Tackle box alternative

[David 7]

This is my typical three tray Plano box that I’ve had for almost 20 years. They’re great and this thing will last me my lifetime probably. Problem is though it’s just too bulky for kayak fishing.
 

What are some alternatives for this? Something I can fit on the stern as pictured. All I really need are my senko bags, hooks, some top waters and some room for a few tools.

[gunsinger]

I shifted from a similar tackle box to using Plano 3600's that I carry in a bag.  I'm not sure that saves the bulk but it does let me keep my stuff better organized.

[David 7]

Just now, gunsinger said:

I shifted from a similar tackle box to using Plano 3600's that I carry in a bag.  I'm not sure that saves the bulk but it does let me keep my stuff better organized.

That might work. I figure I can fit a backpack with a couple of those plastic boxes in it on the stern under the bungee cords if need be.

[volzfan59]

A milk crate works great to hold 360's or 370's.

 

 

[David 7]

2 hours ago, volzfan59 said:

A milk crate works great to hold 360's or 370's.

 

 

Yeah but I don’t think it will fit on my stern. Those tend to work better for sit ons. Thank you though.

[PourMyOwn]

22 hours ago, David 7 said:

That might work. I figure I can fit a backpack with a couple of those plastic boxes in it on the stern under the bungee cords if need be.

If you can find a used LL Bean backpack, those have excellent quality zippers and a ton of storage. I use two for all of my 3700 boxes, one when I'm in a smaller boat.

[Bankc]

I'll also recommend the tackle bag with some 3600 or 3700 trays (I prefer the smaller 3600 trays on a kayak).  I used to use a plastic tackle box in my kayak, but accessing the thing meant grabbing the whole box from behind me, swinging it over to my lap, and digging around for what I'm looking for.  It was always such a mess and I was always worried about spilling the darn thing. 

 

With the tackle bag, you can access everything from the top, so you don't have to mess with the whole bag at once.  You just grab whatever tray you need, leave the rest behind you, and have a lot less to worry about.  Plus, you can organize your trays according to whatever is most convenient, so I'll often just grab one or two trays on a day, and store them under my seat, since I know I'll be in and out of them frequently.  If you don't have room under your seat, you can store them under your knees in front of your seat.  They're small enough to not be in the way if you just have one or two out.  

[David 7]

I’m definitely thinking a backpack with maybe two 3600 trays is the way to go.

[Black Hawk Basser]

I just use a sling pack with a box or two for hooks/sinkers/lures and about 10 more bags of plastics than I would ever need. ?

[HenryPF]

Since everyone is talking about 3600 series, the absolute smallest I could find is the Plano Weekend Series 3600 Speedbag. 11" x 5.5" x 7.5" Holds 2 series 3600 boxes and some room for plastics.

 

Depending on size, something like the Plano Weekend Series 3600 Softsider 11.25" x 6.25" x 8.5" would work also.

 

Though this is probably what you are looking for - holds 4 3600 and a host of other stuff.

Plano Weekend Series 3600 Case 15" x 9" x 7.5" - looks about the same size as what you have now.

 

Measure the dimensions of your current tackle box and find a soft sided backpack/bag/etc with 3500, 3600, 3700s to match. Just flip the bag on its side so you don't have to remove the bungie cords to get your tackle (slide out the box you need) and it allows you to easily swap out 3600s, etc. depending on what you need for the trip/day/conditions.

 

 

 

[David 7]

9 minutes ago, HenryPF said:

Since everyone is talking about 3600 series, the absolute smallest I could find is the Plano Weekend Series 3600 Speedbag. 11" x 5.5" x 7.5" Holds 2 series 3600 boxes and some room for plastics.

 

Depending on size, something like the Plano Weekend Series 3600 Softsider 11.25" x 6.25" x 8.5" would work also.

 

Though this is probably what you are looking for - holds 4 3600 and a host of other stuff.

Plano Weekend Series 3600 Case 15" x 9" x 7.5" - looks about the same size as what you have now.

 

Measure the dimensions of your current tackle box and find a soft sided backpack/bag/etc with 3500, 3600, 3700s to match. Just flip the bag on its side so you don't have to remove the bungie cords to get your tackle (slide out the box you need) and it allows you to easily swap out 3600s, etc. depending on what you need for the trip/day/conditions.

 

 

 

Wow the first and second links are very helpful. If the second one is small enough it’s perfect, if not I can make the first one work. Thanks for looking these up for me friend, definitely appreciate it.

[Koz]

I think you can fit a milk crate back there. Sure, you could use a zippered bag or backpack, but very quickly you're going to get tired of reaching back, pulling it out from under the bungees, swapping baits, then reaching back and putting it under the bungees again.

 

If a milk crate doesn't fit try a cheap storage bin like the one in the link below. Ditch the top so you can just reach back and grab one of your plano boxes out of it.

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hefty-18-Qt-Clear-Storage-Bin-with-Blue-HI-RISE-Lid/245902327

 

I'm lucky that not only does a milk crate fit easily in the back of my yak, but I can also slide 2-3 boxes under my seat.

[David 7]

25 minutes ago, Koz said:

I think you can fit a milk crate back there. Sure, you could use a zippered bag or backpack, but very quickly you're going to get tired of reaching back, pulling it out from under the bungees, swapping baits, then reaching back and putting it under the bungees again.

 

If a milk crate doesn't fit try a cheap storage bin like the one in the link below. Ditch the top so you can just reach back and grab one of your plano boxes out of it.

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hefty-18-Qt-Clear-Storage-Bin-with-Blue-HI-RISE-Lid/245902327

 

I'm lucky that not only does a milk crate fit easily in the back of my yak, but I can also slide 2-3 boxes under my seat.

Great idea I’ll look into this. I think it’s not wide enough for a milk crate but I’ll try. One thing I have always wondered is where do people get their milk crates? 
 

Edit: Please disregard just saw that they have them on Amazon. I will measure to see if that can work. A milk crate would be cool, always wanted to do that like the sit on top guys. 

[galyonj]

Not for nothin', but the little zipper bags that come with some of the Ryobi tool kits will fit four 3600s with some incidentals packed around them quite easily.

[David 7]

Great news guys, just measured and it won’t fit a six gallon crate but will definitely fit a four gallon 13x13 crate. It even has indications for it at exactly the 13 inch mark. I’d like to think I would have thought of this myself eventually, but who knows.

 

Thank you Koz you’re the man!

[roadwarrior]

https://www.planomolding.com/fishing/fish-series/weekend-series/weekend-series-3600-softsider

[Cgolf]

When I take the yak out for a couple of hours I put all my baits in a 3700 hydroflow box I will use for the day. I am careful handling it because some have said hook go through the holes easily, but so far no issues. I do rubber band the trebles together on cranks so that might help. 
 

I use the hydroflow box to limit my concerns about baits rusting since it all seems to get wet and you don’t have a lot of room to leave baits out to dry before storing them. 

[Deleted account]

On 6/23/2021 at 8:43 PM, David 7 said:

Yeah but I don’t think it will fit on my stern. Those tend to work better for sit ons. Thank you though.

They make smaller wanna be milk crates.

[NYWayfarer]

7 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

https://www.planomolding.com/fishing/fish-series/weekend-series/weekend-series-3600-softsider

That’s what I use for Kayak fishing most trips. I try and pack as light as possible and this tackle bag is the perfect size for the minimalist.

[Koz]

10 hours ago, David 7 said:

Great news guys, just measured and it won’t fit a six gallon crate but will definitely fit a four gallon 13x13 crate. It even has indications for it at exactly the 13 inch mark. I’d like to think I would have thought of this myself eventually, but who knows.

 

Thank you Koz you’re the man!

One of the great things about the Bass Resource community is that we all have our own experiences and perspectives and that when enough people chime in you're bound to find an answer that suits your needs and situation.

 

I'm glad I could help this time.

[schplurg]

On 6/24/2021 at 7:06 AM, David 7 said:

I’m definitely thinking a backpack with maybe two 3600 trays is the way to go.

 

 

Make sure it's waterproof. First time I yakked I used a backpack and ya....wasn't waterproof.

 

Edit

Oh I see you got something, looked like a crate would fit. That's what i did. Built a plastic hinged lid for it and made some rod holders.

[nubasser]

Look for Plano 964, or 974, both available on Amazon. One of the will fit there, I believe