Fishing Backpack Mini Review: Daiwa Tactical & Okuma Nomad

[Junger]

So I got both of these over the holidays to compare since I got good deals on both (20% off at Dicks for the Daiwa, 20% off at TW Blackfriday for the Okuma) with the intent to only keep one. Here's a quick take on both.

 

Daiwa Tactical Backpack - It is pretty lightweight (guessing 1-2lbs), and about the size of a normal backpack. It comes with and holds (3) 3600 tackle boxes that are accessed from the side of the pack. The best thing about the storage system is that they slide into and out of a pre-installed rigid plastic rack system. What I mean is that the 3600 boxes aren't stacked on top of each other, so that if you take the bottom box out, the top 2 don't fall down, or if you have heavy tackle boxes, they would weigh down the bottom box making it hard to take out. The leader spool holder is attached by velcro, and it can be moved to either side of the backpack. The sunglass holder is nice, but not necessary IMO, my sunglasses are going to be on my head or around my neck, I have no need to put them in a backpack. It has decent storage options and comes with little plastic cases inside the top compartment which are stored vertically in pre-stitched pockets, nice for small terminal tackle or split shot size weights. There is one thing I cannot figure out, there is an open container thing on the upper part of the backpack, called the Booger Box (I think).

 

Okuma Nomad Backpack - This thing is huge, I mean it's about the size of a European style backpacker. It's also very heavy without any tackle, I'm guesstimating 10-12lbs. It comes with and holds (2) 3700 boxes, and (1) deep 3700 box which are accessed from the front of the pack. It also has tackle box dividers, but they are not rigid like the Daiwa. They're made of foam insert, covered in nylon material and are flexible and attached inside the backpack walls by velcro, basically they're not all that functional. Removing the bottom deep 3700 box, with nothing in the tackle boxes was noticeably cumbersome, since the weight of the top 3700 boxes was applying pressure downward, creating some resistance. The main compartment is huge, again because the pack itself is very tall. It doesn't come with any other tackle boxes, but this main compartment would fit 3600 boxes stored flat if needed. The pack has a very sturdy handle on the top, and a cross chest buckle on the chest straps ...necessary because this thing is going to weigh a lot when loaded.

 

Overall I like the Daiwa more, mainly because of the weight and size. I'm primarily a bank fisherman and trek some distances to get to some spots, and while it would be nice to carry an abundant amount of tackle, I think loading up the Okuma would be too cumbersome. I keep all my tackle in 3700 boxes, and that's the reason I wanted to check out the Okuma, but my work around with the Daiwa will be to create little fishing kits in the 3600 boxes depending on the conditions. 

 

Edit: Here is Daiwa's response on what the Booger Box is for:  It is just an easy access accessory box. When you are tying on a new rig, setting down a few hooks or weights.... Just a tray to hold small product instead of sitting it on your lap while you re-tie

Edited January 11, 2018 by Junger
Daiwa's Response - Booger Box

[NYWayfarer]

Thanks for the reviews. How much is the Okuma Nomad? The Daiwa seems a bit expensive. IMO anything over $100 for a backpack is overpriced. That's just me though others might not think so.

 

I do like that Booger box though. Also those of us that wear prescription sunglasses need a place to store our regular glasses so that holder is a nice extra.

[Darren.]

Nice reviews! When I used to beat the banks and docks

there just weren't enough good backpacks around. Still

on the high-priced side, but as @NYWayfarer said, 

paraphrased, they're worth the $ if it's what you want.

[Junger]

15 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Thanks for the reviews. How much is the Okuma Nomad? The Daiwa seems a bit expensive. IMO anything over $100 for a backpack is overpriced. That's just me though others might not think so.

 

I do like that Booger box though. Also those of us that wear prescription sunglasses need a place to store our regular glasses so that holder is a nice extra.

MSRP for the Okuma is $139.99, I was using a $20 High Sierra backpack that actually functions quite well and can hold (3) 3700 boxes, but the only problem is tackle boxes have to go in vertically, so things are always moving around and are lopsided when you take them out. But I will agree that they are expensive, but since I trek around a lot, I was willing to invest into something more functional.

[BrackishBassin]

Check out Sierra Trading Post for backpacks. If price is a concern, avoid things that are sold as ‘fishing’ backpacks. As soon as it gets that label, the price jumps 20%. 

 

I’m currently looking to replace my backpack. Like you, I’m a bank beater. I appreciate the reviews! Let’s me know to avoid these two and go with something not meant for fishing. It’ll be cheaper, and I’ll have more flexibility to make it my own. 

[fishwizzard]

The Ospery Talon 22  is the best light duty hiking/fishing pack I have ever found. It's incredibly comfortable up to about 15 pounds of weight and not too bad above that.  It will easily hold two 3600 boxes plus a basic first aid/comfort kit and a spare layer or two. 

 

https://www.rei.com/product/111296/osprey-talon-22-pack-mens

 

it's always on sale somewhere online and could be had for under 100 bucks pretty easily if you don't care about the color.   I've tried a couple "fishing"  backpacks and while they all had neat features, they all suffered at being a comfortable backpack first and foremost.   I have a fly fishing sling that I use for spots where I'm never more than a half mile from my car, but I'm going to either the Talon 22 or a smaller Talon 11 whenever I am going much farther than that. 

[Junger]

43 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

The Ospery Talon 22  is the best light duty hiking/fishing pack I have ever found. It's incredibly comfortable up to about 15 pounds of weight and not too bad above that.  It will easily hold two 3600 boxes plus a basic first aid/comfort kit and a spare layer or two. 

 

https://www.rei.com/product/111296/osprey-talon-22-pack-mens

 

it's always on sale somewhere online and could be had for under 100 bucks pretty easily if you don't care about the color.   I've tried a couple "fishing"  backpacks and while they all had neat features, they all suffered at being a comfortable backpack first and foremost.   I have a fly fishing sling that I use for spots where I'm never more than a half mile from my car, but I'm going to either the Talon 22 or a smaller Talon 11 whenever I am going much farther than that. 

My biggest reason for me checking out fishing backpacks is that some of them hold the boxes in the pack in their normal flat position. My High Sierra pack holds (3) 3700 boxes, but they're stuffed in vertically, which is what I wanted to get away from. I usually found my plastics scrunched up on the bottom half of the slots, or terminal tackle jumping to other slots. The Daiwa is pretty lightweight out of the box, and both of these packs have padding on the back and straps. Once I load up the Daiwa, I'll do a follow up. The Okuma is a heavy gauge canvas hence the weight difference, and is probably more durable but I know it won't be comfortable at all.

[05kas05]

not trying to derail your thread but if your looking for a cheaper fishing backpack look for some of the disc golf bags i have the one in the pic below and it easily can hold 6 3600 plano boxes laying flat stacked up if needed plus more, i found it on sale at academy for 12 bucks i think they are 30 regularly. just another option for the budget minded . i do like that daiwa bag though. thanks for the review

[DogBone_384]

I started with a Spiderwire backpack in 2011, wore it out in 2017 and tried the Plano Z Series backpack. I liked the Z-Series’ material, but sold that and am on my second Spiderwire.

 

The Spiderwire is built very well, has good starage capacity and has integrated rod holders. It’s $79 @ Dicks Sporting Goods.

 

[Junger]

26 minutes ago, 05kas05 said:

not trying to derail your thread but if your looking for a cheaper fishing backpack look for some of the disc golf bags i have the one in the pic below and it easily can hold 6 3600 plano boxes laying flat stacked up if needed plus more, i found it on sale at academy for 12 bucks i think they are 30 regularly. just another option for the budget minded . i do like that daiwa bag though. thanks for the review

That's quite impressive!  How has it held up?

[BrackishBassin]

20 hours ago, Junger said:

My biggest reason for me checking out fishing backpacks is that some of them hold the boxes in the pack in their normal flat position. My High Sierra pack holds (3) 3700 boxes, but they're stuffed in vertically, which is what I wanted to get away from. I usually found my plastics scrunched up on the bottom half of the slots, or terminal tackle jumping to other slots. The Daiwa is pretty lightweight out of the box, and both of these packs have padding on the back and straps. Once I load up the Daiwa, I'll do a follow up. The Okuma is a heavy gauge canvas hence the weight difference, and is probably more durable but I know it won't be comfortable at all.

I don’t know about the 3700s, but my backpack holds them sitting upright without an issue. I use the 3601s. 

[fishwizzard]

20 hours ago, Junger said:

My biggest reason for me checking out fishing backpacks is that some of them hold the boxes in the pack in their normal flat position. 

That was my reasoning as well, but the ones I tried, a Fishpond and a Wild River, were such spectacularly bad backpacks in term of comfort, I could not stand them.  I have noticed no deformation of plastics over the course of a day's hike, but I make sure to get the tray back flat as soon as I get back to my car.  

 

I will also hike some decent distances when fishing sometimes, 6-8 miles is not uncommon.  Both the fishing backpacks I had would have been fine for just working a mile or so of shoreline from my car, but both were awful for longer hikes and days.  

[Junger]

 

I will also hike some decent distances when fishing sometimes, 6-8 miles is not uncommon.  Both the fishing backpacks I had would have been fine for just working a mile or so of shoreline from my car, but both were awful for longer hikes and days.  

Yep same, the Wild River packs look too gimmicky for me, and while the Daiwa seemed so too, hopefully the rigid rack system will be gimmicky in a good way. Well, I'll let you know how the Daiwa works out when fully loaded...still too cold for me to fish in MD atm! 

[fishwizzard]

At least you have the river, which should be moving by now, right?  

 

The stretch of canal from Swain's Lock to Seneca Creek is the one of the spots I love doing those long days at, when the water is right you can catch a ton of numbers and a few nice ones.   

[Junger]

 

At least you have the river, which should be moving by now, right?  

The fishable areas with slackwater are frozen based on friend's pictures, but I haven't checked myself.

 

[fishwizzard]

I would have thought it would be more open, the middle Pax is mostly clear at this point.  Not really bass waters though.  

[05kas05]

 

That's quite impressive!  How has it held up?

well i have only had it for about three months so far and it has done well no major rips or tears but i'm not too hard on my bank fishing stuff as i primaraly fish from my kayak and i don't use that bag then, also it is not loaded fully 100% of the time most days i only takes 2-3 boxes. 

[Junger]

So I've finally loaded up the Daiwa Tactical Backpack. Overall, I'd give it a 9/10.

 

Here's a picture of it loaded in the flat tackle area. Again, I really like how it has a rigid plastic frame to hold 3x 3600 boxes flat. It came with 3x Shimano 3600 size boxes but one had a crack in the corner, and I replaced them all with Flambeau 4007's. The Flambeau's seemed just a tad bigger because I think the dividers are thinner. I left the side plastic tabs on so that they're easy to pull out of the backpack.

 

There are two upper compartments, the upper/outer (shown below) compartment has two mesh pockets that come with 2 small 3400 size boxes, I put weights and swivels in each. This compartment can also hold another 3600 box.

 

 

Here's a picture from the other side, and here's why I gave it a 9/10 instead of 10/10.

The upper/inner compartment (shown above) can only hold 3600 size tackle boxes. It can actually hold 4 (3 vertically, and 1 flat on top of the 3), but I wish it could hold 3700's to give me some flexibility in tackle box options. Right now I have a double sided 3600 Plano wormbox, and a Flambeau WP4005 which fit fine, but there's a few inches of empty space and if they just added maybe 1 more inch, 3700's could fit in there.

 

I also wish that there was a open style mesh pocket on this side of the pack where I could have easy access to a water bottle, sunscreen or bugspray.

 

But overall, it can hold a lot of tackle boxes, at least 8 3600 boxes and 2 3400 boxes. Fully loaded for my tackle, it weighed in at 15.4lbs and the back has a decent amount of padding, but we'll see how it goes when it gets warm enough for a field test.

 

 

[evilcatfish]

Personally, I only use backpacks when bank fishing, and comfort/mobility is more important than storage space and features. Don't get me wrong, the packs marketed toward fishermen are nice and well made, but once you put all your stuff in there they become heavy and cumbersome. I pretty much stick with a little sling pack I got on ebay for $14, or if throwing big swimmers I'll use my more traditional sized pack. I usually don't bring a ton of stuff out, and am pretty much always covered, but will have backups in the truck. Usually never bring more than 2 rods bank fishing as well

 

[Junger]

Yeah fully loaded, with 8 3600's and all types of weights (bullet, drop shot, split shots, punching) was just over 15lbs, and while not uncomfortable, it probably would be just a tad heavy in the hot summer sun. I'm thinking 10lbs loaded is probably where I want my pack to be.

 

I also usually just carry 2 rods, but there were times I wish I had a third for another application, such as live-lining. 

 

I just picked up the Rod Runner Express, and I really like it so far.

 

 

[fishwizzard]

Man, even 10lbs is more that I want for a little fishing, but good luck!

 

I got to handle one of the Daiwa backpacks, but one size down from yours.  It seemed really well built, more so than some of the fishing packs I have tried.  

[Junger]

It's 4lbs 8oz with no tackle boxes in it, but feels really lightweight with the cross strap buckled.

 

Here's a shot of the inside rigid plastic frame.