Let's talk coolers 2025

MassYak85 reply :

You know what's (almost) as good as catching fish when it's 100 degrees outside? A cold drink. What do you guys take on your boat, canoe, kayak, bank etc. during the summer to take a lunch and some drinks that has worked well throughout the worst summer heat? I primarily fish from a kayak and am only looking for something small, that would carry a few water bottles and have a little extra room for a sandwhich or something. Preferably a soft cooler but I am open to suggestions.

Fish the Mitt reply :

On 2/22/2018 at 10:29 AM, MassYak85 said:

You know what's (almost) as good as catching fish when it's 100 degrees outside? A cold drink. What do you guys take on your boat, canoe, kayak, bank etc. during the summer to take a lunch and some drinks that has worked well throughout the worst summer heat? I primarily fish from a kayak and am only looking for something small, that would carry a few water bottles and have a little extra room for a sandwhich or something. Preferably a soft cooler but I am open to suggestions.

On my kayak I don't use a cooler, so I'm not much help there. I usually just have a Gatorade between my legs and a can of Grizz in my shirt pocket for a snack ????

On my boat, I use a soft cooler my GF got from work. It's no Yeti but it works plenty good for a day on the water.

On my old bass boat, the live well wasn't big enough for 5 perch, let alone 5 bass, so that was my designated cooler.

Turkey sandwich reply :

I take a soft cooler and fill it with Gatorade sport bottles filled with water. I'll usually freeze them at least partially overnight.

scaleface reply :

I like to put beer in my coolers .

wisconsin heat reply :

I dont usually bring a cooler, but if I were in the market for one, I'd look at the Ozark Trail Yeti Knock-offs from Walmart. I was checking them out one day and they seem very nice. Maybe something like this one https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-12-Can-Premium-Cooler/55626731 .They also have a backpack one but maybe thats a bit bigger than what you are looking for.

TnRiver46 reply :

I got a Stanley for Valentine’s Day. And a six pack! Looks like it would fit nicely on a kayak, about milk crate sized

The second picture is what I wouldn’t recommend for a kayak, I about sank for 12 hrs straight that day

Bluebasser86 reply :

I carry an Rtic 64oz bottle with water on my kayak then just carry a cheap soft cooler with a couple ice packs for my sandwiches.

TOXIC reply :

On my Ranger Z21 the built in cooler is huge and I could never see filling it up although it has no problem keeping ice all day long in the summer. I normally use freezer packs to keep from having to drain the cooler into the bilge. If it's just me, I have a RTIC that fits inside of my built in cooler. If I freeze water bottles, I have to take them out or they won't thaw enough to drink.

geo g reply :

I freeze water bottles, take a lot of them in a small cooler and they double as ice. I take one out at a time and have ice water all day. No need for ice. Always take 3times the amount you think you need during the summer in case you get stuck out there. I’ve learned from experience.

LonnieP reply :

On 2/22/2018 at 12:12 PM, wisconsin heat said:

I dont usually bring a cooler, but if I were in the market for one, I'd look at the Ozark Trail Yeti Knock-offs from Walmart. I was checking them out one day and they seem very nice. Maybe something like this one https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-12-Can-Premium-Cooler/55626731 .They also have a backpack one but maybe thats a bit bigger than what you are looking for.

I was thinking about getting one of those. I've heard that they're as good as the Yetis.

Fishin Dad reply :

I also avoid using my built in boat cooler. I have the 20 size RTIC cooler and use freezer packs I bought on Amazon. They stay COLD and no water to deal with. Throw my drinks and food in there for 2 people. Can beat the heck out of that cooler and no worries. Should have it for a lifetime.

npl_texas reply :

RTIC soft 20

WRB reply :

Water, ice, apple and lunch in the boats bilt in cooler.

Tom

heavyduty reply :

+1 on RTIC

DKennedy reply :

I run an Orion 25 on my kayak. I throw frozen water in it to keep my lunch cool for all day trips.

KDW96 reply :

Im using a white yeti ( the small one). It really works great in the boat or back of truck, when its scorchin hot out.

NYWayfarer reply :

No cooler on my kayak. I take a Walmart Ozark Trail 36 oz vacuum sealed stainless steel water bottle filled with ice and water. Ice will last 24 hours in it. Cost me $7 on clearance. Great investment.

I carry some Nut butter filled Clif Bars for a snack. If I am out on the boat for the day I take a soft sided cooler with some sandwiches.

MassYak85 reply :

On 2/23/2018 at 10:44 AM, NYWayfarer said:

No cooler on my kayak. I take a Walmart Ozark Trail 36 oz vacuum sealed stainless steel water bottle filled with ice and water. Ice will last 24 hours in it. Cost me $7 on clearance. Great investment.

I carry some Nut butter filled Clif Bars for a snack. If I am out on the boat for the day I take a soft sided cooler with some sandwiches.

What soft side do you carry in the boat? I have a decent amount of room behind my seat in my kayak.

NYWayfarer reply :

On 2/23/2018 at 10:52 AM, MassYak85 said:

What soft side do you carry in the boat? I have a decent amount of room behind my seat in my kayak.

I don’t take my soft side in the kayak. I fish with my Father in law from time to time on his boat. It’s a 14’ aluminum Myers. That’s when I take my soft side. It’s a Ozark Trail knock off of the Yeti Hopper. Doesn’t hold ice for 5 days like the Hopper. More like 3days but that 2 days more than I need for a day on the water. Not to mention more than $250 cheaper.

RPreeb reply :

The one day cooler I've used for everything from canoeing to camping to beach days to... well just about everything.... I bought in 1982. They don't make this one any more, so it's a collector's item now. That one is a Coleman Super Oscar - plenty of room for a sixpack of your favorite beverage, snacks and/or lunch, water and still room for ice or a cold pack. I do have a few other coolers, both larger and smaller, depending on the activity, but my Oscar has been a work horse for a 35 years. It isn't necessary to pay the Yeti price for a decent cooler.

I finally had to repair the handle last year when one of the rivets sheared off. Otherwise it's been a great cooler, and when needed, a functional camp seat. This photo is from around 1983 - you can see the red lid next to my 5 gallon water can in the back of my 1980 Toyota 4x4:

Catt reply :

Bankbeater reply :

I usually don't take a cooler with me out on the water. I fill up a couple of 2 liter soda bottles with water and then freeze them. I have ice water to drink all day.

zeth reply :

canyon coolers for me. they have blems on their wite at a disocunted rate.

rippin-lips reply :

I use the Engel 19qt on my ride 115x. Fits perfectly longways in the tank well. Rod holders are removable but I use mine. Some water, sandwiches plus some snacks fit just fine. It’s not going to hold ice all weekend but does fine for a 8hr river float. $50 I believe @ ACK.

MassYak85 reply :

Unfortunately the way my kayak is set up it will have to be a soft cooler, on the smaller side so it can go behind my seat (it is a sit-in kayak).

NYWayfarer reply :

I also have a 12 qt. Igloo Quantum cooler. It’s made to hold 1 liter bottles standing up. It’s small and square shaped with 2 cup holders on top. It’s decent if you pre-chill the inside overnight.

NorcalBassin reply :

Yeti Roadie. Pretty small footprint and keeps everything nice and cold with a couple ice packs.

lo n slo reply :

i cant resist ????

here is mine, a gift from my son in law. i’ve been throwing the bling to it whenever i can find a cool sticker. i’ll put it in the Javelin every now and then but my built ins work just fine. better on the job or out by the pool....for my sweet tea.

blongfishing reply :

My stratos has a built in cooler but I just use it for storage. It holds ice pretty good but I prefer bringing my cooler. I have an Engel 19 qt. It's perfect for just me to bring water and some snacks. I fish alone majority of the time so it is perfect for me. When other come along I either tell them to bring their own small cooler or just downsize on my stuff. The cooler holds ice for several days.

Johnbt reply :

"Coleman Super Oscar"

I was going to suggest the standard Lil Oscar 8 quart/six pack size. I have two that I've regularly used since the early '80s. Fold the handle down and you can sit or stand on them. All you have to do is look at the number that have survived to tell how well built they are. Here's one...

www.ebay.com/i/382225441558?chn=ps

thinkingredneck reply :

I have an Eagle Talon Yak by Field and Stream. A milk crate doesn't fit in the rear space, but my Igloo Marine cooler fits. It keeps ice cold on the water. I use it for fish when panfishing, and can keep water, apples, bars, or whatever in a plastic bag inside. I have attached rod holders similar to Catt's photo. I usually never get to fish more than 6 hrs, so it is fine even in the MS heat. I attach with bungee cords.

8262

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