I'm curious to know how some of you carry your soft baits. It seems that this is my most unorganized tackle.
In my boat I use plastic shoeboxes. You can get them at any Family Dollar pretty cheap. Just make sure you get the kind that has a latch. I seperate the baits by, worm type, creature, tubes, flukes etc. Works good for me.
I do something similar to Dan. I have a pair of clear plastic totes with lids that latch. One tote is for creature type baits (craws, beavers, skirted grubs, etc.). The other one is worms (worms, tubes, flukes). Since I only carry 2 totes (they fit nicely stacked under my side console) it can be a little harder to track down a specific bait at times. I like the idea of the shoe boxes to keep things more separated by style than what I do, but I opted for 2 bigger totes vs. smaller, multiple boxes. To each his own. I would just make sure you have something that's clear plastic (so you can see the baits) and lockable lids (or at least lids that float so you can go back and retrieve them when they blow off......).
I keep the bulk of my plastics in clear zip locks freezer bags in storage in the back of thye boat and I keep smaller amounts in plano boxes up front were they are close at hand. At the end of the day or before my next trip I replenish the plano boxes from the bulk storage. I do the same with hooks, sinkers, and everything else that way every thing is were it should be, at hand. I label the planos as to whats inside: Hooks/Sinkers, Tubes, Deep Cranks and so on, that way when I need it, I just open the compartment, grab the right box and done.
I use a combination of Tackle Logic soft plastics binder, gallon zip lock bags and nylon wide mouth tool bags. In general trying to keep plastics organized sucks! I like the tool bags the best because they are strong, different colors and have handles on them. Zip locks are good too because you can see through them and write on them. The tool bags are like this one.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_264125-1492-1L-22601_4294857658_4294937087_?productId=1076021&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl_Bags%2BCases%2B_4294857658_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1
Cy
On my boat, I do basically what Leonard does. I keep em in 3700 or 3600 size Plano style boxes. When fishing as a Co, I put the boxes into a soft sided case and I'm on my way.
The neatest thing I ever saw was on Bender's boat. He has kind of a clip system that screws to the underside of his tackle storage lid on his boat. He can store baits in their original bags clipped in place. When he opens up the lid, the bags swing down for easy viewing and retrieval.
I use the larger Plano boxes with no dividers. They are about 3'' deep. They are big enough for two rows side by side. I can fit about 30 packs in each one comfortably. I usually separate them by brand.
I like the idea of the flip down style that was just mentioned. But I see alot of dissavantages for me. So I went with the boxes.
I rebag all of my soft plastics in ziploc pint frezzer bags, then store them in ziploc gallon freezer bags. This is the most efficicent way to do it in terms of space. You do have to know what you have and what your looking for but you can carry way more baits this way. Rebagging also keeps the store bags from leaking and the baits usually last longer.
-Matt
Ive tried about everything. I just use ratcheting clips in bags so it keeps them organized together into dropshot,tube, grub, etc. Works well for me easy to find stuff and get into and keep org.
i use the big plano boxes too. only issue i have is that i have like 10 of them in the boat. Not very convenient when fishing in someone elses boat. Then i just toss what i need into a soft-sided plano bag and root through that like an idiot.
I started out with the plastic shoe boxes
And now I use just 2 larger boxes (there 5 bucks at Target)
THere's about the size of a pillow and there 4-5" deep
I made dividers for them. I can get 3 rows of a std bag in each box
(they are large, but it's easy to load the boat with just 2 boxes)
Plus if it rains every thing stays drie
To keep the lids from flying off
I drilled a hole in the lid and the box (2 places) and then use a zip tie as the
hinge. And as long as the hinge is facing forward in the boat they never open up. And I've yet to loose a lid this way
Stick baits and worms in one and the rest in the other box.
Plastic baits that I'm useing that day is stored in the netting in the front of the boat
Open up the starboard side front rod locker compartment and toss them in. When you need a bag, root thru said compartment while swearing and throwing other bags onto the cockpit floor. The one you need will be on the bottom. Always.
Quote from: Waterfoul on December 22, 2010, 07:37:28 PM
Open up the starboard side front rod locker compartment and toss them in. When you need a bag, root thru said compartment while swearing and throwing other bags onto the cockpit floor. The one you need will be on the bottom. Always.
Or just asked your more organized partner for one of his (lol)
I mean 'ask', not 'asked' - oops
Years ago I bought Tackle Logic's Worm Binder's. I bought the largest ones I could find. I store all my plastics in those. They have been great in keeping all my plastics organized and accessible. I don't believe they sell them anymore.
BD ;D
Got any extras Bill? LOL. Thanks a lot guys for all the advice. I plan to use plastics more next year than ever in the past. I like my stuff organized and have always had a problem with plastics. I think your advice has helped me greatly. Please check my next post, because I'm not done being needy LOL. Have a merry Christmas everyone.
I have been keep my plastics in the original bags, and keeping the bag in a plano 3700. Like everbody else, I've got tooooo many of those. I am thinking of switch to a couple "plastic shoeboxes" this year.
I have only a few 3700s with baits out of the bags. Then there are some onthe Easy-View tackle system on the inside lid of the center compartment. The bags actually stay hooked up really well on those things even in rough water.
Most of mine though are in their original bags in clear plastic shoebox sized containers. Those are split up by bait such as trick worms, grubs, etc. These take up almost an entire front rod locker and one of the back compartments.
Finally I have one of those big yellow BPS boat bags full too and I keep that on the floor. Baits are in ziplock freezer bags in there as well as other hamdy stuff like scales, radio, etc.
I suppose I don't need to carry so much but I'm always alone so it's not a big problem.
Quote from: Waterfoul on December 22, 2010, 07:37:28 PM
Open up the starboard side front rod locker compartment and toss them in.
I have that same technique. I am considering switching from starboard locker to the center for soft plastics. But I would imagine that they would all end up back in the starboard locker. ;D
I try to keep a bag or two of each of my favorites in each box so I don't have to always remember where I put them.