Traveling light 2025

Mobasser reply :

When I first started bass fishing, I was strictly a bank fisherman.First thing I bought was a large 5 tray tackle box, which I carried along with me.I still do some bank fishing but years ago I realized I was tackle bound. I now carry a small 2 tray box and 2 rods. Im thinking about downsizing even more because I usually use the same 2 or 3 baits depending on the season or time of day. Its surprising what you can pack in a small box, and it frees you up with less to haul around.How do you guys transport your tackle when you bankwalkin?

PatrickKnight reply :

I walk a river mostly so when I want to go light its some grubs and swim baits in one pocket and some jig heads in the other.

Normally a carry a small Cabelas brand tackle bag that will hold 4x 3500 series boxes. I used to use a backpack but swinging it around to change baits in the middle of the river proved to be a pain so the sling type bag works better for me.

Looking to pick up one of these bad boys this year:

http://falconrods.com/fto.html

Mobasser reply :

Those look like good tackle bags. I've even thought about clipping a smaller flat box to my belt loop.

The Bassman reply :

In warm weather I wear a vest. When it's cool out I have a westherproof jacket with big pockets. Accomplishes two things: Keeps me mobile and limits my lure choices which helps me focus on my techniques.

fishwizzard reply :

I use a fly fishing sling that will hold a signal 3600 box and a handful of loose lures. But when I'm really going light I use a fly fishing chest pack that I thread onto my belt that will hold a bag or two of plastics, a small box of terminal tackle, and a handful of lures.

new2BC4bass reply :

Traveling light. What's that?

drew4779 reply :

The past 3 years I've been telling myself that I need to carry less. I end up buying a deep 3700 tray and pull out just what I want for that particular trip. Fast forward two months and that box is over flowing, along with the box I bought the year prior, the seams on my back pack are pushed to limits, and I'm right back where I started. I justify this by telling myself I'm getting a work out carrying around all this tackle, when in reality I probably use about 1/10th of what I carry and my back is sore the next day.

Team9nine reply :

If it doesn't fit in my pockets, it doesn't come with me...and two rods is one rod too many from the bank

fishwizzard reply :

On 3/11/2018 at 11:17 PM, Team9nine said:

If it doesn't fit in my pockets, it doesn't come with me...and two rods is one rod too many from the bank

I hate having any more junk then I have to in my pockets, so my ultra-minimilst “pack” is a rockclimbing chalk bag clipped to my belt. It’s almost weightless and helps insure I never (again) launder a bag of worms or pack of hooks.

Crestliner2008 reply :

A fanny pack is ideal for bank fishing. One rod, a few lures (usually soft plastics) and you're good to go.

Mobasser reply :

Good ideas here. Im pairing it down to 1 rod, and one small pocket tackle box. I can swap out what I need when its called for. Now, when I look at my first tacklebox it looks HUGE! I love bank fishing and on many smaller waters I think its better than a boat. Don't want my fishing time to be like a work day

fishwizzard reply :

I would love a fanny pack that is just big ebough to fit a single 3500 box, but as they are rarely found in stores these days, I have never managed to find one.

Mobasser reply :

Im going to find something that works. Know what you mean about not finding the right one.

fishwizzard reply :

It’s tough to find a small pack if you are trying to fit a specific sized box in it, as once you get to fractions of an inch, it’s usualy 50/50 of it fitting at all or without a big fight. My sling pack is from Fishpond and I called them up to ask. The guy on the phone didnt know nor did he have a 3600 box on hand, but they emailed

me a few days later to confirm it would fit once someone brought one in from home to check for me.

If anyone is looking for a good small backpack, I cannot say enough good things about the Ospery Talon 11. It’s lightweigh, crazy comfortable, and the main compartment will fit a 3600/pair of 3500 boxes with room left over for a light packable rain jacket and small firstaid kit. I keep one loaded with a travel combo and small tackle kit in my car 100% of the time, so I am always ready to go if I have a fishing emergency.

desmobob reply :

On 3/11/2018 at 7:02 PM, Mobasser said:

How do you guys transport your tackle when you bankwalkin?

Tacklewarehouse Angler backpack for taking lots of stuff or, for lighter loads, my old Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack.

Some sling packs are designed for very easy access without having to take them off. That's a plus.

Tight lines,

Bob

puddlepuncher reply :

I bought one of these leg bags last year and it's been perfect. Fits a small tray for treble lures, and a couple wallets for jigs and spinners in the main pocket. Little side pockets fit terminal tackle (hooks and weights) and there is a great holder for pliers. Comes with a water bottle pouch, and there are docks if you want to clip more on. Great thing about it is there is no taking off a pack, it's right at your hip. I like fanny packs but they can get uncomfortable.

Smalls reply :

I probably carry more stuff with me bank fishing than some guys carry in their boats. I cram it all in the big spiderwire bag. Not very often I think “man, really wish I had such and such bait”.

Steveo-1969 reply :

I have a small Plano tackle bag that I can wear over my shoulder. I think it's actually considered a "crappie" tackle bag and is the size of half a loaf of bread. Everything I need fits in it and because it's over my shoulder and at my side at all times I don't need to carry it or walk back to it if I need something. I also use it while wade fishing.

Crankin4Bass reply :

I use a small Simms sling pack. It can hold a 3600. I also carry 3 bags of plastics, water, first aid kit and a rain shell. I keep it in the truck with a 2 piece spinning rod and I'm good to go anytime. It's a $100 but it's the best pack I've had. There are some cheaper fishing sling packs on Amazon you might want to check out too.

J Francho reply :

I like a chest pack. I have an older version of this one:

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/white-river-fly-shop-270-chest-pack

Scott F reply :

I prefer the sling packs. Goes over one shoulder and around. You swing the pack to the front to get in it, and swing it around to your back while fishing. You don't have to take it off to get inside and it's not in your way while fishing. Works well for bank walking and wading. If you don't need to carry a ton of stuff, it's a great solution. Check out the fly shops or fly fishing sections of web sites to find a selection, like this one from Orvis.

J Francho reply :

The slings are nice too.

thinkingredneck reply :

On 3/12/2018 at 12:15 AM, fishwizzard said:

It’s tough to find a small pack if you are trying to fit a specific sized box in it, as once you get to fractions of an inch, it’s usualy 50/50 of it fitting at all or without a big fight. My sling pack is from Fishpond and I called them up to ask. The guy on the phone didnt know nor did he have a 3600 box on hand, but they emailed

me a few days later to confirm it would fit once someone brought one in from home to check for me.

If anyone is looking for a good small backpack, I cannot say enough good things about the Ospery Talon 11. It’s lightweigh, crazy comfortable, and the main compartment will fit a 3600/pair of 3500 boxes with room left over for a light packable rain jacket and small firstaid kit. I keep one loaded with a travel combo and small tackle kit in my car 100% of the time, so I am always ready to go if I have a fishing emergency.

Sort of a fisherman's bug out bag!

I can fly fish with a couple small boxes in a vest or chest pack. But when fishing with regular rods and reels, I almost sink my kayak.

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 3/11/2018 at 11:17 PM, Team9nine said:

If it doesn't fit in my pockets, it doesn't come with me...and two rods is one rod too many from the bank

I carry more rods with me usually, but all the baits I take are whatever fits in my pockets.

scaleface reply :

1 rod and a vest . I bought a Flambeau creel bag last year for metal detecting and I'm going to give it a try .That would be better for carrying water .

Bankbeater reply :

Walking the bank I usually carry three rods with me, and a Plano 1155 box. If I am going to be walking through thick wooded areas, the box stays in the car.

Brad in Texas reply :

I love bank fishing, the "no fuss" way to get out in nature and have a blast.

It can be the angler's version of Minimalism.

I often do this from a kayak/canoe, just carry 1 or 2 rods, a single Plano box, water, paddle, vest.

We usually know the time we will be fishing, the temperature, the time of year, the water conditions and more. This knowledge, alone, whittles down what we need to bring along, what we know we won't be using so why pack it.

One big advantage of getting out this way? If you carry too much "stuff," I am convinced that when I do this, I end up losing my focus, switch around gear and tackle too often, move too often. I already know what should work (time, temp, time of year, knowledge of the water I'm fishing) so sticking to it and not giving up too soon usually pays big dividends.

Brad

Mobasser reply :

I agree Brad in Texas. I like bank fishing also.As you said, I usually know what will work, so bringing a small amount of gear makes it more fun.

scaleface reply :

I dont want to have to be putting extra rods and boxes on the ground , make a few cast then pick them up , move a few feet and repeat . Being mobile with hands free and one rod allows me to make more cast and move freely .

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Traveling light 2025

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