A BASSclary Review : Bass Pro Shops XPS Stalker Tackle Bag.

[BASSclary]

Well its Winter Break and I officially joined the insomnia crew, so here comes another review right at 'cha. Here it goes!

The story starts off with a young boy, and a tackle bag that was too small, So he ventured off too BPS for something that was practical (as he only shore fished), yet had the capacity to store his ever-growing tackle, which was growing faster than the universe. He then settled on the Bass Pro Shops XPS Stalker Bag, and here's how he likes it...

• Looks 8/10 - To say the least, this bag reminds me of Dale Earnhardt and his car. Imtimidating. The Black and red color scheme is definitely a cool one, and would certainly look good one whom ever was to wear (or carry) it.
  

• Functionality/Convenience/Capacity 10/10 - With all the specialized pockets, storage room and the Back-pack style to this back, it definitely hit my mark. Lets begin with the Back-pack straps. For me this was a great feature of this bag, because being stuck to shore, Walking becomes a great deal of beating the banks. Once a spot doesn't produce, your off on foot. However a problem with traditional tackle bags and their shoulder straps is that there is alot of pressure on one spot or a shoulder, and its uncomfortable. It sucks enough to walk a straight line with it, let alone walk a river cliff trail along the Rappahannock River. With the bag being carried like a back-pack, you can barely tell your wearing it (even at 17#'s!), while a traditional shoulder strap bag at 13#'s was enough to make you uncomfortable. But lets say your a boater and dont want backpack straps? Then all you have to do is tighten down the adjustable straps, put then together and enclose them in the Velcro handle attached. Another big thing for me was the specialized pockets, considering all the accessories and essentials I bring with me. The Stalker has two line spool pockets, each pocket capable of fitting two standard sized spools, or one Sufix sized spool. They also have small slits in the pocket for spooling up a casting reel, or pulling out a length of leader material. The molded hard sunglasses case was also another nice advantage. I don't always like to wear mine, and dont like them hanging from lanyards around my neck, so this is a nice feature for me, and most likely the average angler. It also has two "cigar" sleeves as I call them, because they seem to be the perfect size for one, but cant seem to find a use for the small pocket. Although if you enjoy cigars while fishing, its a plus! It also has two beverage holders, which is nice because I can put my water in one, and my scent/attractant in the other. Another feature that's pretty sweet, is that the bag comes with a built in poncho so your bag doesnt get soaked in that random storm of the day! Hidden in a zipper near the bottom of the bag there lies the attached poncho out of the way, but ready to go when you need it, and it has a drawstring on it too to get a secure fit. Another interesting part of the back is the main flap, and how they utilized it for space, which is a premium in the tackle bag world. On the top of the flap, there is a main pocket the size of the flat, which is secured by a small patch of velcro, and then a smaller pocket on top of that. I use the larger of the two pockets for encased plastics( like RageTails) and I use the smaller one for a small 3x5 notebook to log my catches and take notes. On the under-side of the flap there is nothing to special, but they did put two mesh zippered sections where I store soft packs of plastics. The box also has a medium/large sized regular pocket, and four more all-purpose small/medium pockets. Also I believe the backpack straps are removable, and can fit in the large pocket in the flap, and then you'll be left with two handles on the side of the bag.
  This Bag also has the ability to hold 8 360 sized boxes, or 5 370 sized boxes, so with the Stalker, you'll have everything you need for a day of bank fishing.

• Value/Durability 9.5/10 - The MSRP of this bag alone, without boxes is $55. That is a somewhat hefty price for just the bag, and depending in your local store $70 with 5 370 series boxes inside. But is it worth the price? I have to say yes. This bag has so many pros, and no cons I can think of, I would buy this bag over and over and over again. And this bag isn't just some crap material with a little make-up, its good stuff made from 600 denier nylon (if I remember correctly) and has held up fantastic since I bought it in mid/late summer. That says something because during summer break I fish everyday, in all conditions, rain or shine. However, one of my only complaints is that when you have your bag stuffed to the max (Like me) and the zippers are a little hard to zip, occasionally around bend in the zipper two tabs will go between the other two, instead of just one. Thats not a hug deal though, because my zippers are still holding up fine!
  

• Conclusion/Overall Rating - 9+(1/6) out of 10
  This bag can hold everything, look stylish, and still be extremely functional. From its specialized pockets, to its B.A color scheme, the Stalker has it all. Although its a little on the pricey side, I'd say this bag is well worth the purchase. It should continue to serve for many many years, and has every thing a fisherman will need for beating the banks. Bottom line, awesome bag, and probably one of, if not, the best bag out there.
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  This has been a BASSclary review.
  Please note the views expressed in this review are solely those of the author's, and may not reflect those of BassResource.com and it's members.
  

[Primus]

Very good job on your review, I thought I was reading from a fishing magazine. I look forward to your future contributions.

[J Francho]

The bag looks brand new.  How long have you used it?  How many shore trips?  Is that bug spray tucked in a pocket?

[tyrius.]

I've had mine for about 4 years now.  No issues with durability.

[NateFollmer]

Good stuff buddy! I'm looking at getting another bag, my Plano is filled to the brim (it actually ripped on 1 side because I had too much stuff in it). Maybe I'll look at this one!

[BASSclary]

The bag looks brand new. How long have you used it? How many shore trips? Is that bug spray tucked in a pocket?

I bought the bag in early late July, after my birthday. And its probably been on 50 shore trips over 4 hours.

And if your talking about the blue aerosol can in the beverage holder, that just some Jack's Juice Garlic Scent. It was free at an expo so I keep it just incase.

And as for the bag looking brand new, it did have some stains etc, call me looks-conscious but I did throw it in the washer :

[BASSclary]

Good stuff buddy! I'm looking at getting another bag, my Plano is filled to the brim (it actually ripped on 1 side because I had too much stuff in it). Maybe I'll look at this one!

Nate, its a great bag I cant say enough about it.

They're actually on sale online for $32 i'll be picking another. They're on sale because the color scheme has changed to blue/orange instead of red/black.

[Mike L]

I saw that in the new catalog.

I'm thinking of that one with the front loader [kinda like that idea] or the Browning.

They both have the tool storage on the outside which would be kinda handy.

Mike

[J Francho]

I bought the bag in early late July, after my birthday. And its probably been on 50 shore trips over 4 hours.

That's IMPORTANT info that should be included in the review.

I was worried that the blue can was bug spray - big no-no near your gear.

Its a decent review.  I'd break up the text with some images, speaking of which need to be a bit better in quality.  Here's an example of one I did last year:

http://www.kayakbassfishing.com/kbfBB3/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=2407

[BASSclary]

I actually included that info, but wasn't so specific in the Value/Durability section.

And I suppose I couldv'e broken the pictures up into segments, and waited until it was sunny outside for better lighting, but other than that the pictures were took with a Kodak Zi8 (A video camera) so the pictures weren't to great  :-/

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I take mine on about every fishing trip I go on.  I fish...a lot.  My bag doesn't have a single tear in it, worn spot, or anything out of the ordinary.  Fantastic bag.

[Scorcher214]

I bought one of these about last year. It is awesome! There is soooooo much room for stuff.

[OneUp]

I'm sure glad I got mine before they changed them to that pukey blue color  :-?

[lynyrdsky1]

Just ordered one. Was actually going to look if there was any reviews on here and it so happens there is this. Good job BC great review.

[kLuo]

Just ordered one. Was actually going to look if there was any reviews on here and it so happens there is this. Good job BC great review.

just ordered one? where at?? they are sold out online...

[lynyrdsky1]

wasnt when I bought it. Ordered it last thursday came in today.

[lynyrdsky1]

I ordered it before the switched over the scheme. I got probably one of the last ones cause the one on the website right now is the new style.

[BASSclary]

I guess they ran out, because last night/early this morning they still had the old color scheme in the sale section  :-/

Why in the world did they change to that ugly color scheme anyway?