Show off your trays! 2024

pauldconyers reply :

I need to do something for tackle storage and am looking at different tray options. Waterproof or not? Flambeau or Plano? Deep or shallow boxes? Great to have to have a lot of options but it can get confusing too. Went to the Bass Pro sale today and they have their trays that are 14" x 9" all 50% off so price may push me that way even though they are not waterproof and the clamps seen a little bit cheap. Just wanted to see some of your trays showing jigs and cranks and such to get an idea of what size I need and how many.

MN Fisher reply :

This is my Crank/Jerk box - Plano Pro-Latch 3620

Scott F reply :

Waterproof utility boxes are ok, but they not only keep water from getting in, they don’t let water out. The latches also make getting in the boxes more difficult.

Im not sure if they still do, but Plano used to make the boxes for Flambeau. Deep or shallow, depends on what you are putting in them, the number you can fit in a tackle bag and your personal preference.

thinkingredneck reply :

Don't put wet baits up. Once dry, put them up. I keep pharmacy Silica packs in my boxes.

Bluebasser86 reply :

Buy once, cry once. Plano Hydroflo for me. I have the stacks of trays with broken and cracked corners and lids, broken latches, and the worst of all the layer of rust in the bottom to remind me why I don't buy the cheapest boxes anymore. Replacing hundreds of hooks and split rings because of cheap boxes easily justified the slight cost difference to me.

Logan S reply :

Used most of the different types over the years...Eventually just settled on regular old Plano 3700's. I can fit more baits in these than any other type of the same size and that's the biggest selling point for me. I do use a Bass Mafia Coffin for terminal tackle, but everything else is standard 3700's. Can find them anywhere, they're cheap, and they fit perfectly in pretty much every type of tackle organizer or bag.

I do take the important boxes out of the boat if it will sit more than a few days and bring em inside. If it's a really rainy day I'll take them all out and leave them open to dry out (inside the house). Don't have any rust issues.

FCPhil reply :

Just a standard Plano from Walmart. The foam sheet is good for holding swimbaits in place. I drill holes to get some airflow going in certain sections.

fishwizzard reply :

I use 3600 and 3500 trays, I prefer a very small pack when I am on foot so that rules out 3700s.

This is most of them, maybe a half dozen more in my car from the last few days' trips.

I pack them two ways, first, around a lure, plastic, or general "theme". So like this is my "craw-imitators in the 1/2oz and up range" box:

Some 1/2oz jgs, some wobble-heads, some Jikas. The plastics are mostly Rage Craws at this point with a few random plastics thrown in to use up the ends of bags or to "audition" them for regular use.

The second way I pack them is for a specific combo. These two boxes are for a Loomis mbr783, which is one of my general-purpose walking around rods. I have worked down to a few presentations that the combo casts and works well that I know will produce in the waters I fish the most.

So the first box is a few 1/4oz jigs, chatterbaits and plastics for trailers. I also carry assorted TT to rig the trailer plastics a few different ways. Then it's a few swimjigs and trailers, plus the same alternate rigging supplies. Rounded out with some trickworms for when I need to go shallow and subtle.

Then a box of cranks, spinners, and topwaters that work well for the combo.

This makes grabbing tackle very quick as once I figure out what rod(s) I want to take on a given outing I can just grab a few pre-loaded boxes and hit the road. It also gives me something to do nights (like this one) where I can't get to sleep. Tackle-sorting is very soothing work and it really helps some times.

Scott F reply :

I live near the Plano factory and often stop in their outlet store where utility boxes sell for $1-$2 each. Hard not to stock up at those prices.

A-Jay reply :

I use an assortment of mostly Plano boxes.

A-Jay

pauldconyers reply :

Because I think I would rather have bigger boxes and less of them (versus smaller boxes but more of them) I think I may just go with the basic 3700. During the current Bass Pro sale today I saw they have their 3700 on sale for half off making them $3.39 and at that price I do not see how I can pass on it. I compared them to the Plano 3700 and other then them having Bass Pro on them they look and feel the exact same.

Chunk_Chaser reply :

On 2/16/2019 at 1:39 PM, A-Jay said:

I use an assortment of mostly Plano boxes.

A-Jay

d**n that’s sexy!

DogBone_384 reply :

I use Plano 37xx boxes based on the size and quantity lure I'm storing. Most Plano boxes are still made in USA.

Joshua van Wyk reply :

On 2/16/2019 at 1:49 PM, pauldconyers said:

Because I think I would rather have bigger boxes and less of them (versus smaller boxes but more of them) I think I may just go with the basic 3700. During the current Bass Pro sale today I saw they have their 3700 on sale for half off making them $3.39 and at that price I do not see how I can pass on it. I compared them to the Plano 3700 and other then them having Bass Pro on them they look and feel the exact same.

Go to Walmart, they have Planos for 3 or 4 bucks.

Munkin reply :

My hardbaits I took out of the boat to dry after fishing a tournament in the rain.

Allen

On 2/16/2019 at 10:13 AM, Logan S said:

I do take the important boxes out of the boat if it will sit more than a few days and bring em inside.

By the looks of those two boxes you better hire a security guard if you leave them outside.

Allen

redmeansdistortion reply :

Here's my pike box. I also have another with an assortment of bucktails, spinners, Dardevles, and smaller swimbaits. The next one is a double sided box with steelhead drift tackle. Last is my brook trout stuff. You gotta pack light when hiking 50+ miles through the UP of Michigan, and those boxes are small and have my favorite brookie spinners and spoons.

OperationEagle reply :

On 2/16/2019 at 1:49 PM, pauldconyers said:

Because I think I would rather have bigger boxes and less of them (versus smaller boxes but more of them) I think I may just go with the basic 3700. During the current Bass Pro sale today I saw they have their 3700 on sale for half off making them $3.39 and at that price I do not see how I can pass on it. I compared them to the Plano 3700 and other then them having Bass Pro on them they look and feel the exact same.

Those closure clips suck. Are always falling off. I switched all of mine to Plano from Walmart.

pauldconyers reply :

On 2/18/2019 at 1:40 PM, OperationEagle said:

Those closure clips suck. Are always falling off. I switched all of mine to Plano from Walmart.

Yeah that is what I am looking at now. The Plano 3700 is $3.84 at my local Walmart. I am trying to decide if I like the Plano or Flambeau 3700 versions better.

NorthernBasser reply :

On 2/18/2019 at 1:40 PM, OperationEagle said:

Those closure clips suck. Are always falling off. I switched all of mine to Plano from Walmart.

Yup. For those wondering, these are the latches you want (pro latch). The second pic is the ones that fall off all the time (ribbed).

CrankFate reply :

On 2/17/2019 at 10:09 PM, redmeansdistortion said:

I don’t use these, but after losing about 50 orange beads that spilled out of a bag last year, maybe something like this would help.

Dvo509 reply :

pauldconyers reply :

If I want some boxes for bigger/wider bodied cranks like 6XD's and such would standard 3700 sized boxes do the trick or do I need to look at deep models?

J Francho reply :

Plano Hydroflo are the way to go. SInce I've switched, no more worrying about rusty baits, no wasted time drying out boxes, plain and simple, they just work.

NorthernBasser reply :

On 2/18/2019 at 11:20 PM, pauldconyers said:

If I want some boxes for bigger/wider bodied cranks like 6XD's and such would standard 3700 sized boxes do the trick or do I need to look at deep models?

Those will work.

HazeRVA reply :

On 2/18/2019 at 11:26 PM, J Francho said:

Plano Hydroflo are the way to go. SInce I've switched, no more worrying about rusty baits, no wasted time drying out boxes, plain and simple, they just work.

I'm starting to change over to these. Do they make a shallow 3700 in the Hydroflo?

Derek1 reply :

These are my favorite.

J Francho reply :

On 2/19/2019 at 5:35 AM, HazeRVA said:

I'm starting to change over to these. Do they make a shallow 3700 in the Hydroflo?

I just picked up a few standard depth boxes. Not sure they go any shallower than that. They're probably around 1.5".

HazeRVA reply :

On 2/19/2019 at 9:56 PM, J Francho said:

I just picked up a few standard depth boxes. Not sure they go any shallower than that. They're probably around 1.5".

Thanks. Yeah I can't find them. Standard depth 3700 is 2", and there is a 3701 that is ***/8", but doesn't look like there is a Hydroflo version of that.

dgkasper58 reply :

On 2/16/2019 at 1:26 PM, Scott F said:

I live near the Plano factory and often stop in their outlet store where utility boxes sell for $1-$2 each. Hard not to stock up at those prices.

Where is this at?

Scott F reply :

On 2/19/2019 at 11:43 PM, dgkasper58 said:

Where is this at?

On Rt 34 just as you come in to the town of Plano. They were having a fantastic sale on soft sided tackle bags when I was there 2 weeks ago. Items change regularly. You never know what you might find. Not everything is steeply discounted. They are closed, Sunday and Monday

dgkasper58 reply :

On 2/19/2019 at 11:49 PM, Scott F said:

On Rt 34 just as you come in to the town of Plano. They were having a fantastic sale on soft sided tackle bags when I was there 2 weeks ago. Items change regularly. You never know what you might find. Not everything is steeply discounted. They are closed, Sunday and Monday

Thanks

jbsoonerfan reply :

This is just what I take as a co. I can't get the pic turned.

microotter reply :

Does anyone have experience with the Plano Guide Series Blade Bag?

Vilas15 reply :

On 2/19/2019 at 11:49 PM, Scott F said:

On Rt 34 just as you come in to the town of Plano. They were having a fantastic sale on soft sided tackle bags when I was there 2 weeks ago. Items change regularly. You never know what you might find. Not everything is steeply discounted. They are closed, Sunday and Monday

Used to live in Sandwich and remember going there as a kid!

haggard reply :

Whichever you go with, try to make sure it has a two-piece hinge - fully separate top and bottom halves - not a one piece. The one pieces are more likely to fatigue and split after many cycles.

I like the Plano 3640-1. Full hinge, water tight silicon seal, strong latches on three sides, configurable interior, medium size (big enough to hold alot, small enough to not be clumsy).

ratherbfishin1 reply :

No offense to everybody on here but I don’t think it is that big of a deal. I have a combination of all types. When I need new one I buy whatever.

Tizi reply :

I am using Plano 3601 thins:

Square bills and deeper divers.

Allen Der reply :

On 2/19/2019 at 10:09 PM, HazeRVA said:

Thanks. Yeah I can't find them. Standard depth 3700 is 2", and there is a 3701 that is ***/8", but doesn't look like there is a Hydroflo version of that.

Just drill holes in the shallow trays and then they are"hydroflow" trays

On 2/18/2019 at 10:44 PM, Dvo509 said:

How do you like those flambeau satchels? Just picked up two for plastics and one for terminal tackle

Dvo509 reply :

On 2/25/2019 at 5:13 AM, Allen Der said:

Just drill holes in the shallow trays and then they are"hydroflow" trays

How do you like those flambeau satchels? Just picked up two for plastics and one for terminal tackle

I honestly just bought them myself. They seem to store pretty well in the boat. I like the dividers but not the slots for them.

jbsoonerfan reply :

You guys that put multiple treble hook baits in a tray make me want to scream. LOL

WI_Angler1989 reply :

On 2/27/2019 at 1:13 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

You guys that put multiple treble hook baits in a tray make me want to scream. LOL

You definitely don't want to see my tackle... ????

jbsoonerfan reply :

On 2/27/2019 at 1:32 PM, WI_Angler1989 said:

You definitely don't want to see my tackle... ????

I'm 39 years old and have never had a psych evaluation, but I am pretty sure I am OCD. LOL

Jrob78 reply :

On 2/27/2019 at 1:13 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

You guys that put multiple treble hook baits in a tray make me want to scream. LOL

Lol, I've started using dental rubberbands on my hooks, it keeps them from getting tangled and takes 2 seconds. I would have 5000 boxes if I only put one bait in a section. ????

Dens228 reply :

On 2/27/2019 at 1:43 PM, Jrob78 said:

Lol, I've started using dental rubberbands on my hooks, it keeps them from getting tangled and takes 2 seconds. I would have 5000 boxes if I only put one bait in a section. ????

Same here. I kayak fish most of the time and bring 5 3700 boxes. I think I have 40+ cranks in one box. My swimbait/jerkbait box is the same. I use the rubberbands on most of them to keep from tangling.

HenryPF reply :

I have a mix of everything - but I only have ever bought Plano 3700, 3600 and 3650s in both shallow and deep. I bought a ton of bags that came with tackle boxes already in them so I have quite a few as the price of the bag/combo were cheaper than buying the boxes separately. I don't fish alot of cranks - mostly plastics. I grab a different bag per lake I am going to as each lake fishes different than the next (weed choked vs. open water)

This picture is from 2013 and no way I am posting the extra stuff I have since then so the wife can easily identify my habit in one photo.

detroit1 reply :

Aj plus Henry's stack might be getting as big as Raul's pile of goods. Very impressive.

@reelChris reply :

This may be a mistake, but it looks like Academy has Plano 3700s for $3.99:

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/plano®-prolatch™-stowaway-tackle-box#repChildCatid=12172

MN Fisher reply :

On 2/28/2019 at 9:43 AM, @reelChris said:

This may be a mistake, but it looks like Academy has Plano 3700s for $3.99:

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/plano®-prolatch™-stowaway-tackle-box#repChildCatid=12172

And 3600s for 2.99 - if I wasn't already stocked up with extras I'd grab some more.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/plano®-prolatch™-stowaway-tackle-box-001925080p#repChildCatid=12164

thinkingredneck reply :

Everyone has a preference, Blond Brunette, Redhead. Maybe these are solutions in search of a problem. Be sure to separate plastics and have a way of drying baits after fishing. Pretty much it. Organization is personal and must make sense to you. Like your Mom told you, put up your toys...LOL.

Munkin reply :

On 2/28/2019 at 7:06 AM, HenryPF said:

I have a mix of everything - but I only have ever bought Plano 3700, 3600 and 3650s in both shallow and deep. I bought a ton of bags that came with tackle boxes already in them so I have quite a few as the price of the bag/combo were cheaper than buying the boxes separately. I don't fish alot of cranks - mostly plastics. I grab a different bag per lake I am going to as each lake fishes different than the next (weed choked vs. open water)

This picture is from 2013 and no way I am posting the extra stuff I have since then so the wife can easily identify my habit in one photo.

Please stop by my home because I have a project for you!

Allen

webertime reply :

I am going with Bass Mafia Ice Boxes and Gamakatsu 3600 boxes this year... I'll move baits into them once its above 14 degrees...

J._Bricker reply :

3700 series are great for the numerous reasons previously stated and depicted in everyone’s photos. Which is why’s I think most of us like to use them. Now for the thoroughbreds, they got this exclusive double sided stable. It was spendy, but I think they’re worth it.

@reelChris reply :

Had some time to kill and figured, why not go OCD for 2019? I'm hoping masking tape and crayon will survive any casual water contact.

thinkingredneck reply :

I just rearranged my tackle. I put my Elastec stuff In binders and everything else in plano type boxes by type of bait, and labeled them. In this way I hopefully can keep my Ned rig stuff from melting my other plastics. That was a mess!

DanielG reply :

Looking to find an economical option for storage I ordered this. It's a case to store sewing thread. It's often used to store matchbox cars. In fact it comes with a matchbox decal for kids who might order it for this purpose. Anyway, it has 48 compartments. Most are big enough for a fairly large crankbait. There are a couple of larger slots too. It's double sided, so two hinged covers open, one on each side.

I was surprised to see that it's very good quality. The hinges are real hinges not creased plastic that will break after awhile. The latches are large and snap shut so that I have no thoughts that it will open up while I'm carrying it by the handle. The dividers are fixed but fairly large. The box is 14x10 1/2x3 inches. The pockets are 3x 1 1/2 inches.

The plastic is thick and a bit flexible, so It's not brittle and will not crack. It's sort of the rubbery type of plastic.

So far so good. It's great to bring on my not so large boat. I have my regular tackle box for the larger loose stuff and this for my compartmentalized stuff.

It's called "Creative Options 5315 Thread Organizer" It's up to about $16 now but I got it a few weeks ago for $11.

A-Jay reply :

Updated version.

A-Jay

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