Storing Plastics?

[bassfshin24]

For those of you with a boat. How do you guys store you plastics? I have a 18ft Triton so the storage space is limited. I actually use the cooler for storing my plastics. As of right now I use gallon ziplock bags for seperating items. Then I throw the similar items into a plastic grocery bag. It works but I get frustrated when trying to find a certain bait and I have to dig to the bottom to find it.

[RK]

Plastics storage is my nemesis when it comes to keeping my stuff organized. I've tried bags, binders, Ziplocs, speed bags...you name it.

Finally settled on the deep Stowaways - either the 3600 or 3700 size depending.

I keep plastics in their original package and store them sorted by type (more or less) in boxes labeled with tape and a magic marker. So I have a box for jig trailers, one for grubs, one for tubes, creatures, jerkbaits, my panic box, etc. I have a 'deck box' with the stuff I use most often, or that I think I'm likely to use that day. It stays on the boat deck with me and I just restock that from the sorted boxes as I need to. The rest go in a compartment. I also have one back-up container with misc oddball stuff.

I have a friend who does more or less the same thing but with clear plastic storage containers. Seems to work.

[MN BassFisher]

Tony, we seem to have the same problem! The nice thing for you is that we're always in your boat so you have a good base for storage where as I have to have a traveling system. I keep my plastics in the original packaging and then I sort them out by presentation or type and put them in a gallon ziploc and write on the outside of the ziploc. I have Tubes, Dropshot, Trailers, Swimbaits, Senkos, etc. My collection was getting out of control before I moved to CO and the bag I used for my plastics wasn't even zipping anymore. I recently saw Aaron Martens explaining how he organizes his tackle in his boat - you might have seen it but if not here's the link:

[HellaBass]

This what I do

[delmuts]

In my little Ranger there is little storage. I blocked of both the bait well, and the live well to use.I never fish tournaments, and if keeping fish they go in a cooler on ice.My stuff goes into plano boxes that are marked. I do take my plastics out of the company bags, as they were hard to fold up. I put mine in plastic ziploc bags that take up less space.I just make sure NOT to mix brands!!! Learned that the hard way!!!

[mww24]

I use the deep insertless planos. Probably what rk uses. Then I put them in the storage compartment behind the passenger seat. I try and keep my heaviest tackle in that compartment. It balances my weight out. I only keep a small day box of tackle up front. You don't want weight up front. It kills performance. I also got rid of tons of plastics I never used. That made storing them easier. I own a 17' boat and the storage fills quickly. I feel your pain

[Hester]

I have been using the exact same containers as hellabass. It works great for me. I'm going to have to try the zip tie trick. Very nice video.

[bassfshin24]

Great ideas guys! I think I might try you method Rich! I might try to store them in one of my back compartments if I can make room. Those fill up pretty fast too.

[Meat-Run]

I use shower curten rings for my specific plastics and then put into Plano boxes or even a small duffle bag if I'm going from one boat to another. Purging plastics to kids, neighbors or buddies is always a good thing too.

MR

[bemidjibasser]

Clear deep planos for me, and out of the package. IMO it helps keep baits straight and is a quick way to find the color I want.

[Hester]

Clear deep planos for me, and out of the package. IMO it helps keep baits straight and is a quick way to find the color I want.

That is a good idea also, but I'm afraid I have way to many plastics to do that.

[RK]

Like the DIY hinges HellaBass - may try that, especially for the stuff I buy in 100ct bags. That's always the shortcoming of my Plano boxes.

[HellaBass]

I picked those blue bins up pretty cheap at Fleet Farm

[Basschaser]

I just make sure NOT to mix brands!!! Learned that the hard way!!!

Do not mix Z Man soft baits with any other kind. You'll end up with a big glob of goo. Found that out in Canada where the nearest tackle store was hundreds of miles away.

[masoct3]

I have been using the exact same containers as hellabass. It works great for me. I'm going to have to try the zip tie trick. Very nice video.

Hi Hester,

Where can I find those bins? They look very practical and easy to use.

Thanks,

[Hester]

I picked mine up at Menards or Walmart for only 2 or 3 bucks each.

[bemidjibasser]

RK- I also prefer hundred packs. I stash the semi full 100 packs in my shop on peg board or in large totes and refill my planos as needed. May not be the best system, but works well for me. I do tend to keep the plastics that I plan to use for the day in the front storage and the rest in the back storage compartments of my Ranger. I don't like to leave plastics out in the sun too long as they tend to tear way easier in my experience, so I have the box that I will be using on top in the storage bin up front...pop the lid of the storage bin, open the plano grab a bait and back to slinging...

[Cherokee Ref]

Am starting to lean toward the plastic shoe boxes. Most all original bags fit in them nicely and you can sort by type, color, technique, etc. I put them in the front livewell, where they fit nicely!

[gritsnham]

Anyone on here ever try the easy view tack system? Looks interesting and turns the underside of storage hatches into a easy way to organize your plastics and free up some space...ziplock organization did not work out very well for me last year so gonna either try this or the boxes this year.