co-angler tackle box???

[t-bone]

So I'm going to be spending some time riding in the back of the boat this summer and I'm looking for suggestions on a good tackle box to use. You'd think someone would make a tournment box that would allow you to take a decent amount of tackle and the gear you need.

What would you buy?

[cr]

I would pick any thing that take 3700,s , that way you can just switch out the 3700 to suit your needs . I have one that Fenwick gave away with a rod purchase that holds two 3700,s and six smaller boxes, works great. I keep 3700,s set up by fishing applications,like one for tubes with the jigs and tubes, one for texas rigs worms, creatures with hooks, weights, beads . And I use the smaller boxes for cranks, traps, topwater, ETC. In fact I have a extra one you can have if you want, just have to get the boxes, what a deal !

[motocross269]

I spent the last couple of years fishing as a co in the BFLs...After trying quite a few different setups the best all around bag I found was a Top load bag from Gander MTN that holds 6 3700 boxes..I also squeeze a thinner 37 size box in there for my terminal tackle...It has a water proof top for maps and big side storage where I keep my falcon binders with Jigs on one side and spinnerbaits on the other...Most of the time on LSC and Eerie tourneys I only carry 4 3700 boxes so it leaves me room to put gulp cans (in a zip log bag) or whatever..I carry a pretty simple tackle selection on the big water...
My suggestions when looking for a tackle bag are
1. Top load for sure..It is a pain in the but to throw the bag on it's back everytime you want to pull a box out...Also label your boxes..
2. No larger than 6 3700 size..any bigger than that and you are carrying way more than you will use..
3.Use small falcon organizers for spinnerbaits and jigs, then put them in the side pockets of the bag.
4. The bag I use has a nice big rear pocket..I store all of my "priority" plastics still in their original bag there, that way I can access them quickly.

Pretty much when I show up to a tourney I have 4-5 rods and my tackle bag..That is it...

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/catalog.cgi?cname=Tackle-Boxes&r=browse&aID=504A9A

Any one of the 3 flambeu Tackle bags at the bottom of the link that I posted should work...

One other reason to use a 3700 style set up...Every boater I drew last year had me strip down my tackle box and store it in a locker on the boat..It was cool of them to save me a storage area and on long runs most boaters want everything stowed...The 3700 set up makes that job alot easier and keeps everything organized..

[Waterfoul]

T-bone... where do you live?  I may be able to hook you up with what you need.

I bring ONE fairly large bag with me when back seating.  It holds 6 3700's and has many, many pockets.  I also pack my own pliers, extra line, a spare reel, etc... it weighs a ton when I'm done packing it but it is only ONE bag and takes up less space than two bags ever could.

But I usually (always?) bring too many rods!!  LOL!!

[Cheetam]

Last year (or maybe the year before) I picked up a Plano tackle bag.  It holds 5 3700s, but the bottom zips open to give you more room if you need it.  The top has plenty of space for line, an extra reel or two, and some other things.  There's also a few pockets and other things on the sides to store stuff.  I looked to see if I could find a link, but it looks like they discontinued it.  I used to bring so much stuff with me my partners' boats couldn't get on plane...lol.

[fiker]

I just picked up the Bass Pro 3700 express soft box that's on sale at the store. 
It will hold 5- 370's in the main compartment, and there are 2 sides, and one front pocket.   I saw Jack had the same bag so I went and bought it.  For the money, it's a great deal .  You could fit another 370 in the front pocket, but then it won't zip. 

The one side pocket is even big enough for a spinner bait box. 

Check it out on the "Cabin Fever Sale" flyer that's on line.

[Waterfoul]

I just picked up the Bass Pro 3700 express soft box that's on sale at the store. 
It will hold 5- 370's in the main compartment, and there are 2 sides, and one front pocket.   I saw Jack had the same bag so I went and bought it.  For the money, it's a great deal .  You could fit another 370 in the front pocket, but then it won't zip. 

The one side pocket is even big enough for a spinner bait box. 

Check it out on the "Cabin Fever Sale" flyer that's on line.

Where do I find this "Cabin Fever Sale" flyer of which you speak?  I don't see it.

[fiker]

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&appID=94&storeID=1


lower right corner you'll see the flyer. 

If that doesn't work, try "locate a store"  choose Detroit and it's on the front page.

[t-bone]

I appreciate all the great advice and even offers to help me out. That is really cool. I have a couple softside bags that I can use, so I don't need anythings else but was curious what others were using and why.

The tips, coupons, real world advice - awesome - thanks!

(btw - I live in wixom and plan fishing the bfl as a co-angler this year. I fished oakland bassmasters for a couple years, then bass anglers of michigan)

[fiker]

You may want to check out the Eastside Bass Anglers club. 
We fish together about 4 or five times a year. Not competively, but for funzies, and companionship with a good group of guys.

We usually fish St. Clair in May, and Kent early on as well.  We'll be meeting in the next month or so to pick dates and lakes.  You're more than welcome. 

In fact, it's an open invitation to whomever.  Try it out once, if you like it come on back.  If not, no harm. 
There are some really good fishermen in our club to learn from, and then there's the rest of us.   

Members of all levels are welcome, and you can use your boat if you have one, or not. 

[fiker]

The bag I suggested fits into Bender's Co storage on his Stratos.  He read me the dimensions of the box over the phone. 

I used a Tackle Logic bag for the last couple of years and it is about the same size as my new one. 

My old one would fit I'm pretty sure in MiBasser's Triton, as well as Bass_Cat's Triton (I've actually been on their boats).  I'm not positive about Kennedy's Co box on his older Ranger, as we've not talked about it, but I'm pretty sure it would.  I think my old bag did.
Some guys talk about keeping their bag under their knees as they sit .  It might be ok on smaller lakes like Kent, but on the bigger bodies of water........
I don't like being a rider and having a "loose bag" on the floor.  Scares me to think what could happen to all my equipment.  Not to mention me, or the boater's boat.

[LAPORTE]

Hey Fiker, You must have found your way to bass pro after the swap meet ... Can you  shoot me a picture of the new bag please, Or just post it here ...... thanks

Don L

[fiker]

I did.  With a little help. 

See if this link does the trick.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_37727____SearchResults

[Wolf_fisherman]

Hay all...I use one of bps's waterproof yellow bags for when i'm co'ing. i use the double sided xps boxes that way i can fit jerkbaits and lipless cranks in one box and cranks in another box. Then I use 1 370 for all terminal tackle ie jigs hooks sinkers. a 360 for my goby baits and a doublesided wormbinder for tubes and worms. And yes all of this fits in to the bag with room for my falcon binder for spinnerbaits. I found this combo works good and fits into most lockers or right under the passenger side console of most boats or tuck under my legs. Hope this helps too.

[bassdisaster]

I used a Wally world Okichobe w.e bag, it held 8 3700's, and 2 3600's, and I ususally used a caribener thingie to tie it to the back seat post, never lost it, never had a boater complane! A few offered me storage, when that was available I take the boxes out of the bag, then there's usually plenty of room, a few even gave me a rod locker to use because it leads to less clutter!

BD

[Savage]

OK, you're gonna think I'm kidding here, but you really only need ONE plano box of lures for a day on the lake, especially if you've been there before and know what to do.

If you insist on bringing more, try to minimize enough so that you can use a smaller bag.  For example, if you like using senkos, just bring 2 bags, on 4" and one 5".  Make sure they're at least slightly different in color, but 2 basics are best.  Do the same for anything else you KNOW you will use.  If there is some bait you MIGHT need, just bring one if it's a hard bait and one bag if it's plastics.

Seriously, have you ever been on the water and used 8 different baits to catch fish?  Most of us are just afraid to get caught on the water without a bait or color, so we take the whole store along with us.