Any backpack recommendations?

[Joshua van Wyk]

Hi,

So I am in the market for a new fishing backpack, as my last one retired. Any recommendations? I'm looking for something less than $75, and I know a lot of you bank fisherman will have some good recommendations.  

[Dirtyeggroll]

Are you planning on keeping the backpack on your back while casting? Or just plan on it to be on your back when making the trek to the bank and then setting it down?

[Joshua van Wyk]

4 minutes ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

Are you planning on keeping the backpack on your back while casting? Or just plan on it to be on your back when making the trek to the bank and then setting it down?

I usually put it down when fishing. 

[BrackishBassin]

My advice is to measure your tackle boxes and then go buy a backpack that feels good on your back. As soon as it gets labeled as a “fishing” backpack, the price jumps up a ridiculous amount. There’s nothing special about a fishing backpack. Find a quality backpack that will hold your boxes sitting normally (upright) and use it. You’ll be more comfortable walking to and from your spots. Get one that fits you well enough, and you’ll be able to fish with it on your back without even thinking about it. 

 

I’m strictly a bank beater. Gave up on ‘fishing’ backpacks a long time ago, and I’m a happier man for it. 

[Tyler.]

$10 at Walmart in the camping section.  I have one large utility box for jigs. 3 medium for hooks, weights, and cranks. The cheap $4 double sided Plano box at Walmart for little pan fish jigs. Works good. Could use another compartment but it is what it is. 

 

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, BrackishBassin said:

My advice is to measure your tackle boxes and then go buy a backpack that feels good on your back. As soon as it gets labeled as a “fishing” backpack, the price jumps up a ridiculous amount. There’s nothing special about a fishing backpack. Find a quality backpack that will hold your boxes sitting normally (upright) and use it. You’ll be more comfortable walking to and from your spots. Get one that fits you well enough, and you’ll be able to fish with it on your back without even thinking about it. 

 

I’m strictly a bank beater. Gave up on ‘fishing’ backpacks a long time ago, and I’m a happier man for it. 

I very much agree.  I have found that there are some good (and small) flyfishing packs and slings out there, but all of the large ones I have tried were awful at being an actual backpack.

 

 I have a pair of Osprey Talon bags, a 22l and a 11l, that I use for hiking throughout the year and they are both wonderful for lugging too much tackle around in as well.  

 

For lugging tackle in and out of my car, I use a Cabela's Advanced Angler  bag.  I have the magnum one and it holds like a dozen 3600 boxes and a bunch of loose stuff in the outside pockets. 

 

[LCG]

I agree that fishing designated backpacks are priced high. I got a bass pro one last year and it works well, think it was $50. Looked at a wild river one and it was awesome until I looked at the price. But I have used a basic backpack from the Costco and it works well too. I don't know if a perfect tackle Bag exists, but I always end up looking at them when I go to the stores. 

[Smalls]

I’m a big fan of my spiderwire bag for that price. Tons of storage, and plenty of little pockets for stuff. I’ve also been using it for 2 seasons and other than being dirty from use, it looks brand new. 

 

I’ve yet to run out of room in it, I can fit 7 3600 boxes in it. Plus scissors, pliers, a small snack, other miscellaneous tools, extra spool of leader, etc, etc. I’m often surprised at the amount of crap I can shove in it. 

[Tyler.]

Watched review on this. This may be where I go. Got big pocket on top for small plastics or smaller utility boxes. I like the designated spot for pliers. Has a rod holder for those rods that can break down. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Junger]

For bankfishing where I don't have to trek too far, I use the Daiwa Tactical Fishing backpack. It holds a ton of gear, and can get heavy when fully loaded up. I also use it for my tackle bag on my little boat. I can cast with it depending on how full I load it up, but I usually just put it down and lean my other rods on it.

 

When I know I'll be doing a good amount of hiking/moving, I can fit 4x 3600 boxes into a High Sierra backpack, and some other accessories. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H8250S/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

 

[greentrout]

each to his own...again each to his own...instead of a backpack I use a small light compact tackle bag...with 2 rods at most when bank fishing...stay on the move and mobile...most of the time...

 

good fishing...  

 

[Koz]

My buddy has one of these from Bass Pro and it sells for only $29.99

 

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-extreme-qualifier-360-backpack-or-system

 

I like the fact that the bottom part can be detached and used as a shoulder bag. I bank fish and currently use a big Spiderwire bag but I've been thinking of switching over to this one.

 

 

[JLindsey]

On 12/4/2018 at 6:12 AM, Smalls said:

I’m a big fan of my spiderwire bag for that price. Tons of storage, and plenty of little pockets for stuff. I’ve also been using it for 2 seasons and other than being dirty from use, it looks brand new. 

 

I’ve yet to run out of room in it, I can fit 7 3600 boxes in it. Plus scissors, pliers, a small snack, other miscellaneous tools, extra spool of leader, etc, etc. I’m often surprised at the amount of crap I can shove in it. 

Seconded. I just bought a Spiderwire bag yesterday (the kind with only one shoulder strap) and I’m very impressed with it. It’s got dedicated pouches for pliers and sunglasses, which I like a lot since those are the two things I reach for the most. I’m a big (read: wide) fella, and the strap extends far enough to fit me very comfortably. It was $35 at Dick’s, but I would’ve gladly paid twice that.

 

Heck, I might buy another one just to travel with.

[Smalls]

On 12/5/2018 at 10:04 AM, JLindsey said:

Seconded. I just bought a Spiderwire bag yesterday (the kind with only one shoulder strap) and I’m very impressed with it. It’s got dedicated pouches for pliers and sunglasses, which I like a lot since those are the two things I reach for the most. I’m a big (read: wide) fella, and the strap extends far enough to fit me very comfortably. It was $35 at Dick’s, but I would’ve gladly paid twice that.

 

Heck, I might buy another one just to travel with.

I had that one. My wife uses it, now. For the person who’s goal is to pack light, and have a few extra spots for sunglasses, phone, etc, it has just the same quality as the bigger one. 

 

But it even beating the banks, I’ll bring more than some co anglers in the FLW bring. It’s a huge pain in my back, but I’ll be damned if they’re eating green pumpkin “whatever bait” and I only brought black and blue. 

 

The single strap trap was as comfortable as a single strap can be, but my back definitely prefers 2 straps. 

[j bab]

On 12/4/2018 at 9:32 PM, Koz said:

My buddy has one of these from Bass Pro and it sells for only $29.99

 

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-extreme-qualifier-360-backpack-or-system

 

This is the one I have. It's nice because you can stack tackle boxes in both the top and bottom sections. I know a lot of bags just let you stack a few boxes and the top section is just a regular backpack.

 

Look how much stuff you can get in there:

[Joshua van Wyk]

2 minutes ago, j bab said:

This is the one I have. It's nice because you can stack tackle boxes in both the top and bottom sections. I know a lot of bags just let you stack a few boxes and the top section is just a regular backpack.

 

Look how much stuff you can get in there:

Wow!

I like that you put all your plastics in Plano boxes, I might have to start doing that to eliminate all the loose bags that lie everywhere and get disorganized!

[JeepFisher]

After multiple 'fishing' back packs failing from abuse, I went to a sling military style pack.  I can hold 3 planos, plastics, and all the extra tools i need.  Helps me keep the weight down so that it doesnt wear on me while i fish and also keep me focused on certain lures so that I dont have too many with me.  I think mine was around 40, they have nicer ones that serious military style, hiking, or everydaycarry people like but mine has worked fine.  I also bought a smaller version for quick or 'focused' trips.  

[J.Vincent]

14 minutes ago, j bab said:

This is the one I have. It's nice because you can stack tackle boxes in both the top and bottom sections. I know a lot of bags just let you stack a few boxes and the top section is just a regular backpack.

 

Look how much stuff you can get in there:

What is the weight with all of the gear pictured ? Because I wouldn’t be walking more than 100 yards with so much gear on my shoulder; it looks like a nice Co-angler bag though !

[NYWayfarer]

35 minutes ago, j bab said:

This is the one I have. It's nice because you can stack tackle boxes in both the top and bottom sections. I know a lot of bags just let you stack a few boxes and the top section is just a regular backpack.

 

Look how much stuff you can get in there:

You get kudos for organization from me. Well done sir.

 

I used to carry that much stuff. I came to realize that I was using less than a quarter of the stuff I was bringing. I started leaving a few things behind and then a few more until I can now get away with bringing just a satchel type bag with a few things I actually use. Easier to travel with and more importantly easier to find stuff in. No fumbling around in a big overstuffed bag.

 

 

[Smalls]

2 hours ago, Joshua van Wyk said:

Wow!

I like that you put all your plastics in Plano boxes, I might have to start doing that to eliminate all the loose bags that lie everywhere and get disorganized!

Saves a bunch of space, and keeps it so much more organized. I do this, too. There’s only a few baits I put a whole bag of into the boxes, though. Stuff I go through a ton of. Everything else gets 3 or 4 put in the box. The only bags I carry with me are Z man stuff, because they react with other baits. 

[flyfisher]

I am not strictly a bank guy but i do fly fish and go out without my kayak on occasion.  I prefer the sling style bags myself.  I have an old Timbuk2 messenger bag that I used to use when I would ride my bike to work and it works great for fishing.  It can hold quite a few boxes and gear.  The other part i like is that when I am wading a stream, I don't have to take it off to access my gear as i can swing it around to the front and get to everything i need.  It also rides high on my back so wading in waist deep water isn't an issue.  I am much more of a minimalist when i go out with the intent of walking.  One rod and 2-3 boxes is about it and a lot of times, even less epnding on the area i am targeting that particular day.

[WRB]

I use Albakore Tackle backpack for my jig bag because it's very strong and well made.

Tom

[JBFishin]

I been using the TW backpack for 2 years. No Tears or issues. Works great and holds tons of stuff

[Paul Roberts]

$75 will give you lotsa options. As mentioned above, don't just look at "fishing" packs. Also as mentioned above, look at your stuff and decide the size main compartment(s) you'll need for tackle boxes, then front and side pockets for smaller items. ALSO shown above... laying out your stuff can help. 

 

I like a good front pocket for a number of really small items (thermometers, hones, small boxes, ...) so packs that are designed to hold pens, phones, etc... are what I look for. You can also go with a less complex pack, with fewer pockets, which will be a lot less expensive, and just put your stuff in separate boxes.

 

The one I've been using was from REI. I just picked up another good one in a thrift store just yesterday, for $10.

[ChrisD46]

I ended up buying a modest pack pack from LA Police Gear which I modified for my own purposes - expect to pay more for a dedicated fishing back pack that may or may not meet your needs ...