favorite tackle box

[MNice]

I have a hip roof style box that holds a lot, but it takes up to much room in the boat. To get at anything, you have to open it all the way which requires moving the box when it sits next to the side of the boat. I know its not the end of the world, but it's a pain when you have a smaller boat. I have reasoned a bigger boat would be one option, but my better half didn't take to that type of reasoning I have been looking at new boxes, both hard side and bag style, and have found what I think will work well, a plano 737, but still undecided. Please tell me what style do you like & why.

Thanks

[LiLBro]

I have a plano softside. i used to have a hardside but i had to much stuff. i like the softsides because you can organize your stuff a lot better. if you'll be going after different species you can switch out boxes without taking all day. plus the shoulder strap is kick butt if you'll be walking anywhere.

[Iceseeker]

I've seriously thought about a soft sider but then I heard the comment that they are a pain when it rains. Does the fact that they are cloth make it a hassle for this reason. Still would like to purchase for the convenience but would like some more input.

Thanks,

Iceseeker

[Northland Sportsman]

I have used both hard and soft sided boxes. I am sold on the convenience of the soft sided. You can easily switch out tackle for different fishing techniques if you have it organized into thos clear plastic storage units. It holds a lot of tackle. I have not had any problems with it getting wet, I think it is made of water resistent materials. I use it for ice and summer, just switch out the storage containers. Works Great.

[hip_hop_fisherman]

I have the plano 7771 which I really like, but wouldn't be an option for you if you don't want something bulky, I also have a plano 7271 which isn't as bulky that I use for my jigs. Its actually a little smaller than the 737, and comes with the stow away boxes rather than just pull out shelves. This is convenient if you just want to take some of your tackle, just take a stow away box with you. I also used the soft sides for awhile, but didn't care for them. personally I ended up having to check through all the containers numerous times to find what I wanted. Maybe I just had one that wasn't easily organized, but I'd much rather have the hard system. The 7271 will run you around $30.

[musky hunter]

Without a doubt, I'd go for a quality soft sided bag of the size you want. Or maybe two smaller ones, one for stick baits and one for the other stuff. I'll never go back to a hard plastic tackle box.

[fish-n-geek]

What is the advantage of the soft sided "boxes" over the hard side boxes that utilize the removable tackle trays? Your lures etc are stored in the same plastic box either way.

-r-

[musky hunter]

The soft side has several advantages. 1) A shoulder strap for easy carrying. 2) Zippers instead of hinges, it doesn't empty all the tackle if you forget and pick it up. 3)I know just what zipper to go to for my stuff. 4)Efficient use of the volume of the box. 5)Side pockets for things like spools of leader material, etc. 7) Competitive pricing. 8)It breathes so it doesn't trap water.

Well, that's enough for a start. Perhaps someone else will chime in on what they say the advantages are.

[delmuts]

i have and will always have a soft sided bag. most of the time i only pull a couple of the 3700,s out and take them, or stick several in the boat for a day of fishing. if i travel then the bag comes. mine holds six 3700, plus spinnerbai bag and lots of other stuff in the side pockets. yes the bag will get wet in the rain, but dries fast . my $.02

[gunflint]

I'll never buy another hard side box after using the soft side. As far as rain goes, I keep a garbage bag in my soft sider for various purposes when it rains I put soft sider inside it. I can also bring a lunch & carry my depth finder and 2 rods all in one trip to the boat. I have never knocked it over and spilled tackle all over the boat or truck or floor etc. The shoulder strap also frees up a hand so I can carry all those fish.

[Bushwacker]

I have been using soft sided tackle boxes for 6 seasons now. The most important advise I can give is go with the 3700 size soft sider from the start. I have 2 3600 size bags and about 20 trays that just take up space because I out grew them. The same thing happened to two of my fishing buddies. Water has never been a problem with any of my soft siders. Most are made out of water resistant materials, and even if they are not, they breathe so well that they dry out very fast if they do get wet. I like the fact that I can have 40+ trays sitting at my house and I can just grab 8 to go out and then the next day use 8 different ones and so on. All my terminal tackle and tools stays the same, but the lures change depending on lake and species. I would recommend a soft sided box to anyone(expect my Dad always complains that he now carries too much stuff in his and can never find what he is looking for)

[fish-n-geek]

What is the size difference between the 3600 and 3700 series, and are you looking to get rid of the 3600s ? :-)

-rus-

fish at greengoo dot net

[Bushwacker]

Most of the 3700 size boxes are 14" X 9"

Most of the 3600 size boxes are 11" X 7"

I never really thought about selling them. I have always been of the mindset, you never sell guns or fishing tackle. Just keep adding to your collection. I have one Shimano box that has (I think) 8 3600 size trays that I don't use anymore. I would think about parting with it I guess.