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Fish Storage - Catfish #12930554 10/11/18 06:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2018
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bbankhead2 Offline OP
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I am wondering how everyone is storing the catfish they catch while out on the water. I have tried keeping mine in a basket that is tied to the side of the kayak and dropped in the water, but that creates a lot of drag when paddling to the next spot. Plus the bigger catfish don't exactly fit in there that easy. I have thought about putting the catfish on a stringer that is then tied off the the kayak, but I think that would have just as much drag as the basket and might be difficult to untie the stringer and then put the catfish on it and then tie the stringer back on the kayak. Just wondering how others might handle this or any tricks/tips. Also, do you "de-barb" the catfish when storing them so they don't cause injury to you or other catfish?

Thanks for the help and tight lines.

Re: Fish Storage - Catfish [Re: bbankhead2] #12930621 10/11/18 08:19 PM
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BKT Offline
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Cut the fins off and chunk em in a cooler that's in the tank well.

Re: Fish Storage - Catfish [Re: bbankhead2] #12930693 10/11/18 09:48 PM
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KQT Offline
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Small igloo marine ice chest. I dont keep anything that is too big to fit in it.


Common carp 26
Goldfish 9.78lb
Mirror Koi 14lb
Koi 16lb
Channel Catfish 26lbs
Blue Cat 30lb
Bass 9.5lb
Re: Fish Storage - Catfish [Re: bbankhead2] #12931163 10/12/18 01:16 PM
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Dan90210 ☮ Offline
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Hanging them over the side will also attract snakes. I caught one trying to munch my LMB I had on the side once.

Yes, I am the devil. I sometimes keep smaller bass lol. But yeah a cooler is good idea or just deal with the drag I guess.

Re: Fish Storage - Catfish [Re: BKT] #12931260 10/12/18 03:03 PM
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Todd Offline
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welcome I only like keeping the smaller eater size so they mostly fit in my cooler. I've never worried about barbs.

Re: Fish Storage - Catfish [Re: bbankhead2] #12931337 10/12/18 04:51 PM
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bbankhead2 Offline OP
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Thanks for all the tips. Keep them coming.

Sounds like a cooler in the kayak is the way to go. I have seen the fish bags, but I think the barbs would just tear those up.

Re: Fish Storage - Catfish [Re: bbankhead2] #12931421 10/12/18 06:15 PM
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bbankhead2 Offline OP
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Also, what size coolers are you guys using on your Kayaks for fish storage? I have a Pelican Catch 100.

Re: Fish Storage - Catfish [Re: bbankhead2] #12932262 10/13/18 06:09 PM
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KQT Offline
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The igloo 25 quart. I also mounted two rod holders on it


Common carp 26
Goldfish 9.78lb
Mirror Koi 14lb
Koi 16lb
Channel Catfish 26lbs
Blue Cat 30lb
Bass 9.5lb
Re: Fish Storage - Catfish [Re: bbankhead2] #12932890 10/14/18 01:48 PM
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pineywoods Offline
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Not long ago I saw an ice chest with a long funnel built into the lid. It looked like the end of a leaf blower. With the cooler loaded in the rear storage area of your yak the funnel came forward under your armpit. You put the fish in the opening and it slid back and into the cooler. Solved the problem of turning around in your seat and opening the lid. I can't find that anywhere on the web now. Might just build it myself if I can't find it. Will let you all know.


"Give a man a fish, and feed him for a day. Give him entitlements and you may feed him forever."
Re: Fish Storage - Catfish [Re: pineywoods] #12940209 10/21/18 02:59 AM
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Jimbo Online Content
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Originally Posted By: pineywoods
Not long ago I saw an ice chest with a long funnel built into the lid. It looked like the end of a leaf blower. With the cooler loaded in the rear storage area of your yak the funnel came forward under your armpit. You put the fish in the opening and it slid back and into the cooler. Solved the problem of turning around in your seat and opening the lid. I can't find that anywhere on the web now. Might just build it myself if I can't find it. Will let you all know.


I've wondered why nobody has come up with something like that?
What I do is use a cable type stringer with the plastic coating. It doesn't twist especially with catfish because it has a swivel and float on one end. I use one of those zig zag cleats to attach the stringer and have a hook on the tag end that you feed through the gills or punch through the lower jaw.
Before I paddle back to the launch I put into an ice chest or if it's cool I just lay them in the floor of the kayak, but that's a little messy with the slime.
I have also used a heavy duty leaf trash bag to place them in as well and it works.


Just one more cast!

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