Fishing Tackle Box Essentials
How often do you:
- Miss a good fish because of dull hooks?
- Waist time untangling a mess of lures and lines at the bottom of your box, or worse yet, tackle bag while trying to get at that one particular lure?
- Buy a bunch of plugs that are too large to fit the compartments in your tackle box?
If you have some of these troubles, you also have lots of company. Most anglers go fishing without a complete and efficient kit of fishing supplies and accessories. An impressive and fully stocked box doesn’t make a good fisherman.
But why make it harder for yourself?
In fact, who wants to handicap himself at all when working today’s heavily fished waters where some of the most sophisticated fish in the world live or if catching a fish means the difference between you eating or going hungry.
The Tackle Box
Before even thinking about getting all of the needed gear; you will first need the right fishing tackle box and other equipment. Having the best fishing gear is useless if you lose it, it becomes damaged, or so tangled up that you cannot use it
Don’t just go into a store and ask the salesman to show you one at a special price, as most fishermen do when they need one. Before you start shopping, you should know what box is best suited to your needs.
Don’t just go into a store and ask the salesman to show you one at a set price, as most fishermen do when they need one. Before you start shopping, you should know precisely what box is best suited to your needs. The following are what you should look or when shopping for a box.
How Many Compartments?
First, look for a box with enough compartments of suitable size. It’s a good idea to measure your largest lures, checking both length and height, including the hooks. Many anglers get fooled by measuring only their lures length, then when they get home to discover that their new box won’t close because the treble hooks on the largest lures stand too high in the compartments. If you use such bulky lures, you’ll need a box with deep compartments. Figure out how many lures of different sizes you’ll want to carry with you. Then add about ten percent to that number.
Some anglers take this matter of lure compartments so seriously that they lay their lures out the way they want them to lie, and then they make a diagram on a piece of paper to use when shopping for a new box. Such men usually end up with a box that has adjustable compartment walls that snap into grooves provided for this purpose. Then they can arrange the compartments to suit their needs, provided the trays are deep enough. A few boxes are so constructed that you can make long compartments by placing the partitions lengthwise in the bins and securing them in position with the aid of a small soldering iron.
How Deep Is The Accessory Well?
The second consideration when wanting to purchase one is how deep is the size of the accessory well at the bottom of the box, which holds reels, extra lines, various accessories. Filling your box with the correct lures and such is only one part of being prepared. The other part lies in what you carry in your accessory well at the bottom of your box. Having the right fishing equipment can, in an extreme situation, mean the difference between you catching a fish or ending up with nothing and not eating that evening.
It’s a good idea to assemble on a table all of the accessories you use and measure the space they take up, including width, length, and height. That will be the size of your accessory well.
Is It Water Proof?
Look for a box that is as nearly watertight as you can find. Most manufacturers advertise their tackle boxes as being waterproof. But I’ve tested quite a few brands and haven’t yet found an entirely waterproof one. All will leak if wholly submerged in water. A well-made box will stay dry inside during pouring rain or from water sprays from a boat. Some will float if dropped overboard, unless densely filled; others will sink, even when empty, as water comes in at the seams. Get the most watertight box you can find. Look for a box that resists rust and corrosion; this is especially important if you fish on or near saltwater. Locks, handles, hinges, bolts, and screws should be solid brass, bronze, nickel-plated steel, or durable, heavy-duty, plastic. A cheap box is no bargain when you find it rusting after being used a few times in the rain or pitted with small holes after use in saltwater.
How Noisy Is The Box?
A quiet box is a boon to good fishing. So, avoid a box that has a handle that rattles, lures move around in their compartments, or a box that makes a loud squeak every time you open and close the box. Such noise spooks nervous fish near your boat. Look for handles that are tight enough not to rattle when trolling, and lure compartments lined with cork, rubber, or plastic. You’ll have to fix the bottom of your box yourself, for even the plastic ones are not quite enough. Buy a small, rubber mat cut it to fit the bottom of your box, and attach it with rubber cement. Then you can set your box down in any boat quietly, troll with fewer rattles, and open and shut it with less noise. Weight is an important consideration also as you want it to be as light as possible if you are planning to carry your box a long distance to a boat or riverbank.
Fishing Tackle Box List
Be Prepared-Nobody can tell another angler exactly what accessories he should carry. But, the following is a good place to start or see if you are missing anything.
Hooks of various sizes
A fish hook needs to be big enough to secure the bait, yet not too big that it cannot fit in a fish’s mouth. Tip-Use the smallest hook that you can use for the type of fish you want to catch.
Bobbers
A bobber has three jobs: 1.) Make sure the bait stays where you want it to stay. 2.) Signal when a fish has taken a bite out of your bait. 3.) Stop bait from falling down to the bottom of the lake, river, or wherever you are fishing.
Fishing Sinkers
Sinker’s are weights attached to the fishing line used to ensure that your bait goes down deep in the water where the fish are located. When fishing, you need to use an amount that allows a bobber to stay up and only half be submerged in the water. When you are buying your sinkers ask for split shot sinkers, which are the most common types of sinkers.
Swivels
So, that your lure does not twist up your fishing line, a swivel is attached right before the lure.
Artificial Lure
You won’t always be able to use live bait available. So, you need to carry a variety of artificial lures. For example, a plastic worm is essential. Choose lures geared toward the type of fish you are trying or are most likely to catch. An example of this is that if you are going to be going bass fishing or think you will, you should consider including soft plastic lures designed to catch bass. If you are wanting to catch trout it is the same thing. Plastic bait is especially helpful because it cannot rust.
When starting out knowing what fishing lure to purchase can be confusing. Start simple and then purchase more advanced lures. So, get the basic first and then, later on, buy the fancy spinnerbait. The following are recommended when you are first starting out.
- For Deep Waters-Jigs (1/32 to half an ounce)
- Medium- Depth waters-Average floating crankbait
- Shallow or Top Water Fishing-Smaller buzz bait.
- Leaders- Various sizes for all scenarios
Extra fishing Line
Hope for the best. But prepare for the worst as fishing lines break, get tangled up on trees, and other obstacles. That is why, other than the pole (although you can make a makeshift pole), extra fishing line is the most essential thing to have in your fishing equipment. Also, you should have different pound test lines for catching a bigger fish.
Needle Nose Pliers
The needle nose pliers are an invaluable fishing tool. They are primarily used to take a hook out of a fish’s mouth and remove crimp sinkers from your line.
Fingler Nail Clippers
Clippers are perfect for cutting off a hook swallowed by a fish and trimming knots.
Measuring tape And Small Scale (For Normal Times)
To stay out of trouble and do the right thing, you’ll want to ensure that you follow all of your local fishing regulations. So, be sure to measure all fish you caught to ensure that they are within standards.
Fishing Knife
Compass
Assuming you do not have GPS, a compass is useful for foggy days on large lakes
Plastic License Cover
Either laminate your fishing license or cover them up in a plastic cover.
Optional
The following is needed when you are, either in an SHTF scenario or going away from civilization and you cannot afford to go back to town and get a new rod or reel.
- Small Screwdriver and Reel Wrench-Useful for repairing your fishing rod and reel
- Extra Parts-Spare parts to replace delicate or easily lost reel parts
- Fishing Reel Oil-
Depending On The Situation
Depending upon your situation (I.E. How far you are from civilization, your car, etc.) you should carry basic outdoor survival equipment with you. I.E. Flashlight, waterproof matches or another fire starter, first-aid kit, a poncho for emergency shelter. etc.
Final Thoughts
The above guide should be used with common sense as it is not one size fits all. For example, tackle boxes used for a recreational fishing trip will have more fishing lures and other accessories. Likewise, a box in an SHTF situation will be a leaner and mean. But, this article and common sense will help make sure that you can correctly select the best tackle box for your particular needs.
