The Best Fishing Dry Bags

Salt water gets everywhere. And when it does, your gear gets clobbered. The answer is a dependable waterproof backpack.

A fishing bag is a great thing to have, and dry storage backpacks are popular items these days. Some anglers haul them on airplanes for travel, but most of us carry them on the boat for day-to-day use. We all know most storage compartments in boats aren’t dry. Consider some of these great options at different prices.

YETI Panga 28L Waterproof Backpack
YETI Panga 28L Waterproof Backpack Jon Whittle

YETI Panga 28L Waterproof Backpack

What sticks out about this waterproof backpack is the puncture resistant ThickSkin shell. It’s downright rugged, made from high-density nylon and thick TPU lamination. Have no fear lugging gear in this bag on the water because it stays 100-percent dry, even when submerged. DryHaul shoulder straps keep you comfortable all day. Price: $300

Costa Travel Backpack 30L
Costa Travel Backpack 30L Jon Whittle

Costa Travel Backpack 30L

Water resistant fabric, water bottle side pockets and outer daisy chain to attach gear make this backpack a great option for traveling. A laptop fits perfectly in the pack’s sleeve pocket. On the run, it’s small enough to carry on a plane, easy to open the wide zippers, and full of storage options. Price: $140

A fishing bag is a great thing to have, and dry storage backpacks are popular items these days. Some anglers haul them on airplanes for travel, but most of us carry them on the boat for day-to-day today use. Consider some of these great options at different prices. YETI Panga 28L Waterproof Backpack What sticks out about this waterproof backpack is the puncture resistant ThickSkin shell. It’s downright rugged, made from high-density nylon and thick TPU lamination. Have no fear lugging gear in this bag on the water because it stays 100-percent dry, even when submerged. DryHaul shoulder straps keep you comfortable all day. Price: $300 Costa Travel Backpack 30L Water resistant fabric, water bottle side pockets and outer daisy chain to attach gear make this backpack a great option for traveling. A laptop fits perfectly in the pack’s sleeve pocket. On the run, it’s small enough to carry on a plane, easy to open the wide zippers, and full of storage options. Price: $140 Orvis PRO Waterproof Sling 14L A great sling to wear when wade-fishing, especially fly anglers. Puncture-resistant ballistic nylon, coated waterproof TPU and MasterSeal zipper keep this bag bone dry, even when submerged. A back panel has a scabbard for a net, plus an exterior D-Ring to hold your pliers. And then there’s the Tippet Whippet, outside the bag, that stores your leader material. Price: $279 Pelagic Dry Bag Backpack This backpack works well as an oversize dry bag, designed with a roll-top closure. Water resistant zippers and PVC Dri-Core material provide water-resistant protection. Reinforced handles and straps mean you can load it up; perfect for taking your gear on a charter or buddy’s boat. Price: $120 Columbia PFG Performance Fishing 34L Backpack Orvis PRO Waterproof Sling 14L
Orvis PRO Waterproof Sling 14L Jon Whittle

Orvis PRO Waterproof Sling 14L

A great sling to wear when wade-fishing, especially fly anglers. Puncture-resistant ballistic nylon, coated waterproof TPU and MasterSeal zipper keep this bag bone dry, even when submerged. A back panel has a scabbard for a net, plus an exterior D-Ring to hold your pliers. And then there’s the Tippet Whippet, outside the bag, that stores your leader material. Price: $279

Pelagic Dry Bag Backpack
Pelagic Dry Bag Backpack Jon Whittle

Pelagic Dry Bag Backpack

This backpack works well as an oversize dry bag, designed with a roll-top closure. Water resistant zippers and PVC Dri-Core material provide water-resistant protection. Reinforced handles and straps mean you can load it up; perfect for taking your gear on a charter or buddy’s boat. Price: $120

Columbia PFG Performance Fishing 34L Backpack
Columbia PFG Performance Fishing 34L Backpack Jon Whittle

Columbia PFG Performance Fishing 34L Backpack

Maximum compartments outside this backpack hold water bottles, wet gear, and even fishing rods. A fleece-lined pocket holds sunglasses and padded sleeve fits a 15-inch laptop. Tackle trays fit inside the main compartment, which even has access via side zipper. This is a fishing backpack, through and through, built from water-resistant PU coated material. There’s a spot for just about anything. Price: $110