Re-Evaluating Your Tackle

[Bass Dude]

There was a great article in the most recent issue of FLW where a couple of the pros talked about scaling down your tackle. Examples are cutting down on plastics by keeping just a few colors and by not "duplicating" styles of plastics. Also, they talke about repalcing the "old" hardbaits with new ones, instead of holding on to ever bait you ever bought. With the price of cranks these days, the latter is a bit more difficult for us, but the theory is still a good idea.

I did this same thing about 2 years ago, and I think it's really helped me. I stick to about 5 colors in every style of plastic and I stay with specific brands of cranks in the various diving depths.

[grimlin]

I don't agree with replacing old hardbaits. Why replace something that still catches fish?

[Bass Dude]

I don't agree with replacing old hardbaits. Why replace something that still catches fish?

I agree in theory. They are speaking, of course, as pros who receive new models from all their sponsors. They were just saying that they don't keep the old models because it eliminates the need for them to carry and sift through all that "old" stuff during each tournament. They were saying how much time it takes to load all this stuff in their boat and trucks before they head out for a tourney. Of course, they were also pleased with the additional space they had too.

[grimlin]

Scaling down to me is keeping what works.Not buying everything new.Sounds like a sales pitch in a dirty way.That's what's confusing me.

Might just be me,fact I can't afford all new stuff..or the fact I don't tournament fish.I can understand replacing old stuff that probably isn't going to last very long anyways,then replace it.If that's what they were trying to say then I can kinda understand.otherwise if there's nothing wrong with your old bait why buy new ones?

[Primus]

I just read the article yesterday and I've done that with some of my soft plastics, don't plan on getting rid of my hardbaits but I have to make a tough decision every spring regarding which baits I'll fish that season.

[Raul]

I can size down seriously, but better have and not need than need and not have.

[flippin and pitchin]

I just read the article. It makes alot of sense, especially with plastics and the copycat baits. I have said, " I need to use up what I have before I buy more stuff " but I love to try new baits and see what they do. At least that is how I deflect my hoarder's complex.

[Fishes in trees]

Years ago, one of the reasons I upgraded to a bigger boat was so that I could carry all the gear I wanted to carry. I suppose I could down size if I felt like it, but I don't feel like it. I like carrying a bunch of different rods, all rigged up. I think it saves me time on the water.

The only time I'll downsize the amount of gear I take is on those rare occasions when I've got a passenger fishing with me. Then I'll drop down from 22 or so rods down to 10 or 15.

That's just one of the reasons I fish by myself most of the time.

[Sam]

If anyone is thinkin of scaling down their bait arsnel please let me know so you can send them to me!!!!

[Locked]

murky water - (2) 3/8oz black/blue jigs

- (2) 1/2oz firetiger lipless cranks

- (2) chartreuse/white spinnerbaits

- (1pack) black/blue craws

- (1pack) black/blue 4" grubs (caught a lot of fish swimming grubs on a jig)

clear water - (2) 3/8oz green pumpkin jigs

- (1pack) green pumpkin 5" stick bait

- (3) 4/0 ewg worm hooks

- (2) 1/2oz white spinnerbaits

How is that for scaling down? I bet if any of the more experienced members here went fishing with just those things, they could catch fish consistently.

[Indiana Bass1]

I went through my tackle yesterday morning. I dumped a lot of plastic worms,several colors I would not use and several sizes I do not use. I am very heavy on craws from several brands. It looks like I will use the paca craws and the chigger craws and the rest will be used up and not replaced. Now I have over 500 crankbaits and after going through them I now have 490 crankbaits. LOL... I actually put about 100 in plano boxes and stuck them in the cabinet. I have my rods and reels narrowed down to eight on board. That was tough also. To be honest I have so much tackle in the boat I usually dont mess with changing anything because it takes too long to find or dig out. Then you have a million rods all over the place to the point you cant even walk around. I have to keep eliminating tackle thats for sure. Does anybody have the problem where if you kill them on a buzz bait you go out and buy seventeen in all sizes and colors? I find myself doing this quite a bit. Usually with plastics. The first time I smoked them on a chigger craw I ran to Dicks and bought five or six different colors when all I needed was green pumpkin. I have a buddy that will do the same thing too.Is this what you guys call the BAIT MONKEY??????????

[jignfule]

I can size down seriously, but better have and not need than need and not have.

X2, bad news when you run out of a certain bait or color when the fish are killing it and have to settle on a less productive bait.

[Packard]

I don't see the point of getting rid of stuff. I fish from my kayak and have a limited space for tackle.(Actually I only bring one waterproof plano box.) I just pick out of my main tackle box and only bring what I'll need. Scaling down doesn't mean you have to throw stuff away. Just store it somewhere else until you need it.

[Sfritr]

BAIT MONKEY NO LIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bass9Man]

Well of course,they'll tell you to replace hard baits. They get free stuff, so it's easy for them, to get brand new tackle.

[Bass Dude]

Well of course,they'll tell you to replace hard baits. They get free stuff, so it's easy for them, to get brand new tackle.

I think you're misinterpreting what I meant by "replacing" your hard baits. They weren't saying to get new baits and throw out the old. They were saying when you do get new baits get rid of the old ones, don't hang on to them because you most likely won't use the old when you have a shiny new LC sitting in your box.