Gear Ideas

[wicklundrh]

It is funny how all of us do little things with our equipment that seem "normal" to us, yet someone else sees it and they are so blown away by it. I'm sure that every one of us has something we thought up or made ourselves that we have in our boats that make our lives easier.

I figured that while we are waiting for the ice to melt and are getting our boats ready, now would be a good time for everyone to share something we have found for storage or fishing that makes our lives easier.

Last year in Coldwater, I was snooping through Don's boat for some free fishing gear.... Just kidding, I was actually looking at his boat setup like all of us do. I was intrigued by the storage setup he had up front to store his jigs and soft plastics in. I have no idea what kind of boxes they were, but I liked them.

Fast forward to last week. I was going through my tackle bag to sort through my walleye jigs. I have three boxes all for different size jigs. There are hundreds. Problem is that the boxes that fit in my bag simply do not hold that amount of weight very well. Turned on end, the weight of the jigs pushes down on the removable side pieces and bends them. I took a trip to Meijer and while in their automotive section I came across a great storage idea from Stanley. The boxes all have handles and locking top hasps. The size I chose had ten seperate removable containers. I bought two. Now I have all of my jigs (1/2 to 1 oz) in these boxes. I can pull and individual container out for each color. I can turn it upside down and they do not fall out or bend the trays. I will go back and buy the smaller one with more containers for storing tubes.

I love them because I can now seperate my "walleye" specific equipment and remove it from the boat when not targeting them. Oh, they are stackable too.

Tell us your ideas..... we may just find one or two to put to use in our boats this spring

[wicklundrh]

Another favorite of mine deals with Crawler harnesses. Yes they make those tiny little round objects that are "supposed" to hold them when not in use. Problem is that the plastic eyes don't hold up well and the baits are too close together.

Take a swim noodle (you can buy them in the swimming section at most stores). Cut a piece at any length (I like 10 inches). I utilize Stainless nails and push them through so that the head is on one side and the tip goes completely through the other. I then hook my swivle on one end of the nail and wrap it around the noodle using the other side of the nail to sepate the baits. These are larger in diameter and don't seem to "coil" your fishing line like the smaller diameter ones do. Oh, and they float! I also use a Zip tie at one end. I push it through the foam and then connect it to form a loop. I have spot on my helm that I hang them from!

[Crappie 1]

We have some small plastic boxes that have separate compartments in. We put a lot of favorite jigs in one and tails in another. We usually have 2-4 of these on the boat. They at least keep the jigs all in their own place.This is one of the small ones for ice fishing baits,

[Crappie 1]

It is funny how all of us do little things with our equipment that seem "normal" to us, yet someone else sees it and they are so blown away by it. I'm sure that every one of us has something we thought up or made ourselves that we have in our boats that make our lives easier.

I figured that while we are waiting for the ice to melt and are getting our boats ready, now would be a good time for everyone to share something we have found for storage or fishing that makes our lives easier.

Last year in Coldwater, I was snooping through Don's boat for some free fishing gear.... Just kidding, I was actually looking at his boat setup like all of us do. I was intrigued by the storage setup he had up front to store his jigs and soft plastics in. I have no idea what kind of boxes they were, but I liked them.

Fast forward to last week. I was going through my tackle bag to sort through my walleye jigs. I have three boxes all for different size jigs. There are hundreds. Problem is that the boxes that fit in my bag simply do not hold that amount of weight very well. Turned on end, the weight of the jigs pushes down on the removable side pieces and bends them. I took a trip to Meijer and while in their automotive section I came across a great storage idea from Stanley. The boxes all have handles and locking top hasps. The size I chose had ten seperate removable containers. I bought two. Now I have all of my jigs (1/2 to 1 oz) in these boxes. I can pull and individual container out for each color. I can turn it upside down and they do not fall out or bend the trays. I will go back and buy the smaller one with more containers for storing tubes.

I love them because I can now seperate my "walleye" specific equipment and remove it from the boat when not targeting them. Oh, they are stackable too.

Tell us your ideas..... we may just find one or two to put to use in our boats this spring

Rich can you post a picture of the boxes? Thanks..

[Bwana Don]

I just bought this from Bass Pro;

• Plano 360 Tackle bag
  

A Bass Pro Exclusive!

• Three zippered pockets
• Carry handle and shoulder strap
• Includes four 3650 StowAway® utility boxes

The Plano 360 Tackle Bag features three generous zippered pockets in addition to a main compartment which holds four 3650 StowAway utility boxes (included). You can carry this Plano Tackle Bag by its convenient handle or by using the bag’s shoulder strap.

Manufacturer model #: 4460-50


I can have umpteen utility boxes and then choose four to load into the bag for the day's outing. Crappie or smallies or walleye's, mix or match. My other box is a hard box and it's big. Hurts my shoulder to lift it into the boat.

[yankee doodler]

Rich I just knew I was missing a few things. Here's a link to Harbor Freight for those boxes: Toolbox Organizer with 10 Drawers.

They also have these that look interesting: Toolbox Organizer with 4 Drawers.

Like many I have found that I have WAAAAY more jigs/bodies than I typically will use. I was digging through the boat in preparation for next months trip down south and found two more sectional boxes of "stuff" that I had forgotten I had. When is enough enough?

[Cray]

Rich I just knew I was missing a few things. Here's a link to Harbor Freight for those boxes: Toolbox Organizer with 10 Drawers.

They also have these that look interesting: Toolbox Organizer with 4 Drawers.

Like many I have found that I have WAAAAY more jigs/bodies than I typically will use. I was digging through the boat in preparation for next months trip down south and found two more sectional boxes of "stuff" that I had forgotten I had. When is enough enough?

that 4 drawer works great. Several guys down here bought them for tackle storage.

[skillett007]

Rich I just knew I was missing a few things. Here's a link to Harbor Freight for those boxes: Toolbox Organizer with 10 Drawers.

They also have these that look interesting: Toolbox Organizer with 4 Drawers.

Like many I have found that I have WAAAAY more jigs/bodies than I typically will use. I was digging through the boat in preparation for next months trip down south and found two more sectional boxes of "stuff" that I had forgotten I had. When is enough enough?

Hey don I almost bought that box today from harbor freight, those are nice little storage boxes, I just might go back and getem.

[crappietale]

My wife buys a lot of stuff from QVC on the internet. She has the kitchen cabinets and her "craft" room loaded with various sized containers called "lock & lock." They are heavy plastic with a lids that are lined with a band of silicone that seals them from just about anything. I have the usual tackle boxes with lures that were tangled/rusty/disorganized and bottles of scented baits that leaked and the thought that I could put organize those things in the smaller "lock & lock" containers made sense. The advantages are that 1) they are clear and I can see what's inside without opening them. 2) they some in many sizes and shapes. 3) they are very tough and durable. 4) they seal TIGHT with at least 4 locking tabs on all sides so they seal so tight that they float. 5) they can be stacked or packed just about anywhere. I even used a medium sized one last summer to keep nightcrawlers in ice water and even that worked great. As far as I know QVC is the only place "lock & lock" is for sale, and I yet to see any copies of it elsewhere.

[Bwana Don]

My 9 year old has three tackle boxes, a soft bag like mine and two plano clear boxes for muskie/pike lures. It's an affliction, most likely we're born with it and can't help it.