Not sure if this is the right thread, but was wondering if yall have a preference between waterproof 3700 tackle boxes and the nonwaterproof ones? I would assume most people get the waterproof ones in case it rains or if you're in really wavy water, but aren't your lures more likely to rust in the waterproof ones due to the waterproofing if you're not careful? Which one does everyone prefer?

I have found it’s easier to keep water out of a tackle box than it is to get it out. So for that reason I avoid using waterproof boxes. I take desiccant packets from beef jerky or electronics and stick them in a non water proof tackle box. Or the Flambeau Ze-rust pods. 

I am primarily a bank fisherman, but when I do boat, I don't have waterproof compartments. I use non-waterproof boxes.

 

 

I don't see any benefit of waterproof boxes. If I'm fishing and it starts to rain, I'll most likely change lures to match that condition, thus my box gets wet. OR, I'll double down and refuse to change so my gear doesn't get wet.

 

I've been in light rain before, and the contents of my boxes haven't gotten wet inside my fishing bag.

 

I never put wet lures back in the box, unless, it's raining and the box is wet anyways. In that case, I open the box and dry the contents when I'm done.

 

I have a mix of both and will be going to more waterproof boxes.  In the kayak I jut planned that everything would be wet if it rained that day.  I had non waterproof boxes inside a tackle bag that would keep a decent amount of water out, but not all.  So when I got home, all 5 boxes came out of the bag and aired.  Now on the boat, my tackle storage compartment isn’t sealed so when it rains water gets into it.  Since my boxes are horizontal, water can seep into them so I’m in the same place as the kayak except I also have to dry out the compartment.  I also have 3x as many boxes as when in the kayak so it’s a bit of a pain to lay them out on the deck to dry out.

 

All my boxes have a zerust plate in them and I never put wet lures back in the box so a tiny bit of moisture from pulling a lure out while it is raining a little isn’t bad.  But waterproof boxes will keep lures dry in the boxes I don’t use that day whether  it rains or not.

I have 4 waterproof boxes I take with me in the kayak.

One is my terminal tackle box, another is a lure box (not

soft plastics). Both of those have a couple hooks that 

have rusted. This despite having a moisture absorbing

add-in. I have used dessicant packs in other boxes, and

may add some to my waterproof ones.

 

Water stays in the waterproof boxes if you throw a wet

something or other in there. Now in fairness, I do fish

saltwater (brackish) on occasion, so I'm not discounting

that when I cut off a drop shot and put the hook back in

the TT box. Gonna rust no matter what unless flushed 

and dried....

Plano 3700 and Flambeau Zerust boxes have a water wick to soak up water, which I find generally works alright.

 

I usually open the box, grab the lure I’m after and stick it on the holes in my Pacific Yak Angler front tracks on my kayak made to hold lures and then toe it on, so hardly any water gets in the box. The lure I take off then also goes on the lure holders until it dries.

I’ve got a mix of both. I don’t really commit to any one brand, but I’ve really taken a liking to the gray waterproof ones from Bass Pro just for the latches - they’re secure, but not as hardcore as the Plano and Flambeau waterproof. Makes a quick grab of something easier, especially cooler mornings when my arthritis is reminding me that I’m getting old.

I need to buy some boxes as well.

 

I'm so disorganized right now I don't even know what I have and what I don't have.

 

I want to find a good box and buy like 10 of them so they are all the same and then label them.

 

Don't really want to spend $150-$200 on storage but hopefully it's a one time purchase.

I have a few waterproof boxes simply because I got them on sale, but really don't have a preference for them over the standard boxes.

The flambeau boxes come with rust-inhibiting inserts, many more than you need for the box. So I took the extras and cut them in half and scattered them about the tackle boxes that aren't Edge, which have their own silica gel packet. 

 

As to the original question, waterproof for terminal boxes, kinda mixed otherwise. Probably my favorite non-waterproof is the plano CDS, but I think it is out of production. I wouldn't use a waterproof box without either some of the anti-rust tabs or a silica gel packet though.

use waterproof, Even bank fishing you need to think of rain, I use waterproof always, Used bait will be in the mesh bag and after they dried, Ill put them back in tackle box. mesh bag is rubber so hooks will not stock it it..

I started using the Kastking Hyperseal boxes. They will float, except when loaded with a bunch of weights. They come in orange, black and purple.

3 hours ago, ike8120 said:

I started using the Kastking Hyperseal boxes. They will float, except when loaded with a bunch of weights. The come in orange, black and purple.

These boxes are great. They also solved the problem with the Plano 3700s where the boxes "lock" in a halfway open state. I once dumped out all my terminal tackle when this happened and I didn't realize it.

 

Aggressively Average Anglers recommended it, so I decided to try it. I now buy these over Plano 3700s besides the specialty boxes.

 

 

On 9/8/2025 at 5:49 AM, ATA said:

use waterproof, Even bank fishing you need to think of rain, I use waterproof always, Used bait will be in the mesh bag and after they dried, Ill put them back in tackle box. mesh bag is rubber so hooks will not stock it it..

what is the "mesh bag"? is it tackle specific or is it something you have borrowed from another hobby and brought over to fishing? 

1 hour ago, wolfe_ohara said:

what is the "mesh bag"? is it tackle specific or is it something you have borrowed from another hobby and brought over to fishing? 

mesh bags being used for salt water jigging mostly, Because after using jigs you need to rinse them with water and let them dry for next trip, So I use it for fresh water as well and just put all the lures and rigs in it till it gets dry and I put them back.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Goture-Accessories-Saltwater-Freshwater-12-99x5-12x4-72/dp/B0C3Q41N5R/ref=sr_1_4?crid=G5OWAYB7SVO0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.78LVbu4ZZ9nJj16tpgD_Xc3hmwdmUWKuuqlDHaketnTFRirxkfgmzJXqBf5793PKW82eejVV8YZ48Bpm_s9dASgU9KUBfTsL0H69VqX7e1z608bHgtJLW0PmiaGbiU1rDl5LHfNzeAtGojWvAOQJaSg6yYLDfksgGEPPEpnH7XGnbiapuQ_18nR5trbMhVttnICrxlf43d2bHRZ068AerUXpIf35Pb4c7YdaxHY9hLlEJz-zQIpZ_MRJVjGVmXDzu6EyHSVVd4ID5_2FR3ljEvL-noiE44MoYwkAEQglZMo.UJXBZkk_1YqUu4HKoyunm4--NQ2aekhrmMJroWuBnN0&dib_tag=se&keywords=rubber%2Bmesh%2Bjig%2Bbags&qid=1757549168&sprefix=mesh%2Bjig%2Bbags%2Caps%2C227&sr=8-4&th=1

 

 

make sure get the rubber one so the hooks will not be stocked.

https://www.amazon.com/Reaction-Tackle-Deluxe-Mesh-Bag/dp/B0DPCTM41D/ref=sr_1_17?crid=G5OWAYB7SVO0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.78LVbu4ZZ9nJj16tpgD_Xc3hmwdmUWKuuqlDHaketnTFRirxkfgmzJXqBf5793PKW82eejVV8YZ48Bpm_s9dASgU9KUBfTsL0H69VqX7e1z608bHgtJLW0PmiaGbiU1rDl5LHfNzeAtGojWvAOQJaSg6yYLDfksgGEPPEpnH7XGnbiapuQ_18nR5trbMhVttnICrxlf43d2bHRZ068AerUXpIf35Pb4c7YdaxHY9hLlEJz-zQIpZ_MRJVjGVmXDzu6EyHSVVd4ID5_2FR3ljEvL-noiE44MoYwkAEQglZMo.UJXBZkk_1YqUu4HKoyunm4--NQ2aekhrmMJroWuBnN0&dib_tag=se&keywords=rubber%2Bmesh%2Bjig%2Bbags&qid=1757549168&sprefix=mesh%2Bjig%2Bbags%2Caps%2C227&sr=8-17&th=1