Dry Ice?

[Ryank]

Here is a doozy, Does anyone or has anyone had experience with using dry Ice in their bait and drink, or fish coolers? My friend tells me 1 lb is equal to 20lbs of regualr ice, and it stays colder longer and Publix WM etc has it for around $1.10 a lb, I am told it will keep bait frozen if the ice is on top and very cold if left in the botom. I was thinking of the weight savings and no slimy water running out of the cooler , and space savings for all the huge fish I always catch plus you can do cool tricks with them if you are bored [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[eggsuckindog]

For bait fine but I understand it freeze everything in the cooler - I have heard put it on the bottom with cardbord over it

[skipjake04]

be careful of the cooler also, it can "pop" it if not ventilated. I have a friend that almost ruined one of his nice coolers that sealed real well. The gases built up and now he has a really cool looking ice chest.

[MasterBaiter]

Dry ice is way too cold for fresh fish. Doesn't do well in water either, it wants to freeze it and evaporates the dry ice quickly. As far as drinks are concerned, frozen cans make a mess when you open them, and bottles break. It will keep the bait good and frozen - just remember to take it out a while before you plan to use it.

Great stuff to travel - even better to play with. Try some in a 1 or 2 liter soda bottle with some hot water. Cap it tight and stand back - pretty far back.....

[Bushwacker]

We used to use dry ice in the thick foam Lo-Boy coolers for taking frozen food to the Bahamas on our 2 wk trips. I had one about 20" tall about the size of the hinged hatch over the head in my Seafari. A piece about the size of a couple of bricks would keep everything frozen rock solid for at least 3 days in 90 degree heat! Put a couple of layers of newspapers on top and bottom of cooler, put the dry ice on bottom, then load it up and seal the lid with duct tape.
I've also used it to store stuff from the freezer during hurricanes - much simpler than trying to use ice!

[Rainmaker]

I am in agreement with the other posts. I have used Dry Ice for many trips to the Bahamas. it is not as heavy and takes up less space than Ice does. I normally Freeze most of my drinks (not beer or soda) and load them into a cooler. I wrap 10# or so of dry ice in towells and put it on top of the cooler. For my bait cooler I stuff it full of frozen bait and then lay a towell on top and dry ice on top of that followed by another towell. I keep a smaller cooler for the drinks and food I am using and of course for any Beer and Soda we may drink. I take the dry ice coolers to the room for storage while I am at my resting place. Each day I take what I need out and load the boat. I am getting 5-7 days out of the dry ice this way and I still have frozen items at the end of the week....

The key to keeping dry ice is not to let it get wet. It will melt quick if in contact with water or fish juice.

I would not think of putting my catch on dry ice. Now after it is filleted and bagged up, maybe to freeze it.

[Ryank]

Great Info everyone and thanks, Perhaps in the fish cooler I would use it to keep the other ice blocks frozen longer, and remove when fish goes in. Really good info though, thanks!

[wtenglish]

Not sure about dry ice but I do have experience with Rock Salt. If you sprinkle a small handful it will keep your ice many times longer. Caution, if you add to much it will freeze the cooler solid. If you've ever made homemade ice cream you'll know what I'm talking about.