Starting A New Tackle Box | Need Help!!!

[JimmyBird]

I am starting a new tackle box and I want to start it right. I am starting to get more comfortable with fishing soft plastics and other lures ect. (I use to only fish with live bait). I am catching more fish with soft plastics right now and don't have any tackle except the 5" Yum Dingers that I have been using lately and some hooks. In the lakes, ponds, and rivers I fish in my area only one river actually have shad in it so I am assuming that the bass mostly feed on bluegill. Most of the water that I fish isn't muddy but it isn't clear. The ponds have a pretty good amount of grass in them and some lily pads. The lakes are the same for the most part but there is still open water in some places. Let me know everything you think I should put in my tackle box. Be specific with color and any other gear that I should use. Thanks and after it's all said and done I'll update on what I added and if I had any luck.

[John G]

For T-Rigs,

Rage Tail Craws and if your gear can handle it, Rage Tail Lobsters in a Blue Bug color. I rig the Craws with a 3/0 EWG Gamakatsu Hook and the Lobster with a 5/0 EWG. Your rod specs will dictate the size of the bullet weight to use but I generally use anything from a 1/8oz to 1/4oz. You can also fish them weightless.

[aavery2]

spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, frogs, buzzbaits, poppers, prop baits, there is a culture for each of these, with a million variations and color patterns to go with them.   My advice is don't worry about filling up your tackle box, pick a couple of baits and learn to use them effectively. Try to  understand what makes one different from the other and most importantly learn what you like about one over the other. The goal ultimately is to  know exactly what you are looking for in a particular style of bait.

 

Don't be in a hurry, the fish are not going anywhere.  Here is a good bait to get started with, find yourself a war eagle spinnerbait in a color that you like,  3/8 or 1/2 oz work well,  pick a blade combination that you like. I usually start with a willow/Colorado combination, then just fish it.   When you catch a fish, ask yourself  why, do the same when you don't.   

 

Good luck

[Catch and Grease]

You could get some lipless crankbaits, squarebills, and top water frogs!

[5fishlimit]

Black, junebug, and green pumpkin are colors that will work well.

Try some zoom trick worms, Rage Tail craws, and Missile Baits baby dbombs.

Hooks in sizes 1/0 to 3/0 EWG. Whatever brand you like.

[Fisher-O-men]

You are already using 5" Dingers, try 4" dingers and Neko rig them.  For some reason one inch makes a lot of difference at times. 

 

As to your actual question, you are talking to guys with multiple tackle boxes!  Most of us have boxes for each different method.  So like aavery2 said, choose a couple lures and fish them.  Read and YouTube everything you can about each lure and method.  Your tackle boxes will fill themselves, trust me!

[warpath58]

one suggestion I can make is about the box itself try the Plano 3701 and 3601 sizes they are the thin series. They are about 3/4'' thinner than the regular 3700 and they will hold the same baits in less space so you can get more boxes in your tackle bag.