A couple of weeks ago when I actually had to lean my knee on the lid of my bass-fishing tackle box, and use both hands along with several colorful epitaphs to get both latches secured, I knew the time had come for a bigger, better bass box. My wife suggested, with all of her non-angling logic, that perhaps I could just pack less tackle. I replied that there was no such thing as too much gear, and as a way of explanation mentioned her walk-in closet with wall-to-wall clothes and coyly asked, if the decision arose, would it be fewer dresses and shoes or a larger closet. The subject was tabled and 10 minutes later I was on my way to the local sporting goods store in search of a new tackle box.

Since I engage in a wide variety of fishing, to simplify matters, over the years I’ve stocked individual tackle boxes for trout, Atlantic salmon, bass, spring flat line and summer downrigger trolling, and of course a saltwater gear case. It has been quite a while since I needed to shop for a new tackle box but figured that within 15 minutes I’d be in and out with my new purchase. Imagine my surprise when the tackle box section turned out to be two full aisles with shelves packed from floor to ceiling with every size, shape, style, and color of equipment case imaginable. The daunting task of selecting just the right item was enough to make a prohibitioner reconsider the benefit of strong drink. In case any of you finds yourself in a similar situation, I have a few suggestions and guidelines.

Hard cases

The very first choice when selecting a new tackle box involves construction material, and the three main alternatives are metal, plastic composites, and cloth hybrids. Sturdy metal gear cases are becoming more and more difficult to find as companies have greatly decreased production in favor of modern high-tech polymer materials. A few smaller versions especially built for youngster and novice anglers are on the shelves, but larger multi-sectional metal containers are rare. I still have my dad’s metal Atlantic salmon box, a rugged green unit with bifold hip-roof lid and two opposite tiers of fold out trays with open storage in the lower section. After more than 50 years of steady use and abuse, there’s a few dings, the paint is faded and worn, and its carrying handle is a bit loose, but that tough old tackle box has a lot more outings in its future.

Metal tackle boxes have fallen into disservice because they are: costlier to produce, heavier than other materials, noisy in the boat, and too hot or cold to handle depending on the ambient temperature. They are, however, sturdy, durable and will assure stout protection of expensive equipment stored within when the case is kicked, dropped, or severely jostled during land, air, or water transport. For anglers who do a great deal of traveling, especially cross country or across continents, a heavy-duty, lockable metal tackle box is worth its weight in gold – if you can find one to purchase.

Some combination or other of high-tech synthetic molded plastic comprises the bulk of tackle cases on the shelves of most sporting goods stores and fishing shops. One popular model is a single lift-top with one to four layers of offset compartmentalized trays that lift up and out to expose open storage in the bottom of the box. For more room in a single unit, try a bifold flattop with three or four lift-up trays on each side and reel, spool, line and tool storage below.

Maximum space comes in the raised hip-roof version, with a bifold top that offers four- to six-stair step trays on each side with various sizes of storage slots and cubicles in each row, as well as a greater capacity for gear and equipment beneath the trays when they are closed. Some of the larger versions even boast small pullout drawers, removable trays and even adjustable dividers to custom-built cubbyholes for any size fly, lure, plug or other piece of tackle.

In either a metal or hard plastic tackle box, options that increase versatility include inner foam or hard rubber lining along the bottom and sides of the lower storage section to protect and cushion expensive reels and spare spools. At least two heavy-duty metal latches, rather than plastic catches or fasteners, are preferable plus some sort of clasp that comes with its own small padlock or can be fitted with one.

A full-length, rustproof hinge will last longer and be stronger than two smaller, molded plastic hinges. A few models of high-end gear cases have a cup holder as well as one or two square recesses molded into the top lid to hold a coffee cup and a few ready-to-use baits or pieces of tackle. Shakespeare Co. produces a line of boxes that even boasts a retractable line-winding station as part of the interior design. When you’re fishing alone, that’s just like having an extra set of hands, and it’s even an asset when prerigging reels at home. A feature I’m really taken with, especially if the tackle box is for bass fishing, is a moderate-size storage compartment built right into the lid. In many cases this quick-access cubicle has a clear plastic cover so the angler can see exactly what’s kept there. This viewable storage niche is for frequently used baits, tools, leaders and other paraphernalia and can be segmented into one large area or several smaller sections using adjustable plastic dividers.

I would rather carry two medium-size tackle cases rather than one huge trunk – and don’t laugh, some companies manufacture tackle and gear boxes so large they put wheels on them! The larger a tackle box is, the more an angler packs inside, and in most cases when you’re looking for one particular item, the smaller the storage area, the easier it is to locate. An addendum to this is to pick out a box with plenty of very visible display trays and compartments that fold out for easy viewing and access. For freshwater species I’ve found a box size of 16-by-8-by-8 inches to 20-by-10-by-10 to work well and not be a back-breaker. Bass boxes tend to run a bit larger, due to the plethora of plugs stocked, but even then a 20-by-12-by-16 is plenty; better to go to a second case than go larger.

Tackle bags

The third and final option is a semi-solid plastic frame covered with one of the modern polyester, 600 denier, or EVA hard-foam materials. These are actually tackle bags, rather than boxes, and due to a profound number of styles with seemingly endless features, these models are the up-and-coming favorite of the current angling generation. Tackle bags not only appear in the square tackle-box format, in multiple sizes, but are available as backpacks, shoulder bags, satchels, totes and fanny packs.

My personal preference runs more to a hard-sided, more-protective case, but for a lightweight, weatherproof storage and transport container, semi-solid tackle bags have a lot to offer. Sportsmen who travel a good deal will find soft-sided tackle bags don’t rattle during transport and pack easier among the other dunnage. Another plus to soft cases is their array of outside pockets of mesh or solid cloth in many sizes. Some manufacturers, such as Browning, Plano and Cabelas, even size pockets for specific items such as a cell phone, GPS, cameras, multi-tool, two-way radio, or eyeglass case.

When perusing tackle bags, make sure the bottom of the case is a waterproof rubberized or neoprene material to assure dryness and quietness. All zippers need to be oversized, rustproof, and water impermeable, and weather flaps over each pocket are great accessories. Interior padding, a clear plastic, inner zipper pocket for licenses or boat papers and a wide, sturdy shoulder strap in addition to a carrying handle are also fisherman-friendly ideas. Other unique features found in some soft cases include a line-spooling station, Velcro straps to secure a rod tube to the bag, and a 3×3-foot section of waterproof material that pulls out of a bottom compartment for the angler to stand on while changing into or out of wading boots on wet or dirty ground.

Perhaps the most useful accoutrement offered by most of the cloth or foam-formed tackle bags is a series of separate and removable clear plastic hard cases. The size of the exterior tackle bag determines just how many of the compartmentalized hard storage units will fit inside and what dimensions they will be. Each individual box has adjustable compartment sizes and at least two snap-and-lock latches to deter spillage even if the unit is dropped and, best of all, if one or all of the closed trays are dropped into the water, they float.

Bass fishermen really find the multi-tray design useful since they can use one for plastic baits, one for plugs, one for poppers and flies, and another for hooks and hardware. A place for everything and everything in its place, as my grandmother used to preach. Anglers who fish for several species and use several types of tackle will find compartmentalized tackle bags very beneficial as well. Spring streamer flies can be stored in one box, lures and spoons in another, dry flies and wet flies have their own box, leaders, tippets, line loops and other hardware for bait or fly-casting will also have their own container. With this system, if space is at a premium or it’s only going to be a short outing, the bulk of the tackle can be left in the truck and a single storage box unit with just the needed tackle can be removed and carried along.

Although at first glance, whether in a sporting goods store of leafing through a fishing catalog, the collective assortment of tackle cases is a bit mind-boggling, persevere until you locate just the right model. Among the wide selection, there is sure to be at least one product to fit your individual needs. If you’re like most of us, there’s a good chance that you’ll go home with a couple of boxes, and probably even some extra tackle to help fill them. A well-built and properly laid out tackle box adds to the joy of angling, but an overcrowded, poorly designed case will lead to nothing but misery. As a reminder, tomorrow is Father’s Day and it’s not too late to tackle a great gift idea for fisherman fathers.

Outdoor feature writer Bill Graves can be reached via e-mail at bgravesoutdoors@ainop.com