CAYO is the latest backpack from YETI and could just be the perfect fishing daypack.
I’ve used all sorts of bags for land and boat-based fishing and I’m always on the search for the perfect bag. My land based set-up usually depends on where I’m fishing and for how long. If it’s a few hours chasing cod, bass, or trout, I’ll opt for a small bag that fits a box of lures or flies, some pliers, leader material and a drink. Sling bags work well. They’re quite small and easy to access essential equipment on the go. The problem with sling bags is they don’t distribute weight evenly and a few hours walking typically ends in a sore back. If you’re packing larger lure boxes or staying out all day, I usually opt for a day pack. I’ve used plenty and one of my favourites is YETI’s Panga. The Panga backpack is 28 lites, so it fits everything you need for a day on the water including all the above gear, plus a jacket, camera and more. The Panga backpack is comfortable, and importantly, fully waterproof/submersible. It’s ideal for boats, canoes, kayaks, rafts and anywhere it’s likely to take a swim.
The only problem with the Panga backpack is it doesn’t have any external pockets and its size and robustness means it’s an overkill for a few quick hours fishing.
YETI’s Cayo backpack is the solution I’ve been searching for. It comes in three sizes: 15, 25, and 35 litres. Given I already had the larger Panga backpack, I opted for the small 15 litre Cayo bag. The first difference to point out is, unlike the Panga, the Cayo isn’t submersible. The Cayo is labelled as a water-resistant, all-weather pack. It features YETI’s DryHide Shell, RF welded seams, and PU coated zipper. More on that later… The second difference is the external pockets. On top, there’s a zippered pocket for keeping spare sunnies, wallet, phone, etc, and on the side there’s a water bottle pocket. They’re both easily accessible without having to access the main compartment. Inside the main compartment there are several small pockets, including a zippered section and a sleeve for a water bladder. The Cayo also features YETI’s external HitchPoint Grid for attaching accessories, including the Sidekick Dry gear case. The smallest 1 litres fits perfectly on the 15 litre Cayo.
The 15 litre size I opted for is perfect for a day or a few hours on the water. It allows me take a compact jacket, lures or flies, pliers, leader spools, a water bottle and food. There’s not much room left, but on my back it’s compact, comfortable and easy to carry around. It also features a removable waist and chest strap for added support. The comfort and small size allows me to focus on the fishing.
As far as I know, there are no other bags on the market in this compact size that offer this level of water resistance and features. On that note, I’ve used this bag several times fishing, including a week on Cape York. The bag stayed on the boat all day and copped its fair share of salt spray. At the end of the day, I would get back to the lodge and put it in the shower to remove any salt. Not a drop of water entered the bag! I’ve also had this bag in torrential rain and the same applies. Everything stayed bone dry. No doubt some water would enter if it went for an extended swim, but for almost all applications on board a boat or for land based fishing, including wading, it works a treat.
Depending on your intended use, the 25 or even 35 litre may be more suitable. They feature the same configurations and water resistance.
You can check out YETI’s new Cayo here: au.yeti.com
