Tackle box/bag organization

Saltwater Inshore Discussion
1

I used the search function because I feel certain this has been discussed but I kept getting an error. How do you find the best way to organize your inshore tackle. I would like to keep my tackle separate, to an extent. I dont see any reason for bringing a lot of my freshwater gear every time I go. I am currently using a tackle bag with plano waterproof plastic tackle dividers, but I feel like everything is kind of jumbled up. My next issue is I want to keep track of the different weighted hooks or jig heads, and sizes of the hooks I am using. Main reason for this is re-ordering purposes and quickly making a decision on the water. I dont want to grab a 3/16th weighted hook for deeper casting or swift current. Does anyone have any pictures of their tackle they think works best. I am open to going back to flip tackle boxes as well.

If this has been discussed in depth and you have a link will you post it please, thank you.

2

I use plano boxes and a tackle binder that holds zip lock bags in a ring notebook type of arrangement in a zip up binder bag.

Over the years I’ve reduced my amount of crap that I take along but I’m kind of a pack rat and still take too much.

3

Step 1 Get a tackle bag
Step 2 Get the right size boxes for bag.
Step 3 organize

You can carry so much more tackle when its organized and a bag keeps your hands free.

My boxes

Box 1
my metals, spoons, gotchas, jigs, blade baits
Box 2
My non z man plastics get put in a box so i can have more variety and save space instead of a lot ofbags
Box 3
Small Jig heads, under spin, swim bait hooks, weedless, bucktails 1/4oz or less
Box 4
Heavy jigs, bucktails, large hooks
Box 5
Suspended lures, mirror lures, jerkbaits and top waters
Box 6
Deeper lures, cranks, jerks,
Box 7
Small weights less than an ounce
Box 8
Bigger weights more than an ounce
Box 9
Miscellaneous rigging stuff, hooks, beads, swivels snaps etc

7 and 8 are half size and sit side by side and i set my zmans on top of the boxes in there bags. Same with gulps.

Rightside pocket
Balloons, bobbers, popping corks
Leftside pocket
Snacks, sunscreen, ibuprofen, Dramamine, gloves
Front pocket
Leader and line,

I have a extra box ill pack with a days tackle if i want to be light and i also rearrange my boxes so what i will use first is on top.

I usually bring it all so i have a chance at anything i come across and i can audible all day.

4

Thank yall for the replies. I do have a medium size tackle bag, my inshore arsenal besides zman plastics is not very large. I have a few of everything and it’s hard to organize a box for small amounts of everything. I am taking everything out and trying multiple things. My biggest concern is I use a variety of stuff trying out new things and I am trying to keep up with everything to reorder. I have considered sticky labels inside the tackle box for at least hook size or jig size labels. I dont want to find some awesome lure and lose it and cannot reorder it.

5

I use a permanent marker to mark the outside of the box or each compartment. What oz weight, size hook, floating or sinking lures, etc.

6

I have tried several alternatives and talked to several others about how they do it. Seems to me like the best way is to try alternatives and find what seems to work best for you. The base setup seems to best begin with a small to medium size tackle bag for Plano style boxes then buy extra Plano boxes to swap out based on your fishing for that day.

I do not believe the perfect tackle storage solution exists.

7

Thanks for the input I like the idea of dedicated containers and swapping them for what I’m fishing for. I will continue to try it different ways.

8

There is a funny article on tackle organization in this months field and stream on the last page.

9

Shane, do you use ZMan bait? Check out the new bait binder with a pouch to hold jig heads. They have changed the zipper to clips and I have each one set up for the MinnowZ and Paddle tails and the jigheads/hooks that I use for each bait .Go to their website and check out video. I use a compartment on the boat to not have a tackle bag to dig through. I use one Plano 2 sided for topwater plugs and miscellaneous hooks and sinker.

01 Scout 177 w/ 150 hpdi

10

1 more picture.

01 Scout 177 w/ 150 hpdi

11

A lot of Tackle management stems around boat size and layout. I fish out of an 18’ skinny water flats skiff with reasonably good storage for its size and I use a small 5 box soft bag with these other items and they work well together for me.

For my hooks, jig heads and weights I have one of these and it works great, top fits down tight against the dividers so the hooks do not get caught up between the lid and dividers if it gets shaken up or upside down. Comes in a large size also but it was way too big for my boat.

https://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/ike-quotient-iq-series-utility-box-small.aspx

For my soft plastics I have found 2 of these boxes work well when fishing with 2 people.

https://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/Fishing/Hard-Storage/Waterproof-Satchels/super-1/2-satchel-with-zerust

With 2 people fishing I am able to carry everything I need with this setup. With all that and 5 or 6 extra small Plano boxes I have less than $100 invested in tackle management which is not bad. But of course that amount does not include all the stuff I tried and did not like.

12

Yes! I had a zipper one that corroded from staying in the boat, I am going to put all my zman in this and throw in my bag and 1/2 of my problem will be solved. Thank you for posting.

quote:
Originally posted by Lucky Larry 54

Shane, do you use ZMan bait? Check out the new bait binder with a pouch to hold jig heads. They have changed the zipper to clips and I have each one set up for the MinnowZ and Paddle tails and the jigheads/hooks that I use for each bait .Go to their website and check out video. I use a compartment on the boat to not have a tackle bag to dig through. I use one Plano 2 sided for topwater plugs and miscellaneous hooks and sinker.

01 Scout 177 w/ 150 hpdi