Co-Angler Tackle Bag Size? 2024
T_Nix35 reply :
Hey Fellas,
I decided to put this discussion on here to get some ideas from boaters and what they think is too big for a co-angler to bring in the boat with them. I am thinking about buying the Cabela's Advanced Angler System Super Magnum tackle bag so I will have plenty of room to put not only the tackle I have now, but also the tackle I purchase in the future. I want to be respectful to my boater and not tick him off, that wouldn't be the best way to start the day haha! What are yall's thoughts on me getting this bag? It is huge, 27"L x 12"W x 14"H, so I would almost say it is like a small duffle. If I need to I will go down to the Magnum, but I would like to have as much tackle as possible out on the water so I can be prepared for any situation I may be put into.
Thanks,
TCN
Teal reply :
Personally, If you draw me, and I'm going to be your boater I don't care as long as I'm not tripping over all your stuff. I typically keep one of my rear compartments clear for my friends or co anglers. I've told guys before to bring all they want, but if I trip over it, I'm gonna throw it in the lake. That bag is fine to me. I would rather u bring one huge bag that you can keep on the rear deck or on a seat while u are fishing than multiple med or small bags everywhere
Not all boater share my sentiment, but they certainly understand where you are coming from.
Rangerphil reply :
I agree! One big bag is way better than multiple ones. Also don't forget to chip in for gas! That is the one thing that always got under my skin is when at the end of the day and the co-angler doesn't offer any money at all.
Felix77 reply :
That is one huge bag. As a fellow co-angler I can definitely appreciate wanting to be prepared for anything. I found that when I had too much to choose from it became overwhelming to try and manage in the midst of a tournament.
My bag holds 4 3700's worth of tackle and it has not failed me yet. 
T_Nix35 reply :
Glad I could get y'alls opinions!
On 3/5/2014 at 4:05 AM, Rangerphil said:Also don't forget to chip in for gas! That is the one thing that always got under my skin is when at the end of the day and the co-angler doesn't offer any money at all.
That will be the first thing handled in the morning for me personally, and if we get on some good fishing I may even throw in a little extra after the day is over. I am going to try and be as respectful as possible and help out as much as I can. I think the best way to look at it is to imagine that it is my boat and my spots that I had pre-fished and how I would feel if a co-angler disrespected my stuff.
tbone1993 reply :
Prefishing doesnt matter. Bring the entire bag with you. By tournament day you should be able to get it done to two boces and a speed bag.
plano kvd elite bag and the biggest speed bags plano makes.
T_Nix35 reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 4:32 AM, Felix77 said:That is one huge bag. As a fellow co-angler I can definitely appreciate wanting to be prepared for anything. I found that when I had too much to choose from it became overwhelming to try and manage in the midst of a tournament.
My bag holds 4 3700's worth of tackle and it has not failed me yet.
Haha it is a huge bag! As far as being overwhelmed with the baits I bring with me, I think proper study of the lake you are fishing and common knowledge of where bass will be at that specific time of year will narrow the bait selection down for me. The only reason I would want all of that tackle is the fact that the day I am fishing a tournament could be the day that bass are liking something completely opposite of what they were biting the week or even day before. Also, what I may think I will be fishing could actually be completely opposite of what my boater wants to fish. So if I bring my bag full of all that stuff I think I might fish and not everything else, its gonna be a bad day haha! I guess you could say I am an organizing and preparation freak, that is just the way I am hardwired!
T_Nix35 reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 4:39 AM, tbone1993 said:Prefishing doesnt matter. Bring the entire bag with you. By tournament day you should be able to get it done to two boces and a speed bag.
plano kvd elite bag and the biggest speed bags plano makes.
I will be co-angling, so I will not be pre-fishing. Im gonna look up those "speed bags", I've never heard of them.
Felix77 reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 4:43 AM, T_Nix35 said:Haha it is a huge bag! As far as being overwhelmed with the baits I bring with me, I think proper study of the lake you are fishing and common knowledge of where bass will be at that specific time of year will narrow the bait selection down for me. The only reason I would want all of that tackle is the fact that the day I am fishing a tournament could be the day that bass are liking something completely opposite of what they were biting the week or even day before. Also, what I may think I will be fishing could actually be completely opposite of what my boater wants to fish. So if I bring my bag full of all that stuff I think I might fish and not everything else, its gonna be a bad day haha! I guess you could say I am an organizing and preparation freak, that is just the way I am hardwired!
LOL ... I am an organizing and prep freak as well ... that is why I find that too much can sometimes be too much if you know what I mean.
FWIW I am reorganizing my tackle now and planned to do a little writeup on what I keep with me and how I adjust certain things based on the tournament. I think with proper research and preparation you can travel with a more compact system and still be prepared for pretty much any condition.
Funny because as I write this I recall my 1st bag was small (4 3600's). This current one is 4 3700's in size. Maybe by my 4-5 year I will be buying one of these too. 
T_Nix35 reply :
Haha @Felix77 maybe so man! On another note, it will also help me keep all of my tackle in one place while going from college back to school. Once I get home it will help me keep it all in a single place and not scattered around the garage or house. Making my parents happy!
jhoffman reply :
Really you could cover almost every option with a couple bags of soft plastics, two 3700 and a 3700 FTO spinnerbait box. Put the spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, buzzbaits and jigs in the fto. One 3700 with a row of shallow a row of mid and a row of deep cranks. One 3700 with all terminal tackle. A spool of line for leaders and an extra spool for the line you typically fish. Realistically, you could get that all in a decent size backpack. Maybe take some of the terminal box to hold a couple topwater type lures or frogs. Dont be afraid also to take a large pill bottle and stuff a frog or something in it.
Take your full bags of plastics, throw two or three of each into a ziploc instead of carrying the whole bag in every bait you have. You should have a decent idea of what at least has been working for you.
CAbassboy reply :
II carry a small old gym bag. i get 5 3600's and a 3600 slim, as well as a small box for senkos. its like 12"long and 6 inches wide
tbone1993 reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 4:48 AM, T_Nix35 said:I will be co-angling, so I will not be pre-fishing. Im gonna look up those "speed bags", I've never heard of them.
As a co angler you really should be pre-fishing a tournament. Try and link up with a boater before the tournament. Also if you pre-fish with someone you arent fishing the tournament with do not give up their spots. Also if you do well do not give up the spots of your boater. It is an easy way to get a terrible reputation and will lose the respect of a lot of people. http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Plano-4807-20-FTO-Elite-Worm-File-Large/productDetail/Soft-Tackle-Boxes/prod9999000465/cat101126 (they can be found for cheaper.
T_Nix35 reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 1:11 PM, tbone1993 said:As a co angler you really should be pre-fishing a tournament. Try and link up with a boater before the tournament. Also if you pre-fish with someone you arent fishing the tournament with do not give up their spots. Also if you do well do not give up the spots of your boater. It is an easy way to get a terrible reputation and will lose the respect of a lot of people.
I understand the ins and outs of all of that kind of stuff. My buddy fishes as a co-angler so I have talked to him about it. Thanks for the tips though man.
brophog reply :
On 3/5/2014 at 8:21 AM, jhoffman said:Take your full bags of plastics, throw two or three of each into a ziploc instead of carrying the whole bag in every bait you have. You should have a decent idea of what at least has been working for you.
Great tips. As someone that does this (the snack size bags work well) I can attest that this saves so much space. Ziplock bags are far more flexible than most original plastics packaging and don't tend to naturally hold as much air.
WIGuide reply :
As a boater with a smaller boat, it's appreciated that there are co-anglers out there who consider how much stuff they bring. I might suggest buying that big bag and then also buying another smaller bag as well as a few extra trays. You can keep all your stuff in the big one and then when tournament time comes around, you can talk to you boater ahead of time and find out how he's been fishing and bring what you think you need. You can use the extra trays to mix baits that you wouldn't normally have organized together, but it'll help you break things down for tournament day.
T_Nix35 reply :
Thanks for the input! I actually went ahead and got the Super Magnum, but I have a smaller tackle bag already so I will look into doing that.
Thanks again,
TCN
DILLY07 reply :
This is great for me to look at because Im fishing as a co angler this year, I might be snagging the bag also!
T_Nix35 reply :
On 3/12/2014 at 4:42 AM, DILLY07 said:This is great for me to look at because Im fishing as a co angler this year, I might be snagging the bag also!
I haven't actually gotten the bag yet or I would post a picture of it man. My GF is getting it for me for my birthday so I still have a few weeks before I actually get it, but when I do I will give you my complete opinion about it. From what I have heard, I think it will be fine with most anglers especially if you get on their good side the evening before and early in the morning. I will bring my other bag with me just in case he really doesn't want it in his boat. I think that is the best way to do things personally. Other than that, I'm glad this post helped you out!
TLMF,
TCN
Mike L reply :
Ive been fishing as a co angler for years now. Started in a local club once a month, now I fish in 2.
Last year I started fishing in the TBF, Bass Nations and BFL. Next year Im gonna try the Rayovac Series.
They are all draw tournaments, no partners.
My point is that by entering in these Ive learned one indisputable fact.
Bring what ya got!!
Too many times what my boater and I discuss the night before about where, what and how he wants to start and finish the day, hardly ever goes according to plan.
You got to be ready for anything.
After buying and useing 3 different bags the last few years, the one I use now, and perfect for me is the Flambeau AZ8. I wanted something high rather than wider, or longer.
When we run the bag is always between my legs.
When we stop I put the bag on my seat, never between the seats.
This way he can get to his livewell without having to step over or move the bag.
Honestly they dont even know the bag is on the boat!
I always ask if I can bring 7 rods (6 casting and 1 spinning) and have never been told "No too many"
I dont even ask about bringing a bag, they know I will.
The day is set the night before. I ALWAYS Buy the ice and offer to bring lunch and drinks for the both of us.
Cash for gas is a forgone conclusion.
Mike
jbsoonerfan reply :
As a co-angler this year, I carry 4 rods and reels and a BPS Extreme 370 bag
I currently have the following in it
4 - full spools of line
14 - Spinnerbaits
8 - Jigs
4 - Chatterbaits
2 - Frogs
4 - Buzzbaits
9 - Lipless CB's
10 - CB's
3 - Poppers
60 + bags of soft plastics
and a terminal tackle box
There is room for plenty more lipless CB's and spinnerbaits if needed
Hound_dog reply :
The bag above is the same size bag (or smaller) that co-anglers I've had in the boat have brought with the exception of one guy who brought this monster of a huge bag. I don't really care what size bag you bring as long as it doesn't get in the way for moving around the boat. The guy that brought the huge bag seemed to spend more time looking in it and pulling stuff out trying to find something instead of fishing. Even as a boater come the night before the tournament I move tackle around so that it is condensed so I don't have to spend time digging around for something. As far as rods go, bring what you want. They will be next to your seat anyways and not up on the casting deck.
TomC reply :
I think that would be a great bag to get. You can use about half the space for more than ample tackle for the day, and use the remaining space for lunch, room for rain gear, etc. Everything you need for an entire day on the water in one bag.
SudburyBasser reply :
As a co-angler I also use the BPS Extreme 370 bag. No boater has ever had a problem with it and it can hold a heroic amount of tackle, particularly if you use the 3701 thin Plano boxes.
gripnrip reply :
On 3/12/2014 at 11:02 AM, jbsoonerfan said:As a co-angler this year, I carry 4 rods and reels and a BPS Extreme 370 bag
I currently have the following in it
4 - full spools of line
14 - Spinnerbaits
8 - Jigs
4 - Chatterbaits
2 - Frogs
4 - Buzzbaits
9 - Lipless CB's
10 - CB's
3 - Poppers
60 + bags of soft plastics
and a terminal tackle box
There is room for plenty more lipless CB's and spinnerbaits if needed
An excellent suggestion!
dam0007 reply :
some guys I've offered money to said no and that they would be fishing with or without a co angler so it doesn't matter. I always offer tho.On 3/5/2014 at 4:05 AM, Rangerphil said:I agree! One big bag is way better than multiple ones. Also don't forget to chip in for gas! That is the one thing that always got under my skin is when at the end of the day and the co-angler doesn't offer any money at all.
dam0007 reply :
try a 3700 box with dividers making 9 spaces, 9 types of soft plastics. A lot easier to access than going through bags. Also if it were me I wouldn't bring line. Make sure your reels are good ahead of time. If you have a wild birds nest drop the reel grab another. Your fishing against the clock!On 3/12/2014 at 11:02 AM, jbsoonerfan said:As a co-angler this year, I carry 4 rods and reels and a BPS Extreme 370 bag
I currently have the following in it
4 - full spools of line
14 - Spinnerbaits
8 - Jigs
4 - Chatterbaits
2 - Frogs
4 - Buzzbaits
9 - Lipless CB's
10 - CB's
3 - Poppers
60 + bags of soft plastics
and a terminal tackle box
There is room for plenty more lipless CB's and spinnerbaits if needed
wrat reply :
as A boater I really dont care what you bring ,its what you do with what you bring , I hate it when there is crap everywhere and when I am ready to move it takes 10 minutees to get crap put away
J Francho reply :
I use a Flambeau AZ8 or AZ4.
FishinCop646 reply :
Before I bought my boat I carried a bag that held 4 3700 boxes. Box 1 held all my hard baits. Box 2 held all my skirted baits. Boxes 3 and 4 were for my plastic. My terminal tackle fit in a 3600 box that would go in the front pocket. All my tools and extras went in the side pockets. I could fish any condition or technique with the contents of that bag. There is no need to carry gear that you don't or won't use. You get a full compartment on my boat, but I prefer to stay as light as possible!
Hoytman#1 reply :
For me it is a very complicated thing. Going from Boater to Non Boater gives you a whole new perspective. As I have a whole room full of tackle, I generally try and take as little as possible. Which is not always possible. For instance I have a 2 day tournament this weekend on a body of water I have never fished. Not to mention the fact that I really haven't had a chance to do any fishing, so with my boaters permission this tournament bag will be my big one.
Holds 5 3700 boxes, I can put 3 bags for soft plastics which hold 10 bags each, and also has room for my weigh-in bag, Spinnerbait binder, spools of line, scale, tools, rain suit, cull Tags, and measuring board. I know sounds like a lot but there is more I also wear a fanny pack while fishing with just a few things I know I'm gonna use such has a couple bags of soft plastics, hooks, weights, Jigs etc whatever I'm catching them on keeps me from moving about the boat and digging stuff out. I also have pliers, scissors and clippers on my fanny pack too.
Now I also have a medium sized bag which I use most often that only holds about half of that stuff, and a small bag I use on my home waters which I know exactly what I need. I'll add pics of my big bag loaded and my fanny pack when I get home in the morning.
No matter what bag I take I keep it under my legs or console "if a dual console boat" while running and in the passenger seat while fishing. Keep your stuff put up and the size shouldn't really matter.
Hoytman#1 reply :
Here are some pics of my big bag loaded and ready for the weekend.
smallieking reply :
plano guide series 3710 is perfect... just bought it. holds a ton and super angler friendly. its built for a serious tournament coangler... ive never been so excited over a tackle bag.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aocTr-JdVvI
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