Hate it or love it, storage and organization are just a part of being an angler. Admittedly, it can become a touch burdensome, especially when the bite is hot, or you have a busy tournament schedule. However, with a couple of quick tips and helpful accessories you can get the most out of your gear, while keeping fishing-induced clutter to a minimum. Check out our suggestions in this Tackle Warehouse DIY article for the top storage accessories to keep you tidy.
1. Labels
As the stowaways start to stack up, distinguishing what is in each box at a glance can save you a lot of time, so it becomes important to put some form of identification on the outside. Whether you prefer a premade label, like the ones listed below, or duct tape and a sharpie, knowing what is in each box will prevent having to shuffle through stowaways to find the right bait, and ultimately make you more efficient on and off the water.
- Tackle Decals Tackle Box Labels
- Highwaters Creations Tackle Tags Extended Series Labels
- Highwaters Creations Tackle Tags Hard Bait Labels
- Highwaters Creations Tackle Tags Soft Bait Labels
2. Rust Prevention
Once lures reach their final storage spot, the next hurdle is ensuring that they are ready to fish the next time you hit the water. One of the biggest obstacles to lure longevity is the rust that forms around metal components when there’s extended exposure to moisture. To help combat rust, it is good practice to make sure lures are completely dry before they go into the tackle box. Some storage manufacturers even incorporate rust inhibitors directly into their products or utilize perforated designs to promote air flow. If you don’t want to buy new stowaways, adding an aftermarket rust inhibitor is another way to keep oxidation at bay.
- Flambeau Zerust Plastabs Rust Inhibitors
- Plano Hydro-Flo StowAway 3620 Utility Boxes
- Plano Hydro-Flo StowAway 3700 Utility Boxes
- Flambeau Zerust Max Series Tuff Tainer 4007ZM
- Flambeau Zerust Max Waterproof Tuff Tainer WP5000ZM
- Star Brite No Damp Dehumidifier Bucket 12oz
3. Line Protection
Keeping your fishing line in dependable shape from trip to trip greatly increase your chances of success every time you go fishing. Reel covers are a great option for keeping your line, along with your reel, in the best possible shape. A quick spritz of line conditioner before and after storage will also help extend the life of your line.
- Tackle Warehouse Low Profile Casting Reel Covers
- Kevin VanDam’s Fishing Line & Lure Conditioner
- Tackle Warehouse Spinning Reel Cover
- Lew’s Speed Spinning Reel Covers
- Shimano Neoprene Casting Reel Covers
- 13 Fishing Skull Cap Casting Reel Cover
If you are storing unused line in bulk, there are a number of line-specific storage containers and accessories that will keep your line organized and protected. It should be noted that when storing line for long periods of time it is best keep it in a cool, dark area, as extended exposure to heat/light causes line to break down and become brittle.
- Plano EDGE Line Management 3700 XL Box
- Spoolin Buddy 12 Unit
- Hareline Large Spool Hands Bands 4pk
- Plano EDGE Leader Management Box
- Dr. C Fishing Line Dr. 5pk
- Plano Leader Spool Box 1087
- Daiwa J-Braid Spool Wraps 2pk
- Plano Pro Latch Line Spool Box 1084
4. Soft Plastic Storage
There’s nothing more frustrating than opening up your boat compartment or backpack to find a bag full of bent or mis-shaped soft plastic. An easy way to prevent this from happening is to keep all your soft plastics stored in bags, worm files, or a stowaway. These storage solution allow you to loosely categorize baits by type, keep them all in the same position to prevent kinking, and makes transportation easy.
- Flambeau 4510 Double Deep Half Tuff Tainer with Zer
- Daiwa D-Vec Tackle Binder
- Shimano Baraja Worm Binders
- Mustad Storage Wallet
- Z-Man Bait Lockers Tackle Bag
- Missile Bait Bag
- Bass Mafia 2-Bud Bag V.1
- 6th Sense Large Bait Bags
Whether you are a touring pro, or just enjoy a walk around your local pond, keeping your tackle tidy just makes fishing more efficient and enjoyable. Try integrating some of these accessories into your tackle management system to take your organization a step further!
Shop All Storage
Check out all the others Tackle Warehouse DIY Tutorials!
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: Top 5 Fishing Tools
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: Best Tournament Accessories
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: Top Soft Stick Bait Modifications
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: Best Spinnerbait Hacks
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: Best Bass Fishing Boating Accessories
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: Must-Have Fishing Storage for Home
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: How-to Dye Braided Line
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: Best Paddle Tail Swimbait Modifications
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: How To Store Hardbaits
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: Top 5 Jig Modifications
- Tackle Warehouse DIY: How-To Replace a Rod Tip