5 star fishing backpacks?

[MacJig]

I'm looking to upgrade my backpack for pond bank fishing. Can anyone out there recommend a great backpack for just that purpose? There are so many brands and models out there it's like wading through a dense forest to find the right tree! As always your help is very much appreciated.

[JohnFromLisbon]

I have the Plano E-Series and I really like it. You can use it as a regular backpack or with 3600 size boxes, you can place a box on the outside for easy access, strap two or three rods to the sides... 

 

For a 50-ish dollar backpack it's actually quite nice. 

[SmugOne]

Can’t say that I have tried many bags.  I used a Oakley back pack for years before switching to this.  

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CGHG95V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
 

I think I got it for less than $50 in 2019 and have been very happy with it. It still is holding up well.  

 

[MyKeyBe]

I like this one pretty good. 3.5 stars. Add some decent boxes and other bits and bobs and it becomes at least 4.5 stars.

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/samurai-tactical-seigyo-slim-tackle-backpack-20frtusgyslmbckpctbx/20frtusgyslmbckpctbx

 

 

[MacJig]

Thanks for the replies so far. When it comes to backpacks, it's like a jungle out there! It can get overwhelming.

[wobblypops]

I have the Plano backpack and it's great for what I do. I fit 6x 3600 boxes plus a Gamakatsu deep utility case (blue). One 3600 has flukes and a couple soft plastics, all other soft plastics get kept in a different bag. 

[Danika 327]

21 hours ago, MacJig said:

Can anyone out there recommend a great backpack for just that purpose?

not 100% sure what your price range is but here is three good ones with different prices. 

 

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/lews-mach-hatchpack-tackle-backpack-20lewulwsmchhtchptbx/20lewulwsmchhtchptbx?sku=21119157 130$

 

https://www.target.com/p/osage-river-fly-fishing-backpack-tackle-and-rod-storage-khaki/-/A-77451369?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df_free_online&CPNG=storefront&adgroup=69-10 36$ 

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Elite-Fishing-Tackle-Backpack-with-Bait-Cooler-Black/486216949?wl13=4593&selectedSellerId=0 40$

[FishTank]

It depends on how much you want to carry.  I have a sling pack from Simms. Works great but it's not remotely waterproof. 

 

The best backpacking packs I have used, and my whole family for that matter, have been from Osprey.  Their prices are all over the place but you get what you pay for. Also, they have a lifetime warranty and great customer service.  My wife teaches and has three. All get used and abused almost daily.  They have held up great. She usually handles them like this.

 

 

 

[Koz]

I have a Plano A-Series Backpack that I use on the bank or when I get invited to fish on someone's boat. The only problem I have with it is that it holds TOO MUCH gear.

 

I can fit 5 or 6 Plano boxes, a container for soft baits or bagged soft baits, scale, tools, gloves, gaiters, a couple of bottles of water, spools of fishing line, and a lot more. Even when I'm dumb enough to overload it, the straps are still comfortable and I can cinch it up so it's not flopping around.

[Junger]

If you're just pond fishing, 2 to 3 3700 boxes are usually enough right? Any non-fishing specific backpack should hold 2/3 3700 boxes that are vertical. I use a High Sierra pack off Amazon and it holds 2 3700's easily, 3 if I really want to max it, plus plastics or a 3600/3500 in the middle section.

 

If you want a backpack that holds boxes horizontally, i.e. flat then that's a whole other ballgame, and more costly.

[TcRoc]

Flambeau "IKE" Ritual 50 Backpack - R50BW-1 Is what I run with 

[ike8120]

I have a few of the Kastking ones. There are different sizes to choose  from depending on what you want to carry.

[txchaser]

There's only one thing I'll buy from BPS/Cabelas, and it is the advanced angler II series. While I don't have the backpack, the 3700 and 3600 bags are really well thought out, and whoever is in charge of design actually fishes. There are a lot of little details like pocket dimensions in the 3600/3700 versions that are "just right", they all have a rain cover, etc. And they are well made too. $89 for the backpack.

 

I did buy the EGO Kryptek backpack and it was pretty good. Really expensive though. 

And if you are looking to save some money, the generic MOLLE packs on amazon are pretty good and you can add pockets. 

 

Bunch of reviews on BR too. 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/search/?q=Advanced Angler ii&quick=1

 

 

 

 

[Cody28]

It is very large, but I like the Lew's Mach HatchPack. Holds 3700's and you do not need to lay it down to access the trays. It stands up on its own and unzips from the top. I used to have a plano which worked really well, but annoyed me due to having to always lay the bag on its back to pull out trays. 

[ABrugs]

I also used the Plano E-Series 3600 the last 2 years. It’s a nice backpack, but I learned I don’t need all of that storage. I bought the Plano Weekend Series (3700) backpack for this year and am excited about it. All I need is 1 3700 box and a bag for my soft plastics and this is perfect for that.

[schplurg]

On 3/28/2022 at 9:42 PM, Junger said:

If you're just pond fishing, 2 to 3 3700 boxes are usually enough right? Any non-fishing specific backpack should hold 2/3 3700 boxes that are vertical. I use a High Sierra pack off Amazon and it holds 2 3700's easily, 3 if I really want to max it, plus plastics or a 3600/3500 in the middle section.

 

If you want a backpack that holds boxes horizontally, i.e. flat then that's a whole other ballgame, and more costly.

 

This ^^

 

I use a book backpack from Walmart for $13. It is dang tough, I can fit 2 - 3 3600s, not sure about 3700s. It has a divider for a laptop computer to slide into which is nice..

 

I carry my GoPro equipment, water, bags of plastics, scale, sunscreen etc. Room to spare.

 

It is not bulky. The ones that hold the Planos flat would not work for me. They seem cool, but I like to hike through wooded areas and a fat pack would get in the way. I don't want it to stick that far out behind me, and I like all the weight closer to my back...less strain.

 

I bring way more baits than I ever need in that. I'm lucky if I swap baits three times in a day bank fishing. I have cranks, jigs, jerks, Beetle Spins....and I MAY use ONE of them. usually I'm just swapping plastics.

 

I lighten my pack all the time.

[MacJig]

On 3/31/2022 at 10:58 PM, schplurg said:

 

This ^^

 

I use a book backpack from Walmart for $13. It is dang tough, I can fit 2 - 3 3600s, not sure about 3700s. It has a divider for a laptop computer to slide into which is nice..

 

I carry my GoPro equipment, water, bags of plastics, scale, sunscreen etc. Room to spare.

 

It is not bulky. The ones that hold the Planos flat would not work for me. They seem cool, but I like to hike through wooded areas and a fat pack would get in the way. I don't want it to stick that far out behind me, and I like all the weight closer to my back...less strain.

 

I bring way more baits than I ever need in that. I'm lucky if I swap baits three times in a day bank fishing. I have cranks, jigs, jerks, Beetle Spins....and I MAY use ONE of them. usually I'm just swapping plastics.

 

I lighten my pack all the time.

Many thanks for all the responses. The backpack I'm using now is one that I got from Walmart that I think was on sale for under 10 bucks. It has worked well but it's starting to fall apart a bit and I'm looking for something a bit more durable. Nothing like the Walmart special!

[jdr99a]

I’m a big fan of the ugly stick backpacks. Holds more tackle and gear than I need and, most importantly, has two rod holders on the sides. When I’m pond hopping (99%of my fishing) I am constantly on the move. With this bag I can have three combos at the ready at all times without the constant picking up, moving, putting down routine that gets old quick. 

[schplurg]

7 hours ago, MacJig said:

Many thanks for all the responses. The backpack I'm using now is one that I got from Walmart that I think was on sale for under 10 bucks. It has worked well but it's starting to fall apart a bit and I'm looking for something a bit more durable. Nothing like the Walmart special!

Okay I guess I got lucky. Mines thick canvas material. I throw it all over the place. Think I ordered it online from them though.

[Sphynx]

I like my Cabelas/BPS Advanced Angler bag, I brat the snot out of mine and it's still good to go 

[ISuckAtBassFishingBoise]

I recently purchased a Gamakatsu 10L dry bag not sure on the dimensions.  If it can hold a 3600, smartwater and a sandwich then ill be good.  Smaller the better when climbing through brush.

 

Big bags are nice when you go from the garage to the car but I couldn't imagine having that on my shoulders all day.

[J.Bass]

I’ve had a backpack from Walmart that costed $10 I would put in 3 boxes and gear. It was very heavy over the past 1 1/2 I decided to find something lighter. I knew I would have to take less tackle which for me wasn’t a problem. I found a sling backpack from KastKing on Amazon. I love the backpack it’s very versatile and I can go all day down a bank with it. It holds (2) 3600 boxes. Lots of pockets. Space isn’t as great as a regular backpack but there’s enough for two 3600 boxes and some gear. Overall I love it. Link below:

 

KastKing BlowBak Tactical Fishing... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X6K53VX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[BlakeMolone]

You could try a small comfortable hiking/backpacking bag. I have a bass pro brand fishing backpack and it’s wonderful and fits a lot of gear but it hurts my back after a few hours of fishing. I would make comfort and back support a priority over space.

[NavyVet1204]

I bought this one last year from TW  in early spring and it has been awesome. It’s not quite as big as I would’ve liked, but it keeps me humbled in terms of how much I can take without overdoing it.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-RRCYAMA.html?from=basres

 

Also it was $100 cheaper when I bought it. I guess inflation is a thing. I personally would t pay the price that’s advertised on TW for it now.

On 3/28/2022 at 6:38 AM, wobblypops said:

I have the Plano backpack and it's great for what I do. I fit 6x 3600 boxes plus a Gamakatsu deep utility case (blue). One 3600 has flukes and a couple soft plastics, all other soft plastics get kept in a different bag. 

How much did you have to pay for that setup? 

[wobblypops]

20 hours ago, NavyVet1204 said:

 

How much did you have to pay for that setup? 

I can't remember off-hand, I've added and subtracted boxes. I think the current version is listed for $65 at BP and comes with 2x 3600 boxes. I have 6x 3600 boxes plus the deep compartment one at the top that fits JJ's and a couple deep divers just about right.