Tackle Management - Recommendations

[Munkin]

Like several others have mentioned keeping plastics in their original bags and putting those bags in gallon freezer bags works the best for me. This allows me to carry the most baits in the least amount of physical space and retain organization.

 

Hardbaits I keep in 3600 size boxes so I can switch out based on fishing conditions. There are 3 3700 boxes that I use; terminal tackle, jig components, and my "Best of the Best" box. This box contains all my "Go-To" lures and in case I can only grab one box this is it.

 

Allen

[SPECIAL ENGINEER]

I have a big old Plano hard box that has a top-opening lid with a quick-access covered compartment built on top of it. Under the lid is a spinnerbait rack on one side and slots to hold several small Plano boxes on the other side. The main part of the big box has a drop-down front that covers slots for four Plano 3700 boxes (they slide out like dresser drawers). It is one of the handiest tackle boxes I've ever owned.

I carry another soft bag made to hold 6-8 Plano 3700s and a duffle with gallon Zip-Loks of soft baits and a Plano line/leader spool box. I can carry it all out to the boat in one trip and I'm sure I have all the tackle I might need with me.

I keep some Plano boxes with my ultralight stuff in a compartment on the boat.

Tight lines,

Bob

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I think I have the same tackle box that you describe. It's a Plano 7771.

It's great for organizing everything. I put bags of soft plastics in the main top compartment and everything else in trays. Not my pictures but it shows what I am describing.

[desmobob]

That's a newer version that's similar.  Mine is an older version of this one:

 

 

There are slots to the left of the spinnerbait rack that allow you to store about five or six of the small Plano boxes, standing on their edge.

I'm glad to see they still offer it.. "The Stow Away System."

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[tander]

If you are going to use a tackle box, that Plano 7771 is a great looking box. !!!!

[desmobob]

If you are going to use a tackle box, that Plano 7771 is a great looking box. !!!!

 

For sure!

 

I keep my go-to stuff in the hard box, and all the other tackle in 3700s in a big soft zippered case.  The 3700s are so handy for organization, I can hardly consider NOT using them, but the whole system sure ends up being bulky.  I guess there no easy way around it if you like to carry a lot of stuff.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[davecon]

Several years ago I got sick and tired of fighting the crowds on the larger lakes here in Florida. I overed the tournament thing after many years of that too. Sold the traditional bass boat, 18 footer with 150 and bought a small boat called a Gheenoe. Now the boat Is rigged as nice as any and very comfortable to fish from, it's just small and lets me get in smaller bodies of water with virtually no other fishermen.

 

This necessitated a reduction in tackle carried with me, just not as much room as the old boat.

 

Went thru every lure I own and actually tried to remember when I used the lure last, how many fish did it catch, etc. If it wasn't a good producer I put it in storage in the garage.

 

I got it down to 2 Plano 1258's,one for plastics, one for lures, and 2 3600's (one for hooks and sinkers and one for panfish lures

 

Keep in mind I fish for bass, snook, reds, tarpon, seatrout, (and bluegills with the wife and grandkids).

 

Over the years I have learned, for the most part, what works and what is really good merchandizing. I don't run and out and buy the "hot" lures that come out all the time that usually just take up space. Sort of stick with the tried and true.

 

If anything, the reduction in tackle has improved my fishing not hindered it. I now concentrate on where the fish are, speed of retrieve, etc. not always wondering should I try the latest and greatest lure ever invented. I know that what I'm using will work as it has in the past.

 

There used to be a fellow here in Florida, "One Lure Charlie", I think his name was Charlie Orme (he died a few years ago). He used one lure and one lure only, a Devils Horse, and won literally hundreds of tournaments, and believe me, there are some pretty good sticks here in Florida.

 

Point is, you really don't need all that tackle. Use only what WORKS for you.

 

My two cents worth.

 

Dave

[Puggz]

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I think I have the same tackle box that you describe. It's a Plano 7771.

It's great for organizing everything. I put bags of soft plastics in the main top compartment and everything else in trays. Not my pictures but it shows what I am describing.

 

This is hilarious.. I have one of these boxes, i use it for my Walleye tackle...  ... Maybe a second one of these eh?  They're pretty good value.

 

Winter project will be to empty it and move all my Bass tackle into it and see how goes...

 

Cheers!!

[Fishes in trees]

I wouldn't recommend desecrating your walleye system just to marginally improve your bass gear.  Just get new gear.   Consider yourself fortunate in that you have a first world problem that can be solved by throwing money at it.

[Puggz]

23 hours ago, Fishes in trees said:

I wouldn't recommend desecrating your walleye system just to marginally improve your bass gear.  Just get new gear.   Consider yourself fortunate in that you have a first world problem that can be solved by throwing money at it.

That's exactly what I plan to do..:)

Spent the morning desecrating my walleye system an I'm very impressed with the 7771 for bass gear.  The only potential issue I see is that the top of mine is already full of plastics...:-D.  Other than that I have one 3700 filled with hooks, weights, and jig heads, one with topwater and jerks, one with cranks and best of all, one empty tray.

Thanks again to special engineer for the original idea... I'm just glad I had one that I could test drive.

 

Cheers!

 

 

[Felix77]

On 12/8/2015 at 4:28 PM, GoCougs14 said:

Do you guys use the shallow plano's (3601, 3701) for anything other than terminal tackle. Id like to use as many shallow ones as I can, so I can store more in my backpack.

I love the 3601's.  I use them for my slimmer baits like jerkbaits, lipless CB's etc.  It all boils down to how much stuff you really want to carry of each type.

[SPECIAL ENGINEER]

5 hours ago, Puggz said:

That's exactly what I plan to do..:)

Spent the morning desecrating my walleye system an I'm very impressed with the 7771 for bass gear.  The only potential issue I see is that the top of mine is already full of plastics...:-D.  Other than that I have one 3700 filled with hooks, weights, and jig heads, one with topwater and jerks, one with cranks and best of all, one empty tray.

Thanks again to special engineer for the original idea... I'm just glad I had one that I could test drive.

 

Cheers!

 

 

My wife bought me the tackle box for Christmas 2 years ago when I started to fish more often. When I opened it I thought to myself: "she shouldn't have gotten such a big tackle box. I'll never get close to filling it up "

 

Then I found this website and you guys introduced me to the monkey. I couldn't even get close to fitting everything in it now but it is more than enough to store everything that I would need for a trip and organizes everything very well. 

 

I do agree that the top fills with plastics pretty quick. I usually have an additional small bag with plastics that I bring. I usually just throw a couple packs in a plastic grocery bag that becomes the trash bag in the boat.

[BassnChris]

I use 3600's and 3700's for most all tackle.

i use an old worm binder for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

and for plastics I use these flambeau 4510FB

 

 

[Puggz]

On 2015-12-19 at 7:26 PM, SPECIAL ENGINEER said:

My wife bought me the tackle box for Christmas 2 years ago when I started to fish more often. When I opened it I thought to myself: "she shouldn't have gotten such a big tackle box. I'll never get close to filling it up "

 

Then I found this website and you guys introduced me to the monkey. I couldn't even get close to fitting everything in it now but it is more than enough to store everything that I would need for a trip and organizes everything very well. 

 

I do agree that the top fills with plastics pretty quick. I usually have an additional small bag with plastics that I bring. I usually just throw a couple packs in a plastic grocery bag that becomes the trash bag in the boat.

Exactly!