Downsizing

[jitterbug127]

This has been my first year fishing and i went nuts buying lures. I had a bag with 6 3700 trays, and 2 3600s full. The thing weighed 30 lbs. Just way too much. I had 18 spinners 50 plus crankbaits, 20 jigs, 7 buzzbaits, bunch of frogs, and two 3700 trays stuffed with plastics. I have kept what works, roughly 10 crankbaits, 7 topwater, 8 spinners, 3 buzz baits, 8 jigs, and one 3700 full of doft plastics. Put everything in a jansport backpack weighs 12 lbs. Limits my choices and tons easier to carry. Very happy

[Bluebasser86]

Glad it worked out for you. I've managed to pare my gear down this year to just a Cabela's Super Magnum with 12 3700 trays, 9 magnum worm binders, and a deep 3700 size box full of swimbaits. I can say with confidence that I have more in single 3700 boxes than you carry total   That's one of the great things about this sport, you can make it as simple or complicated as you want.

[WIGuide]

I tried to downsize a few years ago, well at least I had the idea in my mind....then I saw a sale somewhere and that idea went right out the window!

[Senko lover]

I do just about the same thing. Simplicity is key.....

[gulfcaptain]

I downsize, take the tackle I think I may need along with the rod selection out of my trunk.....if I figure out that I need something else, I go back and swap it out and carry what I need with me, but everything else I might need is just a short walk away......Think I need a tackle center that fits in the trunk of my car though.

[thehooligan]

This is called downsizing, lol. Went from all of these boxes being filled with hardbaits. Now the stack on the left are the only baits i kept, right stack is empty.

 

After lots of testing and choosing colors i got rid of baits that werent getting used. Rather put my money into my reels then collecting baits...

 

[gulfcaptain]

Yeah, got me beat by a long shot.  I stick with colors and baits I know will produce for me, just keep extra of each so I have a back up for my back up. Sucks when you have a hot bait and loose it or can't get another one right away.

[Raul]

I´m absolutely certain that I can fish and catch fish with a handful of lures in a specific situation, years of foot patrol have taught me so ( there have been days that the only lure I use is an in-line spinner, oh yes, I continue to fish with in-line spinners ) and if I´m going to carry it on my back that´s what I carry, a handful of lures. But when I´m going to fish from a/the boat the situation changes dramatically, then I carry enough tackle to sink the vessel, why ? simplicity my butt, it´s a matter of situation, when I´m on the foot patrol I am limited by the terrain and bank cover to very specific spots, but when fishing from the boat I can fish every fishy lookin/fishy holdin single spot on the surface of the lake and those need more tackle to fihs them much more efficiently.

[gulfcaptain]

Have to agree with Raul.  From the bank you carry what works.  From a boat, even more is needed due to that reason, more options and water thus lead to more tackle, more techniques, and more efficient ways to catch fish.  BTW, love inline spinners....sometimes it's hard to beat a Roostertail.

[Sam]

Your post highlights confidence.

 

When one goes bass fishing and has no idea what to throw or what techniques to use the individual tends to bring along much more than he will ever need.

 

When one does his/her homework; puts some thought on what will and will not work; and takes only two or three of each bait and miscellaneous tackle then that person will not bring all of their tackle with them.

 

One must have some choices and  backups in case of lost baits but otherwise the more knowledge of the place you are fishing the more you can target into your baits and not be confused and conflicted by bringing too many baits and options with you.

 

And sometimes this can backfire on you when the bass want a specific presentation and you left it at home.

 

But that's bass fishing.

[Gundog]

I've got a room full of lures so downsizing is tough. I've been collecting lures (some still in the original packaging) since I got my first paycheck some 30 yrs ago. I started 2 yrs ago putting my lures in tackle trays and have 28 large size tackle trays and still don't have all the lures in trays yet. I try to decide before I leave for the water what I'm gonna need so I take between 8 and 15 trays but it always seems like I end up only using lures from 1 or 2 trays. Bluebasser is right..you can make it as complicated as you want and boy have I done that.

[Brian6428]

You guys are doing it ALL wrong. You guys clearly just need to buy a bigger boat to hold all of you tackle 

[flipin4bass]

You want to do some serious downsizing? Try going from a bass boat to a kayak. I went from 12-15 rods to 4-5 and from around 20-25 3700 boxes down to 3. I now find myself packing my boxes for specific lakes and conditions. In addition to my crate, I carry a small soft bag with up to 10 bags of soft plastics behind the seat.

[flipin4bass]

Your post highlights confidence.

 

When one goes bass fishing and has no idea what to throw or what techniques to use the individual tends to bring along much more than he will ever need.

 

When one does his/her homework; puts some thought on what will and will not work; and takes only two or three of each bait and miscellaneous tackle then that person will not bring all of their tackle with them.

 

One must have some choices and  backups in case of lost baits but otherwise the more knowledge of the place you are fishing the more you can target into your baits and not be confused and conflicted by bringing too many baits and options with you.

 

And sometimes this can backfire on you when the bass want a specific presentation and you left it at home.

 

But that's bass fishing.

Well said!

[Catch and Grease]

I just take this box full, anything I can't fit in here I don't take...