Best Co-Angler Tackle Storage?

[gardnerjigman]

Hey guys! Just wanted to get some opinions. I have been a boater for every tournament I have ever fished so storage has never been a problem. Now however, I will be fishing as a co-angler in local clubs and eventually some BFL events.

What is the best storage system for a co-angler? Coming from a boater I have around 18 sto-way boxes and then another 4 or so terminal boxes. I understand I can bring all that in another boat, but I would like to have my variety be plentiful... Any suggestions?

Thanks guys

[Fishes in trees]

A rod bag to transport your rods & reels from you vehicle to the other guys boat is a handy thing.  When I was a co-angler I carried 2 medium sized gear bags, both half to 3/4 full.   I found that was easier to find stuff when I needed it rather than one stuffed bag.

 

One bag, filled with the "hard stuff'  ( seasonal appropriate hard baits, jigs, terminal tackle, etc) was attached to the rear seat post with velcro straps.  The other bag, filled with " soft gear " (plastics, and so forth) was thrown down on the floor underneath my feet when the boat was underway.   Most of the boaters I fished with in BFL left a bin open for co-angler stuff so it wasn't strewn across the deck.

 

After a tournament or two, you will figure it out - every tournament is different - bring what you think you will need, but don't short yourself.  A conversation with your boater after the draw helps a lot in deciding what to bring or not.

 

One thing I found helpful that I didn't see many other co-anglers do is to bring several extra bait casting reels.  If it looked like it was going to take more than 5 minutes to clear out a backlash,  I'd cut the line, reel it up and put on another reel.  I found that saved a lot of time.  That is also the reason I went to spinning gear for throwing jerk baits in the wind, you only have to carry extra spools.

[Mr_Scrogg]

The Cabelas bags are nice, heard great things on the Okeechobee Fats bags. You want something that is effective, efficient and tidy.

[Megastink]

I have a Browning backpack-style tackle bag. It's great for carrying. It fits four 360/3600 size boxes, but I can slide three extra thin 360 boxes in there. That's for jigs/terminal.

[gardnerjigman]

Thanks for the info guys. I like the idea of talking to my boater after the draw to gauge his experience and style of fishing. That will probably help me cut a lot of "un needed" tackle out (don't tell my wife that any of it is un needed).

[webertime]

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/tournament-choice-deluxe-tackle-bag/pid-856003?color=Green+Dark+01&N=97010236+10001

This thing is the deal!  Comes with 6 3600 boxes but can hold 8 plus a 3500 in the front.  The side pockets can be filled with leaders, scents, spools, tools.  Compact and holds everything you could possibly need.

 

A Bac Rac for your rods CAN be handy IF the rear hatch isn't too narrow or have curved sides.  Keeps the rods (hooks) away from the boater's seats and really keeps the lines from tangling.

 

A rod sock over your Carolina Rig rod will save the rod a ton of abuse.

[Mike L]

Not to confuse you with more suggestions, but Ive gone through 3 bags the last few years but none had enough storage space, or the right compartments in the right places for my liking.

Then I found the Lambeau AZ 8.

There are smaller versions, but this thing had all the right things in the right places for the easiest access for anything you'd need.

Mike