Co-Angler Tackle Bag that fits back deck storage compartment

[n8cas4]

I've been fishing out of the back of the boat for a few years with my monster Flambeau Az8 tackle bag.  It's been great for a guy who feels confident when he brings his entire arsenal.  Now that I have my own boat, I'm looking to downsize my tackle bag for when I fish a team trail with my buddy in his boat.  Going back and forth between prepping for a tournament in my boat, versus fishing the team trail with my buddy's boat can be a pain.  I want to keep using my size 3700 boxes, so the bag needs to accommodate that size.  My Flambeau Az8 would never fit into the co-angler storage compartment on the back deck.  I would ride with it underneath my knees and I know I've probably ticked some boaters off over the years with this monstrous bag.  So, the new bag must fit in the back storage compartment of a normal 18-21ft bass boat ( I know they differ in size, but generally speaking).  Any suggestions based on experience?

[speed craw]

I use the Plano guide series 3750 bag . I took out the 3700 trays and put in the 3600 trays , as I can fit 11 trays instead . I stack them vertically 5 side by side with one in the middle . As far as the back you can fit 2 3600  trays turned side up or one 3700 single tray on the back . Or you can turn them on the sides with labels to show what you have then just put more on top of them ! I can pack for just about anything I need and still have room for up top for my terminal tackle .

[WRB]

You may need to reevaluate why you believe you need your entire Arsenal on any given day on the water. What you need is the lures/rigs that are working that day. You know what you prefer to use and caught bass on and what you had in your big bag you never used.

It's always a challenge to determine what to take a day in advance of the tournament. However you should have a good ideal what the bite is before entering any tournament and be able to set up your tackle needs accordingly to match the rods, reels, line and presentations you plan to use. Talk to your boater and ask what he wants you to bring and at a minimum bring that! Now you need to decide what else you need with you.

When I put a tackle bag together to fish with a partner in his boat it's 1 bag 12" X 8" X 8 with pockets on 3 sides, your average tackle bag and select 4 to 5 rod-reel combo's based on the tackle selected or vice versa.

Hooks and weights go into side pockets. Attractant, pliers, line cutter, knife, small 4" X 6" cutting board, mead it, first aide kit, sun lotion, spare sunglasses go into the longer side pocket.

All the hard lures go into plastic boxes that fit inside the bag, soft plastics go into 1 gallon zip lock bags. If I am using swimbaits, rats, big wake baits, they go into a second bag along with spare line spools. In this situation I have 2 bags the same size. Both bags stay out and kept in front of the passenger seat when traveling. My cloths, rain gear, hats, lunch, water bottle go into a storage compartment for use when needed during the day.

I always more stuff than needed without cluttering up someone's boat.

Tom

[n8cas4]

49 minutes ago, WRB said:

You may need to reevaluate why you believe you need your entire Arsenal on any given day on the water. What you need is the lures/rigs that are working that day. You know what you prefer to use and caught bass on and what you had in your big bag you never used.

It's always a challenge to determine what to take a day in advance of the tournament. However you should have a good ideal what the bite is before entering any tournament and be able to set up your tackle needs accordingly to match the rods, reels, line and presentations you plan to use. Talk to your boater and ask what he wants you to bring and at a minimum bring that! Now you need to decide what else you need with you.

When I put a tackle bag together to fish with a partner in his boat it's 1 bag 12" X 8" X 8 with pockets on 3 sides, your average tackle bag and select 4 to 5 rod-reel combo's based on the tackle selected or vice versa.

Hooks and weights go into side pockets. Attractant, pliers, line cutter, knife, small 4" X 6" cutting board, mead it, first aide kit, sun lotion, spare sunglasses go into the longer side pocket.

All the hard lures go into plastic boxes that fit inside the bag, soft plastics go into 1 gallon zip lock bags. If I am using swimbaits, rats, big wake baits, they go into a second bag along with spare line spools. In this situation I have 2 bags the same size. Both bags stay out and kept in front of the passenger seat when traveling. My cloths, rain gear, hats, lunch, water bottle go into a storage compartment for use when needed during the day.

I always more stuff than needed without cluttering up someone's boat.

Tom

Thanks, Tom.  You're right - I do need to bring less gear.  I have always brought more gear than is needed.  I've been getting better, but it's not like flippin' a switch.  The fact that I'm willing to buy a smaller bag is a step in the right direction for me.  It's a work in progress.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I always threw a duffle with rain gear some plastics and lunch in a rear compartment and a mid size tackle bag holding 5-6 trays between my feet just like you're doing. Maybe you can scale down some without necessarily having to meet the criteria of fitting in a deck compartment. ?

[n8cas4]

42 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I always threw a duffle with rain gear some plastics and lunch in a rear compartment and a mid size tackle bag holding 5-6 trays between my feet just like you're doing. Maybe you can scale down some without necessarily having to meet the criteria of fitting in a deck compartment. ?

I like that idea of carrying plastics separate from the tackle bag!  I think I'm actually sending my reels to DVT for a cleaning this year!  I'll pm you when I'm ready.  Thanks.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

47 minutes ago, n8cas4 said:

I like that idea of carrying plastics separate from the tackle bag!  I think I'm actually sending my reels to DVT for a cleaning this year!  I'll pm you when I'm ready.  Thanks.

I have my plastics in zip lock bags in one of those cheap little bags BASS gives away. Stuff that into my duffle. My bag has flaps on the outside where I keep extra of the plastic I'm currently using. I found that if you keep reasonably organized and show respect for the boat (not stepping on seats , making spills, pickup after yourself etc) the boater will have no problem fishing with you. 

[n8cas4]

approximately how big is a typical back-of-the-deck storage box on an 18-21 ft?  Triton says 168qt, others say 7 plano 3700 boxes...

[MIbassangler30]

I have a Plano Guide Series bag and it works great. Very durable and having one exposed box on top gives me a work surface and easier access to the lures I'll potentially need for that day. If you need more than what that thing fits, then you're definitely taking too much gear. Along with the stock 3700 boxes, I'm also able to fit a 3771 and 3740 box inside for terminal tackle. 

 

JC

[n8cas4]

22 minutes ago, MIbassangler30 said:

I have a Plano Guide Series bag and it works great. Very durable and having one exposed box on top gives me a work surface and easier access to the lures I'll potentially need for that day. If you need more than what that thing fits, then you're definitely taking too much gear. Along with the stock 3700 boxes, I'm also able to fit a 3771 and 3740 box inside for terminal tackle. 

 

JC

Does that fit in the back storage compartment or do you put it under your knees?  I'm leaning towards this bag, thanks.

[MIbassangler30]

Like many have said I usually put it under my knees or under the passenger side council. I have to imagine it would fit in a normal sized compartment. I have the 3710 and it's a pretty good size. The 3600 would definitely fit and easily have enough storage for a day out on the water. A fully loaded 3710 I can barely carry to the boat and back. It's a bit much, but that's just me. I just checked and they're on sale at TW too, bonus!

[MIbassangler30]

Double checked... They're only $2 off?!? What's up TW? Thanks for the whopping 3% off. Can't even buy a pack of Zooms for that. "Hey we'll put the price in red so it gets your attention and hope you don't look in the description to see how much it's actually marked down." Whatever, still better then full price, but companies doing crap like that bothers me. 

[n8cas4]

some of those big name companies never seem to participate in any of the good TW deals.  That's an ugly color too.  Seems to be the best bag for me, though.

[MIbassangler30]

From what I've heard, I doubt you can go wrong with their Weekender series. Probably not as durable as the guide series, but it's another option I suppose. 

[KDW96]

21 hours ago, WRB said:

You may need to reevaluate why you believe you need your entire Arsenal on any given day on the water. What you need is the lures/rigs that are working that day. You know what you prefer to use and caught bass on and what you had in your big bag you never used.

It's always a challenge to determine what to take a day in advance of the tournament. However you should have a good ideal what the bite is before entering any tournament and be able to set up your tackle needs accordingly to match the rods, reels, line and presentations you plan to use. Talk to your boater and ask what he wants you to bring and at a minimum bring that! Now you need to decide what else you need with you.

When I put a tackle bag together to fish with a partner in his boat it's 1 bag 12" X 8" X 8 with pockets on 3 sides, your average tackle bag and select 4 to 5 rod-reel combo's based on the tackle selected or vice versa.

Hooks and weights go into side pockets. Attractant, pliers, line cutter, knife, small 4" X 6" cutting board, mead it, first aide kit, sun lotion, spare sunglasses go into the longer side pocket.

All the hard lures go into plastic boxes that fit inside the bag, soft plastics go into 1 gallon zip lock bags. If I am using swimbaits, rats, big wake baits, they go into a second bag along with spare line spools. In this situation I have 2 bags the same size. Both bags stay out and kept in front of the passenger seat when traveling. My cloths, rain gear, hats, lunch, water bottle go into a storage compartment for use when needed during the day.

I always more stuff than needed without cluttering up someone's boat.

Tom

 

Very solid advice ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Your gonna have to go through you stuff, and first pick out what you have the most confidence in, for that time of year. If your just fishing out your boat or your buddys,talk too him about your az8. Ask if there might be an issue? I kinda doubt there will be. But down sizing will get you a well thought out bag of confidence. Having to much, will boggle the mind of what could of been the one? Yep,your gonna leave somethin behind,that may have been the winner on that day. But thats the way it goes and you cant beat your self up over it,just learn. Trust in what works for you,focus on what you have brought,and the fish Good luck in the tourneys!

[WRB]

17 hours ago, n8cas4 said:

approximately how big is a typical back-of-the-deck storage box on an 18-21 ft?  Triton says 168qt, others say 7 plano 3700 boxes...

Compartment sizes vary with bass boat mfr/model. The large size plastic lure box is 14" X 8" X 2".  Storage compartments  designed to hold those boxes have molded in guides that hold those boxes are about 15" wide or 13" between the molded ribs, about 14" deep and lengths vary, 21" is a good minimum for rear compartments. The length, width, height of a stuffed bag shouldn't exceed those numbers; 20" long, 12" wide, 13 high. The problem is most boat owners use all thier storage compartments and may only have compartment space available for soft clothing bag. I wouldn't count on a dry storage compartment.

Tom

 

[n8cas4]

Thanks for the dimensions! Normally the organized guys devote that back storage box to the co-angler, but you're right - there are the less organized who don't offer that compartment to you. 

[Fishes in trees]

The issue with stuffing thing in a co-angler boat bin is accessing it when you need it.  Say you got your cranks in the boat bin and you decide to change one out, different color or depth, doesn't matter.  You are probably going to spend 5 minutes doing that and half that time will be getting down and into the bin.   When I fished co-angler, after a while the only things that I put into the bin were things that I probably wasn't going to need but felt like I had to carry - or clothes to put them out of the way after the day warmed up.

The way I dealt with gear when I was a co-angler, that gave me easier access was to have 2 medium to smallish bags.   The medium bag which had hard baits, terminal tackle, spare reels and other assorted gear was secured to the post of the back deck seat using several velcro straps.   I could spin it around so that it was out of my way, which ever direction I was casting and it was easily accessible.   ( All boxes need to be labeled on all sides, don't assume that you will always put the box back in the bag correctly.)

Soft plastics and other stuff were kept in a different tackle sack that stayed underneath my feet while we were running and up on the seat while we were fishing.   I tend to change out soft plastics quite a bit.   Anyway, that is the system that worked for me.   While you are at it , go ahead and get a rod sack and rod sleeves.  The sleeves make tangling much less of an issue while you are out on the water.  The rod bag makes transferring your sticks from your vehicle to the boat much less of a hassle.   The rod bag is one thing that does store in the boat bin once you are on board.

[n8cas4]

On February 15, 2016 at 1:00 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I always threw a duffle with rain gear some plastics and lunch in a rear compartment and a mid size tackle bag holding 5-6 trays between my feet just like you're doing. Maybe you can scale down some without necessarily having to meet the criteria of fitting in a deck compartment. ?

It's a running joke - he actually clears out some of his front storage and I jam the az8 in there (after taking some 3700s out). My az8 does not zip anymore and the side "bottle" holder has ripped. I rigged a shoulder strap because that broke. It's just time for a new bag and when I occasionally fish a larger higher level tourney, I'd like to be more courteous to whomever I'm paired with. That and make it less of a pain for my buddy.  

[TxHawgs]

On Monday, February 15, 2016 at 9:55 AM, speed craw said:

I use the Plano guide series 3750 bag . I took out the 3700 trays and put in the 3600 trays , as I can fit 11 trays instead . I stack them vertically 5 side by side with one in the middle . As far as the back you can fit 2 3600  trays turned side up or one 3700 single tray on the back . Or you can turn them on the sides with labels to show what you have then just put more on top of them ! I can pack for just about anything I need and still have room for up top for my terminal tackle .

Yea but that won't fit in a lot of these small back compartments he's talking about will it? My bass pro 360 extreme doesn't fit in all of them and I have different 3600's in mine.

[Fishes in trees]

Unless you're broke - or between jobs - or have kids to feed, something of that nature, trying to "get by" with sub-standard gear doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.  You've got a bag that has seen enough use that the zipper don't work and some of the side storage is torn.   Put that puppy into retirement.   If you are really married to that bag, take it to a decent tailor and have it fixed, new heavy duty zipper, restitching the side pockets, etc.   Actually that probably wouldn't cost very much more than a new bag and then you'd have a unique bag.  JMO