real soon! If there is a big interest in Opah kayak bags I can get an order going for the KCKA crew with a discount. Once the design team is done I will post something. Just let me know!

Owners are out of San Diego, are great to work with and really make sure to take care of their customers.

In order to keep fish as fresh as possible my normal routine was to keep fish live on the clip, bleed them when heading in, and right onto ice after landing.

Since I was flipped out of my kayak last week at Shelter Cove ( https://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=101746.225 ) when a sea lion grabbed my fish I have decided to change my method. The only place for a kill bag is in the back, and that means that I have to give up on carrying a crate. Not having the crate eliminates 4 rod holders which is another issue.

Thanks for the link. This looks a little too large, and I'm not sure if upright or flat will work best.

The recommended kill bags in this thread are no longer available so looking for current recommendations. My kayak is an Eddyline Caribbean 14.

I just bought a kill bag, also had to sacrifice my crate. I went with an affordable bag from Amazon. Works like a charm, and big enough for a few nice sized fish. Holds ice for much longer than I expected it to.  So far very happy with this one:

Buffalo Gear Insulated Fish... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R3X1R1T?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

For sure - I feel you on making a bag fit into the dimensions of the kayak.  I will post a pic later, but I basically lay it flat, longwise in my rear well.  It hangs over on both front and back, but meh. 

The only place for a kill bag is in the back, and that means that I have to give up on carrying a crate.

I'm curious why is the bow not an option?  That's where I run my kill bag and it's nice and convenient.  That way all fish handling happens in front of my chair.  I keep 2 clips.  One to dangle during bleeding and then transfer to the clip in the kill bag so I don't accidentally knock a fish overboard from the kill bag.  Ice goes in the kill bag while rigging up on shore and stays without water until the first fish.  Then I add water to the bag with ice and fish.

The Eddyline is pretty narrow, and is difficult for me to go from sitting flat to a kneeling position. I can spin side  saddle pretty easy to reach in the back but can't reach far enough forward. Plus I have my FF center mounted, and the forward rod holders stick into the area as well. I may put the kayak on the garage floor and practice getting to the front to see if it might be doable.

I just don't have a large enough flat spot forward of the pedal drive to place anything other than a small bag.  The bag I linked would hang over the bow.  Short kayak problems, I huess, hahaha.

I have a reliable 36” kayak bag and absolutely love it. Holds multiple 40” halibut (just zip it up to the tail) or a rockfish/lingcod limit no problem. Would obviously be a problem with larger seabass or sharks. It holds 20lbs of ice for a few days. Only thing I don’t like is the zipper is not leak proof so if loading into a car or trunk it’s gotta be laid down zipper side up.

If you want a quality bag that will hold ice for days, can be used as a backpack.... I would highly recommend the Opah Kayak Kill Bag or their Fathom 3 standard kill bag. Been using their bags on my yak as well as on the charter boat. Been beating them up trying to make em fail and it has held up great!! No issues with spines or punctures has about 2-3" of insulation. I can fish all day and still have frozen bait when I get back to the rig. I have even filled it up with a limit of Herring and Dungeness Crab. When not fishing I use them for off-roading and camping. I call em a soft Yeti, one that you can actually pick up. The Opah price point is a little high and the Opah team is working on a redesign to help lower the cost.

I do help the Opah guys out at shows and online, so I do have a preference so just wanted to point that out. Not on their pay roll or anything like that.

I can also demo or show you all of their bags. If you have any questions or want to check em out shoot me a DM.

A lot of the members of Coastside use the Opah bags, and highly recommend them. I have been looking at the K3  bag for a while but it hasn't been available at Opah or any of the retailers. Do you know if they plan on resuming production on this one? The #3 upright looks good too.

Opah is currently working on a re-design to help lower the cost. I've been working with them on some improvements to make the bag even better! Should be coming out real soon! If there is a big interest in Opah kayak bags I can get an order going for the KCKA crew with a discount. Once the design team is done I will post something. Just let me know!

Owners are out of San Diego, are great to work with and really make sure to take care of their customers.

I am interested so let me know when you find out any more information.

A lot of the members of Coastside use the Opah bags, and highly recommend them. I have been looking at the K3  bag for a while but it hasn't been available at Opah or any of the retailers. Do you know if they plan on resuming production on this one? The #3 upright looks good too.
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Opah is currently working on a re-design to help lower the cost. I've been working with them on some improvements to make the bag even better! Should be coming out real soon! If there is a big interest in Opah kayak bags I can get an order going for the KCKA crew with a discount. Once the design team is done I will post something. Just let me know!

Owners are out of San Diego, are great to work with and really make sure to take care of their customers.
[/quote]

Will Do.....

I am interested so let me know when you find out any more information.
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