Organizing Tackle

[amateurfishing]

i'm slowly starting to aquire a few things and just wondering how most organize tackle....by fish? time of year used? style? etc. just wondering if I think I may need more storage options what is best or smartest way to go, should it be different for shore fishing than boat? is a big tackle box that I can throw a little of everything in for shore fishing good but keep all major things separate in boat? thx

[Greenhornet84]

I use a cabelas large bag that fits about 5 clear Plano boxes that way I can bring whatever I need, and still not drag everything with. As far as organizing I keep my boxes separated by lure types ( jigs, raps, terminal tackle, ect.) as you get more you can always get more clear boxes. I like the cabelas bag because it has lots of storage and front tool boxes. Had it about 4 years so far with no issues.

[Esox_Magnum]

I use a tackle bag for jigs and plastics, hooks and sinkers, spinner rigs and bottom bouncers saty in a boat compartment if in use, crankbaits have their own box, castin cranks also have a seperate box... Muskie baits take over by end of june and I carry 3 muskie boxes and also turn the livewell, baitwell and below deck compartments into bait storage....

[JohnMickish]

I use Plano 3700 series trays. I organize them up by bait (which at the same time pretty much divides them by species). One for #5 flicker shads, one for #7 natural, one for #7 bright, one for #5 blades, one for #4 blades, well you get the picture. All have labels on them and I store them in 18 gallon Rubbermaid totes.

It works pretty well, if I'm going to Mille Lacs, I grab the lindy, weights, spinner harness and blade trays and I'm off. I carry them in a soft sided BPS boat bag.

[tunrevir]

I do similar as John does. I have all of my #5 cranks in plano boxes, #7's ect. I write the dive curves and line lengths on the boxes for various trolling apps;

8# 65'-8'

78'-9' ect, usually with dive curves for 8 and 10# line just for quick reference. Now they have stickers that can do the same thing. I pick the boxes I need for whatever body of water I'm going to fish put them in my Shimano tackle bag and off I go.

Tunrevir~

[Kyhl]

Thanks for the ideas. I saw those dive curve sheets and was wondering about them. Didn't realize they were stickers that can go on the appropriate boxes.

I also have boxes sorted by size/use, and running depth.

Plus an extra box for jigging and rigging. Extra because most of my fishing can be rigged out of this box so it's not in a bag. It's full of different size and color jigs, plus spinners, hooks, rigging sinkers, swivels, and floaters.

Lastly a book of bags for spinner baits.

And final lastly a separate musky bag with gear and fishing tools.

[Ufatz]

Well, you fellas are missing half the fun of fishing. Around our place we just toss everything in an empty plastic bucket....sorta like those organge things from H.Depot. Toss it all in there.

Then, while we are fishing, we sit and pick through it to find what we need. We have lots of time for that since where we go the fishing is so slow it gives us something to do.

Sometimes my brother puts the bottle opener in the bucket too and that really ticks me off.

All these ideas ya'll talkin' about sound like a lot of messein' around.....busy work, like in a slow government office.

But HEY!.....to each his own.

[CaptainMusky]

Its not messing around once you put everything in their place. You spend the time ONCE, not every time you go out.

I like the tackle trays as well. I have probably 30 of them and I just throw the ones into the bag that I plan on using, species specific or tactic specific.

I just ordered a new storage option for crankbaits which should be here this week. I am so sick and tired of the hooks getting all tangled up. Too many cranks to put those treble hook protectors on, used the rubberbands and though it works, its a PITA.

So I found the "Hook um pads". Gonna give that a whirl.

I can store probably 90 cranks on one pad (front and back) and can see each bait easily without having to open the tray. Excited to see how they work.

[Ufatz]

Yeah. You guys are right of course. We only use a few lures so it is easy for us to get one in each compartment. And all our lures are barbless so that helps when things do get tangled. I like the pull out drawer style and we also use the satchel with the individual clear plastic 8X10 boxes. Very handy.

[amateurfishing]

great ideas

thinkin bout pickin up couple of those FF storage bags advertising for 9.99 that come with 4 plastic trays, any thoughts?

[nofishfisherman]

Like most everyone I use clear Plano boxes organized by lure type. When heading out I just grab the boxes I need and toss them in a soft sided bag that already holds the stuff I need everytime regardless of species (plyers, extra line, leatherman, knife, etc... I also keep one BWCA box that has a mix of gear in it. Usually its a mix of my tried and true fish catchers for various depths and species.

[ozzie]

I have a backpack that I take fishing...in the bag I have various tackle trays and then in the pouches I carry line, slip knots, pliers, first aid and other basics. This way I know that even if I grab the wrong tray or forget to pack the right equipment I can usually search the pouches and find what I need and it all stays together in the backpack. Even when I go into a friends boat I bring the backpack and that way I don't have a big tackle box and clothes for the trip...I just grab my backpack throw sweatshirt and rain gear in and good to go.