How to Keep Fish When in a Kayak
- 1). Hook a chain or loop-style stringer to the stern's anchor mount. Chain stringers are ideal, because you can hook the fish without adjusting the stringer. Leave the fish dangling in the water to preserve the flesh. Pull the fish onto the boat when paddling. Do not use this method if you are fishing in shark-infested waters.
- 2). Convert a dry box into a miniature cooler. Place ice in the box, and store your fish on the ice. Large fish may require cleaning before being stored in the box. Place the cleaned fish in a plastic bag before storing it on ice.
- 3). Strap a small cooler to the stern's storage area with a bungee cord. You must reduce the amount of gear you carry. Clean a large fish to reduce weight and make it fit in the cooler. Store the fish in plastic bags inside the cooler. Place enough ice in the cooler to last an entire day.
- 4). Paddle to shore each time you keep a fish. Keep a large cooler on shore. Dump the fish in the cooler and return to the water. This restricts you from traveling far, but it keeps the kayak light and clean.
- 5). Keep the fish on a larger boat if you are in open ocean waters. Use a motor boat to access open water, but fish from the kayak. Return to the large boat to store fish in a cooler or refrigerator. This technique is used by many big game anglers.
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