7 Tips for an Organized Fishing Tackle Box Setup

Someone once said “preparation is key” and the same advice rings true for the sport of fishing. Experienced anglers would agree that an organized fishing tackle box setup can make for a more productive and enjoyable day on the water.

To illustrate, imagine that you’ve got a big fish hooked when the line suddenly snaps. You need to re-tie quickly so you can get your line back in the water for another shot. If your fishing tackle box setup is in disarray, you end up digging around frantically for the right leader, the right color soft bait, the right size hook, line cutters, scent gel... until your frustration gets the best of you! At that point, you might as well pack it in and head home.

To ease your mind, here are 7 tips for how to set up a fishing tackle box and keep your sanity.

1. Select fishing tackle boxes or bags that are suitable for your needs and that have plenty of storage and organization options.
2. Use clear compartment boxes to store and organize terminal tackle such as lures, hooks, and sinkers.
3. First sort tackle by the type of species you’re targeting; bass fishing tackle in one box, backcountry saltwater tackle in another. Then, sort by the type of tackle; topwaters together, spoons together, crankbaits together, etc.
4. Preserve soft plastic baits in the bags or containers they came in. Avoid mixing colors or placing soft baits with hard baits as the chemicals can cause damage and the colors can bleed into each other.
5. Label the outside of each box.
6. Utilize side pouches for spools of line.
7. Place pliers, line-cutters, and de-hookers in an easy-to-reach external pouch.

Now that you know how to set up a fishing tackle box, it’s time to put these tips to the test! For more items you may need, read about 9 special items for your fishing tackle box setup. Happy organizing!