Storage trays that promote air flow?

[pauldconyers]

This off season I have really branched out and bought a bunch of new types of baits, but now I am stuck with the problem of storing it all and taking it with me to fish! Been racking my brain trying to figure out what would be best. If I had a large dedicated fishing boat of my own I am sure I would just organize them in some sort trays and be done with it. But because I may be fishing out of my boat or a friends or walking to ponds I will have to utilize a traditional tackle box or the fishing back pack I got. One way or the other I will need to buy some storage trays and I was looking at some of the Flambeau water proof boxes but some of the old posts I read on here made sense talking about water proof boxes NOT being the way to go. I could see the need for one if I am specifically trying to keep items from getting wet. But more often than not I would imagine the biggest problem would be me using a bait and then throwing it in a box still wet to get something else on and back to fishing. I would imagine that item rusting or others as well being more or a problem. Looks like Plano has a few items that promote air flow, does Flambeau as well? Is something like this a better idea in regards to storage?

[evilcatfish]

Best bet is to just open the tops on your boxes when you get home, leave them an a place with air flow and let everything dry out overnight. Otherwise, I've drilled some small holes in plano boxes to promote air flow, and it seems to work

[junyer357]

When i go pond fishing, i just throw the used ones in a corner of the truck bed, then restock them when i get home. They are usually dry from the drive home.  I do the same with baits in the boat. They go in a bait hanger ro restocking later. Istole an idea from a buddy who went fishing with me in my boat for used lures when i go with others. He had an old large stadium cup that tapered at bottom to fit most cupholders. Drilled a couple holes for water to drain and threw lures in it. End of day he just picked it up with his other gear. 

[Bluebasser86]

Plano Hydo flo boxes are what I use. They're not much more and worth it over spending the time drilling all the holes in a box.

[Choporoz]

5 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Plano Hydo flo boxes are what I use. They're not much more and worth it over spending the time drilling all the holes in a box.

+1

 

There are other good ones, too.  My only advice is avoid the temptation to go cheap on storage boxes.  I've had cheap boxes from hardware stores, and Dicks and others.  Aggravation of dealing with latches and hinges that come apart is NOT worth the savings.

[J Francho]

I am 100% using Plano Hydrflow boxes, and since I switched, all my rust issue disappeared.

[Lance R]

If going with the Plano hydroflow boxes, just be aware that your treble hooks will make their way into the holes and possibly your fingers...

[Paul Roberts]

Great topic. Love this comment:

20 hours ago, pauldconyers said:

I have really branched out and bought a bunch of new types of baits, but now I am stuck with the problem of storing it all and taking it with me to fish!

Been there.  Not sure which emoji to use here!

 

First advice: Egads! Run, man, RUN!!

 

Every time I want to try something "new" (usually in the dead of winter), I have to decide where to fit them in. Organization is important, or I'd go crazy. Maybe... I already am? Read on and decide for yourself. (This "organization" method is my version of K.I.S.S. ).

 

Here's how I've come to organize it all:

• Warehouse: Main storage in boxes in stackable crates, on shelving.
• Mobile Warehouse: Large boxes in large tackle bags, that I could (and have) sling over my shoulder and lurch my way to the truck for an extended road trip. (Probably should get a rolling cart. Hmmmmm...?)
• Working Crate: Contains boxes designated mostly by technique, some by season, and some by venue (float tube, esp, requires small boxes). These "working boxes" I can just grab and get out the door. Specific contents are adjusted for each trip too, the night before if I can.
• Carry Bags: I use satchels/bags with handles to cart gear to and from the truck for an outing. Very handy.

Since I fish from shore, float tube, kayak, and boats, I have acquired a lot of, and a diversity of, plastic boxes over the years. I keep some redundancy across "kits" too. It's when I get on the water and find I left something important in another kit. For example, my bank-fishing backpack, my float tube, and my kayak "kits", each have some basics already -and always- in those kits: tools, sharpener, thermometer, terminal stuff, ... . This convenience of redundancy is not a recommendation, as it's added expense, and something that I acquired over time. Tip!: I am a regular, and creative, thrift store shopper.

 

As to "air flow", I do it the old fashioned way: I leave working boxes open to air dry overnight after the outing. So far, I've had no reason for waterproof boxes for fishing gear. Camera's and electronics are another story.

 

Hope this helps. And doesn't scare you. Oh, the tangled webs we weave. Have I introduced you to my friend, the Bait Money's old man -the Tackle Gorilla?  Final advice: Run, man, RUN!!

 

 

 

 

[KDW96]

You dont need 1000 holes to get good air flow

[thinkingredneck]

Ijust leave my wet lures on a pool noodle until dry.

[Dens228]

Fishing in a kayak I go the opposite route.  If I used the boxes with the holes a lot would get wet, even what I don't use.  Whatever I do use gets put in a separate 3700 box.  When I get home I just open it up to let whatever is in there dry, then back in it's intended box. 

[J Francho]

On 2/9/2019 at 7:18 AM, Dens228 said:

If I used the boxes with the holes a lot would get wet, even what I don't use.

I fish from a kayak.  How is everything getting wet?  The only reason any of my boxes in the crate would get wet was if it was raining.  At any rate, I don't have to let mine sit out and dry.  I just bring the crate in, and everything is fine.  The Hydroflow boxes eliminate the extra step.

[NYWayfarer]

You could always get some Flambeau Zerust plasti-tabs for your tackle trays.

 

My tackle bag has Molle straps on it. I usually hang my crankbaits on them to air dry. Works well as the lure that is hanging will dry by the time I want to swap it with the lure I am using.

[TOXIC]

I fish from a buddy's boat a lot and I also use my own boat.  What I have done is to set up a "travel" bag with the 3700's that I'll be using the most depending on where we are going.  To help with the rust issue I spray any bait with metal on it with WD40 while it is in my box, especially my terminal tackle.  I also put some chunks of sidewalk chalk in my boxes.  In the travel bag I do open the individual boxes to let them air out.  My boat is a bigger problem since I carry waaaaay more baits and after a day opening the boxes in the rain, pretty much everything I used gets wet.  I also get some condensation in the compartments of the boat and occasionally during the summer will pull all the 3700's and open them on the deck to air out.  All of those in my boat get the WD40 treatment as well.  

[Glenn]

The Plano Hydro Flow boxes help promote air flow, and enable tackle to dry quickly.  https://amzn.to/2E3zgtV

 

[Dens228]

5 hours ago, J Francho said:

I fish from a kayak.  How is everything getting wet?  The only reason any of my boxes in the crate would get wet was if it was raining.  At any rate, I don't have to let mine sit out and dry.  I just bring the crate in, and everything is fine.  The Hydroflow boxes eliminate the extra step.

I fish in some choppy water......there are times where the rear of my kayak takes in and lets out water through the scupper holes. I guess I could raise my crate a bit but what I do works for me. 

[J Francho]

Or use scupper plugs.  I fish Lake Ontario, and it isn't much of a problem.  Even if the tackle gets wet, it doesn't matter, since I have the right boxes.  I don't have to do anything special, like add Zerust tabs or leave it out to dry.

[FCPhil]

This might be a really ghetto solution but I have drilled holes through the top and bottom of sections that only see hard baits. As long as the holes are not too big nothing gets through...

[J Francho]

A solder gun makes cleaner holes, and is faster.  Make sure you do it outside, though.

[fishwizzard]

On my yak I just throw wet lures into an 3600 w/o dividers with an old washcloth in the bottom of it, the lures are usually dry by the time I land and get my yak loaded.  On foot I keep a rock climbing chalk-bag clipped to my belt and throw wet lures in there, again they are usually dry by the time I make it back to my car.