Older tackleboxes (80s-90s) seem better than the new ones? Anyone agree?

[Steven Fowler]

Which ones you recommend for bass?

 

I had a Plano Phantom 2 from the 80s -- double sided see through. Seems hard to find those now at Bass Pro Shopes.

[QED]

The older tackle boxes of all types have largely been superseded by standardized form-factor utility boxes/trays.  The latter seem to be more functional to me.

[Steven Fowler]

2 minutes ago, QED said:

The older tackle boxes of all types have largely been superseded by standardized form-factor utility boxes/trays.  The latter seem to be more functional to me.

Which one do you like?

[QED]

I use both Plano and generic BPS tackle utility boxes/trays in 3600 and 3700 form factors.  The benefit of the standardized sizing is that it gives additional flexibility, e.g., you can buy backpacks or tackle bags to hold however many utility boxes you like for your application.

[casts_by_fly]

48 minutes ago, Steven Fowler said:

Which ones you recommend for bass?

 

I had a Plano Phantom 2 from the 80s -- double sided see through. Seems hard to find those now at Bass Pro Shopes.

 

24 minutes ago, Steven Fowler said:

Which one do you like?

i have my dads and my older Plano boxes from the early 90’s. One is the double sided, two are the top and bottom latched with bulk and spinnerbait storage on the bottom. I remember thinking they were the best thing ever at the time. Now?  Meh. I use them to store spare lures here in the house. 
 

I’ve standardized around 3700 size boxes. I went Plano guide series and mine holds 5x 3700, 1x 3600, and the side pockets each hold a dozen or so bags of soft plastics.  I picked up a spinnerbait box and a soft plastics box. I wouldn’t get the soft plastics box again. I would definitely get the spinnerbait box again (maybe two). I fish from a kayak and I don’t fish tournaments. This bag is basically all I carry. To do it again, I would either go bigger on the bag or standardize on 3600’s. Right now I swap out lures based on the season because I can’t carry it all. I have hard baits in a 3700 but have a second 3600 with off color crankbaits, seasonal selections, etc that I may or may not throw in. Frogs and grass spoons are in a box together that I just started carrying now that the grass is grown up. I make it work, but sometimes I want something that’s in a box I don’t have. A set using 3600 size would all work easier mix and match.  A bigger tackle bag for 3700 size would be nice. 
 

rick

[Deleted account]

BPS, DSG, and others put their 3600 and 3700 boxes on sale for under $3 every year, I just grab a bunch then. I like to have some with a larger compartment on one side for spinnerbaits, buzz baits and chatters. Large tool box type tackle boxes just are not as functional. When you really have  local water dialed in, the cargo pockets on the Columbia pants, and front pouch on the hoodie is all you'll need.

[TOXIC]

In my boat, its a 21 foot tackle box but since I often fish with a buddy in his 20 foot Ranger, I have tried to keep my gear to a single bag that fits in the compartment behind the driver.  Plano soft side has been my go to bag.  Last one was a KVD model and my current one is an orange higher dollar Plano.  I just ripped the buckle out of it yesterday.  It holds 6 or 7 Plano boxes and a small terminal tackle box on top before the flap is closed.  They seem to last about 3 years before I have to buy again.  Hard sided would never work because I would have to pull it out every time I needed something.  

[MAN]

I still have the same Plano 2 tray tackle box I have had since the 90's.  Plastic as heck but nothing has broken on it. 

[MN Fisher]

11 minutes ago, MAN said:

I still have the same Plano 2 tray tackle box I have had since the 90's.  Plastic as heck but nothing has broken on it. 

I've still got my two Plano 6300 (3 tray) boxes from the 70s - gave my 8600 (6 tray) to a member here.

[Log Catcher]

I still prefer the old style tackle boxes. I have Plano 9606 and an 8606 I got from @MN Fisher. I do use both of them depending on where I'm fishing determines which one I take. I don't want a tackle bag. One thing I really like is the fact I have pulled my boat home in a monsoon and nothing in the tackle box got wet.

[Ski]

LOL

[N Florida Mike]

I still have an old Rebel TB from the early 80s. Double sided. The latches broke off one side. I use the other side for old worm storage from the same time…

Id still use it on the water if it wasn’t partly broken. I actually do take it when I have “ old worm day “ once a year or so on the water…

[rangerjockey]

The name of the box in front of Ol' Bill in that pic escapes me.  But they,

 along with the possum belly Umco's were what most guys used. 

Of course, bass boats didn't  have the storage like today so they needed a suitcase. Today I'd buy a soft side and 3700's.

[WRB]

7 hours ago, Ski said:

LOL

^^^^sold my Tackle box like this to a BR member^^^^

Tom

[Jig Man]

I’m a gadget and gizmo guy.  I use my boat as a tackle box and throw all of the 3600, 3700, bags, binders, etc in it.  I have one old plastic box with sliding drawers that I keep parts in for bait making.

[MN Fisher]

10 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

I’m a gadget and gizmo guy.  I use my boat as a tackle box and throw all of the 3600, 3700, bags, binders, etc in it.  I have one old plastic box with sliding drawers that I keep parts in for bait making.

Ya - with the canoe it was all 3700 & 3600 boxes in bags.

 

Building the F-9 - I custom made 4 dry-boxes to fit 3700s and 2 dry-boxes to fit 3600s...so ya, the boat is becoming my tackle box as well.

[detroit1]

I still use my old double -sided satchel Plano from the late 70's or 80's, it holds all the hard baits i need. Spinnerbait, worm, fluke/senko, and dropshot have their own binder. 2 waterproof 360's for terminal stuff. 

[fin]

I've got a Plano Magnum one-sided with adjustable dividers from the late 70's or early 80's that was pretty high-tech at the time. It's got some cracks and chips here and there, but it took a lot of abuse. I still use it for storage. It's heavier than modern stuff.

[ironbjorn]

I haven't lugged a true tackle box in over a decade and I never will again. Trays and fishing backpacks is the way to go.

[FrnkNsteen]

14 hours ago, fin said:

I've got a Plano Magnum one-sided with adjustable dividers from the late 70's or early 80's that was pretty high-tech at the time. It's got some cracks and chips here and there, but it took a lot of abuse. I still use it for storage. It's heavier than modern stuff.

I had one of those and other Plano models. If I remember right,... Soft plastics ate thosevold boxes so you had to keep them in their original bags.

 

I have a few old boxes in the closet but the action they see is holding extra lures. One is my Dad's old box and is pretty much exactly as it was when he used it for memory sake. The other is my supplies for lure and hair jig making.

 

I now use various size Plano style boxes and a bag now. It's just more flexible to quickly grab what I want and go. In the boat they are just packed into the front compartment.

[fin]

2 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I had one of those and other Plano models. If I remember right,... Soft plastics ate thosevold boxes so you had to keep them in their original bags.

You're right. I had forgotten about that. I don't remember if it was all plastics or just certain ones, but mine has some damage from that. I've got hard lures that I never use stored in it now.

[flyfisher]

I''l take modern boxes all day every day.  Old omnes lack adjustability and are heavier.  I have a plethora of choices now and there are enough choices to not have to settle on what I want for a pecific purposes.

right now i have a lot of plano 3600 in regular and waterproof versions to take in my kayak

 

[Spy]

I still use the Plano Over/Under I bought in the late 80's because I think it is the perfect system for the Kayak. Enough room for cranks, jigs, chatterbaits, a deep cubby for terminal tackle or what have you and most importantly a proper spinnerbait rack of ample size.