Hey I have bunch of rust in the bottom of my plano tackle organizers, and a bunch of my worm hooks, tube jigs, and even some trebles on my crankbaits are rusted some minor some major.  I am going to just replace the major rusted ones but is there any fix for the minor stuff?  Rust in bottom of tackle org?  How to prevent it?  I was thinking of bleaching my tackle organizer to try and get rid of the rust in the bottom - good or bad idea?  Any solutions would be welcome.  Thanks

Any rust on any hook is immediately replaced. Not only for your sake, if you get hooked, better hope you are up to date on tetanus shot, but for the fishes sake too where a little rust can tear up the lip and get infected if the fish is released.

I just replaced a few treble hooks on a few cranks last night due to rust. Hopefully the Gokumatsu red doesn't rust as easily.

I found a way to get rust and crud off tackle.  One day at Walmart, they had a kids rock polishing kit on sale dirt cheap.   In the reloading section at Bass Pro, you can get polishing medium, (it isn't cheap, but it lasts, a gallon could be a lifetime supply)  for polishing spent brass cartridges.  A small handful of cruddy hooks, jigs, etc., and some of the medium, in the polisher for a half hour or so and then you know what you got.  A few  things are rusted beyond hope, yet many are salvageable.

Surface rust is easily removed. If thery are rusted, then toss em.

This happened to me last year when some water got into one of my boxes without me noticing. I just tossed them and replaced. Luckily it was just terminal tackle, so I only had to replace various hooks and weights. So no big loss. That is probably your safest bet.

i would change the hooks i couldnt clean up and sharpen.. try crl to clean your organizers.. calcium rust lime spray   .

thanks for the suggestions

I just ordered 40 VMC trebles to replace half my crankbait box. Water got into a compartment in the boat and then into a Plano box with about 60 baits. Just cut them off and replaced the split rings and hooks.

If you put a piece of chalk in your tacklebox, it will absorb the water and dampness and help cut down on rust.

If you put a piece of chalk in your tacklebox, it will absorb the water and dampness and help cut down on rust.

Is this like classroom chalk, you are saying would work?

I am a vitamin nut.  I save the moisture absorbent capsules in each bottle of supplements, and store them with my tackle.  Most of them find a home where I store my cheaper monofilament.  My expensive line gets stored in a waterproof case for ammo.

Z-rust capsules good for three years. the plastic taps are good for two years. cabelas  had the tabs on sale a wail back for .89 cents for 25 tabs. The capsules work great in a three or four draw tackle box and the taps can be used in plano boxes .

I have Zrust containers in my tackle bag. Three years now and no rust problems. 8-)

I buy bulk hooks, and bring only a few in my box on each outing, I guess how many I will need accounting for hangups that I can't get free, and then take a few extra.  Also, wet baits/hooks/sinkers etc. NEVER get mixed in with dry.  After doing this, I have never had a rust problem.