Being Versatile from the bank

[LittlePineyAngler]

Just something i've found useful for me is carrying my tackle in a backpack, and having all my baits organized in trays so i can put what i want in the back pack. Makes it easy to run up and down the bank without carrying a tackle box in your hands. I use a cheap jansport backpack that i've had for years. curious to know if anyone else has some tips on how they carry their tackle in these situations.

[scaleface]

i carry one rod . I wear a vest and the pockets are stuffed with small boxes of terminal tackle and lures . The lures have to match the action of the rod . I have waded rivers for miles like this .

[Paul Roberts]

Backpack too. I ended up with one made for students bc they offer more pockets for organizing gear than the "fishing" ones I tried.

If you search you'll find lots of discussion on this very topic.

[WI_Angler1989]

I use a backpack when shore fishing and wading too. Sometimes trying new places from shore means I've gotta go hiking and climbing around shore. A Backpack makes that possible.

I usually have more space than I need, with a 3500 Plano box packed full of jigs and lures, a bunch of bags of plastics, pliers, and a fluoro spool for leaders. There's a side length pocket that fits my big Kleen Kanteen bottle perfectly and a smaller pocket in front for snacks etc. There's also a phone pocket on the front of one of the straps that is nowhere NEAR big enough for my Galaxy, but perfect for my knife. 

All in all its a sweet setup really. The bag is just a free military bag one of my cousins gave me when he joined. I've never cared for camouflage but it works so well I can live with it. 

With all that space I still manage to forget things haha 

[LittlePineyAngler]

I just looked up online that they make tackle box backpacks. Definitely something that everyone needs. at least one or two lol

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=31931106&cp=4406646.4413993.4414792.4418212&categoryId=12656837

 

also these backpacks are nice when you're sneaking into the neighbors pond. can get in and out of there in a hurry lol

[Cgolf]

I either go with a backpack or a small plano bag and try to keep tackle to a minimum. Usually carry a spinning rod for plastics and a baitcaster for cranks. The rods are usually ugly sticks or something I have had for a while, the better stuff stays home due to the abuse the shore rods take.

[GoCougs14]

Fishing specific backpack here. Has a compartmenr in the front that can hold 3- 3600's, and 3 3601's.  Keep a gallon back of plastic in the main top part.  In the secondary one I keep small spools of leaders. On the two waist side pocket things I have a scale in one and some electrial tools/electrical tape so if something goes awry with the trolling motor on my little boat Im not SOL

[Jake the Cake]

I fish the bank and the boat with my backpack.  I don't find a need to have a boat's worth of baits to confuse myself even more so I plan everything the night before and stick with 3 plano boxes worth of baits/lures (which is still excessive for me - "Keep it simple stupid"), a few cold ones in the cooler compartment, extra line on the side, a net strapped to it, and one or two poles on the bank and 4 or 5 if I'm in the boat.

[LittlePineyAngler]

29 minutes ago, Jake the Cake said:

I fish the bank and the boat with my backpack.  I don't find a need to have a boat's worth of baits to confuse myself even more so I plan everything the night before and stick with 3 plano boxes worth of baits/lures (which is still excessive for me - "Keep it simple stupid"), a few cold ones in the cooler compartment, extra line on the side, a net strapped to it, and one or two poles on the bank and 4 or 5 if I'm in the boat.

Jake the cake we share the same fishing philosophy. taught to me by my grandpa when i first started. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID lol

[blckshirt98]

I'm a shore guy and it's backpack all the say.  A lot of the reservoirs I fish I would never even considering a tackle box because of how steep some of the grades are along the shoreline, that tackle box would roll down into the water like a rock.  I bring a Plano 3570 with terminal tackle and to hold used plastics, a larger Plano 3650 for hardbaits (also the large compartment  without dividers fits spinnerbaits/small topwaters/etc), and a gallon Ziploc Freezer bag with about a dozen bags of plastics.  If I'm on a new lake/location I'll add in another Plano of stuff.  The single best thing though for a shore guy is a retractable Boomerang Snip attached to a belt loop via a caribiner.  I can't stress enough how easy this makes changing out rigs/lures.

[Burtonxj]

I usually have to do a bit of hiking / climbing to get to the areas I bank fish. Picked up a sweet fanny pack for all the baits I bring along. 

Thats right. A sweet fanny pack. I get **** all the time but d**n is it convenient.

[fishwizzard]

I used to carry as much tackle as I could cram into my little hiking pack, but realized that I never used most of it.  So I bought a small fly fishing chest pack.  It has enough room for 2-3 bags of plastics, a tiny 4-compartment plano, leader, tools, and scent in the main pocket, and a few hardbaits in the flip down front pocket.  If I am at a "civilized" lake I will go back to the car throughout the day and change rods and tackle assortments.  If I am hiking I just try to pick stuff I have caught on before, or things I suspect might work.  I do always bring a "wild card" bait, something totally opposite from what I am fishing that day, so if I am doing Ned rig type stuff I will bring a small rattling crank in firetiger, if I am fishing spinners and trout bugs I bring a weedless wacky hook and the biggest worm my rod will cast. 

I find this really helps me focus on learning a technique and not jumping from lure to lure.  On my kayak I do bring more stuff but I am working on building a single 3600 box into my "kayak essentials" to always bring, then just bring a small assortment of stuff for each rod. 

[Bankbeater]

I carry three rods, and a small hard tackle box.  Walking through woods, and climbing over fallen trees I don't have to worry about the box getting smashed or banged around. 

[I.rar]

I probably don't stay out as long as other members but I rock a waist pack slung over my shoulder or a Plano crappie soft bag with the shoulder strap. Either will carry more than I could use in a couple of hours and keeps unnecessary stuff out. 

I usually only bring one rod but sometimes two will make it out. 

 

 

 

[Big C]

6 hours ago, LittlePineyAngler said:

Makes it easy to run up and down the bank without carrying a tackle box in your hands.

You fish and run at the same time?  Do you have a secret way to troll a crankbait from shore?

Seriously, can't agree more about the backpack it's life changing.

But, if you're going on a short trip and don't want to take everything.  Get an Altoids tin, and throw a few hooks, a jig and a couple soft plastics in it and you're good to go.

[WI_Angler1989]

32 minutes ago, Big C said:

You fish and run at the same time?  Do you have a secret way to troll a crankbait from shore?

Seriously, can't agree more about the backpack it's life changing.

But, if you're going on a short trip and don't want to take everything.  Get an Altoids tin, and throw a few hooks, a jig and a couple soft plastics in it and you're good to go.

+1 on the altoids tin! I love doing that. I can fit a few draggin head jigs, a few aglias, a finesse Spinnerbait and the usual clippers/scissors in a tin and then be set. I usually just pocket the plastics (cargo shorts) and I'm good. I do need some forceps for this outfit though.

I've got a vintage old Lucky Strikes cigarette tin from my great grandpa that I use for this as well. Fits the pocket perfectly. That's usually just in my tackle bag though, with scissors, clippers, knot guide, small tape measurer, etc. 

[Team9nine]

52 minutes ago, Big C said:

 

But, if you're going on a short trip and don't want to take everything.  Get an Altoids tin, and throw a few hooks, a jig and a couple soft plastics in it and you're good to go.

^^This^^ 

Tackle: If it can't fit in a pocket or be clipped to a belt, then it doesn't need to come with me. 1 rod - 1 reel. It's all about mobility from the bank for me. Simplicity in tackle allows that.

-T9

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, Big C said:

But, if you're going on a short trip and don't want to take everything.  Get an Altoids tin, and throw a few hooks, a jig and a couple soft plastics in it and you're good to go.

I sometimes use a rock-climbing chalk bag clipped to my belt to hold my fishing stuff.  It keeps hooks out of your pocket and it pretty convenient to access stuff.  They also usually have a elastic loop on the side to hold small pliers. 

[Jake the Cake]

18 hours ago, LittlePineyAngler said:

Jake the cake we share the same fishing philosophy. taught to me by my grandpa when i first started. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID lol

I saw one of your other posts and had to laugh myself because my dad still tells me the exact same thing when I start getting frustrated and tying on desperation lures.

Little off topic but still regarding bank fishing, how's the fishing down there in those rivers?  I drive 44 all the time and pass by Little Piney, Big Piney, Roubidoux (sp?), Gasconade, etc. and they look like decent spots.  Would it be worth taking a week off in the spring for Smallies, Trout, Catfish?

[Deleted account]

22 hours ago, LittlePineyAngler said:

Just something i've found useful for me is carrying my tackle in a backpack, and having all my baits organized in trays so i can put what i want in the back pack. Makes it easy to run up and down the bank without carrying a tackle box in your hands. I use a cheap jansport backpack that i've had for years. curious to know if anyone else has some tips on how they carry their tackle in these situations.

Same.

I keep my lures in 3600 or 3700 boxes or hanging off coffee cans, and just take what I'll need for the day. When fishing local, that's usually just a couple of things. I move around quite a bit and hike in and out of some remote spots, so less is more. Sometimes my wifes' pruning sheers are the most important thing with me.