Whats in your tackle box?

[Random guy]

I was wondering what items you catfish veterans consider a must to have with at all times. Such as pliers, lights , spare this and spare that etc etc.

Also what have you guys found for the best method of transporting all of this? The way I see it by time you have some bait in a bucket and a 8'+ rod you really don't want much more to try and get down a bank with.

Then we get into the rod holder question for fishing from dry land?

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'll give it a go. Here's what I usually carry out for shore catting:

*Rod and reel(s)

*Knife or two (pocketknife and cut bait knife)

*Bait

*Assortment of hooks, sinkers, barrel swivels, and plastic beads

*Camera

*scale/tape measure

*pliers

*net

*rag/towel--they are slimy beasts

*rod holders

*folding chair

*headlamp, flashlight, lantern

I'll have one bait bucket and cram everything else in another 5 gallon bucket, plus I have chairs with shoulder straps, so it's not too hard to carry it all. As far as rod holders, I've got some made of PVC pipe and rebar that poke into the ground and I just made up a 5 gallon bucket with some PVC holders attached that I will fill with water to weight it down. I tried this contraption the other day with good success. Here's an idea of what it looks like.

The screws holding the PVC to the buckets are countersunk so they don't tear up your rod grips, and the inside of the screw holes are sealed so it will hold water.

For now, that is all I can think of that I bring with (oh, a fishing license, of course).

[Dennis Steele]

I'll add a good headlamp and bug dope.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Hah, just edited it to add headlamp while you were posting, Dennis. Bug juice is a good idea, depending upon where you are fishing

[hanson]

I did not see you mention glowsticks anywhere.

Are you not into glowsticks Ryan?

[Ralph Wiggum]

Geez, I can't remember everything, guys I still forget a rag most of the time. Keep the ideas coming, though.

[hanson]

Ryan- The glowstick thing is a joke. You better have a talk with Fisher Dave.

Jon- Here's a couple shots of my "tackle box".

I keep various hooks, swivels, and "stuff" in one box

-9/0 & 10/0 Gamakatsu Octopus for flats

-Big 'ole circle hooks (I think they are Owner, anyway, wire diameter is too fat IMO on those)

-3/0, 4/0, 5/0 Gammies for channels

-3/0, 4/0 Gamakatsu Octopus circles for channels as well

-Variety of barrel swivels & beads

-And... Uh Hum (cough, cough) Glowsticks to tape to your rod tip for night fishing

Other box is simple... LEAD! I wanna see a loon try to pick up a 5oz No-Roll from the bottom of a lake. Thats a joke! No loons were harmed while fishing for cats last summer.

Notice that I'm a little short on 3 ouncers right now. The 5's & 6's are just for show!

I toss these 2 trays into my Cabelas soft side bag, along with a needlenose, nail clippers, headlamp (very important), fillet knife (cutbait tool), and bolt cutters to cut the 80lb PP.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Chris, I figured there was some joke there.

My tackle box looks similar to yours, but I don't have quite the variety of swivels that you do, and I've got a little bigger variety of hooks. That, and no glow sticks

[Dennis Steele]

Whats wrong with light sticks?

I think they are a must for detecting some bites at night. Cats don't always run downstream. Matter of fact, I bet over 50% of bites go undected if your not useing something.

(BUT NOT BELLS!!)

hanson,

do you polish that tackle?

Doesn't look anything like mine. No rust or stained plastic!

[hanson]

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Whats wrong with light sticks?

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Absolutely nothing wrong with light sticks!

There is a really big inside joke there and I'm waiting to see Brian or Dave's comments.

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do you polish that tackle?

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I will if it helps catch fish! I'm just a picky neat freak when it comes to that type of stuff, even if it is "catfish tackle".

[Ralph Wiggum]

I keep mine neat, too

[Dennis Steele]

Are you guys talking about the "Sylvania Sucker"?

[hanson]

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Are you guys talking about the "Sylvania Sucker"?

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Yep! Apparently there are some things that tape will just not stick to.

[Random guy]

So far I have gathered ;

1) Circle hooks from 2/0-10/0

2) Straight hooks from2/0-10/0

3) No Rolls from 1 ½ -5 oz

4) 2 cat eyes lamps, 1 head lamp and my miniature battery operated spotlight.

5) Bug dope (non spray type, I hate that stuff on everything.)

6) Swivels

7) Glow sticks w/rod clips

8) Beads

9) Scale/w tape

10) Big ol tub of Rolaids / bigger tub of asprin

11) Leatherman

12) Pliers, needle nose

13) Super fancy Stratos boats hand towel

14) Mini floating cutting board

15) Spare spool of line

16) First aid goodies because I’m a clutz.

I have relized that I don't own a fillet knife.

I even think I can come up with a folding stake type rod holder that will fit in the bag with the folding chair…I used to build concrete and aggregate plants from scratch I should be able to think up a rod holder.

[hanson]

For a rod holder, a piece of PVC to fit your rod handle duct-taped to a piece of rebar is about as cheap and effective as you can get.

BTW Jon- Crappies were found in same general area as Slabfest weekend.

[Random guy]

Duct tape? Aren't you a Architectural Designer?

The crappies ~It's the ________ cocktail.

[DARK30]

In one hand I carry the rod and a net. In the other hand I carry the bucket and rod holder. All the rest of the garb goes in my vest pockets. In most cases while fishing mudeyes, I park close enough to the water so I don't have to lug the bait. I keep the bait at the vehicle on a 12 volt aerator if at all possible.

Looking outside right now, I can't really believe there is a nice piece of riverbank complete with mosquitos and a good cigar

[I Da Man]

Jon, catfishing from a boat is a bit differant than bank fishing...as far as equipment goes...basic tackle stays the same though.

Daytime channel fishing isn't an issue as most fishing boats have everything that is needed...but when we start talking night time flathead fishing from the boat...it's a little differant IMO.

I strongly recommend a GPS with a reliable power source (not just the batteries)

Two 12 v spot lights...not too fond of the cordless ones as they have been known to [PoorWordUsage] out on ya when needed.

Camera...I keep two digitals and one back up throw away on board (this might be extreme but the last thing I want to have is someone catch the largest fish of their life and not have a photo of it!)

VHF radio (optional) I found this item very handy last year for getting around barges...and my cell phone doesn't work in all areas...backup communications is a good thing on the river at night

I use a converted cooler with wheels to keep the bait alive while in a boat or on shore. The air pumps have 2 D cell batteries, but I try to connect it to the trolling motor batteries whenever possible.

Jon? Are you giving up on Bass this year??

[Ralph Wiggum]

Brian, are you describing what you bring cat fishing, or what is in the cockpit of a 747? Sheesh

[DARK30]

Ok, I'll be the one to ask then........ WHAT KIND OF BEER?

[Guest]

You know.. I dont think I had to use bug spray at all last year?

The only thing I see missing is a stock tank size bait net. I also use a cooler on wheels for a minnow bucket and its hard to catch lively bullheads in 10 gallons of water. This year I'm going to install a livewell in my vehicle.. no joke.

A good supply of hooks is a must in various sizes. Your hook size will change with different size baits, and snags can eat up hooks in a hurry. If you are shore fishing much of the time.. Its a good idea to keep your weights in a couple different boxes and leave the bulk of the weights in the truck. They get heavy fast.

Other things..

A scale capable of 100# is a good idea.. I have bottomed out a 50#, and seen it happen on other fish.

Electric lanturns work great to shed some light when you need more than just a headlamp.. easy to turn them on and off if bug are an issue and they never get hot.

BIG NET with an extension handle.. whether you are shore fishing from an elevated platform, or standing on a muddy bank(its nice not to sink to your knees), or even in a boat fishing by yourself.. a long handled large net makes life much easier on you and the fish.

[mistermom]

I don't carry much of anything. I'da man and That Guy carry everything I need

mm

[jtk15]

I usually fish by boat, but when by bank I just thrown a couple of trays in a backpack I use-nothing fancy, but works well. Can get all your trays, needle nose, ect in there. I also rig up some extra stuff to save the trouble in the dark down, as well as time in the water. I also bring at least two headlamps-and often skip the ...rather grab a fresh one rather than fumble changing batteries. Dont forget a little toilet paper and a trash bag too. The trash bag seems to be forgoten way too often...The best way to change the complexion and scenic value of the outdoors-in particular the river-all the trash that shorefishers leave on the banks.....

Getting the itch.....Whats up with this snowstorm. I just returned from a trip from Belize, and heard it was 45 and sunny....not a blizzard........LOL Did manage a 80+#tarpon down there...That was something else....Even makes catfish seem.....forget it, wont go there. Why do people waste their time gamefishing walleyes anyways......

jk

[Dennis Steele]

Tarpon!

Now that has been on my list for a long time.

Those things look awsome when they dance across the water.

Well, welcome back to Minnesota!

[Random guy]

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BIG NET with an extension handle..

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48", 52" or 70" hoop? I have all three sizes.

I have been looking at one of my old trapping backpacks in the garage for this shore fishing bussiness. I swore I would never strap that thing to my back ever again.