Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

[AChotrod]

I recently switched from my old hard tackle box to a new soft box. Still not sure if I like it as much, but I am getting more used to it. What do you guys use/prefer?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I love my soft side boxes, I'll never go back to the old ones:thumb:

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I prefer hard tackle boxes, have several different types/sizes.

I think the soft bags are too much of a pain in the arse to use... They are useful if you are swapping "trays" of tackle though. All of the soft tackle bags I bought have been re-purposed, electronics/electrical stuff, lure making supplies

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I have been using the older model of this for the last 15yrs or so and have been pretty happy with it. but it was getting old and wanted to update my gear.
Plano? 7771 Guide Series™ Tackle Box : Cabela's

Now Im using this(5005ST)and its definitely more of a pain with the zippers and not as stable(falls over if not propped against something). I do however like the storage better.
Flambeau? Tackle Station™ 3005ST/5005ST Tackle Bags : Cabela's

Now Im torn if I should go back to the hard box

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I use this for muskys, it hold 50 lures. Some you can double up depending on the size of lure......Flambeau, The Maximizer:


Otherwise, I have a hard suitcase style for the rest, panfish, walleyes and bass.......

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I like the 3700 speed bag. I can take one or two with 3, 3700 boxes in each. I can also mix and match as needed for each trip.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

Now Im using this(5005ST)and its definitely more of a pain with the zippers and not as stable(falls over if not propped against something). I do however like the storage better.
Flambeau? Tackle Station? 3005ST/5005ST Tackle Bags : Cabela's

Now Im torn if I should go back to the hard box

LOL...That's almost exactly the last soft bag I tried,,, mine is an older model, it was laid out pretty much the same though. I didn't like removing a bottom trays and having the top part crush down, making it a pain to put the tray back in. Or, it falling over like you said. Soooo,,, I feel your pain I only used it for 2-3 trips before going back to my old tackle box.

I've had this Plano tackle box for 10-15 years and it's served me well. (Big THANKS! to Plano for sending me 2 replacement latches that broke after 10 years, free of charge.)

I also use these Plano boxes for big striper lures as the compartments are long enough to store 14" lures. Just have to remove all the dividers.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I use two of the Plano 3700 series guide bags. Holds 6- 3700 series boxes in each bag. Can't spill or tip over. Only problem is they weigh #30-40 each.

My wife's uses my old tackle boxes to store her art supplies

 

[2 Eagles]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I like the hard tackle boxes myself. The soft ones I've tried always have trouble getting small lures out and the hooks always get hook on the soft boxs.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I use this for muskys, it hold 50 lures. Some you can double up depending on the size of lure......Flambeau, The Maximizer:


Otherwise, I have a hard suitcase style for the rest, panfish, walleyes and bass.......

I like that soft bag. I was looking for something like that originally for my every growing muskie lures. Much better looking than a 5 gal plastic bucket. I think I might go back to a hard box and get one of those for the big lures.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

LOL...That's almost exactly the last soft bag I tried,,, mine is an older model, it was laid out pretty much the same though. I didn't like removing a bottom trays and having the top part crush down, making it a pain to put the tray back in. Or, it falling over like you said. Soooo,,, I feel your pain I only used it for 2-3 trips before going back to my old tackle box.

I've had this Plano tackle box for 10-15 years and it's served me well. (Big THANKS! to Plano for sending me 2 replacement latches that broke after 10 years, free of charge.)

I also use these Plano boxes for big striper lures as the compartments are long enough to store 14" lures. Just have to remove all the dividers.

Ahhh LOL. The thing collapsing when you pull a box is super annoying as well. It almost makes you not want to deal with changing lures.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I have both hard and soft ... don't want to get rid of either. Both have their uses and both come in handy for what I use them for. Different tools for different jobs.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I did some shore fishing yesterday and will say the soft bag is much much easier for carrying around. With that said Im not really all that happy with it on the boat. Looking for a new box/bag now.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

Got a new soft box and took it out on the boat to test it out. 100000% better then the other one I had. I also got a new muskie rod and reel. Reel is a Abu Garcia revo toro NaCi and the pole is a St Croix Musky premier that broke first time out

Box
Cabela's Advanced Anglers Tackle Bags : Cabela's

reel
Abu Garcia? Revo? Toro? NaCl Casting Reel : Cabela's

pole
St. Croix Premier Muskie Casting Rod : Cabela's

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

Well Cabelas exchanged the broken rod for me. Pretty messed up though a $160 rod broke in less than an hour of use. The plastic ring on the rod tip chipped and was like a line cutter. Went through 85lb braid like nothing and I lost a $25 lure. Im sure that lure was going to land a Musky too. lol

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

I use this for muskys, it hold 50 lures. Some you can double up depending on the size of lure......Flambeau, The Maximizer:


Otherwise, I have a hard suitcase style for the rest, panfish, walleyes and bass.......

Ive been looking for this but seems its discontinued now

 

[dingbat]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

Ive been looking for this but seems its discontinued now

Search under "surf bag". Aqua skinZ make a wide variety of configurations

#85 line on a freshwater setup? That's nuts....on a graphite rod.....it's insane. We use #80 marlin and tuna fishing on penn internationals

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

Ive been looking for this but seems its discontinued now

The one in the pic is the Flambeau Maximizer Cube. It has 25 compartments. I have the larger version that appears to be discontinued like you said, it has 50 compartments...... I guess technically 100 baits.........

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

Search under "surf bag". Aqua skinZ make a wide variety of configurations

#85 line on a freshwater setup? That's nuts....on a graphite rod.....it's insane. We use #80 marlin and tuna fishing on penn internationals

Thanks for the tip! I will check them out.
As for the line. This is not open water fishing. Lots of trees weeds, rocks, boulders etc.
85lb for Muskie fishing is the norm. Lots of guys go up to 100lb braid. These fish have big teeth and can weigh near 70lbs and over 5ft although that is a record fish there are bigger ones out there. I hooked a huge 50"+ fish over the summer while using 30lb and he snapped it like nothing. Started using 50 then upped my rod and real and went to 85. Its basically fresh water shark fishing. lol

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Soft or Hard Tackle Boxes

The one in the pic is the Flambeau Maximizer Cube. It has 25 compartments. I have the larger version that appears to be discontinued like you said, it has 50 compartments...... I guess technically 100 baits.........

Ahhhh I didnt look for the cube! Found it and thank you!