The days of an old rusty tackle box with expanding trays for all your fishing lures are long gone. Like the lures themselves, tackle storage boxes and accessories have evolved significantly, becoming more refined and specialized.
There are many ways to store your tackle, including these proven boxes and storage tools, which help keep your gear organized and protected. They come from several leading tackle storage brands and would be worthy additions to any bass angler's gear collection.
Do-It-All Storage Boxes
Most tackle bags and boat storage areas are designed to fit individual tackle boxes, either the 3600 or 3700-sized boxes that have become the norm. Many different brands produce boxes in these two sizes, and there are some outstanding ones, including those from Plano, Bass Mafia, and Flambeau, three of the leaders in tackle storage.
These boxes are for general use, and you can adjust the dividers to fit your baits and set them up as you prefer. It's up to you to customize the box to your needs, which allows for many possibilities.
To ensure that your tackle stays dry, some boxes have a waterproof gasket built into the box. One of these is the Plano StowAway Waterproof Stow, which has been redesigned to be even more waterproof. It comes in popular sizes, and in addition to the seal, it has a corrosion-resistant material built into the plastic to help prevent rust.
Bass Mafia also produces excellent boxes, and the Casket lineup has been updated with stronger latches than the original generation. It comes in a few of the most popular sizes. These boxes also have a rubber gasket to keep your baits dry.
Another good option is the Flambeau Zerust Max Waterproof Tuff Tainer, which comes in several sizes and features both thin and deep versions. They all have sturdy latches that withstand the abuse of bass anglers and feature a rust-resistant formula molded right into the plastic to help keep your baits safe from rust and corrosion.
Specialized Boxes
The boxes listed above can accommodate any type of tackle and terminal tackle, but there are more specialized versions available for different lure types. There are some great ones from the leading brands, but these three stand out for their ease of use and innovation.
The Evolution Fishing Ballistix Hangr Tackle Management Box has unique dividers that allow you to hang your hard baits. This helps keep them organized and prevents hooks from getting easily tangled with other baits. The boxes themselves are durable and feel very sturdy when picked up, so you don't have to worry about damaging the contents. This is especially important for delicate and expensive crankbaits, such as balsa lures.
For jerkbaits, the Plano EDGE 3700 Jerkbait Box keeps the bait secure and organized. These are well-built boxes, and this box is excellent for protecting your jerkbaits, especially when many bass anglers today are spending good money on specialized Japanese jerkbaits. The downside to the box is its cost, but it is built to last.
Another solid option in the Plano EDGE series is the Plano EDGE Master 3700 Terminal Box, which has smart storage for hooks, weights, and other terminal tackle items. They are very sturdy boxes, and while they are expensive, they are built to last for years, keeping your terminal tackle secure and organized.
Bait Bags and More
Soft plastic lures are essential for bass fishing, and there are many ways to store soft baits; some anglers remove them from the bags and fit them inside plastic boxes, but many anglers also like to keep them in their original bags.
Keeping them in the bag they came in allows them to stay in one place, retain the scent if the plastics are scented, and the colors will not bleed onto other lures like they would if removed from bags.
With so many soft plastics accumulated over time, storing these individual bags requires a way to keep them organized. You can put bags in a simple gallon storage bag, but better options exist. Heavy-duty plastic bags with zippers are a great option, and there are some excellent choices available on the market.
The Evolution Outdoors Bass Sacks are available in three sizes and are constructed from durable, heavy-duty PVC plastic. It also features a sturdy zipper that's also built to last. Another good option that keeps your plastics organized and in one place is the Bass Mafia Money Bags. Both are great options for corralling your soft plastics and keeping the bags in one place while also allowing you to look through the clear plastic to find what you're looking for.
For your swimbaits and glide baits, the Evolution Fishing Big Bait Bags are sturdy bags you can use to protect these expensive baits. These heavy-duty bags enable you to wrap the baits securely without damaging their tails. These wraps are not cheap, but they will help protect your investment.
Another handy tool for storage is the Seaguar Line & Leader Management Bags. These bags come in three sizes, allowing you to store your spools of fishing line and leader material in one convenient place. They have the added benefit of allowing you to spool directly from the bag, making it easy to add new lines to a reel even when alone.
Tackle storage may not be as exciting as the latest lures, rods, and reels, but it's a crucial part of bass fishing. Having the proper storage items and boxes will keep you organized and protect those lures and gear for years.
