tommyg

Thanks for the responses. I have actually just purchased a Polar Bear cooler bag ($40). It's a little more than I wanted to spend but the reviews were great and if it is really "leak proof" then it's exactly what I'm looking for. I will try to post an update once I receive and test it out in case anyone is interested. I'm not interested in a stringer because I believe a 'quick kill' is more humane and have actually read that immediate killing and icing is the best way to preserve the fish. Also, I would like to be as mobile as possible so I don't want to drag a stringer along with me. I'm interested in why some people are so against fishing for bass for food. I actually just read an article on this site that discusses negative consequences for long-term catch and release practices in lakes. http://www.bassresou...lease_bass.html Here are a few reasons why I choose to fish to eat and not purely for sport: 1. Fish are a very good source of omega 3 (especially bass), and it's getting harder and harder to find good fish that's not potentially contaminated. 2. Eating local fish is a good way to not rely on imported products. 3. I have been very proud to become more self-sufficient by hunting deer and now hopefully catching my own fish for my family and I to eat. Don't worry, though, I don't plan on filleting a 5+ lb. bass. I believe the monsters deserve some respect. Fishing Southern Indiana, btw.

I have never had much interest in fishing until I recently decided to fish to eat. I just finished my 3rd season deer hunting (decided to hunt to eat as well) and am ready to become a proficient fisherman. I don't own a boat and don't plan on buying one anytime soon. I have decided to try to set up a backpack rig to carry tackle and a soft cooler with an ice slurry. My thought is to be able to carry everything on my back so that I can navigate the shore and not have to drag a cooler and tackle with me. I have scoured the internet for any tips or others who have already experimented with different set ups. Anyone out there ever tried this? I am looking to find different ideas for rigging up a cooler/tackle on my back that doesn't leak. Today I took a canoeing-type dry bag, filled it with an ice slurry, put that in a cooler bag, and stuffed it in my hiking backpack. Sure enough it still leaked.....luckily this was all equipment that I already owned. Sorry for the long post. Any ideas on fishing to eat from the shore would be appreciated.