To be effective on the water
means you need to be efficient in the boat (or on the shore for that
matter). In a tournament,
every minute counts. Spending time hunting through your things, looking
for “that lure” can
cost you time…and money!
Having the right things in the right place is the
best way to organize your tackle. With the myriad of tackle-storage options
on the
market today, each angler can develop a system to suit his/her needs.
Plano has recently come out with several new storage box styles – some even molded
in several different colors – to compliment their 3700 series.
Being a tackle
junkie (there, I said it!), I have dozens of lure storage boxes at
the ready. But there is a
method to my madness. For instance, in one of my boxes, I have shallow
diving crankbaits – all colors, with
and without rattles, etc. – but only shallow divers. If I am going
to a body of water where I know a promising pattern involves shallow
divers, it goes
into my Ranger.
Once it reaches my boat, that box or bag undergoes a decision process – if
it is something I know I will throw often, it goes in my front storage
compartment – otherwise it is relegated to the hatch behind me on the starboard
side. That way I can minimize my weight up front – and improve boat
performance.
However, for as many storage boxes in my possession, I have just as
many Tackle Logic bags (the ones with several individual ziplock-closure
bags inside of
the wrap, suspended on metal rings). I discovered this system years
ago in Florida
and I still find them just as handy today for transporting plastics.
As with my boxes, I have my bags segregated by
color and/or size – so if I need some 4” green pumpkin worms, I grab
the appropriate bag and put it in the boat. Just purchase the stick-on
tabs, and place them
on the bottom of a new pack of plastics, then put them in the appropriate
bag.
Tackle
bags can also be handy for storing spinnerbaits as well, with their
staggered sized bags which makes it easier to leaf through them when
looking for “that lure.” Again, I like to segregate them (by weight and blade
type). The bags are also handy for carrying extra spinnerbait parts like blades,
snap-on clevises and stick-on eyes – which can scatter ALL over your
boat when your trying to replace a Colorado blade in three-foot rollers!
So this off-season
(at least “up north”), take a look at your current tackle storage system and
see what you can do to make it more efficient. You will find a lot of options
in tackle storage systems to get you out
of the box… and into the fish!
Jeff Morton
Questions?
Drop me a line at jeffmorton@gofishmidwest.com .
Go FISH Midwest, YOUR source
for Midwest fishing information… and more!
Back
to Tips By: Jeff
