Kayak Tackle Problem 2025

bartdude186 reply :

I know that this question has been asked a million times and i have read all that i have found. My problem is wanting to take ALL of my tackle on my kayak, i use the bass pro tackle backpack with plano boxes and also have another soft sided bag full of plastics. i try to narrow it down to a smaller bag every season, but always fail because i love all of my lures and plastics. how do you other kayak fishermen handle this? i know i am not alone in this battle. any ideas on a better storage system? especially for soft plastics? i have a tackle binder but it does not seem to hold enough without crushing all my plastics and deforming them. any and all help appreciated!

Darren. reply :

Well, if you like ALL your gear, a kayak may or may not be the boat you want

For me my journey has gone from taking some, to taking a TON, to less, and now to what I need.

Now "all" is relative. If you had to weigh your tackle, how much would it weigh?

Do you have a sit inside, or a sit on top kayak? I have a hybrid with a raised seat. I use either a drawer (rubbermaid type thing), or a 15 quart container which slides under the seat.

I either use a few 360 size Plano boxes for worms, packing line, hooks in the container as well.

Lately I've gone back to throwing bags of plastics into gallon zip locks, labeling them for "creature baits", "Finesse", "Senkos" etc.

Always evolving my tackle-taking methods. I'm never satisfied and constantly look for the "perfect system". So welcome to the club

0119 reply :

Wow, for me the more I take the less fun I get out of my yak. A couple of the smaller 3 latch water tight clear boxes and maybe a couple original packages the soft baits came in is it for me.

bartdude186 reply :

thanks for the respose! I have a 12 foot SOT kayak, and since you mentioned it,my problem is i also have a boat, pretty easy to bring all i want in the boat, not so much the kayak. i fish a lot of small waters because i enjoy it more than big lakes.(And it's easier to conseal the kayak in the work parking lot for those days i leave "sick" at lunch ) the rubbermaid containers sound like a great idea for my plastics, and honestly i have never thought about it for the yak. hmmm... now the search is on for the perfect size and shape to fit in the rear well,and possibly a dedicated yak tackle box. i may just have to buy more of my favorites and put them in a seperate box for the kayak instead of trying to use the same gear as on my boat. Thanks for the suggestion! now off to look online for the perfect container..

Hi Salenity reply :

Do you use a milk crate with Plano boxes?

Gaerith reply :

I have found that I can put in 4 3601 Plano boxes and a 3500 speed bag holding soft plastics inside a milk crate and still have lots of wiggle room for extras and maneuvering. The 3601s fit just about everything, they're just not as fat as the 3700s.

Jolly Green reply :

I fish from shore and I used to hate having to lug around a pack full of every single thing I own, so I beat this problem by making a rule that if I brought it last time and didn't use it, it stays home until I decide that it absolutely WILL be used next time I take it. Sometimes I wish I had something I didn't bring, but never so much that it ruined my outing. I realize that this is somewhat apples and oranges because in a yak you're able to access a wider range of depth and cover than I fish, thus you probably have use for a wider range of tackle, but I think the principle can still be applied. I know it seems arbitrarily limiting and it's not an approach for everyone, but I fish out of my camera bag now and enjoy juggling less and fishing more. Pack lighter and focus on using what you do bring to its fullest potential.

Jrob78 reply :

I can carry 5 3700 boxes in my Black Pack. I carry plastics in a BPS Double Worm Binder. I can't imagine needing more than that.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

I carry a flambeu boat bag its small holds 3 size 3600s has plenty of room for odds and ends.plastics in one topwaters in one and ultra lights...and 2 rods and not only that but with how im organized i can go from a farm pond to saltwater and still be armed..all in one

camovan reply :

I keep 6 3700's behind me and a deep 3700 in front of me that has all the baits I think I will be using that day along with any related terminal tackle, this also serves as my dump box as I switch lures throughout the day. I also have a Native Ultimate with raised seat that I keep a 16"x16"x4" deep box that has all my plastics and scents. Most days I never use anything out of the 6 3700's in the rear but it makes me feel good to have it, plus I have a 450# capacity and a bassyak so I am not worried about paddling the extra weight

jsc4324 reply :

Milk crate behind me full of plano

Boxes with hard baits tackle

Etc. Large sized tackle bag up front filled with plastics divided up in gallon zip lock bags.

Bungee cords on the crate hold the odd items like pliers bug spray etc onto the crate.

HeavyDluxe reply :

On 1/6/2014 at 10:21 AM, Jrob78 said:
I can carry 5 3700 boxes in my Black Pack. I carry plastics in a BPS Double Worm Binder. I can't imagine needing more than that.

+1. Well, sorta. I can imagine wanting more, for sure. However, I think this amount of storage is sufficient to take 'enough' of everything.

FWIW, I've just taken the approach that part of the challenge of kayak fishing is the somewhat minimalistic approach. I have a kayak, not a bass boat. And so I want to challenge myself to tackle the specific nuances of fishing out of a small boat. (And, also, resolve to enjoy the unique pleasures and capabilities that fishing in a small boat affords).

I've also tried very, very hard *not* to give the bait monkey too much control in my life. I could easily obsess to the point of making sure I have every bait in the world in every color with me every day because, well, today could be the day that's the magic combination. If I think about it, I know that's not true. But my mind could easily go there in a blissful, tackle-buying orgy.

So, FWIW, the system I adopted so far is as follows: I bought the larger, rectangle milk crate from FarmPlast. That fits snugly in the back of my Ride 115 and holds five, large Plano boxes with a little extra room. I've divided those five boxes up by category and keep *all* my baits and hooks in them, with one smaller plastic box holding my weights, sinkers, and rigging stuff. The only other baits I have around the house are 'overstock' of common things I have in the crate (another bag of senkos in my favorite color, for example).

I keep the milk crate in the back of my car. If I go bank fishing, I have another middle-sized plastic box that I stock up from the crates and carry in.

For me, I've found this is 'enough' tackle to give me the feeling that I'm not missing m, keeps me from amassing waaaay more than I truly need, and has (IMHO) helped me as an angler by disciplining me to think about how I'm fishing - maximizing the tackle I have rather than just shotgunning approaches.

YMMV, obviously, but there you go.

(PS: Those large FarmPlast crates are really nice)

buzzed bait reply :

On 1/6/2014 at 10:21 AM, Jrob78 said:
I can carry 5 3700 boxes in my Black Pack. I carry plastics in a BPS Double Worm Binder. I can't imagine needing more than that.

My exact same setup. This allows me to take everything i could want on the water and leave it very organized. I'm kind of a freak about organization so I make certain my bag is ready to go before and after each trip. Double worm binder is the best thing for all your soft plastics, period. I can carry more plastic than i could use in that binder.

J Francho reply :

I just bring it all. Works for me...

There's around a dozen Plano boxes, half dozen rods, and three double speedbags full of plastics.

Uncle Leo reply :

On 1/7/2014 at 1:02 AM, J Francho said:

I just bring it all. Works for me...

There's around a dozen Plano boxes, half dozen rods, and three double speedbags full of plastics.

Haha but your skinny J, the yak would sink with me in it LOL

Smiths.R reply :

I fish ONLY from my kayak. I have a sit in boat (Old Town Predator K11). I have a milk crate behind me that holds two poles, and the battery to my depth finder, as well as my snacks/drinks, and whatever tackle I want to bring. I put a couple of plano boxes inbetween my legs for hard stuff, and I have ziplock bags for soft stuff. You don't need EVERYTHING. So don't bring it. Just gets in the way.

Hanover_Yakker reply :

Even though I chase the fish around in my Hobie Pro Angler 14 and have a custom YakAttack BlackPack, I still only take 1-2 3600 trays of lures, a 3600 tray of terminal tackle, a couple bags of soft plastics and 3 rods.

Now, I take almost all of my species specific tackle with me to the launch, but I only take out the items mentioned above. I'm assuming you are not paddling across Kentucky Lake or some other monstrosity of a reservoir, so your dilemma is simpler than you realize.

Prior to your trip, do some internet research on weather conditions for the three days preceding, then the forecast for the day. Based upon those factors alone combined with your prior knowledg of that location from past experiences, you should be able to mentally prepare your lure selection for the day. When you arrive at the launch, make a quick check of the water clarity and weather conditions and take out a tray or two to match those conditions. If you find the bite/pattern changes, you can always paddle back in and switch some things out.

I always prepped my 3600 lure tray in the following manner:

2-4 skirted jigs, a few trailers, a couple jerkbaits, a couple squarebills, a couple lipless, a couple topwater, an inline spinner or two and then a buzzbait and a swingarm spinnerbait.

My 3600 terminal tackle tray had:

swimbait hooks, shakey heads, wacky hooks, dropshot weights and hooks, EWG hooks, worm weights, bobber stops, beads, rattles, etc.

I would carry three rods - one for topwater, one for moving sub surface and one for slow bottom hopping.

Hope that helps some....

CTGalloway21 reply :

my YakAttack Blackpak can hold 9 size 360/3600 boxes, with two additional ones under the seat of my kayak. If you need more tackle than that, you need to reconsider. haha

stevec328 reply :

I usually take one sandwich bag filled with flukes and other shallow soft plastics and one sandwich bag with craws, beavers, and worms. A small tin that carries extra hooks, sinkers, ect. One small spool of leader material. One spinning outfit and one baitcaster.

I know, most people don't fish like I do, but I still catch fish and have fun.

Tight lines.

bartdude186 reply :

Sorry for the late response, but thanks for all the suggestions guys. i will take all of them in to consideration. i have been working the past few nights at narrowing down boat tackle vs yak tackle and it is going better than expected. i have narrowed it down to 5 plano boxes and a worm binder (that is too full), i think i may just buy another binder and carry the 5 boxes and 2 binders on my kayak. once again thanks for the suggestions!

Knottallthere reply :

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and new to kayak bass fishing. Does anyone think this tackle box is too big to bring on a kayak? I have the plano 787. Just wondering if you cool kats have any advice

MattMurr reply :

On 1/27/2017 at 7:28 AM, Knottallthere said:

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and new to kayak bass fishing. Does anyone think this tackle box is too big to bring on a kayak? I have the plano 787. Just wondering if you cool kats have any advice

If it fits and you're able to access it easily it's not too big.

You might have an easier time just bringing the loose trays and putting them in a milk crate style box depending on the yak you have.

For me it's all about the access, I want to be able to get to my gear easily without too much hassle.

RB 77 reply :

Less is more when I'm in the yak. I used to want to take everything, but now a days I'm much more minimalist in my approach. 2-3 setups, 2-3 trays of my most effective baits, and I'm set.

Hi Salenity reply :

On 1/27/2017 at 9:51 PM, RB 77 said:

Less is more when I'm in the yak. I used to want to take everything, but now a days I'm much more minimalist in my approach. 2-3 setups, 2-3 trays of my most effective baits, and I'm set.

Smart man ?

fishwizzard reply :

When I am in my yak I take at most, 4 rods. Each rod has a specific role and gets a single 3600 box for it. Every rod also has a "wildcard" option, but that is just a lure or two. So for example, my ML spinning rod is my Ned/MWF rod, but it's wildcard is a couple of small inline spinners. My MH rod is either dedicated to jigs/worms or chatterbaits/spinnerbaits, but I will have a few of the other on had as well.

I never really fish more then two of the rods, but I feel like I might as well fill all four rod holders.

ooga0341 reply :

I have a Cuda 12, and usually use a plano flex n go for most of what I bring. I usually keep a 3600 under my seat too. Also, I change my box depending on where I'm going.

Turkey sandwich reply :

I have a Lure 13.5 and weigh 200lbs, so I don't have any issues as far as weight. Still, I rarely take EVERYTHING. Once I have a good idea about where I'm fishing and the conditions, I can usually eliminate a good bit of gear. The crate sits in the back with the Plano containers full of terminal tackle and hard baits along with miscellaneous stuff like first aid kits, scale, etc. I keep soft plastics organized in freezer bags in the middle hatch in front of my sonar console.

Outdoor Zack reply :

When I go canoeing, I take a Cabelas bag that holds 4 3500 boxes, about 8 bags of plastics, a small box for finesse stuff, a small box for more hardbaits, and all my fishing tools.

i might take a lunch bag or something too, but I rarely bring any other tackle unless I'm fly fishing too

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