New Plano bags

[.ghoti.]

I have been on a quest to reduce the amount of tackle I carry around. This has not been what you would call an unqualified success. I've tried and discarded several ideas over the last few years.

 

I may have a solution. Plano, a new forum sponsor, just sent me three of their new Weekender series bags. A 3500, which holds three 3500 size utility boxes, a 3600 which holds three 3600 size utility boxes and a 3700, which holds, wait for it.......three 3700 size boxes. They came with two boxes each. And a shoulder strap.

 

The small one is now my walk the bank bag. One box has terminal tackle, the other has a few cranks and jerkbaits, and the rest of the space has a tube a Megastrike and a few bags of plastics. Clip on the strap, throw it over my shoulder, and I'm ready to go. Got enough stuff to walk the bank at my favorite local ponds.

 

The 3600 bag is my new kayak bag. I have three boxes in it. Terminal tackle and jigs in one, cranks, jerks and spinnerbaits in the second, and topwaters and frogs in the third. Front and side pouches have a selection of plastics. I can place it behind my seat, or between my feet. It is just the right size for the yak attack.

 

The largest box has not been filled yet. I'm going to try it out next time I head south to fish with Kent and Rick. I've been using a BPS boat bag for these kind of trips, and it is not optimal. The boat bags are good for all kinds of storage, but not so good for organization. The large Weekender, with three 3700 boxes, a front pouch and two side pouches will hold enough tackle for me for just about any day trip I will be involved in.

 

If you're one of those guys who wants to lug around every bait you own, these new bags are not for you. If you're looking for an affordable way to carry around "just enough" stuff, these might be what you're looking for.

 

One more thing. No danged zippers. These bags have straps and buckles. Pull the top flap over, secure the buckles, and nothing is gonna fall out. A lot easier to open than zippered bag too!

[thinkingredneck]

Thanks for posting this.

[DSTN]

Been eyeing some of the new Plano bags. They look good, let us know how they hold up.

[Bluebasser86]

The no zippers part sounds great. Not just because zippers break after extended use, but no more zipping bags or pieces of the bag itself into the zipper and having to fight to open the zipper next time. My old bag I've been using for the kayak doesn't work that great, I'll have to check them out. 

[OkobojiEagle]

4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

The no zippers part sounds great. Not just because zippers break after extended use, but no more zipping bags or pieces of the bag itself into the zipper and having to fight to open the zipper next time. My old bag I've been using for the kayak doesn't work that great, I'll have to check them out. 

Rubbing beeswax or paraffin wax on zipper teeth helps maintain easier running and extends zipper life.  (Every house shop should have one or both of these waxes because they have many uses!)

 

oe

[Fishingmickey]

1 hour ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Rubbing beeswax or paraffin wax on zipper teeth helps maintain easier running and extends zipper life.  (Every house shop should have one or both of these waxes because they have many uses!)

 

oe

I have had success with Chapstick on zippers and boat cover snaps.

FM

[BankBasser]

Great bags. I have the 3700 size and if you use the 1.38" shallow boxes (like the 3771 custom divider) you can easily get 4 boxes to fit.

 

 

[TOXIC]

I have this very bag as a travel bag for when I am in someone else's boat.  Previously I had a BPS bag about the same size with the zippers.  I can't complain about the BPS bag, it lasted over 10 years until the zipper pulls broke and there was no way to replace them.  The loops on the base of the zippers broke.  I bought the new Plano to try and see how they worked without the zippers.  I have been using it about a year and here is my unbiased opinion......I like the hard bottom that keeps standing water out of the bag.  I like how it fits in most compartments on a boat.  I don't really like the oversized flap because it is hard to deal with when I am working out of a rear compartment in a boat.  Unsnapping the flap is difficult when loaded into the compartment and I have to fold the flap back or deal with it everytime I need something out of the bag.  Everyone who has dealt with the buckles that they use knows how easy it is to break them especially after they get some age on them.  Time will tell.   The single carrying strap if you do not shoulder carry is very unbalanced with a fully loaded bag.  My old canvas bag had 2 hand straps.  Finally, after a year of pretty hard use, the rubberized material the bag is made of is cracking at certain pressure points like where you fold the flap back.  My search for the "perfect" bag continues.  

[thinkingredneck]

I just bought one of these.  I think I am going to love it in my kayak.  I am Trying one box for Top water, one for mid column, and one for bottom baits.  Having fun stocking it.