Best Tackle Boxes For Fishing Comparison Table

Why You Need A Quality Tackle Box For Angling Bass

Fishing for bass is a complicated game of presenting the correct bait with a natural presentation at the perfect time of year. Bass are not the type of fish that will bite on a chunk of meat hooked to weight. You need lures, plastics, and terminal tackle. A quality tackle box to safely and efficiently store your baits is paramount to a successful bass fishing trip.

What To Consider When Buying Bass Tackle Boxes

Tackle Box Type

With plenty of tackle boxes on the market, you need to choose one that is the best for your fishing style. There are softboxes, backpack style, or hard cases. Each has their place in the fishing world, but the soft, backpack style with removable trays tend to work well for bass fishing. I use a hard plastic, sturdy, durable Plano tackle box on my boat; it holds everything I need and some things I don’t. But the choice will ultimately be up to you as to what suits your fishing style best.

Material Durability

Bass feed in all sorts of conditions, so you will want to have a durable tackle box that allows you to fish from rocks in the sun or boats in the rain. Hard cases are great for organization, and softboxes are perfect for being mobile. A combination of both could be the most effective option.

Water Resistance

Having a tackle box that is waterproof when bass fishing is super important. Not only to keep your gear dry from the rain or snow but also to keep your gear from collecting moisture and developing rust. Hooks, lures, sinkers, and terminal tackle need to be stored dry to last.

Buoyancy

Purchasing a floating tackle box for your bass fishing gear could save your day if an accident happens. You do not want to lose all of your baits if the box accidentally gets kicked into the water or the craft you are fishing from tips or rolls over.

Size

When purchasing a bass fishing tackle box, you want one that can fit all of your jigs, worms, topwater lures, hooks, and extra line. You also need to keep in mind that you will need to keep your choice small enough to be mobile when running from bank to bank or taking your gear in a car or on a boat.

Gear Storage & Lure Compartments

Latches

Your bass fishing tackle box is only as good as the latches that secure the lid. Material choice and ease of use are key factors when choosing a box with durable latches. That piece of the box is responsible for keeping all of your expensive gear safe and needs to be easily maneuvered for speed and access to the tackle inside.

Value For Money

We all want to get the best bang for our buck. The best thing you can do to ensure you are getting the best value for your money is to research reviews and see what others have to say about the bass fishing tackle box that may be right for you.

1. Plano Angled Tackle System

This is the exact tackle box I use for my bass fishing adventures. It works well in all conditions, and although it is a hard case style tackle box, the efficiency built into this box makes it the best for bass fishing on the go. I can throw this tackle box in the bed of my pickup truck, drive a few hours to the river, transfer it to my boat, and brave rough water without ever having to worry about losing tackle or not having what I need when I need it. The top compartment is great for storing large tools such as a dive knife, long pliers, or jaw spreaders. The side compartments are where I store terminal tackle.

On the left side, I keep swivels and clips for tying leaders or drop shot rigs, and on the left, I store sinkers and weights. This tackle box is built to accept removable tackle trays so that you can customize your tackle based on season or conditions. I swap out the trays based on what I plan to use on each trip, but have enough room for bringing a few trays that I may need for changing strategies and fishing alternate species on the go.

You just never know what may be biting, and this tackle box gives you the storage space to always be prepared for anything. That's why we've named this Plano model the best bass fishing tackle box.

2. Plano Rack System Tackle Box

Here is the slightly smaller version of the previous model. It is a little more mobile and sets up with the same efficiency in mind. It is set up to fit in a smaller car or boat yet gives the angler an ample amount of storage so that he or she can have all the tackle necessary for longer adventures. A great tackle box for a weekend canoe trip or camping trip, it has enough room for a significant amount of tackle, but its size and shape allow it to be packed easily.

I believe this tackle box may be a little better for the shore angler than the larger version we discussed before because you may not need all of the storage from the previous version if you plan on only being out for a few hours or a weekend trip. The removable tackle trays are the best attribute for both of these tackle boxes.

You could use this tackle box in conjunction with the larger version as a specialized to-go box, using the larger version for bulk storage at a camp or vehicle, and this smaller version for trekking out on a hike or paddle. The interchangeable tackle trays make it simple to customize and the most portable bass fishing tackle box.

3. Catch Co. Mystery Tackle Box

The subscription-style tackle boxes are an excellent way for beginner anglers to get into fishing and start their tackle collection. They come in the mail at a predetermined interval and have a variety of baits to choose from.

Inside the box is usually a tip sheet that gives anglers an idea of what baits are in the box, what conditions the baits work well in, and a method of using the bait that is most likely to have a bass bite. If a beginner is not sure where to start, this Mystery Tackle Box is worth the money.

The Mystery Box is perfect for throwing in a backpack because they are small and lightweight. There are no compartments for tools like a knife or pliers, so you would need to store these in a separate container. The boxes do not come with any terminal tackle either, so that would be another item you would want to pick up before heading out fishing.

Swivels, sinkers, split shots and even bobbers are great to bring along on any fishing trip; subscription boxes usually skip right to jigs and plastic baits. The box itself is disposable, so you would eventually need to purchase a durable tackle box to store lures and baits, but these give new anglers a variety of baits to try out so that they can decide what they have the most consistency with in their area.

4. PLUSINNO

This sampler tackle box is filled with a variety of simple fishing lures. Jigs, jig heads, hooks, and weights come separated by dividers, ready to be paired up and tied directly to your line. They are not specifically designed for bass fishing but are great for beginners looking to catch whatever fish is swimming in their local body of water or pond.

As a kit, you can never rely on these boxes for supplying all of the baits you would like to cycle through and try out, but they are nice for when a few people want to have a relaxing day of fishing and trying their luck out on the water.

The kits usually come with an ample supply of hooks and soft plastics, so multiple people could fish out of these for a few days and never have to worry about snagging or breaking off lines that would cause them to run out of tackle. They are less specialized and usually lower quality, not the most durable for a seasoned angler, but they will get you out fishing with no prior knowledge of baits or lures.

5. Tailored Tackle

Tailored boxes are great for the first-timer or inexperienced angler to take with them on a trip where they may not know what the bass are feeding on in the area they plan to fish. The quality of the box itself is quite a bit nicer than others we have reviewed. It incorporates a water-tight rubber seal between the lid and tray, which keeps it both dry and buoyant in the instance you accidentally knocked it into the water.

This box is relatively small, and the baits provided are limited, but you could always stash some other baits you own into this box and bring it along on your next adventure. These styles of tackle boxes are durable enough to throw in a hiking pack or trunk of a car to keep on hand for a surprise opportunity to fish a pond, lake, or river. Perfect for a camping trip or out-of-town vacation where you have heard that there may be some bass in the local body of water. They do not come with any extra line or any tools, so you will also want to bring along a set of pliers and a knife to cut your line with.

Some anglers like to bring along a mouth spreader and a pair of small scissors to make life easier when removing hooks from fish or swapping bait frequently. Although these may not fit in the tackle box, I advise bringing them along.

6. Plano Guide Series

The quality of the Plano tackle boxes is unmatched, and the 7771-01 is the best large bass fishing tackle box. This box is one of their "drawer" offerings. This means that it does not have the removable, transferable trays but slide-out drawers, much like you would find in a stationary tackle box built into a boat. This makes it very fast to bait and switch style fish.

With this setup, you always know right where every tool or bait is located because it ends up being in the same drawer every time, and they are never moving from one tackle box or bag to another. This tackle box is for the specialized fisherman who takes fishing for bass seriously. When you do not need extra gear for multiple species, using a drawer style tackle box can improve your ability to swap lures in a blink. You do not have to go through numerous compartments or lids to find precisely what you are looking for.

That way, when the fish are biting, you can spend more time catching and less time rifling through your tackle box. The sturdy structure and latches are great for the avid angler who demands durability and longevity from their tackle box. Perfect for bass, this specific tackle box is designed to hold any gear you would ever need with you when fishing from land, your truck bed, or your boat.

7. Elkon Outdoors Rolling Tackle Box

Rolling tackle boxes like the Elkton tackle box are the perfect tackle storage for anglers who need to bring loads of gear long distances to their fishing spots. The handle is extendable and is not only great for pulling the tackle box along but is also perfect for strapping other gear, like an additional tackle box, a cooler, or a chair to sit on.

Some anglers even fasten a bucket to the drag handle so that they can keep their catch for dinner! The side pockets and pouches of this tackle box also provide ample storage and allow the user to bring extra fishing rods with them on the journey. Great for trekking down a boardwalk or pier, you can park far away and not worry about being able to bring all the necessary gear with you.

The removable tackle trays are great for specializing your gear depending on the time of year or species you plan on chasing after the bass season is over. This tackle box can be used for multispecies fishing due to its customization and adaptational features. Anglers will sometimes even use this tackle box for ice fishing, where you leave your vehicle at the parking area and sometimes have to walk great distances to your desired fishing area. The versatility of this particular tackle box is nearly unlimited.

8. Flambeau Outdoors Tackle Box

This tackle box is the traditional lunchbox style you immediately think of when you hear the term tackle box. It is the variety that you see grandfathers and youngsters carry down to the backyard pond. That being said, do not let the style and simplicity fool you. Flambeau Outdoors is a brand name that has been in the fishing industry for many years.

They not only make tackle boxes, but they also produce plenty of other hunting and fishing related goods that have been a staple in their respective industries. Durability is the name of their game, and while this style of tackle box is great for a beginner, the box itself may last as long as your desire to fish. This style of traditional tackle box opens to reveal a double tackle tray and a large compartment at the base for tools, lines, and even a sandwich or drink. They have enough tackle compartments to fish all day long, and with the base compartment, fishers can bring their pliers and other associated tools with them.

This tackle box combines durability with a thoughtful layout that is easy to pack in a kayak, or even on the back of a bicycle. This Flambeau tackle box would be a great gift idea for any aspiring angler.

Tackle Box Vs. Tackle Backpack: Which Is Better For Bass Fishing?

Fishing for bass tends to be a mobility-oriented type of fishing. Even if you are fishing from a boat, you are probably loading and unloading the boat on each fishing occasion. This makes backpack style, soft-sided tackle boxes with removable trays the best option.

Hard cases are great to store spoons and salmon fishing gear on a boat that you keep in the water at a slip at the marina because you never really pull them off the boat. But run and gun bass fishing is more efficient with a backpack tackle box.

Bass Fishing Tackle Box Essentials & Organizational Tips

People also Ask (FAQs)

What lures are best for bass fishing?

Bass will attack different baits based on the season you are fishing in. For a pre-spawn bass, you want to present a food-style bait like a flatworm or crayfish on a drop-shot rig. On lilypads, you could use a plastic frog on the surface. If you are fishing during the spawning season, you will want to agitate the fish with a lure or bait that they will want to defend their territory from.  

What color jig is best for bass?

Bass love natural colors. I like to use a color called watermelon. While it sounds green and red, it looks mainly brown. Pumpkinseed is also a great color for feeding bass. Spawning bass will be in attack mode, so bright colors would work better for agitating.

What can I do to maintain a tackle box to last longer?

Maintaining a tackle box is much like maintaining a boat. You want to keep it clean, and you want to rinse it out and dry it after a day on the water. You should make it a habit to clean trash and wrappers out at the end of the day, so the tackle box does not become cluttered. Also, treat a tackle box as if it were more expensive than it is. Sometimes you forget that the box is full of tens and sometimes hundreds of dollars worth of tackle.

Who makes the best tackle box?

I believe that Plano makes not only the best quality of tackle boxes but the most versatile tackle boxes. The company has been around for many years, and they are always adapting to the newest technology, styles, and materials.

Where is the best place to buy these tackle boxes for bass fishing?

While there are many outdoor stores and tackle shops where you could pick up a tackle box, the best place to shop for and purchase is Amazon. You will be able to search all of the different sizes and styles while also being able to look through hundreds of real-world reviews that provide useful information on how the specific boxes work for practical fishing.

Conclusion