Tackle box or bag?

[MNice]

I have a hip roof box that when it's open in the boat takes up a lot of space. I was thinking of a bag sytle that opens from the top, exposing the plastic trays. If you're a top bag user, please tell me your thoughts on this setup. I have a small boat, that's why i would like more room.

thanks!

[MossBoss95]

Well to tell you the truth, I have had both and just switched back to a hard sided tackle box. It has removable trays and opens from the top and side to access the trays. The only reason I switched is because of weather. It seemed like when fishing in the rain I would always get water in the soft sided bag.

[andy j]

Mossboss is right about the softsided getting wet but I still like the softsided, they are more durable, The hardsided plastic ones I have had always seem to break, latches, etc. I think you can get more tackle in the bigger softsided also.

[Northland Sportsman]

I just switched to soft sided bags and really like the setup. You can get extra trays and switch them out depending on what type of fishing you will be doing and it only takes a couple minutes. The trays allow for easy access and you can see through them so only open the one you need. I use this system and switch trays for ice/open water fishing.

[LiLBro]

I have had the soft side for two years now. but i figured out a secret the other day. i bought two hats from hat world in Rosedale mall, the sales guy said they have this stain repellent stuff for like $5. he showed me how it worked and i bought a can. it's like a water proofer, when the rain hits it, it beads up and falls off. it's great stuff. also to dry out the plastic boxes silica gel packets, the little baggies in like beef jerkey packets will keep stuff dry and rust free.

[Bobb-o]

i have the bag and am looking to buy a new one, plano sells 3700s that are waterproof, they have 3 large clasps on the sides and an O-ring that seals your lures off from the weather only problem is that you need to put silica packets in with your lures in case you accidently get any water in there or it wont come out.

[Fisher Dave]

The bag(softside) tackle box is the only way to go for people who have a large quantity of tackle.

The softside allows me to take whatever tackle is proper for my fishing outings, and a little extra just in case... whatever is not needed, stays at home. Just because I have 30 plastic boxes full of tackle, doesnt mean I need them all with me in the boat. If I had hard sided boxes, I would be forced to carry several tackle boxes to get a moderate mix of tackle for a fishing outing... no thanks, I would rather carry a well thought out softsided... less hassle.

The plastic trays let us keep smaller boxes at hand when needed, not the entire tackle supply... for example if we are jigging for eyes, or fishing crappies in the spring.. 99% of the time, the equipment we need is going to be held in 1 jig box.

[gunflint]

I have 3 boxes and a bag. I use the bag for fishing and the boxes for storage. The bag might not be completly waterproof but the storage trays are. I've lost a few lures to rust that got wet inside a plastic tackle box and went unnoticed for a few weeks. And maybe it's just me but my tackle boxes seem to get an odor after a few years.

What I like about the trays has already been mentioned. I organize my trays by species and take the trays I need for any given day.

Another thing that comes in handy with the bags is the shoulder strap. I can usually get all my gear to the boat in one trip.