Crankbait Storage

[Defishman]

Hi, what brand of storage box do you recommend for storing crankbait/lures? Looking for one that will store over 50. Without the trebles on the lures getting tangled together. Many thanks.

[Dens228]

One box, 50 cranks, no tangling of the hooks.............

Good luck with that!  I don't think it exists.

[Mjmj]

This is about the closest your gonna get 

 

BASS MAFIA 3700 DEEP

[Defishman]

I should have worded my question differently. What do you guys use to store your crankbaits and lures and how do you organize them 

[MN Fisher]

I just use a Prolatch 3700 box, Owner Treble Safety Caps on the hooks, each style has it's own compartment. Might need 2 boxes for 50 of them

[FryDog62]

I use the Crank Caddy cases. The small will hold up to 42 crankbaits, but most of mine fit in the Medium which holds 28. It does a reasonable job of keeping the lures separated. You might hook the one next to it, but you won’t get a clusterfutz of 3-4 stuck together.  
 

The box is the size of a Plano 3700 so if you have a storage bag or locker that fits those specifically it works.  Pretty good organizer overall, but nothing is 100% perfect with that many treble hooks.  

[swhit140]

Hook bonnets are your friend. I put them on all my trebles, never have to worry about any tangling together. I have 4 boxes of treble hook lures that I have them on. I am using Flambeau 5007, you can get them for $19.99 for a 4 pack. I can usually put 4-7 lures in each section depending on the bait size/bill size etc. I purchased my hook bonnets on ebay around $4-$6 for 50 of them. Another thing I do is put a few Silica Desiccant packets in each box to prevent any rust/moisture.

 

[Cgolf]

For long term storage I use a B and B bait box, super nice. Otherwise small rubber bands to keep the trebles from swinging free and put baits in a deep 3700 for the tackle bag. 
 

this box is 2 sided, F9 Rapala fits perfect on one side and Norman dd22 on other. 3700 box on top for size compare. They have other models. 

[Defishman]

I like the idea of hook caps. Thanks.

[JediAmoeba]

The way I change lures and Chuck them on the bottom of the canoe, kayak, ground or boat I cannot imagine using hook bonnets.  

 

I just use 3 standard 3700 boxes and throw a few in each compartment. 

[Finessegenics]

I personally don’t own any but aren’t those new Plano edge crankbait boxes great for this? I’ve heard nothing but good things about them

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Plano_EDGE_Master_Crankbait_XL_Box/descpage-PECX.html

 

 

[Dens228]

On 3/17/2020 at 11:51 AM, Finessegenics said:

I personally don’t own any but aren’t those new Plano edge crankbait boxes great for this? I’ve heard nothing but good things about them

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Plano_EDGE_Master_Crankbait_XL_Box/descpage-PECX.html

 

 

I've heard good things too regarding tangle free, but you aren't getting anywhere near 50 in that.. Unless you just have small square bills...

 

[Fishes in trees]

I use 3700 size boxes.  I use lots of dividers, when I don't use the crank bait specific boxes that are available. I use the hook bonnets.   I store 1 bait per compartment.  I'd rather buy more boxes than skuff up the crank bait finishes by them rubbing against each other in the box.   Skuffing up a crank bait finish by smacking it against underwater stuff - I'm ok with that.    Messing up the finishes by stuffing too many in a box seems pretty stupid to me.

Plano makes crank bait specific storage boxes in 3600 & 3700 sizes.   Just buy enough of them.   I think that spending cash to protect your gear is money well spent.  I have numerous ones, which allow me to sort cranks by brand & purpose.   For instance, I have a wiggle wart box.  I have separate boxes for my Timber Tiger DC16's & DC 13's & DC 8's & DC 5's &  DC4's.  Maybe 25 different boxes altogether.   Of course not all the boxes make the traveling team all the time.  Some set on the shelf in the fishing shed.   Point of this post is that I'm not a fan of crowding a bunch of baits into a box, therefore skuffing up the finishes unnecessarily.

[Dens228]

1 hour ago, Fishes in trees said:

I use 3700 size boxes.  I use lots of dividers, when I don't use the crank bait specific boxes that are available. I use the hook bonnets.   I store 1 bait per compartment.  I'd rather buy more boxes than skuff up the crank bait finishes by them rubbing against each other in the box.   Skuffing up a crank bait finish by smacking it against underwater stuff - I'm ok with that.    Messing up the finishes by stuffing too many in a box seems pretty stupid to me.

Plano makes crank bait specific storage boxes in 3600 & 3700 sizes.   Just buy enough of them.   I think that spending cash to protect your gear is money well spent.  I have numerous ones, which allow me to sort cranks by brand & purpose.   For instance, I have a wiggle wart box.  I have separate boxes for my Timber Tiger DC16's & DC 13's & DC 8's & DC 5's &  DC4's.  Maybe 25 different boxes altogether.   Of course not all the boxes make the traveling team all the time.  Some set on the shelf in the fishing shed.   Point of this post is that I'm not a fan of crowding a bunch of baits into a box, therefore skuffing up the finishes unnecessarily.

Fishing from a kayak I don't have the luxury of a bunch of boxes.  I cram between 25-30 in a Plano 3700.  I know I don't need them all on a given outing but I know I don't need them at home when I'm out on the water..lol

[Logan S]

The BPS storage boxes hold the most baits of any I've ever used...Noticeably more than a Plano of same size.  The BPS 3700 size box still fits in all normal 3700 size slots too.  The Bass Mafia ones, while sturdier than any, are way to big on the outside and way too small on the inside....They hold substantially less than any other 3700 and still don't fit in the 3700 size slots (in my boat anyway).  I had several and got rid of all of them except for terminal tackle (where the extra rigidity and slots are wanted).  

 

I didn't count, but I'm sure I have well over 50 baits in this BPS 3700 size box....I do get some hook tangling, but I'd rather have 1 box with a ton of baits and deal with the hooks.  

 

They're also cheaper than most other boxes too...

[Cgolf]

I do have another option. I had a 3600 sized bag that never got used anymore that I turned into a hanging bait bag. The larger PVC tubes are duct tape together in 3’s. And the smaller in 5’s. This allows me to switch sizes depending on the baits I am carrying. Two 5 packs of the smalls replace 1 bigger set of 3. The bigger tubes hold more than one bait, but tangles are pretty minimal. This happens to be a 3600 bag that carries the boxes long side vertical. What I did was cut the PVC pipe the same length as the shorter side of a 3600 box. This allows me the room to put a deep 3600 box on top to help hold the baits in place. Have used this bag a lot over the years. 
 

if you are interested I can get the specific PVC used. The smaller was a special high pressure thin walled pipe. I can get a 1/2 ounce red eye Shad into it though, but it is best for jerkbaits. 

59 minutes ago, Logan S said:

The BPS storage boxes hold the most baits of any I've ever used...Noticeably more than a Plano of same size.  The BPS 3700 size box still fits in all normal 3700 size slots too.  The Bass Mafia ones, while sturdier than any, are way to big on the outside and way too small on the inside....They hold substantially less than any other 3700 and still don't fit in the 3700 size slots (in my boat anyway).  I had several and got rid of all of them except for terminal tackle (where the extra rigidity and slots are wanted).  

 

I didn't count, but I'm sure I have well over 50 baits in this BPS 3700 size box....I do get some hook tangling, but I'd rather have 1 box with a ton of baits and deal with the hooks.  

 

They're also cheaper than most other boxes too...

Using the small pony tail rubber bands to keep the hooks together makes it crazy easy to get baits out of a box like that. Can even do it with three hooked baits too. My vacation box looks a lot like that and I can get the lure from the bottom of the box out no problem. 

[Logan S]

37 minutes ago, cgolf said:

Using the small pony tail rubber bands to keep the hooks together makes it crazy easy to get baits out of a box like that. Can even do it with three hooked baits too. My vacation box looks a lot like that and I can get the lure from the bottom of the box out no problem. 

I've done that too, I quit because the time difference between just shaking the hooks apart and fiddling with the bands was not much different to me.  I also had the bands deteriorating after a couple months...Might have been the bands I used I guess though....Either way, it's definitely a good idea, I just didn't think it was worth continuing for me.

 

I just cram as many in as I can and deal with it .

[Oklahoma Mike]

14 hours ago, Mjmj said:

This is about the closest your gonna get 

 

BASS MAFIA 3700 DEEP

This is exactly what I use. No complaints. 

[A-Jay]

A-Jay

 

[Bluebasser86]

I use a deep 3700 Plano. It's packed full of cranks that are all tangled up. Sometimes I'll give up trying to untangle one and just use a different one instead ?

[Defishman]

The Bass Mafia looks like the one! A trip to Cabelas it is at the weekend. Thanks guys.

[Defishman]

Just noticed this...

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/tackle-storage/tackle-binders-utility-boxes/pc/104793480/c/104777280/sc/104620680/plano-molding-stowaway-two-tier/3173746.uts?slotId=12

 

 

[Cgolf]

36 minutes ago, Defishman said:

Just noticed this...

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/tackle-storage/tackle-binders-utility-boxes/pc/104793480/c/104777280/sc/104620680/plano-molding-stowaway-two-tier/3173746.uts?slotId=12

 

 

It’s ok for crankbaits, but the top is like a skinny 3700. For plastics though that is the best box I have ever found. I have many of them to store different plastics in and they are the only box I purchase for that need. 
 

If I remember tonight I will get a picture of the one it’s Crankbaits in it. 

[Tucson]

Posted this earlier on General Bass Fishing before I saw this thread.  Sorry Glen

 

Not my original idea, stole the concept from another fishing site but it's a real game changer.  Such a simple solution why didn't I think of it on my own.

 

If you trim your dividers about 1/2" or so you can double the number of lures you're storing.  Here's a couple of pics:

One showing how much I trimmed off.  This 3700 box was completely full before I modified it.

 

 

[Cgolf]

Here it is with jerkbaits on top and cranks in the bottom. The crank in the bottom left is a sexy Shad SK 8.0 square bill to give you an idea of size. Probably not as bad as I thought, I just end up converting them to a plastics box eventually.