Stocking The Tackle Box

[Broke bass fisherman]

Okay, I am depleted, well never had much to begin with, but I am looking at tax season coming up and going ahead and planning a nice chunk of change to go to tackle. I want suggestions for a versatile box that will prepare me for what I will encounter. We will assume that I have or will know to purchase the terminal tackle that goes with any of these things. Also I request types of lures not brands as I am working on expanding and giving my self a chance to grow without necessarily picking a specific brand at the moment, remember I am still building confidence in a lot of these techniques. I caught tons of fish as a kid, nice sized ones to, but all i can remeber fishing where buzzbaits, and cranks.

Here is what I have so far add as you see fit please.

Tackle

Senkos (green pumpkin, black, redbug)

MegaStrike Cavitron Buzz baits

( white, black, chart.)

Soft frogs (senko colors)

Soft lizards (senko colors)

Soft crawls (senko colors)

Spinners ( white, black)

Flukes (colors???)

Spooks (whatever mimics the prey)

Jigs ( siebert outdoors/backwater custom in assorted styles and colors)

Cranks ( shad, crawfish, bluegill various depths)

Beetle spins ( leave me alone they are fun and I have confidence in them)

In-line spinners(white/silver blades)

Bps plastics kits (tubes, worms, sticks)

Scent/attractant (mega strike, JJ's)

What do you all recommend? Primarily bank fisherman fishing the New River in Va if I get the boat running(and probably even if I don't) I will be fishing claytor lake which is a highland reservoir. Typically has very clear to murky water and stays away from stained or muddy. Fish populations in both consist of:

Game fish: LMB, SMB, spotted, stripper, hybrids, white bass, white perch, black crappie, bluegill, flathead & channel cats, carp, yellow perch

Prey: crawfish, alewife, bluegill, gizzard shad

Let me know. My wife will appreciate me not wasting money on crap I don't really need; but you all should tell me if I am missing something I desperately need.

Thanks

[Tuckahoe Joe]

I dunno about depleted.  Sounds like your set up pretty good.  Anyway, how bout some poppers and hollow body frogs?  And maybe some inline spinners with gold blades for overcast days?  I like firetiger with a gold blade.  Other than that, I'd say stock up on whatever plastics your low on.  IMO those BPS soft plastic kits you mentioned are a real bargin.  A lot of baits for a low price.  I bought the worm kit last summer and caught my share of fish on them.  I know you said no brands but as long as that tax money is burning a hole in your pocket, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up a few Rage Tail products.  Im planning on trying the RT Eeliminators this season.  My little brother absolutley crushes bass with these.

[Broke bass fisherman]

That's the shopping list not whats in my box.

[Bluebasser86]

I would certainly add some kind of popper to your arsenal. I like the smaller size Excaliber Zell pop but the old pop R is hard to beat. Skitter pops and chug bugs are great baits also. Not sure if you're including rattle trap style baits in your cranks but if not you'll want some of those. Excaliber XRK50's are my personal favorite in ghost or rayburn red color. Cordell spots, the orginal rattle traps, aruku shads, and RES are all good options. Finesse worms like Zoom Trick worms or Netbait T-macs are must haves. GP, watermelon candy, black, and redbug are my favorites. Some kind of beaver style baits like a Havoc Pitboss or Sweet Beaver has to be on the list somewhere. Hard jerkbaits are a must have for spring fishing. Tons of good options here but it's hard to beat a LC 78 pointer for a numbers bait that fishes easy and puts some big fish in the boat also. Get the American Shad color and you'll catch ever fish in the lake that will eat a bait on it eventually. Xraps, Husky jerks, Luck E Strike RC sticks, Excaliber Erratic shads, Mcsticks, MB vision 110's, Slender points, flash pointers, all great baits just have to find the one you like the best. The old curl tail worm always has a place in my bag. Rage Anacondas or thumpers are my go to in this dept but ever company has an offering you can check out. 

[Sam]

Broke, here is the deal.

You need to get a number of Plano StowAway utility boxes.

You set up each tackel box with the lures, plastics, hooks and weights you will need for either 1) specific bodies of water you fish; 2) time of the year; or 3) your favorite lures and plastics.

For instance, with winter upon us you need to put in one of your utility boxes flat sided crankbaits, jigs, pigs, Carolina rig setups, needle nose pliers (or have it in your pocket) and any confidence baits you want to throw like a Chatterbait, lizards, creature baits and in the colors that will do best in the water you fish (clear, stained, dirty, shallow, deep, with structure, no structure, drop offs, etc.)

You can have one or two utility boxes ready to go a a moment's notice.

Just be flexible with your bait selections.

In the summer, you load up on your favorite plastics in the colors that you find will work in the places you fish along with your hooks, sinkers, pegs, Carolina-rigs, Senkos, Rage Tails, jigs & pigs, etc.

In a second utility box you put your Cavitrons, topwaters, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, etc. along with your trailer hooks and trailers. You can put your scents in the box or in your pocket along with your needle nose pliers.

By doing this you will have your baits ready to roll.

One last suggestion. Set up your "panic box." Ike suggests you do this so if you are not catching anything you will have your "last resort" baits.

The fun of doing this is that you are thinking and planing what to throw and what techniques to use. You will find out if you or the bass are smarter that day!!!

[Tuckahoe Joe]

That's the shopping list not whats in my box.

Oh...duh!  Ok.  Gotcha.  Re-read your OP and it finally sunk in.  Either way, my suggestions still stand.

[Sam]

Part II:

Claytor Lake - Clear lake. Need clear baits. Check out any bait with the name "ice" in it for plastics or a very light blue tint. Cast far out as you can away from the boat. Fish verticle, too.

New River - Smallie territory. Use smallmouth baits. Check with Zoff about the New River. He is a great guy and someone you need to know and communicate with.

If you go to Moomaw or Smith Mountain Lake you can throw anything you want.

May I also suggest that you buy only one package of plastics in a specific color to see if it works. Purchase one moving bait at a time so you will not invest highly in any specific baits that will not produce as you expect.

The exception will be jigs. Try for blue/black and brown/orange colors in 3/8 ounce sizes. A small twin tail grup can work as a trailer.

Just remember conditions change daily and you will have to be flexible with your presentations. Too many times what works one day does not work the next.

[Rangerphil]

7 inch berkley power worms in blue fleck color! Any of the other colors will also work but that color seems to work in VA for me.

[Broke bass fisherman]

Thanks for all the advice keep it coming this is great. There are a lot of baits I think I have missed and you guys are helping out a lot.

[Teal]

Something that will help, once or maybe twice a week buy one item. Dont spend more than 3 -or 5 dollars. Hooks, weights, and soft plastcs add up quick this way.

This will soften the blow of going "shoppin"

I didnt see you list hooks,weights, and line on your list. I will assume that u have that already.

Dont forget some 1/8 and 1/4oz shakey head jig heads

I would suggest going to TW sales pages and overstock once you start shopping. You can probably answer alot of these needs and not hurt the wallet too bad. Starting out is tough.

[MCS]

For the Flukes baby bass is by far the best producing color...I hear smokin silver is a good one too but yet to order some. Adding a ribbon tail worm like a culprit or power worm, blue flake, red shad or black shad color. And maybe zoom trick worms or berkley bottom hopper. My suggestions for saving $ is looking for smaller tackle/bait companies like bitters or big bite bait, their products work just as good or better than zoom and GYB and last a few more fish.

[Hyrule Bass]

for Flukes i would definately get some pearl/white colored flukes, they seem to work very well for me on Smith Mtn Lake which isnt extremely far from Claytor...

[livetofish28]

I know that your not looking for specific brands but Jethro baits out of florida will cover all your soft plastic needs from top water buzz frogs to finesse worms they have a ton of colors and the most expensive standard pack is 3.69 with free shipping.

[mnbassman23]

You have a good list going and people have brought up some good advice on what else to purchase.

 

One thing i'll throw out there is depending on the cover you fish you may want to consider different types of Jigs.

 

Flipping Jigs- Fishing around grass, cattails, reeds, boat docks, and wood.

Football Jigs- Rocks, gravel, boulders, and sand. 

Hair Jigs- Great in cold water and also a great river smallmouth bait. 

Swim Jigs- Any place you'd fish a spinnerbait; really excels around any kind of weeds or grass.  

 

Not saying you have to get some of each, but depending on the types of cover your fishing I would purchase the jigs that excel in that cover. Color wise, match the forage and you are good to go! 

 

 

[Hi Salenity]

Save your bait money and get a boat, Kayak canoe or air mattress!

 

You can thank me later! (unless you got the air mattress) LOL!

[Broke bass fisherman]

Save your bait money and get a boat, Kayak canoe or air mattress!

You can thank me later! (unless you got the air mattress) LOL!

Problem is that I am literally running out lures to throw. Boat is going to be useless if I don't have any lures.

But it'll look real purty.

[Hi Salenity]

I understand, look on CL and see if you can't find something cheep enough you can buy and still get some bait.

If your on the water you won't loose as much bait.

 

Or go the air mattress route.

[Broke bass fisherman]

I understand, look on CL and see if you can't find something cheep enough you can buy and still get some bait.

If your on the water you won't loose as much bait.

Or go the air mattress route.

Actually I have a 14 ft runabout. Need to get a trolling motor and work some gremlins out of the engine but hope to be on it this summer. Still have to fish until then.

[Knightiac]

I'm in the same situation as you, strictly bank fishing and and want to streamline everything. I'll help you out in a little while tonight. 

 

I've been building up what I believe is the best and lightest tackle bag setup (for me) for bank fishing over the past year. 

 

When I get a chance in an hour or two, I'll break it all down for you and take a picture or two if I feel it's needed.

[gripnrip]

Along with those beetle spins, add a few 1/4 oz Scrounger heads.  Put a fluke in a natural color.  I use baby bass in the summer and it gives the dock fish sore lips!

[John Y]

Bubble gum super flukes and white senko's my two go to baits . any smith wick rogue !

[Knightiac]

First, all of this is all in a Plano Fishouflage Bass bag. It fits a ton, despite its size, with just a little tweaking. It's very light and it's what I lug around the banks when I fish. First, you'll see two things attached to side loops. One is just a plain fishing rag, the other is a Rapala braid cutter (I use it for all of my lines). When they're not in use, I store them in the little sleeves on the outside of the bag (visible on the right side).

 

 

On the backside, there is another sleeve, and this is where I keep bigger stick/senko type baits. Right now I've got 2 bags stored in there.

 

 

---------------------------------

 

In the front pocket alone, I've got nine bags of worms. Most of the bags have more worms than they should also, as I always stock up before a long day. 

 

3 Bags of Trick Worms: Green Pumpkin / Plum / June Bug

3 Bags of Trick Worm Jrs: Green Pumpkin / Plum / June Bug

3 Bags of Ribbontail Worms: Green Pumpkin / Plum / June Bug

 

---------------------------------

 

The left side pocket has four bags of craws. Two are smaller, two are bigger.

 

Each size has a bag of green pumpkin and each size has a bag of black blue.

 

---------------------------------

 

The right side pocket has 6 bags of plastics. 

 

2 Bags of Flukes: White Pearl / Bait Fish

3 Bags of Tubes: Green Pumpkin Pepper / Smoke/Black/Red / Smoky Shiner

1 Bag of a vibrating Swimbait: Watermelon Pearl

 

---------------------------------

 

Now for the inside. It comes with four 3650 boxes; I took two out and replaced them with three 3601s.

 

The top portion of the bag currently (not in the picture) has one bottle of Yum Shad Scent spray, Spike-It Garlic and a bottle of KVD Line and Lure Conditioner.

 

 

 

In the jig box, I've got:

 

9 Football Head Jigs: various colors/sizes in green pumpkin and black blue

6 Bitsy Bug Jigs: various colors in green pumpkin and black blue

3 Arky Style Jigs: various colors in green pumpkin and black blue

 

-----------------------------------

 

In the topwater box, I've got:

 

4 Hollowbody Frogs

5 Poppers 

1 Jitterbug

1 Zara Spook 

 

---------------------------

 

In the crank box, I've got:

 

3 in various natural colors and chart. (shallow)

7 in various natural colors, chart. and red (less shallow)

4 in various natural colors, chart. and red (mid-depth)

2 in Baby Bass color (shallow-mid-depth)

 

------------------------------

 

In the buzz/spinner box, I've got

 

8 small Spinnerbaits in whites and chart.'s

3 Larger Spinnerbaits in whites and chart.'s

2 small Buzzbaits in white and chart.

1 large Buzzbait in black

 

--------------------------------

 

In the tackle box, I've got:

 

Roundball Jigheads in black and green pumpkin (shakeyhead, rig tubes or swimbaits)

Footballhead Jigheads in black and green pumpkin (shakeyhead)

EWG Worm Hooks in 5/0, 4/0, 3/0, 2/0

Yum Pumpkin'Ed Jigheads in black and green pumpkin (great standup heads)

Wackyhead Hooks in 2/0

Superline Swimbait w/ Lock Hooks in 3/0

Zona's Tubebait Jigheads in 2/0

Eagle Claw Shaw Grigsby HP Hooks in 2/0, 3/0 (perfect for tubes)

Lead Bullet Weights in various weights

Tungsten Bullet Weights in various weights

Tube Rattles

Glass Beads (for texas or carolina rigs)

Eagle Claw Bobber Stops (perfect for pegging weights)

 

Avoided brand names where possible. Hope I helped!

[fstr385]

Flukes, senkos, and Texas rigging worms is probably the cheapest and most versitile on shore fishing for the money that Ive done. All my biggest fish have been on BPS 10" ribbontails t-rigged. Every plastic I have, has a watermelon red to chose from somewhere. With these 3 you can get colors for every condition and change em easily, fish slow, fast, topwater, bottom ect ect. Sometimes I do ok with spinners on shore, but those 3 I get way more fish on. Hardly use hard lures outside of a boat. Research how to pick colors for the water clarity, color, and sun/overcast and go from there. Anyone can tell you their favorite colors, but it doesnt always work that way. It varies all over. Plastics are a cheap way to experiment colors too. If you get a bag of crap that doesnt work, you wasted $3.50 instead of guessing at crank lures all that are more. Maybe a top water popper and a frog too other than that. Some weights and hooks. For $50 you can make a great big starting selection! Quite a few super wal marts carry a fair stock of good stuff for about $1 cheaper per item than specialty stores. Its best to get a versitile bait and work from that and get good at it. You can go blow $200 on a bunch of cool stuff, and a few months later less than half it it will hardly ever get used again.

[jbone177]

Hope I helped!

 

You certainly helped me!  Gave me a good idea for a framework of what I need and what direction I should be headed.  Thanks!

[jhoffman]

These were all links, however some link to sites not allowed. Here is a list of my "LURES" bookmark that doesnt include my cabelas or bass pro wishlists which are as long or longer. Anyhow, theres probably tournament tools that might not be relevant in there that you wont need but this should help.

 

Lures

    Want NOW
    4 Inch Goby - Poor Boy's Baits
    Xcalibur Glass Worm Rattles
    Lucky Craft Flash Pointer 115
    Storm SuspenDots 80 Dots
    Cotton Cordell Suspending Super Spot
    Erie Darter And Erie Darter Jr. - Poor Boy's Baits
    Extra Edge Balance Beams 14.5"
    Scum Frog Scum Dog Walker
    Scum Frog Trophy Series
    Owner Stinger Treble Hook 2X Black ST-41
    Mustad KVD Elite 1X Short Shank Triple Grip Treble Hook
    6th Sense X Turn Ball Bearing Swivels 5pk
    Kahara Cross Lock Snaps 10pk
    Danielson Black Barrel Swivels
    Top Brass Precision Glass Beads
    O-Wacky Tool
    Berkley Aluminum Fish Ruler
    Oxygenator U2 Pro Formula

SenkoCreature
Yum F2 Dinger
Big Bite Baits Dean Rojas - WarMouth 4pk
Spinner&Buzz
Holographic Willow Spinner Blades - Watermark
Megastrike StrikeBack Colorado Willow Spinnerbait
Cavitron Buzzbaits
Lake Fork Flutter Spoon
Worms&DropShot
Roboworm FX Straight Tail Worms
Z Man Finesse Wormz
Roboworm FX Sculpins
Don Iovino 5" Eagle 50pk
Gene Larew Biffle-O Lizards
*** Bento Minnow
Products
Danielson Rubber Bobber Stops 10pk
Craws
3.25" Beaver 50pack
Evolve RX Kompak Craw
Yum F2 Wooly Bug
Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver 3.50 10pk
Berkley Havoc Skeet's Pit Boss
Berkley Powerbait Chigger Craw
Frogs
Strike King Rage Tail Toad 5pk
Koppers Live Target Hollow Body Field Mouse
Koppers Live Target Hollow Body Frog
Hollow Body Frogs
Frog Hooks
Jigs&Trailers
Pepper Custom Baits Pro Series Football Jigs
Megastrike Shake2 Pro Model Shakey Head
Hand Poured Custom Soft Plastic Frogs, Flukes, Worms, Swim Baits, Craws and Creatures from Ghost Baits™
NetBait Paca Chunk
Jewel Bait Eakins' Jig 2pk
NetBait Paca Chunk
Knock Out Jig FootBall
http://www.northstarbaits.com/spinnerbaits.html
Gene Larew Biffle Hardhead 2pk
Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver 3.50 10pk
Custom Bass Fishing Lures - Big O Jigheads
FishingSkirts.com - Custom Fishing Lures - Boss Fishing Products - Skirts Unlimited
Lure Making Supplies, Lure Components
Misc
Gamakatsu 744
Eagle Claw 775 Treble Hook
Mustad 36329BLN Treble Hook
Mustad TG76BLN Treble Hook
Mustad 36300BLN Treble Hook
Owner 5132
Owner 5137
Mustad 25Lb. Mechanical Scale
TD Tungsten Nail Weights
Lunker City Nail Insert Weight
6th Sense X Turn Ball Bearing Swivels 5pk
BANG Fish Attractant 5oz Aerosol Spray
Z-Launch Watercraft Launch Cord
Power Team Lures Hog Tonic Fish Attractant 2oz.
Spike It Jig-N-Coat Powder Paint
Spike It Dip-N-Glo Worm Dye
Sure-Life Please Release Me 10 oz.
Upper Hand Scents
Mustad KVD Elite 1X Short Shank Triple Grip Treble Hook
Fish Attractants - MegaStrike Inc
TCB Live Carry Weigh Bag
Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft Fishing Line Mist Green
Owner Hyper Welded Quick Snaps
Danielson Crane Swivels
Mend-It Glue
O-Wacky Tool
Storm SuspenDots 80 Dots
Spike It Dip-N-Glo Worm Dye
Spike It Jig-N-Coat Powder Paint
Cool Foot Minn Kota
Cranks
Spro "John Crews" Little John MD Crankbait 1/2oz
Rapala DT Series Crankbait
Rapala Ike's Custom Ink DT Series Crankbaits
Deep Tail Dancer®
Cotton Cordell Jointed Red Fin Fishing Lures
Painted crankbait, fishing lures, hand-painted tackle, Joe's Custom Bait | Rollingstone, MN
Painted Lures - For Sale
Strike King Pro Model 6XD Crankbaits
Strike King Red Eye Shad
Strike King Red Eye Shad Silent
Cotton Cordell Suspending Super Spot
Rapala DT Fat
Jerks
Spike It 4" Scented Markers
Zoom Fluke
Lucky Craft Flash Pointer 115
Swim
Basstrix Paddle Tail Swimbait
Strike King Shadalicious Swimbait
Booyah Boogee Bait
GrandeBass Swim'n Rattlesnake 6pk
Berkley Havoc Ike's 4" Subwoofer
Baby Blue Eyes Catfish
Tubes&Grubs
Yamamoto Fat Ika
5 Inch Mag Tail Grub
4 Inch Flippin Tube - 50pack
Basstrix Trix Tubes
Dry Creek 3.5" Tournament Tube 10pk
Power Team Lures Food Chain Tube
Yamamoto Single Tail Grubs
Evolve RX Vibra Grub
Reaction Innovations Boom-Boom Tubes 9pk
Lake Fork Craw Tube - BULK