Tackle Storage??? Tackle Boxes

[bigbill]

I have the largest Plano tackle boxes now. The 9606's. My question is how do you fisherman sort out and store your lures?

I'm thinking a shallow to medium running crankbaits in one box. Deeper running crankbaits in another box and topwater lures in another box. Then weedless baits and plastics in two more boxes.

I don't need the deeper cranks unless I hit the lakes.

Tackle storage is a problem. I just don't feel right without having it all with me in the car.

All these awesome different baits and no room.

I'm a color freak and a tackle hoarder. I need help.

[Jar11591]

1 box for crankbaits

1 box for lipless crankbaits

1 box for topwater

1 box for jerkbaits

1 box for jigs

1 box for frogs

1 box for hooks/wieghts

1 box for night-fishing

1 box for pike

1 box for trout

1 garbage bag full of large ziplock bags which are full of all my bags of soft plastics.

1 large tackle box for random or old lures that need fixing or that I never use.

 

I also have a couple location-specific boxes for places that i fish a lot if I am only going for a couple hours.

[travis23]

I store my 3700 boxes in an old gym bag. Then pick my plastics for the day and put each category into a soft plastic binder. I think a Plano guide series bag would be a good purchase, but their kind of expensive.

[Raul]

Get a bigger vehicle, that way you have room for all your stuff, which ends up being a race between the BaitMonkey purchasing tackle and you finding more room.

[Raul]

Your problem is that you think you need it, and like hoarders, you don´t want to get rid of it, in this case doesn´t mean getting rid in the aspect of letting it go, it´s you don´t want to get rid of it from what you are really using to fish. If you look at your stuff and seriously make a mental image of what you use then that´s what you should carry, if it doesn´t get used at least 50% of the ocassions then you don´t need to carry it.

[doyle8218]

You don't have to take all your tackle when you go fishing. Make up a few day boxes and take those and leave the rest home.

[Fishes in trees]

If you are seriously going to get into tackle storage, you've got to prepare.  Every time you go to Walmart or Home Depot or Lowe's or somewhere like that and they have shelving on sale - buy it.  You can't have too many shelves.   I'm at 15 and I could use some more.  I am a big fan of easy access horizontal storage.   For soft plastic storage, every time you see the plastic shoe boxes with lids on sale at Walmart for $1 or so - bust out a 10 spot and get some.  You can't have too many plastic shoe boxes for long term soft plastic storage.  You will need medium and large sized totes for assorted/odd sized gear that you will accumulate from time to time.  A dozen or two will suffice.  Be sure to keep 4 or 5 empty ones around.  If you have to take your boat to the shop, you don't want to leave a bunch of gear in your boat at the shop.  Having a set of empty totes around, makes it easy to unload your boat quickly.  Have a roll of duct tape and a sharpie available, so that you can quickly label the totes.  YOu can write directly on the totes, but sooner or later you will have too many scribbles on the totes and you will need duct tape to make current labels.  No need to ask why I know this.

 

Every time you see bundles of the 3700 boxes on sale, buy a bundle or two - you can't have too much long term hard bait storage.

 

This is all in addition to your regular kit that you use for week to week fishing.  Taking it to the next level - built a bigger shed.  Thirteen years ago, I was outgrowing my garage and I wanted a bigger boat -  so I bolt a new shed just for fishing.   30'by 40' and I wish now that I had built bigger.  I built big enough that I could pull my fishing truck and boat into the shed without unhooking it, just plug it in.   I wish I had a couple more doors for easier access to my ATV and utility trailer and better flow through ventilation in the summer time.

 

Doyle 8218 is right that you don't have to take all your tackle with you, however the more organized you are, the easier it is to take what you want to play with that day and leave the rest at home.