Organizing Your Tools On The Deck Of A Bass Boat.

[Traveler2586]

How many times have we landed a fish and then looked around the deck for the needle-nosed pliers or hook extractor and they’re nowhere in sight?  And then there are the line clippers, hook sharpeners, forceps, or whatever you have hanging around your neck, in your pockets, or clipped to your clothing - that should be there but aren’t.  It can be a real pain in the arce at times; especially if you stuff the wrong thing in the back pocket of your jeans.

 

I have seen tool caddy’s on seat pedestals that have compartments for various tools and fish attractants; and I’ve seen these tools go flying while running and gunning through rough water; I’ve also seen anglers wearing tool belts on their hips like a telephone or electrical technicians.  But what really works under most conditions?

 

Question: What tools do you use the most, and how do you organize them so they’re handy when needed?

[jhoffman]

My tournament ruler I backed with velcro. I glued the corrisponding side to the side of the boat so when I need it I can just rip it off.

 

I know its kinda goofy lookn but a hip pack holds tools well.

[Marty]

The tools I use the most are pliers, lip gripper, braid scissors and nail clippers. They're stored in a plastic box from some product that my wife uses. It's approximately 11"x5"x2" high. No problem in my canoe, but when I'm in the back of a bass boat I have to wedge it between a couple of things when we're running with the big motor or else it'll blow away.

[Traveler2586]

My tournament ruler I backed with Velcro. I glued the corresponding side to the side of the boat so when I need it I can just rip it off.

 

I know its kinda goofy lookn but a hip pack holds tools well.

 

I also tried the Velcro but it ended up pulling off the boat.  I also goofed big time and had it on top of the deck in the sun - not good at all.  So I switched to rubber mag strips and put it on the under side of a locker lid; the mag strips weren't strong enough to hold it for long though.

 

By "hip pack" do you mean a tool pouch on a belt, or the zippered bag some tourist wear on vacation (I think it's called a "fanny pack"? 

 

In my earlier years I was a telephone installer repairman and wore a tool pouch on my hip all day long.  I could pull the tool I wanted without even looking.  I have seen anglers out on the water with them and have wondered how well they work for fishing; I haven't seen anyone with the fanny pack.

[Long Mike]

I wear a specially designed vest.  I usually carry a full set of 3/8" drive sockets, along with the ratchet.  My crescent wrench, 30' measuring tape, and pry-bar all have custom pockets as well.  My hook remover and braid snips are attached there somewhere, but I can never seem to find them.  Maybe I need to re-think the design of the vest.

[Scott F]

I use a scissor clamp. They're scissors and a locking hemostat in one tool. There is also a sharp pin for cleaning paint out of a hook eye and a flat blade screwdriver. The scissors cut braid very well and the jaws remove hooks. I clamp them to the flap on my shirt pocket when I'm done using them. No matter what kind of tool you use, you have to train yourself to put it back in the same place after you use it. Nothing will be where you want it, when you need it, if you don't.

 

[Teal]

Needle nose pliers, finger nail clippers, and scissors in a nylon pouch hanging on my pedestal and a small red Flambeau tool box with tools in it that i keep on the floor just in front my drivers seat, but not under the console..(kinda under my legs while i drive)

The tool box consist of long nose pliers with a 45 degree angled nose, foreceps, extra pair of scissors, channel lock pliers, slip joint pliers, cresent wrench, phillips and flat head screw drivers, few zip ties, a tube of 5200, and a couple of old pocket knives.

I also keep a small cheap socket and ratchet set in the rear compartment of the boat (3/8)

It sounds like alot, but its really not...

The tools i use the most are the ones on the front pedestal.

[SirSnookalot]

I have small but bright flashlight around my neck (you can see it in my avatar), it comes off when it gets light out.  I wear a fanny pack that is very light and holds quite a bit of stuff, lures are kept in plastic lure boxes.  Attached to the belt of the fanny pack is a sheath, pliers tethered.  Just in case I have 5 or 6 pairs of pliers in my car and I use different pliers for different targets.  I cut my mono with my pliers, braid I use lighter, I always have a backup in my fanny pack.  2 most important things I carry is fire, just never know when you need it packed waterproofed, and emergency phone numbers in case of a medical situation in my wallet, packed waterproof and in a zippered pocket.  I don't have the need for any thing else.

[Traveler2586]

I wear a specially designed vest.  I usually carry a full set of 3/8" drive sockets, along with the ratchet.  My crescent wrench, 30' measuring tape, and pry-bar all have custom pockets as well.  My hook remover and braid snips are attached there somewhere, but I can never seem to find them.  Maybe I need to re-think the design of the vest.

 

LOL, don't fall overboard I don't think your PFD could support that load.    Sounds like your setup as a pit crew at a race or something.

 

I would have expected a Camel Pack full of your favorite beverage... 

 

I've got my small "Fish" tools hanging around my neck and the larger ones at my feet on the casting deck.  What a pain in the butt; if I step back to set the hook I'll step on something; when I bend down to lip a fish the crap around my neck gets in the way.  I've got to do better.

 

I keep my mechanical tool kit in a locker; but seldom need it for a fish. 

[Sam]

I have a carpenter's leather pliers holder that I put on my belt.

 

Pliers easly accessible.

 

Sissors on floor, out of the way, or in the tackle compartent.

 

It is nice to have the needle nose pliers hanging from your belt. They are out of the way and can be grabbed fast!

[preach4bass]

Before I sold my boat I always kept a pair of needle-nose pliers and a pair of fingernail clippers on the front deck, right in front of the foot control.  That worked well for me, with one exception.  I got in a school of bass, and was catching them on every cast with a crankbait.  When I reeled one in, I would grab the pliers to remove the treble-hooks, toss the bass back, throw my pliers on the deck, and make another cast.  I was several casts into this flurry of action when I tossed my pliers into the river and dropped the bass on the deck.  Unfortunately, I didn't realize what I'd done until I got the next fish in and went to grab the pliers.  After that, I kept two pairs of needle-nose in the boat!

[SirSnookalot]

Before I sold my boat I always kept a pair of needle-nose pliers and a pair of fingernail clippers on the front deck, right in front of the foot control.  That worked well for me, with one exception.  I got in a school of bass, and was catching them on every cast with a crankbait.  When I reeled one in, I would grab the pliers to remove the treble-hooks, toss the bass back, throw my pliers on the deck, and make another cast.  I was several casts into this flurry of action when I tossed my pliers into the river and dropped the bass on the deck.  Unfortunately, I didn't realize what I'd done until I got the next fish in and went to grab the pliers.  After that, I kept two pairs of needle-nose in the boat!

A sheath with tethered a lanyard will remedy that.

[Traveler2586]

I went shopping yesterday and again today at local tackle shops, and larger stores like Dick's and WM.  I wanted to look at pedestal tool keepers but there were none.  To my dismay, none carried any type of fishing tool organizers other than tackle boxes.  

 

I'll keep looking.

[Fishes in trees]

Boat tools or fishing tools.  For boat tools, I carry a plastic water proof ammo box, and there are enough tools where I can tighten or loosen any screw or bolt or nut on  the boat.  In addition to a Crescent adjusting pliers, I carry a half a dozen different sizes of Vice Grips.  Don't forget a Prop wrench and half a dozen extra shear pins.

 

Now for fishing tools, needle nose pliers, lure tuning tool, hemostats, scissors, church key, I used to have a problem misplacing them in the boat and having to look for them when needed.   I solved that problem.  I carry 4 or 5 of each one, and at the start of the fishing trip I sprinkle the tools  all around.  Up front, next to the underneath storage, next to the live well and on the console.  The boat is only 18 feet long, so there is generally a tool close to where I am.

 

Some tools can multi-task.  I generally keep the church key on a bungee attached to the cooler, but it is possible to open a beer bottle with needle nose pliers, so it is unnecessary to reach into my pocket to get my Leatherman tool.

 

So, that is how I solved my tool organization issues.

[MarkH024]

Traveler, why don't you just order online?

I keep a pair of pliers and cutters on my waist at all times.  I have a Rapala brand pliers that came with a nice little waist sheath. I took the split ring pliers out and put in cutters instead. I learned the hard way when I had a 3.5lb bass on one treble and the other treble attached to two of my fingers. Never again will I not have cutters with me.

[Traveler2586]

Traveler, why don't you just order on-line?

I keep a pair of pliers and cutters on my waist at all times.  I have a Rapala brand pliers that came with a nice little waist sheath. I took the split ring pliers out and put in cutters instead. I learned the hard way when I had a 3.5lb bass on one treble and the other treble attached to two of my fingers. Never again will I not have cutters with me.

 

Ouch...... 

 

I've looked on-line but would like to see and feel what I'm buying   I may go with a tool pouch on my hip like in my old days as a telephone man (Person); I don't know yet.  I do know that I'll make a change of some sort, I'm tired of kicking or tripping over stuff.

 

BTW, after seeing Kim Strickers Hook n' Look episode where he put a jig through his finger; I now carry a small pair of bolt cutters on the boat.  Of course I had to test them on a jig, and I'm glad I did, I don't think the bolt cutter will last more than a few more operations before its jaws are shot; jig hooks are HARD..........

[jhoffman]

I was talking about a "fanny pack" lol

[slonezp]

I wear a specially designed vest.  I usually carry a full set of 3/8" drive sockets, along with the ratchet.  My crescent wrench, 30' measuring tape, and pry-bar all have custom pockets as well.  My hook remover and braid snips are attached there somewhere, but I can never seem to find them.  Maybe I need to re-think the design of the vest.

Reminds me of a tin knocker I did some work with years ago. He went by the name "Home Depot" and wore one of these

http://www.amazon.com/BucketBoss-Extreme-55035-Mullet-Buster/dp/B0001LQY2G

[Traveler2586]

Reminds me of a tin knocker I did some work with years ago. He went by the name "Home Depot" and wore one of these

http://www.amazon.com/BucketBoss-Extreme-55035-Mullet-Buster/dp/B0001LQY2G

 

I can see why the called him Home Depot.....  Don't know that would work on a boat; if I fell in I'd go strait to the bottom

 

I did see this one that looked interesting  http://www.amazon.com/McGuire-Nicholas-804-Organizer-Mini-Work/dp/B0026SSGXM  and it's cheep enough to play with and put to the side if it didn't work out.

[Dave P]

My tournament ruler I backed with velcro. I glued the corrisponding side to the side of the boat so when I need it I can just rip it off.

 

 

This is exactly what we do but we also tuck our scissors, forceps, pliers and clippers behind it to hold them.

[Traveler2586]

I can see why the called him Home Depot.....  Don't know that would work on a boat; if I fell in I'd go strait to the bottom

 

I did see this one that looked interesting  http://www.amazon.com/McGuire-Nicholas-804-Organizer-Mini-Work/dp/B0026SSGXM  and it's cheep enough to play with and put to the side if it didn't work out.

 

So I'm just playing around with an idea.  I got the tool pouch to see how it would work for me; I realize it's not everyones cup of tea and may not be mine either, but what the H, it's worth a try.  The only two things I can't get inti the pouch is my fishing (golf) towl and the fish grabber.

This pouch has a clip on the back that allows it to be clipped to a belt or pocket; it also has a built-in belt loop.

 

 

 

 

[slonezp]

I could totally see that getting in the way, and/or being uncomfortable a whole day on the water.  I've got a nice little carpeted tray at the helm of the Lund below the controls. It's a hair wider than the bump board, a couple inches deep and about 3ft long. Right now I just keep the bump board, needlenose, and scissors for braid in there. Everything else is in 2 waterproof tool boxes in my starboard deck storage. Not that it matters to you, Lund has something they call a Sport Trak system. Basically what it is, is a track to snap brackets onto and then mount whatever you want to those brackets. There are a bunch of mountable tool and lure holders on the market. Some are magnetic and some you just slide tools into and come in all different sizes. These would require drilling holes in your boat to mount and I don't know if you are up for that.

[jhoffman]

So I'm just playing around with an idea. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Well the suns just startn to climb up over the tree tops... and its gonna be a mighty fine day thats plain to see...."

[Traveler2586]

"Well the suns just startn to climb up over the tree tops... and its gonna be a mighty fine day thats plain to see...."

 

LOL, Sing it, sing it louad.........

 

 

That scale is hard to beat, I check it against a balance-beam scale using P-gravel and its been dead on the mark.  I had a larger black scale with a big "R" on it that couldn't weigh accurately at all, so it went into the trash.

I have to admit the Orange color is hard to miss on the deck.

[Traveler2586]

I could totally see that getting in the way, and/or being uncomfortable a whole day on the water.  I've got a nice little carpeted tray at the helm of the Lund below the controls. It's a hair wider than the bump board, a couple inches deep and about 3ft long. Right now I just keep the bump board, needlenose, and scissors for braid in there. Everything else is in 2 waterproof tool boxes in my starboard deck storage. Not that it matters to you, Lund has something they call a Sport Trak system. Basically what it is, is a track to snap brackets onto and then mount whatever you want to those brackets. There are a bunch of mountable tool and lure holders on the market. Some are magnetic and some you just slide tools into and come in all different sizes. These would require drilling holes in your boat to mount and I don't know if you are up for that.

 

You very well could be right with it being uncomfortable, I'll have to see.  But it's worth a try.

 

I would be interested in mounting something under the lids in the center of my deck, but haven't found anything as yet.  If such a mounting system would give easy access to the tools and hold them in place I would try it.  Although cost would also be a factor. 

 

Can you give me a link to the system you described above?