By Nick Simonson

Over time, I’ve amassed my share of tackle boxes, bait binders and other compartments big and small that hold everything from a large selection of tiny flies, to a catalog of soft plastics. In those years and seasons on the water, I’ve found those that best fit my style of fishing and help keep everything organized and close at hand.  Putting it all together once again for the start of the openwater season reminds me of some of the most important tackle storage tips each year has provided.

1. Once Over.  Now is the time to inspect tackle boxes for damage, cracks, holes and most importantly, rust.  Any accumulations of the natural residue from oxidation occurring on hooks and other metal pieces of tackle that end up on the plastic edges and bottoms of a tacklebox are a signal that perhaps a new storage tray is in order.  Rust suggests that water doesn’t easily get out of a particular tackle box, and one that is a bit more airy or at least dryable would be a good idea for the new season.  Consider adding small desiccant packets to help absorb moisture this year and prevent rust from gaining a foothold in your tackle selection.

2.  Bind It Up.  For bass anglers, soft plastics are the lifeblood of angling.  From tubes and creatures to lizards and plastic sticks, a wide variety of favorite soft lures is key for spring and summer success, but their size and quantities – along with all those appendages and tails – can make storing them a bit complicated in a standard tackle box.  That’s where bait binders come in handy.  Like an old 90s soft-sided CD case or your kids’ Pokémon binder, these books of baits display and help store a dozen or so different options in each and can be quickly flipped through to find the right soft plastic in the ideal color on a given outing. With expander sheets often available and binders in several sizes, anglers have more options for soft plastic storage than ever before.

3. Stay Flexible. As a younger angler, I went from a two-sided flipover tacklebox, to a chest-style box with removable trays, and ultimately to a soft sided bag with quick-grab organizers and other storage options that was easily slung over my shoulder or tossed into the back of the truck for a given weekend’s adventure. The key in each scenario was my chosen type of angling at that phase in my life.  Early on, I could cram the items I needed into the smaller option for my canoe on my home flow or my small boat on the surrounding lakes, then had the flexibility of just pulling a tray or two from the larger one as I started to specialize.  Now, with kids and a multitude of lakes and fishing options available with my weekend travels, my most recent set-up – which holds those trays, bait binders and racks conveniently – helps me cover the basics and then some.  Consider your current situation, storage needs, and the portability required by the angling you do most as you size up a new box or other tackle storage options.

With this trio of tips in mind, it’s easy to find the best tackle box or other storage for this spring and any future fishing in the coming year or seasons down the road.  Review your status to see if tackle boxes or trays need replacement, consider specialized tackle storage for soft plastics and other baits, and ultimately, size up the specifications of the hundreds of tackle holding options to find the one that best fits your fishing and the species you pursue in the upcoming openwater season.

Simonson is the lead writer and editor of Dakota Edge Outdoors.

Featured Photo: Tackle It All.  The right tackle storage option keeps lures in good shape and ready to use depending on the trip and species pursued. Simonson Photo.