How Much Tackle?

[BASSPATROL247]

If you were gonna fish an 8 hr tournament and you didnt know how you were fish it whats the least amount of say 3700 utility boxes of lures and say small duffle bags of plastics you would take?

For me i could make 4 work, 1 with terminal tackle and trailers,skirts,rattles etc.. 1 for spinner/buzzbaits 1 for cranks and topwaters and 1 for jigs,chatters, and some odds and ends.. and one small bag or about i plastic grocery bag full of plastics... thats what i would and have used. I dont want alot of stuff to choose from as it makes me think less and not keep second guessing... everything in those four boxes i know will catch fish for me.. idk k.i.s.s

[Sam]

Two schools of thought on you query:

 

1.  Take along a much tackle as you can just in case you need a special presentation.

2.  Take along only what you think will work that day.

 

Option 1

Can cause confusion as too may options can confuse the situation.

 

Option 2

You know that bait X will work but you left them home.

 

No way around it: Either way can either help or hinder you.

 

But that's bass fishing.

[BASSPATROL247]

Every bait i take i have confidence that i can catch fish on any lake with... i learned my lesson taking as much as possible...start throwing something new then 3 casts later and changing again... i go with "keep it simple stupid" and it works for me...

[Bluebasser86]

When I was fishing as a Co-angler I used to take a bag that held 6 3700 boxes and about 3 dozen bags of plastics. Sometimes I'd take an extra binder of plastics if I was really going in blind or if it was a lake that I might be fishing 30' deep in clear water for smallmouth or flipping bushes up a river in dirty water for largemouth.

[Angry John]

Going in with a reasonable amount 4 boxes and a bag for plastics is what I consider a good compromise.  The pro's bring so much with them my boat would sink.

[WIGuide]

It depends on how much I know about the lake going, the time of year, and how diverse the lake is. It could be anywhere from a few bags of soft plastics, hooks, and weights to a full tackle bag with a few extra binders of soft plastics. 

[ww2farmer]

More than I need, but less than I have.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I just keep it simple.i have a bag that carries 3 plano 3600 siize boxes i fish for bass,rockfish,crappie, salt and fresh and i can do it all with 3 stuffed boxes.2 are soft plastics with hooks and weights to match and 1 box has hard baits spooks and minus 1s.a few rapalas im good.matter of fact i could catch fish worldwide im sure with my setups.and do it all with 2 rods

[junyer357]

4 boxes and a gallon ziplock of plastics.

Box 1 - terminal tackle. Weights hooks etc..

box 2 wire baits. Spinners,chatter, and buzz

box 3 jigs.

Box 4 my go to confidence cranks

plastics bag is go to confidence plastics.

Also 5 rods.

M-xf worms

m-f wirebaits

mh-f jigs

m-m cranks

m-f spinner for light cranks, weightless worms, and shakeyheads.

[RoLo]

All I ever take for largemouth bass is one Plano 1150 tackle box (17" x 12" x 5")

I've pared my lure arsenal down to the 'Super-Seven', each on its own rod & reel (7 outfits - 1 box)

In the bottom of the tackle box I keep specialty lures and surplus lures.

My tackle box is always on the deck with the hinge forward, that way the lid is closed by the boat underway.

The lure stash I leave at home probably weighs about 50 times more than the lures I take on the boat (really).

 

Roger

[BASSPATROL247]

Yeah for a few years all i carry is 4 boxes and a bag i have enough tackle to fill a semi and dont use alot of it..since doing so i havent caught less fish if anything probably more with all the wasted time looking for a bait to throw... every time i go out i take a couple baits ive never used and if they catch me fish they get to stay and if not, its back in the garage with the rest.. plus i have waaaay more room in the boat now haha

[gardnerjigman]

As a co-angler I would take as much as I could with me to the tournament. I'd talk to my boater the night of the draw and find out what he prefers I bring, and the style that we may be fishing. I'd adjust for that, but you will never hear someone say "man, I wish I hadn't brought that extra box"...

[BASSPATROL247]

All I ever take for largemouth bass is one Plano 1150 tackle box (17" x 12" x 5")

I've pared my lure arsenal down to the 'Super-Seven', each on its own rod & reel (7 outfits - 1 box)

In the bottom of the tackle box I keep specialty lures and surplus lures.

My tackle box is always on the deck with the hinge forward, that way the lid is closed by the boat underway.

The lure stash I leave at home probably weighs about 50 times more than the lures I take on the boat (really).

 

Roger

Do you mean you picked your 7 favorite lures and put 2 of each in your box and each lure has its own rod?

[RoLo]

Do you mean you picked your 7 favorite lures and put 2 of each in your box and each lure has its own rod?

 

It took years, but I've whittled the field of scores of lures down to seven "High-Use" lures,

each having a dedicated outfit (rod, reel & line). The upper tier of the Bill Dance Plano 1150

is chockfull of the big 7 and associated hooks, weights, trailers, punch stops ~ ~ ~

The lower tier is crammed with specialty lures (Lo-Use lures) along with surplus lures backing-up the big 7 in the upper tier.

 

Roger

[hatrix]

I just got back from fishing and one decent tackle bag is all you need. If I couldn't catch fish with what I fit in my bag it's not because I don't have the right lure. I probably just suck lol.

Once upon a time plastics fit in the lid. The plastic eventually ripped because it couldn't contain all my awesomeness I crammed in there so I don't put stuff in there any more.

[kickerfish1]

Fishing as a co-angler I unusually tow a supply boat behind with all of my rods, reels, lines, baits, plastics, and terminal tackle!

[blckshirt98]

If you're fishing a tournament I'd stick to the techniques you're most comfortable/CONFIDENT with and bring whatever will cover clear/dirty water conditions and a variety of depths.  So say a couple of 3700's with your highest confidence shallow/deep reaction baits for clear/dirty water, a 3700 of jigs, a 3700 of terminal tackle, and a bag of plastics that'll cover your highest confidence soft plastic techniques.  Also maybe throw in a some swimbaits into that bag of plastics.

 

I think what really sets the FLVs/Elites apart from everyone else is their ability to change techniques in an instant, have the ability to recognize when they need to make that technique change, and have the skill to fish the broadest variety of techniques with confidence.  Unless you're a pro and confident with almost all techniques, a tournament wouldn't be a time to try bring the kitchen sink and try something new.