tackle box for musky lures

[fatfinger]

im relatively new to musky fishing so ive only started to get enough lures to warrant a box just for the big ones. however i cant seem to find any with big enough trays or compartments for them that dont cost an arm & a leg.anybody got any advice?i muchly appreciate any help-thanks.

[Esox_Magnum]

Other than fabricating something on your own or using the plano boxes theres not much out there besides the spendy boxes. Plano muskie box is about as cheap as it gets for about $60?? Lakewoods are in the $100-$160 range, I have 3 and well worth the $$$$ but I also got lucky and got a monster and spinnerbait box new for under $90 for the pair.

[cjac]

I use a lot of the Plano boxes, inexpensive and an efficient way to sort lures by type. Ya don't need a $130 Laekwood box starting out. I think they actually help me to be more organized overall.

Here's an examlpe of some walleye cranks..... I just grab what boxes I need based on the situation.

[goblueM]

i've seen home-made ones out of plexiglass, or cutting PVC pipe tubes and glueing them together. pretty nifty and cheap

[Esox_Magnum]

Come on guys we all know the best bait storage is in the corner of the boat in a pile. I know I'm not alone here.....

[Stringerless!]

I have always used big styrofoam coolers. Suprisingly even if the lures are hanging right next to each other I really don't have much trouble getting one out without a big tangle. If u r gonna try these try to get the heavier ones that meat is shipped in. I got a few from cub once when they had a lobster special I saw the butcher dump some lobsters in ice and start walking back behind the counter. I asked him if I could have it and he said " sure how many do u want " I put a 1/4 " piece of plywood in the bottom cause rubber lures will eat through the side. It does'nt get much cheaper than that. A word of warning. Until you have a lot of lures and trust me some day u will, make sure it does not ride in the boat or back of the truck going down the highway. It might set sail ! Good luck !

[goblueM]

Come on guys we all know the best bait storage is in the corner of the boat in a pile. I know I'm not alone here.....

everybody knows that's only temporary storage, before it moves to the bottom of your foot or in the carpeting, or in the seat of your pants

[Esox_Magnum]

Originally Posted By: Esox_Magnum

Come on guys we all know the best bait storage is in the corner of the boat in a pile. I know I'm not alone here.....

everybody knows that's only temporary storage, before it moves to the bottom of your foot or in the carpeting, or in the seat of your pants

At least you know where they are right?? Then again thats why we carry Nipex

[fatfinger]

thanks.i was already leaning to the home-made side of things.pvc tubes sound good & easy + i got a little rubbermade tub staring rite at me.

and my buddy wasnt too fond of my anywhere loose in the boat storage system.hooked his hand just after dark- almost got past the barb.lucky for me lucky for him

[Esox_Magnum]

Watch for sales or in the want ads, deals can be had. I just happen to be in a store while out of town and picked up my last lakewoods monster for $50, sure beats the $160 + shipping from the muskie shops.

[squeedunk]

Fleet Farm and Thorne Bros have plano boxes like the ones cjac posted that are muskie lure sized. I have 5 of those boxes seperated by lure type (1 each for bucktails, topwater, shallow cranks, deep cranks, and jerk/glide baits) that I carry around in a large duffel bag. I also have a blue and gray plano hanging box that I keep a stash of little-used lures in as well. The clear Plano boxes will not fit the giant Believers or 14" Jakes but the will hold bulldawgs, cowgirls, and most anything else you have. I keep about 5 lures in each compartment so they can get a little tangled but they are very nice to have if I only plan on going for a trolling deep cranks trip. All I need is the one box out. The bag I use also holds pliars, hook cutters, tape measure, and my camera. All together I probably spent $40 on the clear plano boxes.

[muskiedreams]

we used 5 gallon buckets with slices cut in top 2 hang by trebles worked ok,,,

[harvey lee]

I use a lot of the Plano boxes, inexpensive and an efficient way to sort lures by type. Ya don't need a $130 Laekwood box starting out. I think they actually help me to be more organized overall.

Here's an examlpe of some walleye cranks..... I just grab what boxes I need based on the situation.

I would take a look at the Special Mate crankbait boxes. The ones I have hold 120 cranks each and go for about $60.00. The cranks stay in place and this box is awesome for crankbaits.

maybe the best I have ever seen.

[RuKiddingMe]

I use the plano's like cjac posted. I have a whole stack of them, muskie, walleye, bass, and misc stuff... I have most in MY boat at all times, but I do fish out of other boats and for me carrying along a couple/few flat light plano's is a hell of a lot easier then lugging around the big boxes weighing upwards of 30lbs to other boats and they take up a lot less room in the boat, then the extra large lakewood's and plano boxes.

mattb

[Esox_Magnum]

Only 30 pounds??? I weighed my main lakewoods awhile back, tipped the scales at 63 pounds. Spare one weighs in at 48.

[B Newt]

I just picked up a couple of "Tuff Tainers" at Gander for $6.99 a bit cheaper than comparable Plano's. I also picked up a 10ft chunk of PVC down spout tubing at Mendards today for $7.84. Its much lighter than PVC pipe and cheaper too!

[50inchpig]

Here is the storage I've been using for the last few years. I don't like to clutter up the boat with a lot of stuff and I can store 30+ baits and with quick access.

I got the tubes from a company in the metro, get a few extras to replace them when they crack. I put the cover on it after the first year since hooks were rusting and that solved the problem, slightly lifted off the floor for drainage and drying.

[RuKiddingMe]

haha, I was going to put 50-60 lbs but wasn't sure so I decided to go lighter, then again I have the majority of my wood baits in the big box so yeah 60lbs no problem I'm sure.

50inchpig, like you idea seems slick and simple enough to setup, and boat clutter drives me nuts also.

mattb

[cbrooks]

Nice setup 50inchpig.

[RK]

Hiya -

For years I hauled around my muskie lures in what one of my friends dubbed the CA Box - CA is in "Cheap [PoorWordUsage]". They actually worked pretty dang well and I still have some that I made probably 15 years ago...and you can get all the materials for about $15 at Menards...

Here's your list of materials:

- 4"x4" square plastic downspout (figure out how many compartments you want and it's 1' of downspout/compartment. It comes in 10' lengths so 20 compartments works out nicely)

- Construction adhesive like Liquid Nails

- 1 roll duct tape

- 6' or so of 1/2" rope

- 1 foot or so of 1" PVC pipe for a handle (although an old hockey stick works too...)

To assemble:

1. Cut the downspout into 12" sections with a hack saw, then figure out what you want for dimensions based on how many compartments you want to have.

- Optional: Cut one section down to 6" and put it on an outside row for storing leaders, hook-outs, hook-cutters, etc.

- Optional: Cut shallow v-groves in the sides of the compartments at the top for hooks to rest in.

2. Glue the sections together with the Liquid Nails. If you made a tool holder, you'll also need to put a bottom on it - cut a square of plywood and glue it in place, or, just duct tape the bejeezus out of it.

3. Once the sections are all glued together, take the rope and make a handle by running a double length of rope under the box and through the PVC pipe at the top, with the ends of the rope coming out opposite ends of the PVC. You'll have to adjust the length of the rope and handle depending on the size of the box and whether the rope is going around the ends of the box or up the size. Just fiddle with it until it works out. A beer helps. If you used PVC, just knot the ends of the rope so it can't slide through the tube. If you used a cut off piece of hockey stick - duct tape.

4. Secure the rope handle around the sides of the box by duct taping the holy hell out of it.

- Presto...CA tackle box. Cheap, and practically indestructible.

If you want to get fancy you can put a plexiglass bottom on the thing with angle brackets and rivets or small stove bolts. You have to make sure though that the ends of your downspout cuts are square or hooks can get under them and be a pain to get loose. You can also rivet nylon straps for a handle, but rope always worked for me.

I never bothered with a bottom, and rope handles always did fine for me. If you put a bottom on the boxes have a way of collecting leaves and other misc. crud. And besides - it's just a tackle box, so nobody gives you style points for this [PoorWordUsage].

You can also, of course, just stuff downspout in a milk crate, but it adds weight and limits you to whatever size and shape the crate is.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[BorderView]

I'm another guy that used the downspout idea. As was stated, they are MUCH lighter than PVC plumbing. Also, rectangles are a more efficient use of space.

Several years ago, I happened on a large, 16"X16"X24" aluminum box with piano hinged lid, handle and hasp that will accept a lock. I filled it with pieces of downspout. Left enough room at one end for a plano for tools and leaders. Couple of years ago, I stole some improvement ideas from the JustinCase folks. I mounted half inch feet on the bottom and drilled several holes for drainage. If leave the lid open between trips, everything gets dry. I also drilled two holes, one on the back and one on the side an inch from a corner. These will accept a cable bicycle lock.

[urban cowboy]

Come on guys we all know the best bait storage is in the corner of the boat in a pile. I know I'm not alone here.....

I prefer the corner of the windshield right above the steering wheel.

[fatfinger]

figured id ask this question here.while shopping to fill up my new MacGuyvered tackle box i ran across some storm brand "lifelike" lures.they were cheap compared to other lures but ive never heard anything about them.anyone have any opinions or feedback?thanks & thanks for the t-box ideas.

[urban cowboy]

The kicking minnow is a good bait.

[Rebel9921]

I do the same way CJAC does... Its whole lot easier... You can pack in a storage compartment in your boat full of Planos... Just pack it up at home and go!!!