Tackle boxes have come a long way since the days of boxes that opened in the center, with the trays on each side lifting outward. Those boxes served a purpose in their day, but modern tackle solutions have been designed to keep anglers more organized and better protect their fishing tackle.
The following items are worth looking into if you are seeking the best solution for storing your fishing lures and terminal tackle.
Standard Tackle Boxes
While many tackle boxes are meant for specific things, a standard 3600 or 3700-sized box can do it all. The following are three options that span the price spectrum, from low-priced values to premium offerings.
Plano 3650 Pro-Latch Stowaway 4-Pack
If you need a simple solution that stores a lot of tackle, the Plano Pro-Latch Stowaways are the best you will find for the money. They are clear and come with all the dividers to customize them for your needs, and the latch system is simple but very effective. They are also available in four-packs, so you can save even more money and build your tackle box system much more quickly.
KastKing HyperSeal Waterproof Tackle Box
As the name suggests, these are built to be very waterproof, with a solid latch system and a rubber seal running around the inside of the box lid. Each divider has holes for more ventilation, and the box opens with just one hand. They come in several colors and multiple sizes, so there is something for everyone's needs and preferences.
Plano EDGE Professional 3600 and 3700
The Plano EDGE series has been around for several years, and it's still among the best lines of tackle boxes. They are built to last. The series offers many lure-specific options for storing crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, and more, but the regular 3600 and 3700 boxes are excellent and can hold anything you need. They have a solid build and plenty of options to keep your tackle dry and rust-free.
Specialty Tackle Boxes and Miscellaneous Storage
If you are looking for a specific box for one type of lure, the items listed below are great choices. They are tailor-made for specific lures and needs and will serve you well.
Gamakatsu G-Box Utility Case 3700D Deep
While not originally intended for it, this box has become a go-to for anglers looking to store their "urchin baits," like the Hideup Cike and others. The small slits on the side of the box allow for great customization with the included dividers, but they also help anglers store their urchin baits on the original wires included inside the boxes the baits come packaged in. This helps to keep the baits in pristine condition and ready to go when you are fishing.
Evolution Fishing BallistiX Twitch Tackle Tray
A relatively new player in the tackle storage world, Evolution has some very unique products. Among those is the BallistiX line, which includes the Twitch Tackle Tray, which was designed for jerkbaits, walking topwater baits, and other thin-profiled lures. They fit snugly in the thin dividers and have a perfect spot for one treble hook to rest. These boxes will keep your most valuable lures protected and prevent them from banging into each other, dulling hooks and paint finishes in the process. It will not hold as many lures as standard tackle trays, but this is the one you need if you are concerned about your most expensive baits.
The BallistiX Twitch Tackle Tray keeps your jerkbaits and other thin baits perfectly secured and protected at all times.
Another option from Evolution, this Terminal Tray is built tough and made for small terminal tackle items like hooks, weights, swivels, and more. What makes this a terminal tackle box is that the dividers are secure and molded in, so you do not have to worry about the plastic dividers shifting and moving your small terminal tackle items into other sections of your box. It's also designed to help prevent rust, with materials molded into the plastic to prevent corrosion. It's also very sturdy and built to last.
Nako Hook Organizer
The best way to describe this hook organizer is a wallet: it keeps all your hooks protected and in their original packaging, inside the zip-lock bags. The design lets you open the hook organizer and quickly flip through each bag until you find what you need. Keeping the hooks in their original package also helps you easily identify the size and type of each hook.
Nako Jighead Tray
This small tray borrows some innovation from the fly-fishing world, letting you insert your jigheads into small slits in the foam at the bottom of the box. The idea is proven but not very popular in the bass-fishing world, but it makes perfect sense for keeping your jigheads protected, organized, and tangle-free. The price is also very fair, retailing for around $10, and this new line has more than just this box, so there are plenty of different options to choose from.
Gamakatsu G-Box Double-Sided Slit Foam Case 3200
Another box with foam, this one from Gamakatsu, stores your hooks and jigheads perfectly and features a foam box inside the box and under the lid, allowing you to store even more items. It's a simple design from one of the leaders in terminal tackle. Now you have a perfect place to store their super-sharp hooks and jigheads.
Tackle boxes and lure storage can be as simple or as complicated as you want, but the good news is that there is something for everyone. The tackle boxes listed above serve to keep your lures organized and protected and would make a great addition to any bass angler's gear collection.
