How to store your catch on your boat

The most traditional way of storing your catch usually involves either a large bucket or an cooler box filled with homemade ice to keep your catch cold.

If it works for you, there is nothing wrong with this method. However, we are now spoilt for choice with a completely new way of storing our catch that's compact, convenient and largely care-free -- fish bags.

Now that we have so many options available, what is the best way to store your catch? There is no right or wrong way, and it largely comes down to personal preference.

I now use a fish bag as opposed to an ice box for any day trips simply because it is collapsible and when loaded with ice, far easier for me to carry to the boat or car.

I'm a bit lazy and tend to just stop by the servo and buy a few bags of ice on my way to the boat ramp. Is this the most cost-effective way to put the catch on ice? Probably not, but it works for me and keeps everything cold for a day’s fishing.

I do find that fish bags are only good for the day, as you will need to keep the ice up to them.

That said, fish bags are a great innovation as they can range in size from small enough to catch a bag limit of whiting or flathead, and large enough to store pelagics and other large fish species such as tuna, kingfish and mackerel.

You'll notice that jet ski owners also tend to lean towards using fish bags because they can easily be stored onboard, and even when being used take up very little space -- important when room to fish is at a premium.

It's the same if you're fishing from a small boat, such as a tinnie. A fish bag can be kept in an underfloor storage compartment, completely out of the way.

It also has benefits if you don't catch fish, as there is nothing worse than lugging a big, heavy icebox along for the day and not even using it.

Fish bags are also far cheaper than buying a comparably sized icebox.

Fish bags are made from a heavy-duty PVC material and include a full-length zipper, drainage plug and soft carry straps that are easy to throw over a shoulder.

I have been impressed with their ability to keep out odours, and the material can be easily hosed clean after each use.

Sharp fish teeth or spines will sometimes pierce the material, but it can easily be repaired with a patch and some adhesive to extend the life of the product.  

And as we've said earlier, while a fish bag will do the job for a day out, they don’t compare to a good insulated icebox if you are fishing for longer periods of time.

That's because iceboxes will keep ice frozen for longer than any of the fish bags I have used, no matter their size.

I have an icebox that keeps ice frozen for up to 10 days, but the night I get home with my fish bag I'll find that my ice has already started to melt away.

Another benefit to using an icebox is that it doubles as a seat, which can come in very handy.

 I always like to keep my bait and lunch separate from where I will be storing my catch.

A good little cooler bag or small icebox works great for this. I will generally keep my bait in a separate cooler bag or icebox, wrapped in newspaper with some ice cubes scattered to help keep it from stinking throughout the day. 

What's the take-home? If you are voyaging out for just a day trip, a fish bag will do the job nicely and save you space. However, if you're heading on a trip lasting a few days or more, taking an icebox.