Recommendations on tournament tackle

[Joe E]

I was wondering if anyone had good advice, preferences, or suggestions on the amount of tackle I should bring with me when I fish in a tournament. As of now it’s winter in the state of Minnesota and I’m not a huge ice fisherman, but when the weather warms up I love to get out on the water, I’m part of a local fishing team that participates in many tournaments and derby’s throughout the year. I have one major problem though I don’t have a great idea of how much tackle to bring on tournament day. Sometimes I find myself bringing to little and missing out on great opportunities while other times I bring way to much and it’s a hassle to get around   (Keep in mind that I don’t have a boat myself so I have to bring my tackle by hand). Again I’m open to suggestions and advice.

[MediumMouthBass]

Its a double edged sword, bring only a smaller amount of what you have confidence in = you may be fishing what the bass arent biting that day, and will be severely limiting yourself.

Bring too many different lures and fish several techniques = and youll overwhelm yourself and not have enough time to fish each one and will be rushing.

 

3 hours ago, Joe E said:

(Keep in mind that I don’t have a boat myself so I have to bring my tackle by hand). Again I’m open to suggestions and advice.

 

I would suggest getting a 3700 sized tray, Walmart sells a Plano 3700 for $5.

Take some jigs, hooks, and weights and fill the first few rows with them (if you need more space for terminal tackle check out the Flambeau Tuff Tainer 3003 box, makes storing hooks and jigs great and takes up very little room), for the left over spaces fill 60% with your confidence baits or whatever your go to lures you fish the most. The 40% left throw in some baits you dont have as much confidence in but will be useful if the baits you use the most arent getting bites.

1 3700 sized tray doesnt seem like much, but its more than what most need for local tournaments or derbies. It also doesnt take up much space if you go with someone on their boat, and its easy to carry. If you find yourself needing more lures or backups instead of getting a 2nd or 3rd tray get some Owner Safety Caps. Makes storing several treble hooked lures in the same section a breeze.

 

For spinnerbaits look into the Flambeau Spinnerbait Box, specifically the small sized one, it can hold 6 and is very thin.

 

And for soft plastics take around 10-20 bags, because after that i guarantee the bags wont even be used. Break it down into maybe 2-3 bags per thing, like as an example: 3 bags jig trailers, another 3 senkos for Texas rigs, 3 craws, 3 creatures, 3 swimbaits, in different colors and sizes of course.

For storing soft plastics you can go with something called a speed bag? Or a 3600 sized tackle bag which is what i use, but both options will add alot of bulk and may be too big for what you need. In that case its hard to beat a plastic grocery bag doubled up.

 

Dont go overboard on colors, because youll find yourself digging through 10 bags of senkos and getting analysis paralysis deciding which one to use. Black and blue, green pumpkin, something white or chartreuse, and a shad or grey/translucent color will work across the country year round.

Although if you have a certain color you catch em on, or a different type of primary baitfish add that too.

 

Finding exactly what to bring to a tournament is hard enough, then to try and find the perfect ratio of how much is needed is even tougher. 

3 hours ago, Joe E said:

participates in many tournaments and derby’s throughout the year

But because you participate in many of them throughout the year you should be able to dial it in after the first few, try taking as little as possible for the first one, if you need more add just a little bit each time until you get to where you are comfortable no matter what conditions are on the water. Not sure if this long comment helps, but hopefully it gives you an idea to go off of.

[rangerjockey]

Back in my BFL days as a co angler the boater always gave me the compartment behind the passenger seat. Those plano bags that hold 4 or 5 3700's are more than enough plus the top zips open for all the plastics you would need.

 

[FishTank]

I have been a co-angler off and on for years and it always depends on whose boat you are on. 

 

On average I bring 5 rods and a backpack with 2 3700 boxes with my preselected favorites, a box with a mixed amount of softplastic, and small box or pouch of terminal.  I also bring a life jacket, pliers/leatherman, sunscreen, braid scissors and small cooler of snacks/drinks for myself and the boat owner.  I also have a dry bag that has rain gear if the weather calls for it. 

 

If it's a bigger boat and the owner is ok with it, I will bring 7 rods and 2 BPS X-large bags with about 14 Plano boxes between them, one for hard baits and the other for softplastic. I bring these with the idea that the boat owner can use pretty much whatever I got. 

 

Oh and cash for gas. 

[r83srock]

I have a cabelas 3600 tackle bag that I like. I like 3600 boxes as they store plenty but of course are smaller so easy to pack. I would pack your tackle by category. Seems obvious but you can have 15-20 trays in a tote stored in your vehicle. Talking with your boater before hand on what to bring, then grab what you need. Always bring your highest confidence baits though. 10-15 bags of plastics are plenty. Keep it to two colors and bring dye markers if you need to add some color to a bait, avoid the dip dyes as those can spill. Not sure where you fish in Minnesota but I’d have a solid mix of smallie/largemouth tackle. Jigs, spinnerbaits, flukes, senkos, topwater, traps catch both species well. Ned rig dragging behind the boat can be deadly.  I usually bring up to 6 rods, never anymore than that. An extra spool of line or two, a spare reel and a small first aid kit are handy also. 
 

When I fish as a non boater I scale my boxes down to 2 or 3, then I have room in my bag for beef jerky and waters haha.

[GaryH]

All good advice giving. The first thing IMO is do your research on the lake you’re going to be fishing. Since you don’t have a boat to pre fish the lake do your due diligence and study up on the current condition and ask a lot of question from local tackle shops. That will give you a better understanding of what you should bring. Good luck on your tournaments. 

 

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

I have a Co-angler bag that holds up to 6 3700 boxes and then I have a couple gallon bags of plastics I carry. I keep the basics and then add some specific things I feel I might need. I use to carry too much stuff but it’s helped a lot to cut down a lot of gear and just carry the essentials.

[Bass Rutten]

Solid advice so far. I've found that most boats will accommodate 4-6 rods, and most spare compartments should have room for 4-6 plano boxes, or a small to medium bag. I almost always take five rods and five 3600’s, never had an issue. Ask your boater if he can give you a general idea of where and what you’ll be fishing which may help in what to bring and not bring. Know your local seasonal patterns so you don’t take unneeded tackle (easier said than done for sure).

[Munkin]

Best advice I can give is to be able to carry all your stuff in one trip. 

 

Allen