Cheap fishing backpack ideas? 2025
pauldconyers reply :
My 7 year old son likes to go check out small local ponds and such and a lot of times we have to walk a descent bit. I and TIRED of carrying my super heavy tackle box through the woods and all that. I was looking at buying some of those Flambeau waterproof clear storage boxes and throwing them in an over the shoulder soft backpack so it is easy to carry and keep my hands free. To save money I was just going to buy a normal backpack but then I saw they have fishing specific ones. Are they more or less the same thing or do they offer some nice features? Anything cheap you would recommend in particular?
soflabasser reply :
I use a bookbag from Wal-Mart with 2 Plano containers and do well with this as a tackle bag for shore fishing.
drew4779 reply :
Yes. They are more or less the same thing. I have a browning fishing specific pack that doesn't get used much anymore. I switched back to basic back pack after about a season or two with the browning, just to scale down. It fit too much and became too heavy. I now prefer an Easton softball back pack. The bat holder fits rod tubes perfectly. It's not uncommon for me to hike 30 minutes to an hour to access my favorite spots, and I like to have my hands free on those journeys.
papajoe222 reply :
My grandson's baseball back-pack doubles as a tackle pack. Two 2pc. combos fit nicely in the bat pouch, a few Plano boxes full of tackle and he's good to go.
pauldconyers reply :
Looks like some people may have not understood what I was saying. I was saying I would be the one carrying it, not him. Probably doesn't matter to this scenario and question but I just wanted to point that out in case someone was going to make a specific recommendation and didn't realize a full sized adult male would be the one carrying it on his back.
optimator reply :
If it's fishing specific it's going to cost more than just a cheap Walmart pack. Like others have said, just get a cheap pack and use Plano boxes.
greentrout reply :
10.96 Wal Mart...use it a lot...Okeechobee Fats Small Soft-Sided Tackle Bag...replaced my Kwik Draw by Flambeau...
Good fishing...
timsford reply :
Go to your local goodwill or second hand store and look for a backpack with pockets on the sides and an extra pocket on the front.
While there also check for small boxes for terminal tackle, CD wallets for spinnerbait, buzzbait, and jig storage.
Get a 3700 size deep box for hardbait storage and put it in the large center compartment. Then I usually use a smaller box for terminal tackle, put tools such as pliers and a scale in one of the smaller pockets and store plastics in another. You can keep it pretty simple when pond fishing.
Almost every pond that has bass also has bluegill and frogs and crawfish. These are the main food sources of bass in a pond, so those color patterns and types of lures are all you really need and you can keep the backpack light and easy for a kid to carry
blckshirt98 reply :
Fishing specific backpacks/bags are over-engineered and overpriced, though if you can afford the luxury they have some nice features. Any backpack will work but I recommend getting one that fits comfortably and depending on how much you take/how long you'll be fishing, to get one with padded shoulder straps and a chest strap for better balance and to take some of the load off your shoulders.
NorthernBasser reply :
You can get this for $23 right now (3700 series) at TW. It's a great deal. It comes with two 3700 stowaways, and you can fit 2 more if you want. Also has 3 additional pockets and 3 mesh pockets.
It's not a back pack but you can easily sling it over your shoulder.
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Plano_Weekender_Series_Tackle_Cases_Grey/descpage-PWBG.html
islandbass reply :
I have a flambeau backpack I love and it even came with 2 boxes. Any back pack or shoulder bag that can accommodate the size boxes you plan to use should suffice. Also no know for a designer label back pack. Be sure to leave a name tag and your Phone or email on it in case you lose it and someone honest finds it. It happened to me and it save me from losing hundreds of dollars of baits.
One of my weaknesses i have to battle against is leaving a bag or two on the ground while I’m storing everything in the trunk and leaving a bag on the ground. I already did it once this season and it cost me my entire trout arsenal. And can you guess I didn’t leave my contact info on it?
Dirtyeggroll reply :
A laptop bag serves the purpose very well. Lots of extra little compartments for pliers, extra line, o-rings etc and the main compartment can usually fit a 3700 series Plano box. Convenient and keeps a person from bringing too much. In fact, I separate large Plano boxes I will switch out based on what lake I’m going to (clear vs dark water or time of year).
Bigbruce reply :
So I had a cheap book bag setup and my wife bought me the wild river nomad as an early Father’s Day present. I think she used an Amex coupon on amazon and got it for $75.
At first I thought it was a little overkill, but do love all the features on it. The other night I even used the light on it to tie a lure. I’m strictly a bank fisherman and fish a good bit. So for me I think it is money well spent.
thinkingredneck reply :
I use a feel free bah from BPS. Holds 3 planos, has side pokers for tools. Shoulder strap. Not perfect, but I like it. I just take the shoulder strap off and set it between my legs in the yak.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
There's a little river by my house, when it gets low you can walk it and bass fish so a book bag is a must.
I take just 1 rod and my back pack. Most of the time I just carry a couple soft plastics, hooks, and maybe a crankbait or chatterbait. I use a FOX dirt bike riding backpack. It has a bladder in it for when I get thirsty, plus room for some crackers and a small selection of tackle.
So that's what works for me, I think maybe around $40 bucks. It can be miserable trying to carry too much tackle. Lighten up, take the basics, and fish what you have.
ratherbfishin1 reply :
$30 gets you bass pros backpack... I was gonna get a nicer one but went with that one because it holds more planos than the other ones. I am extremely satisfied after like a year of using it so far.
snake95 reply :
@pauldconyers
Obviously a lot of opinions and experience on this. I think I can relate to your situation.
I am an avid bank bass fisherman and really got into it about 4 years ago. Most of my fishing, along with my school-aged kids, is in ponds.
At the time I got into it, I only really knew the "old-fashioned" plastic and metal tackle boxes like I think you are talking about.
After only a few months, I started looking for something more efficient for bank beating.
I almost tried a dedicated fishing backpack. I got a nice one in the $100 range from Cabela's. Looked sturdy and was very well organized with great straps. I think it would have been a "decent" bag, but I wound up taking it back after getting it home and thinking about it. I didn't like the level of effort required to reach in and dig out the plano boxes. And, it really didn't hold as much gear as you'd think. The many compartments seemed like a good idea at first, but I thought the bag was over-designed when the main gear would be in plano boxes, and only other spaces I needed were for a hook remover, line cutter, and a few other gizmos. I felt the many compartments just added to the bulk and complexity. And yes, it seemed way overpriced for what I needed. So I took it back.
What I have found work well for me in the 3-4 years since then have been the open-top shoulder bags similar to the one Greentrout is showing from Walmart. Here's what I like about them:
- Big enough to hold all the gear you typically need. Small enough that it forces you to think logically about what you're carrying.
- Easy to sling over a shoulder and carry.
- Big open top provides really easy access to your stuff. To me, that's a really great benefit.
- Simple front compartments great for the hook removers and few other items you need.
- You configure the space the way YOU want. Put in 2-3 plano boxes, or 1-2 boxes plus a mini box with hooks and a few bags of plastics. If you're going T-rigging and that's about it, stuff it with bags of plastics.
- Most of the bag material is needed, there is little "filler."
Drawbacks:
- Haven't found them to be super-durable. They have a lifespan of a couple of years of hard fishing. But that's a small price to pay.
- They get wet in the rain and you have to remove gear to dry out. Backpacks aren't any better.
I know, some guys are also going to say you are carrying too much tackle if you are bank fishing with a bag. I'm all for simplicity, but I say why should only guys with boats have all the versatility of having gear at hand, and fun of trying out different gear? I really enjoy that aspect of fishing, but rarely have time to get out in our little boat.
Plus, a tackle bag becomes your "go bag" - you just grab it out of your trunk and you're ready to fish any condition you will encounter.
Sometimes I will just grab one rod, a couple of plastic worms, a pack of hooks, and pair of needlenose pliers, and then all I need is a pocket.
But day in and day out, the tackle bag is the way to go for me.
As for the dedicated, fancy backpacks, I'm not against those either and can see how guys like them. But I'd rather sling two of these than one dedicated backpack. Why? I like the easy access provided by the big open top and flat bottom.
If you are really on a tight budget, Plano-type boxes in an inexpensive backpack or shoulder bag is all you need. But consider that you might really like the wide top opening of an over-the shoulder bag to access your gear. Works well for me and the small cost is worth it to me.
DogBone_384 reply :
On 5/27/2018 at 11:06 AM, blckshirt98 said:Fishing specific backpacks/bags are over-engineered and overpriced, though if you can afford the luxury they have some nice features. Any backpack will work but
Absolutely, but I liked my SpiderWire fishing backpack so much I wore it out, lasting four years of heavy use. Its best feature was the integrated rod holder on the side....
If you're on a tight budget, the membership's got it right: go to your local thrift store or Army/Navy shop, get a pack pack, and load it up with Plano 3700 boxes.
greentrout reply :
When I bank fish with only worms and plastics, this is all I bring for my worm & plastics fishing...stores all the tools I need...
Eric J reply :
I use an ADIDAS back pack. I carry 3 PLano boxes of varying sizes for my lures. There are enough compartments and sections for line, plastic lure packets and a snack/water. You can see the straps in my profile pic. Its durable and easy off and on...
Eric J
Rahlow reply :
On 5/27/2018 at 10:51 AM, greentrout said:
10.96 Wal Mart...use it lot...Okeechobee Fats Small Soft-Sided Tackle Bag...replaced my Kwik Draw by Flambeau...
Good fishing...
What he said,,,,,
HoosierFisher reply :
I use an old Targus laptop bag that I used all through college. It has lots of compartments for storage. I have two 3700 size boxes, two smaller boxes for plastics, and a box with hooks. I also have some random plastics in bags shoved in it. I could definitely get by with less but it has basically anything that I would need for bank fishing.
FishDewd reply :
Originally, I using Magellan hiking backpack that I found for next to nothing at a local thrift store. I used it all through college and it held everything I needed. I then switched its purpose to fishing once I graduated. It is very nice, but like others have said, it just overkill. It held waaaaay too much stuff lol. So now I use a tackle bag I found at Walmart for like $20 that holds 4 medium sized plano boxes, some extra line, and tools. It's still a bit overkill for most outings but I'd rather bring it and not need it, than not bring it and then need it. It has a shoulder strap which allows me to carry rods in my free hands.
blckshirt98 reply :
On 5/29/2018 at 4:39 AM, DogBone_384 said:Absolutely, but I liked my SpiderWire fishing backpack so much I wore it out, lasting four years of heavy use. Its best feature was the integrated rod holder on the side....
If you're on a tight budget, the membership's got it right: go to your local thrift store or Army/Navy shop, get a pack pack, and load it up with Plano 3700 boxes.
My first tackle bag was an old soft sided Army Signal Corps radio bag - it had a shoulder strap, fit Plano's, had a divider on the inside, and had two inner side pockets for pliers/personal items. It was perfect until I started to buy more tackle/plastics and needed more space. I still use it to hold scents and misc tools.
Bassun reply :
I've been there. Used a variety of different bags / boxes / etc. Each have their own advantages, and getting something that works for YOUR situation is key. And that key is you are not going solo, you are taking a kid with you. Ergo, you need to take a LOT with you --- not just fishing gear both other kid essentials. SO - a bigger backpack is what you really need. And, let's be honest, if you hike to ponds to fish you probably hike other places too. Again, a backpack wins over other options.
First option -- start looking at goodwills, etc. A hikers, framed backpack will be the most comfortable to wear (usually). But they may not work as well for carrying rods easily. (A little ingenuity with elastic straps can go a long way though) Problem is whether you would find a decent one at a goodwill. Depends on the area. Buying new can be really expensive...but if you do a lot of family hiking could be well worth the expense. If I were to buy NEW, this is what I would get. My last pack (just for hiking) was not framed and I regret it 100% of the time.)
Second and what I would look for at a goodwill, etc., is a bat bag back pack. Ideally one with some external mesh or easy access compartment. Keep one "main" 3700 box there with the bulk of what you will actually use. Bat sleeves work fine for holding rods and if they don't sit or hold well, you may be able to cut a slit at the bottom to allow the rod handle to slide further in (depending on rod and bag design). Be wary if you have one piece rods...and don't forget they will be sticking out over your head as you walk. (I've made that mistake more times than I care to admit.)
A bag like either of those will allow you plenty of room for a change of shoes, clothes etc in the bottom of the main bag. Usually have a pocket or two for easy access to drinks. And plenty of room for all the other incidentals you need for kid fishing success. And a few extra pounds in a decent pack is MUCH MUCH better than toting a tackle box around lol. Even after packing in all the extras, you still have more than enough room for fishing gear too. 
A fishing pack would obviously work, but at that point I refer back to the first option. Hard to find at a thrift store, and generally not as comfortable as a dedicated hikers pack - so you are back to buying new. Again, I'd look for a framed hikers pack and go from there. No matter what you use, grab some 3700's (and other smaller sized) plastic boxes. Again, a general use 3700 (any size obviously, I just use 3700 as its the common theme size) with the "main" things you use, with easy access, makes life grand. You can find tackle boxes that store 3700's (etc) in them. Those work out great if you want to both be able to be mobile and have a dedicated box. Just take out the boxes and put em in your pack.
blckshirt98 reply :
Has anyone tried using a front pack, like they use for fly-fishing? I'm curious because if you don't need to bring too much stuff, having everything there in front of you so you don't have to keep taking your pack off and on would be really convenient.
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