56 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

We've all got too much stuff, but never enough!  I find it helpful to just carry what I plan to

fish on a given day in a smaller tacklebag. Then I have a broader selection in a big bag

which I generally carry separately or in my truck. I VERY RARELY open the big box on an

outing, but I might switch out a few plugs on a multi-day trip. 

 

 

My main utility boxes are always kept in the boat during fishing season, so it's really not a hassle. The main hassle is maybe untangling a few baits when I take one out, but that doesn't take too much time. 

On 12/14/2022 at 3:13 PM, garroyo130 said:

I'll replace hooks but not split rings, my drag isn't set anywhere near enough to open a split ring. No hook bonnets either but I do check hooks the night prior to and after fishing a will and sharpen as needed with a pocket pen sharpener.

 

I thought this, too, until I started throwing some Rapala baits.... ? Now I swap 90% of hooks/split rings, if only for peace of mind and eliminating that variable.

 

I don't worry about hook covers or hooks dulling in my boxes. If they get dull, I just hone them a bit with this file:

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dr_Slick_Hook_Sharpener_File_4/descpage-DRHF.html

 

A big fan of it, honestly.

Big fish bites are few & hard to come by so I'm pretty anal about maintaining hook sharpness by replacing hooks frequently or sharpening as needed. I always carry a sharpener & split ring pliers to change them out. 

23 hours ago, Smells like fish said:

Am I overthinking it that those hooks are gonna dull?

Yes

For some reason when I open a split ring enough for a new hook the ring never closes completely. New rings work fine, it’s just the originals.