Recommendations for 120 qt ice chest (insulated)

Starting to use our pontoon more than the 18.5 boat we have. Wanting the stability and room that the pontoon provides. In our boat we had ample room for keeping 2 limits of channel cat. Can't say the same for the pontoon. Just talked to the guy at Westside bait and he suggested getting the above mentioned chest to keep fish cool and fresh (with ice).

Here is the thing...started looking for 120 qt chests and there are numerous types available at various price ranges. Was hoping I could get some recommendations here so as to cut through all the trial and error. For those that have them....what brand would you recommend. Maybe a why if you could.

thanks

John

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Originally Posted by drifter106

Starting to use our pontoon more than the 18.5 boat we have. Wanting the stability and room that the pontoon provides. In our boat we had ample room for keeping 2 limits of channel cat. Can't say the same for the pontoon. Just talked to the guy at Westside bait and he suggested getting the above mentioned chest to keep fish cool and fresh (with ice).

Here is the thing...started looking for 120 qt chests and there are numerous types available at various price ranges. Was hoping I could get some recommendations here so as to cut through all the trial and error. For those that have them....what brand would you recommend. Maybe a why if you could.

thanks

John

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Do you want to sit on it and have it last? I have an Engel and Yeti in that size and prefer the Engel. It's lighter. The Yeti is finished better, though. But I think RTIC makes one that size now. If so, those are just as nice as Yetis at a much better price.

When I had a pontoon I used a 120 qt Igloo cooler in white, it worked fine to keep fish for up to 24 hours without having to keep adding Ice. That’s been over a decade ago and coolers have come a long way since then. I would use the same igloo if I go back to fishing from a pontoon. They’re not wildly expensive and I had good results.

I recommend that that you make sure it is a "marine" style. The difference between a marine-style and nonmarine-style is the way the lid fits over the body. A marine-style has a grooved lid/ribbed body so that water doesn't easily migrate from outside to inside.

Yeh Igloo Marine is what you want for 24-36 hours of use. Freeze some waterbottles/jugs for even longer use (vs bagged ice).

I use a 70qt igloo marine for a live well. Its good for about 24 hr on ice. Of course the more you open it the quicker it melts. I use frozen 2liter bottles in the summer to keep the fish from spoiling before i get home. I also have some 120qt igloo coolers i take on deer hunting trips. I fill one completely up at a twice the ice then leave the other empty. I put meat in the empty cooler and take ice out of the full one as needed to keep meat chilled. It will keep the ice for 4-5 days

I have buddies with yetis and such. They are nice, but not nice enough for the price in my opinion. To reach his own though.

We use the ozark trail ones for work. Seem to hold up well.


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For that size and that purpose, the tried and true Igloo Marine is going to be the best balance between price and performance. I’ve got a 48 and a 120 that are several years old and have been workhorses in fresh and saltwater.

I love my Rtic, but it’s heavy as all get out.

Rtic makes a really nice cooler at a much better price then most.

Rtic and Yeti are "Made in China", Igloo Marine made in Katy, TX, I've had one for years. If Ya' want extreme heavy duty, Grizzly, better than Yeti and made in Iowa, not China.

We have 2 Igloo Quick and Cool model coolers, white and I think they are 100qt. They have been the best coolers for the money I’ve ever had. They are 15+ years old, and they look it, but still do the job for us. My only issue with them are the hinges, but you can get replacements. They have the small access lid made into the main lid so you don’t have to open the whole thing… really convenient when bream fishing and catching is fast.[emoji106]The second picture sort of shows the lid, thought I had a better picture of the lid but I don’t.Attachment 407751Attachment 407752


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I have had good luck with "Coleman Extreme 5" 120 qt coolers. The last one I bought last year might have been $55. I get at least 3 years out of them before the hinges give out. I mostly use the 120 qt size for hog and deer quarters or boned out meat. They seem to hold ice pretty well but not heavy duty built as the Rtic or Yeti type of coolers.

I usually fish alone or with 1 other. we each have our own fish coolers on board usually 48 or 60 quart, one on each end of boat..