Suggestions on tackle organization

[lil red jeep]

I was given a pretty big soft sided tackle box for Christmas with 8 large plastic containers. I have always used the old faithful hard sided boxes, and I'm open to see how others divide their things in these soft cases.

This case also has pouches on both sides with binders and zip lock bags. I'm guessing these are useful for ready made rigs?

My hard tackle box always held lead on the bottom, so whats a good system for keeping sinkers organized?http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd252/pullin12s/3306-03.jpg

[chumrunner]

I use the same type of system for organizing my stuff (little smaller bag) with about 4 of those plastic boxes.

I use one for terminal gear like my hooks, snaps, swivels, beads, and sinkers. For the sinkers you could even use an entire box just for them depending on how many kinds and amounts you have.

One box has floats, live bait, and popping cork rigs in it.

One is dedicated to lures and plugs. I have them separated into spoons/jigging metals, surface/topwater plugs, shallow divers and deep divers.

The 4th is for plastics.

I like being able to pull out a different box for whatever fishing situation I'm in.

I also have a lot of pre-made rigs that I keep in a soft sided worm binder that fits into one of the side pockets of the bag.

Don't know if this helps, but I moved away from the traditional tackle boxes a long time ago and have been very happy with this system.

[Ryan Y]

I use a commercial grade silverware basket from a commercial dishwaser to keep my lead in. I can rinse it down with no problems whenever need be. It just stays in the back of my truck all the time.

Nice tackle bag though, I think I might have to re-think my crate and plastic box system.

[cygnus-x1]

I have just about switched form all hard tackle boxes to soft. The last one to go was the surf box. I used it on Monday and it will now be retired for a bag. I like them a lot better than the box.

One trick i will do next year is switch to a two bag system. I have 3 bags (shore fishing, lure fishing, surf fishing) all 3 need knives, pliers, hook removers, head lights, etc etc so instead of having triplicate sets of that I will pack a bag with just those items and then bring that bag and the tackle bag of choice with me. This all changes if and when I get the yak though :)

[jhmorgan]

Pretty much echo what Chumrunner said. While it is "fun" to organize your whole bag the first time, after a few trips you would rather just grab one plastic box. Concentrate your efforts on creating a system where each box represents your different fishing scenarios and you will be very happy with the result.

[Charlie2]

This isn't original as I stole it from a fishing friend.

I surf fish with heavy sinkers and store them in an egg carton. You can keep the lid on or cut it off. This keeps them separated and organized.

Mostof the rigs, I keep in a plastic bucket.

[joe l.]

That set up is somewhat similar to what I've been using for the past 2 years. I bought a military MOLLE pack (the smaller one) and store my lures/hooks/snaps/etc in the plastic boxes. The pack has several zippered sections, and you can loosen buckles to expand the largest section. Plus, with the MOLLE set-up, you can get "add-on" packs that buckle to the outside for stuff like your lead.

I store my pre-made rigs in small zip-lock baggies in one of those soft-side worm binders, then tuck it into the MOLLE pack.

The pack also had 2 D-rings at the top - so I was able to attach a webbing strap to my PVC rod spikes, and I can simply clip them to the pack. That way - I can litterally have my hands free for my rod and bait bucket when I'm walking, everything else is on my back. I find it quite useful...

I can take some pics later if anyone wants to see the set-up.

[Bigfisherman]

Joe,
That sounds interesting. Please post picture when you can.

[joe l.]

Pretty similar (I think) to the rig big red jeep posted... but here's my version. I haven't bought the outer bags yet, but after last year, I want to get one for the lead. The "sputnik" type sinkers don't fit well inside the backpack. For anyone not familiar with the MOLLE system - basically, anywhere you see the "loops" of webbing on the outside of the pack, you can attach an external smaller pouch (usually by either velcro straps or straps/snaps on the pouch itself). It's very versatile. I've used this for both walking the beach, or I remove the spikes when pier fishing. As long as you don't go crazy and weigh it down with too much gear, it's very manageable.

The front:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/jdl1020/Assorted/front.jpg

Side View (note straps for adjusting pack thickness):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/jdl1020/Assorted/sideview.jpg

What Fits Inside (no, I don't take my son's Wiggles microphone in the back ;) ):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/jdl1020/Assorted/theguts.jpg

Rigged with Spikes (notice, the straps for adjusting the pack size neatly hold the spikes close to the bag so they don't flop as you walk. Rig the spikes high enough so they don't smack your feet as you walk):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/jdl1020/Assorted/fullyrigged.jpg

Close Up of D-Ring Attachment for spikes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/jdl1020/Assorted/drings.jpg

[Bigfisherman]

Thanks Joe,
That's a neat way to store and haul your tackle. If you don't mind I think I'll look for something like that.

[cygnus-x1]

Pretty similar (I think) to the rig big red jeep posted... but here's my version. I haven't bought the outer bags yet, but after last year, I want to get one for the lead. The "sputnik" type sinkers don't fit well inside the backpack. For anyone not familiar with the MOLLE system - basically, anywhere you see the "loops" of webbing on the outside of the pack, you can attach an external smaller pouch (usually by either velcro straps or straps/snaps on the pouch itself). It's very versatile. I've used this for both walking the beach, or I remove the spikes when pier fishing. As long as you don't go crazy and weigh it down with too much gear, it's very manageable.

The front:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/jdl1020/Assorted/front.jpg

Side View (note straps for adjusting pack thickness):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/jdl1020/Assorted/sideview.jpg

What Fits Inside (no, I don't take my son's Wiggles microphone in the back ;) ):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/jdl1020/Assorted/theguts.jpg

Rigged with Spikes (notice, the straps for adjusting the pack size neatly hold the spikes close to the bag so they don't flop as you walk. Rig the spikes high enough so they don't smack your feet as you walk):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/jdl1020/Assorted/fullyrigged.jpg

Close Up of D-Ring Attachment for spikes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/jdl1020/Assorted/drings.jpg

Where is a good place to order one of these? My quick search turned up mostly selling to para-military outfits :eek: ... well it looked like it anyways.

[joe l.]

I got mine from cheaperthandirt (not sure of the rules here for linking other sites), but you'll find them on eBay and everywhere else. The one I use is called a Level III pack. They have another pack called a "3-day" MOLLE pack, but it is HUGE, way to big for anything other than humping for days. The level III is just the right size (for me anyway) to lug for a day on the beach without killing myself with too much weight.

Search "MOLLE gear" on their site, you'll see all the various add-on pouches as well. The "accessory pouch" is the one I'm gonna get for my lead. It's something like 7x4x3 inches, and will attach nicely to the outside of the back pack. I figure that size will hold a reasonable amount of lead for walking the beach. There are tons of different add-on pouches - with dividers, without dividers, pre-packed first aid kits... pretty much whatever you could want or use.

[cygnus-x1]

Thank you ... very interesting. I am glad I have not purchased my third tackle bag yet as it will be for the surf and this may do the trick.

[cygnus-x1]

I really like this idea! And I just got a new tackle box from my daughter for Christmas... :(

Any fishermen worth a grain of salt has multiple tackle boxes. Relax. You need a surf bag (MOLLE is great for this), pier and shoreline bag, lure bag, and a boat bag.

Way I see it you need at least 3 or 4. :D

I am looking into the MOLLE bags for the Spring run at AI

[cygnus-x1]

I know - thing is - this is my 5th box! I already have a really big one for fresh water, then a medium and two smaller ones for salt... LOL

tackle bag ho :eek: :D:D

[joe l.]

I know - thing is - this is my 5th box! I already have a really big one for fresh water, then a medium and two smaller ones for salt... LOL

Look at it this way - you live in PA, but are near enough the shore to justify all that stuff! I live on the west side of the state - but have enough surf gear for 4 people.

I look awfully funny during fly fishing season using my 12 ft heavy spinning rod in a trout stream...:p

(and actually, I'm in the same bag as you - just got a SL30SH and am looking at the Oceanmaster rods now as well... that'll make 5 surf rods :D)

[rgking03]

A good thing about the Molle bag is that keeps you taking more then what you need for a quick trip to wet a line.