From: Straightman
Category: Fish Report
Date: 9/9/2003
Time: 8:45:48 PM
Hey guys, thanks very much for the comments regarding the coolers. I didnt expect anything less. After my eighteen years on Portsmouth I have tried a lot of coolers. I currently have 16 coolers that I have evaluated over the years. They range from 24 qts. to 128 qts. The only difference I see is in the amount of ice that you can start out with. The more you start with, the longer it lasts. Most of my chests are Igloos. They are just OK. Their most common deficeincy is in the hinges, lid closures, and the lining which tends to crack after about 5 years. The lids tend to warp up on the ends, especially if people on the ferry sit on them. I have several that you can see light through on both ends of the lid if you look horizonially across the front or the cooler. If you can see in, then outside air can enter. The front snap closures break off after one to two years of heavy use. They are easily replaced. Back to the big question: Is the cost of an Icey Tek worth it? My answer is yes. For the person that fishes the banks ten to fifteen times a year, there is no choice. Ice is too expensive not to have the best cooler money an buy (with some reservations). Its like buying a reel that you will use for the next twenty years: buy a good one. Thanks again for your comments, especially the one about reddrumtackle.com.