My LONG journey to find the right fishing backpack - bank, kayak and jon boat fishing

[NYWayfarer]

 

DSG running a sale, 20% off on Samurai Tactical Iwashi sling backpack. That discount plus a $10 rewards certificate brought this purchase down to $22 I couldn’t resist.

[txchaser]

As much as I hate the name (SOG Ninja) this bag is perfect so far. Zips most of the way open. Fits 3700 boxes, or can stack 3600 boxes just right sideways, with room for the BPS worm binder mentioned above. About $37.00

 

Space for 1 thin 3700, 2x3600, 1x BPS worm binder, plus some soft line-through swimbaits in the main pocket, without overpacking it. Sunglass pocket on top (nearly hidden), spike it pocket, drink holder, outside pocket for line, ned kit, spinnerbait box, scale etc. My pliers came with a sheath that clips well on molle. 

 

I added two molle pockets on the hidden side, one for jig trailers, one for "whatever I think I'm likely to fish first unless suprised by conditions and whatever I just took off and is waiting to dry"

 

The only thing I'd change at this point is if I found one that had better mesh in the back for breathability/air flow. 

 

It'll eventually be lighter, but I'm still exploring which of the many pounds of soft plastics I have a preference for. 

 

[matbellon3]

9 hours ago, rickyg said:

I did a minor search on these bags.  Detailed pictures, particularly the bag with the compartments open were tough to find.  Was pretty disappointed in WFS's site.  Volumetric measurements, I think were in quarts, don't tell me a whole lot.  I appreciate you saying it will hold 3-3700 boxes.  Do you carry anything else in it?

 

I'm looking for a backpack for wading for smallmouth and using in my kayak.

Yes I do carry more than just the 3700 sized boxes. This is what I usually carry in it when fishing retention ponds. It is a little bit of a tight fit but it works for me.

[rickyg]

12 hours ago, matbellon3 said:

Yes I do carry more than just the 3700 sized boxes. This is what I usually carry in it when fishing retention ponds. It is a little bit of a tight fit but it works for me.

Thanks for this!  Gives me a far better idea what this bag can hold. Certainly looks like it'll work for my purposes too. 

 

Wait!  I was stupidly assuming the model was the TB-880, three day tactical bag.  Which model do you have?

[matbellon3]

1 hour ago, rickyg said:

Thanks for this!  Gives me a far better idea what this bag can hold. Certainly looks like it'll work for my purposes too. 

 

Wait!  I was stupidly assuming the model was the TB-880, three day tactical bag.  Which model do you have?

Here is a link to the model I have.

 

https://www.big5sportinggoods.com/store/details/World+Famous+Sports-medium-tactical-pack/0765121470001/_/A-5765474Can't get the photo rotated.

[rickyg]

Thanks!  I assumed wrong, I thought it was the TB880, three day pack.  This one will be lighter and less expensive which always helps.

 

 

Update: ordered the one matbellon3 linked to and it was on sale plus I got 10% off for signing up for their newsletter.  Total was $31 and change shipped, regularly 49.99 if anyone was thinking about pulling the trigger they are on sale until 4/6.

[bc106111]

I started using just an old hunting backpack but it didn’t work out as well and it only had one main compartment so if you want the box in the bottom you have to take everything out to get to it. A real pain. 

 

This is Year I upgraded to the Plano E-Series 3600 Backpack and so far I like it. I can fit 4 boxes inside and a 1 gal freezer bag full of plastics in the mesh compartment in front. I keep my pliers on the outside a multitool in one of the small pockets and some spare line in the small front pocket. So far it’s working out pretty well.