May 28, 2017
By In-Fisherman
Soft-sided tackle storage bags are key allies in the never-ending fight to organize our tackle. Rather than trying to carry it all, as with hard boxes of old, we keep the mother lode of jigs, cranks, spinnerbaits, and other items at home, then pack our tackle bag with smaller utility boxes — the contents of which are tailored to each trip. Soft-side options abound, so we selected a sample of 10 large and small tackle storage options geared for a variety of applications.
Bass Pro Shops Extreme Qualifier 370 Tackle Bag
Built for battle with heavy-duty, water-repellent polyester construction and a reinforced vinyl bottom, the 24 X 15 X 11½ -inch bag holds up to five 370 utility boxes, and offers elastic tool holders, plus zippered and mesh pockets to hold your gear. $34.99 bag only, $49.99 with utility boxes. basspro.com
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Berkley Jar Bait Binder
Fans of jarred baits such as PowerBait, Gulp!, and Gulp! Alive! will love this slick, folding softbag. Available in two sizes — an 11 X 7-incher that holds 10 jars, and a 14 X 9-inch model that stores 16. Both bags feature additional terminal tackle storage, a pliers holder, and removable shoulder strap. $14.99-$19.99. berkley-fishing.com
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Shimano Borona
Recently redesigned, the front-loading Borona boasts molded interior trays that can be removed and adjusted for a custom fit. We like the easy-to-open Velcro front, which makes accessing the trio of utility boxes inside a snap. The Borona also features a zippered top storage compartment, plus zippered side pockets. Shimano offers two sizes, the smaller of which comes with three 3650 Plano utility boxes, while the larger model carries three 3750s. $119-$139. fish.shimano.com
Flambeau AZ8
Spanning 18 X 11½ X 13 inches, Flambeau's mighty AZ8 Soft Tackle System is the kingpin of the five-bag AZ clan. It tames a mountain of disorganized gear, thanks in part to eight 'Tuff Tainer utility boxes, including one 00220 spinnerbait box, one 4006, and six 5004s. Storage pockets and tool holders abound, and the company's patented Zerust technology helps banish rust and corrosion. The bag's made of 600 denier nylon for weather and abrasion resistance. Other nice touches include oversize zippers, hard waterproof base, and comfortable shoulder strap. $89. flambeauoutdoors.com
Northland Fishing Tackle Jig Wallet
Sometimes a fistful of jigs is all you need for a quick trip to the local honeyhole, and Northland's Jig Wallet and Pliers is the perfect companion for traveling light. The handy little wallet holds up to 30 jigs or other lures, plus a 4-inch needlenose pliers (included). Other features include a removable foam insert and inside pockets. $14.99. northlandtackle.com
Lew's Speed Boat Bag
An all-purpose bag is worth its weight in gold when you need to stash a variety of stuff on the fly, and Lew's Speed Boat Bag fits the bill at an affordable price. At 24 X 12 X 12 X inches, it holds utility boxes, reels, line, and whatever else you need to lug to the dock or toss in the trunk. We like its heavy-duty, water-resistant PVC tarpaulin material and molded waterproof bottom. Also features two inside pockets, a large mesh zippered pocket, and foam handle. $34.99. lews.com
Plano Elite 4870-40 KVD Signature Bag
Four-time Bassmaster Classic champion and seven-time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam takes tackle management to extremes. So his name on the 4870-40 speaks volumes about the bag's abilities. It holds five 3750 ProLatch StowAway utility boxes, which are VanDam's favorite size because they fit on the shelf, in the bag, and in his boat lockers. Stretching 23½ X 14½ X 14 inches, the bag also offers a quartet of zippered pockets, a trio of external compartments, and multiple internal pockets for organizing the necessities of life on the water. $99.99. planomolding.com
Simms Headwaters Sling Pack
This handy 11 X 7 X 6-inch pack shines for wade-fishing adventures. Throw it over your shoulder and keep gear close, while leaving your hands free for fishing. Ample pockets make the most of the bag's limited space. The lightweight Cordura fabric is nearly bulletproof, but the breathable fabric positioned where the pack rests on the wearer's back (for comfort and to prevent irritation) puts it over the top among the shoulder pack crowd. $69.95. simmsfishing.com
Wild River Tackle Tek Frontier
Fresh last season, the feature-rich Frontier wrangles gear for a variety of fishing adventures. The unique, bar-handled softbag features a rotating grip with built-in LED light system for nighttime missions, which we think is pretty cool in and of itself. Plus, it holds up to seven large 3700-series trays and two 3600s. It also has customizable top storage with dual dividers, a self-retracting steel tool lanyard, clear internal pockets, four mesh pockets, and a permanently mounted sunglasses holder. $199.99. gowildriver.com
Cabela's Advanced Anglers Tackle Bags
After more than a decade of service, this already noteworthy series of bags underwent a redesign that yielded even greater performance. Benefits include 600 denier water-resistant fabric, heavy-duty zippers with speed-zipper pulls, external mesh pockets for wet storage, and the three largest sizes have waterproof, skid-resistant, molded bases. Available in small, large, magnum, and super magnum sizes, ranging from a svelte 12½ X 8 X 5½-incher that holds four Plano 3500 utility boxes to a 27 X 12 X 14-inch behemoth capable of swallowing a dozen Plano 3750s. Each bag offers a variety of handy external pockets and tool holsters. $26.99-$119.99. cabelas.com
