Terminal Tackle Storage

Roboworm99 · Post by **Roboworm99** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:28 pm

Hey Everyone...Just wondering how everyone stores their terminal tackle. I have been using the Plano Tachle Logic System, with their ziplock bags. But I want something better, with plastic boxes the hooks (unless you leave them in there orignal bags) migrate through out the box. Not so much with the larger worm hooks, but the small drop shots hooks. So as the weather and holidays offer me less fishing time I will be re-organizing my tackle. Mojo sinker holes get smashed closed, I started threading them on some spinnerbait wire to get them open. SO anyways..just ooking for some new ideas.

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:50 pm

Ah, the challenges we face as anglers!

I know your dilemma all to well. I have tried many different ways of storing my terminal tackle, and what I have found is that the most organized and protected way (for me) is to use a Deep Plano Stowaway box and keep all of my hooks, weights, swivels, etc. in either their original packages or in a condensed package.

Here an example of the storage box (style) I have been using:

Because of the depth, you can fit most hook packages (including bulk packs) on their side and fit about 20 packs in 1 tray. Swivels, beads, and other terminal equipment can be kept in small containers. I had a bunch of plastic cases that the Mann's Baby 1 - comes in and they are perfect for storing drop shot weights and other sinkers... they even hold your toothpicks for Texas rigging. The only thing you need to do is cut off the part with a scissor that they use to hang them on a rack in stores. Once that is removed they stand up in the box perfectly. Here is the package I am talking about:

My bullet style weights (if lead) also get the nose smashed closed, what I have been doing is keeping a couple of tooth picks in the container with the lead weights so that I can open the hole back up quickly when rigging. I also like to keep a "dubbing needle" in my box. They make a really handy tool for opening lead weights, cleaning paint out of hook eyes and a bunch of other things. The dubbing needle is on the far right in this photo. You can buy one for a couple of dollars at Wal-Mart or any fly tying shop:

In the end, everything I need is condensed into on organized and compact place and I never have problems with hooks rusting because they remain in their original package until I take on out. The other nice part about keeping your equipment in their original package is that they are already label for you, so you don't have to guess what size a hook is, etc.

Anyways, I thought I'd share my set up with you. I hope you find something useful...

Thanks,
Brendan

Roboworm99 · Post by **Roboworm99** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:06 pm

Thanks Brendan...Ya I've leaning towards this type of setup as well...Another tip i do is keep a cutoff paper clip in the package with my lead weights that way I can reopen the hole. Also, I started putting my most used hooks and weights in the same tackle wrap as my baits. Example, for a Tackle wrap dedicated to my Ika's, in the front one of the ziploc style bags has the hooks I use for the rigs as well as lead nails, rattles...

Ray

carl · Post by **carl** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 7:10 pm

I'm the last person in the world to talk about organizing tackle. I'm a complete disaster; it can be down right dangerous in my boat! My apartment is strewn with boxes of tackle, of course, I can never find anything. I remember a pro saying that if you make more than 2 trips to the boat, you have too much. Well in that case I'm a complete looser. carl

Roboworm99 · Post by **Roboworm99** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:53 pm

Nah...just a collector

johnnie crain outdoors · Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:05 am

LOL that's funny Carl!
I think to some extent we're all a little like that. I try to keep all my bass snaps, not snap swivels, on a link off an old metal fish stringer. I use these clips a lot. I like to put hooks and sinkers in heavy duty zip lok baggies, punch a hole in the top and clip them all together with the stringer clip. Works very well. I have also used a CD folder for spinnerbait storage. These hold about twenty spinnerbaits and zip shut, works out great since they are clear holders and I can see what color and size I need. I too am very big on storage boxes, they are just the same as tackle compartments, but cost much less. I keep crankbaits in them to keep them separated, by size and color. Johnnie

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:25 pm

That is funny Carl... I think the main reason why I decided to start getting more organized was because it was costing me too much money to not be organized.

I'm sure you're all wonder how being disorganized can cost someone money, right?

I'm one of these people that believe that if an item is not in plan view, than I must not own it. So I go out and buy it. The downside is that once I get around to cleaning up, I realize that I already owned it and I have way too much of that particular item. I always buy in bulk, because I never want to be stuck in a situation where I run out of something.

Since I started organizing my tackle, I find myself purchasing less and less... because I keep finding more and more! Hense being organized actually saves me money...

BC

Roboworm99 · Post by **Roboworm99** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:02 am

I agree Brendan...I buy bulk as well...so that's why I keep some of the terminal tackle in my worm pouches..

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:09 am

Ok we all seem to buy in bulk! I got one answer for you!

PEG BOARD!!! I was like Brendan if I could not see it I did not have it, only to find it later buried down below everything else that got piled on top of it! When I built my shop I surrounded the walls in PEG BOARD (well almost surrounded it three of the four walls are peg board.) Since I buy everything in bulk too. 100 count bags get hung on the peg board. After every trip to the lake all the Plano boxes go into milk creates and taken to the shop. What ever I am short of in the boxes I refill out of the 100 count bags. Then I reload the boat. All I have to do is look through the stuff on the peg board, write it down and reorder. If one of my bulk items does not come in a reseal able bag I just transfer it into large Ziploc bags and hang them with the original package on the outside so I know exactly what’s in it. I also buy my crank baits 3 at a time and hang extras on the peg boards. Replace them as needed. I also buy cranks that are on sale but in colors that are not popular then repaint them. Mine are nothing to brag about But they do work. Its pretty easy to do and a good cheap way to pick up your favorites and make them you own personal fish catchers. All you need is some cheap Wal-Mart spray cans some Devcon two ton epoxy, and a little imagination.

I to have been rethinking all my purchases. When I first started I bought everything that looked good only to find out that I kept going back to the same baits and colors most of the time. I now keep plenty of Blue Fleck Power Worms and Zoom Brush hogs in stock. They are my most used items so they have a place of priority on my PEG BOARD. Specialty items (lures that work better on certain lakes) get put at the end because I know that I don’t need those as much as others.

As far as weights closing up on you. All you need is a good dull hook. Stick the point of the hook into the end of the worm weight down to the barb and give it a twist, this cleans out the hole and gives in a nice smooth hole that don’t cut you line. My dubbing needle is used to pick out Professional Overruns. lol

IF you don’t have the luxury of a shop to work out of. A spare bedroom or corner of the house could be used. Just buy you a 4x8 sheet of peg board and hang it on a wall it is a very good way to keep what you need handy and organized. Plus it keeps all that clutter and weight out of your boat!

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:05 pm

All I can say is "Thank the lord for Peg Board" !!!