Great Lakes Outdoors - Livewell to Cooler

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

Resend Validation Email

» Fishing Forum

Fishing Regulations

Members |

Forum Rules |

Livewell to Cooler

Topic Options

catchinabuzz	Posted: Feb 17, 2021 - 07:51 pm #permalink #1
Alevin Group: Newbies Posts: 12 Member No.: 13496 Joined: January 31, 2017	Just wondering if anyone has converted their livewells into a cooler? July and August trolling days on Erie can make it hard to keep ice and fish cold without a cooler. Looking for any advice or tips if you've done this before.

Longshank	Posted: Feb 17, 2021 - 10:14 pm #permalink #2
World Record Trout Group: Members Posts: 11147 Member No.: 118 Joined: February 11, 2011	myself, I just take a cooler with a jug of frozen water and it is good for the day....4 litres... put about 7 inches of water in the cooler and keeps the eyes cold till home

sdcaller	Posted: Feb 17, 2021 - 11:10 pm #permalink #3
World Record Trout Group: Members Posts: 4953 Member No.: 67 Joined: February 10, 2011	I have a 16.5ft Legend Alsport and I never use the live well as a live well. I cut pieces of 2 inch styrofoam to just press fit the bottom and the sides and that is what I use as my cooler. The seat cushion covers the lid and insulates the top. As Longshank said, a frozen 4 litre jug of water keeps things cool all day. SDC

jignhookz	Posted: Feb 18, 2021 - 07:36 am #permalink #4
Lunker Trout Group: Members Posts: 421 Member No.: 10427 Joined: January 08, 2016	I do the same as Longshank with a cooler. I have no need to keep them alive so I give them a quick bleed first. I find it convenient to clean a cooler compared to a live well after bleeding fish. Stays cool all day I use a marine cooler.

Jesse

Posted: Feb 18, 2021 - 10:10 am

#permalink #5

Lunker Trout

Group: Members
Posts: 430
Member No.: 16608
Joined: December 25, 2018

QUOTE (Longshank @ Feb 17, 2021 - 10:14 pm)

myself, I just take a cooler with a jug of frozen water and it is good for the day....4 litres... put about 7 inches of water in the cooler and keeps the eyes cold till home

X3 i freeze a jug of water and use a colman cooler fish and bait stays cold all day my buddy wastes 10 bucks or more on ice from the variety store twice on weekends and probably twice through the week

Psaraki	Posted: Feb 18, 2021 - 10:19 am #permalink #6
Parr Trout Group: Members Posts: 50 Member No.: 17091 Joined: February 11, 2019	Same here, cooler with a big block of ice. Also acts as an additional seat, and a fish cleaning board and easier to hose down when back home.

sdcaller	Posted: Feb 18, 2021 - 11:00 am #permalink #7
World Record Trout Group: Members Posts: 4953 Member No.: 67 Joined: February 10, 2011	I should have added that I never put fish directly into the live well/cooler. They go a plastic garbage bag first and then into the live well. That way I don't have to clean up the live well. By using the live well instead of taking a seperate cooler, it just gives more room in the boat. SDC

2Cold	Posted: Feb 18, 2021 - 01:51 pm #permalink #8
Adult Trout Group: Members Posts: 252 Member No.: 2682 Joined: January 07, 2013	All very good ideas ...think I will start using my live well as a cooler this summer....how many sleeps till summer..lol

Lvj	Posted: Feb 18, 2021 - 03:26 pm #permalink #9
Egg Group: Newbies Posts: 6 Member No.: 18321 Joined: May 19, 2020	Use a cooler with frozen 2 litres pop bottles or other long thin juice bottles. Easy to rinse and refreeze. Use the live well for extra storage after plugging waterlines with drain plugs

catchinabuzz	Posted: Feb 18, 2021 - 07:43 pm #permalink #10
Alevin Group: Newbies Posts: 12 Member No.: 13496 Joined: January 31, 2017	Thanks a lot guys. Smaller boat so can be tight fishing with 2-3 people. Have to think about a cooler or a bigger boat lol! Thanks again!

Fisherman

Posted: Feb 18, 2021 - 07:58 pm

#permalink #11

World Record Trout

Group: Members
Posts: 3785
Member No.: 25
Joined: February 10, 2011

QUOTE (sdcaller @ Feb 18, 2021 - 11:00 am)

I should have added that I never put fish directly into the live well/cooler. They go a plastic garbage bag first and then into the live well.

That way I don't have to clean up the live well.

By using the live well instead of taking a seperate cooler, it just gives more room in the boat.

SDC

That is an excellent idea, have to pack a few bags, throw the stink away.

« Next Oldest | Great Lakes | Next Newest »

Berkley Power Bait Panfish Nibbles	Cordell Wally Diver Triple Threat	Piscifun Ultralight Spinning Reel
Magic Bait Crappie Bites	Mr Crappie Slab Daddy	Crappie Magnet White/Chart
Power Pro Braided Fishing Line	Custom 3D Fishing T-Shirts	Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3

Fishing Great Lakes
Fishing forum for the Great Lakes & Area. Fishing Reports, Current Ice Conditions, Fishing Tips, Discussions & More. Featuring Ice Hut Rentals, Accommodations, Bait & Tackle shops, Marinas and Fishing Guides. The best fishing in the Great Lakes!

Fishing the Great Lakes - Fishing Forum : Fishing Tips, Current Conditions, Fishing Reports & more! Fishing the Great Lakes Region