Worm Storage
I do have something of a system for arranging my tackle. All my plastic baits like worms, lizards and trailers are kept in the bags they come in. If I lose that bag for some reason, I use a ziploc bag, but they usually last less than a year. The bags of baits are put into bigger bags with similar baits, and ice bags seem to be heavy enough to hold up. I have a different bag for mini-lizards, regular lizards, curly tail worms, Culprit style worms, extra big worms and lizards, jig and spinnerbait trailers, small worms, topwater worms and others. They take up a compartment in my boat and sometimes I can actually find what I want to use.
Spinnerbait and Crankbait Organization
A tacklebox with a rack on one side and trays on the other holds spinnerbaits, some trailers, trailer hooks and keepers, extra blades, extra skirts and buzzbaits. Another tacklebox with a rack is full of small crankbaits. Everything from Shadraps to Rat-L-Traps fill it. I once tried to arrange them by type but quickly gave up and just hang one where ever there is room.
Big Tacklebox
A big box with drawers on the bottom and a big compartment on top holds big crankbaits on top and a variety of stuff in the drawers. A small box contains various sized hooks, beads, swivels and leads for worm fishing. My boat has a big compartment up front in the middle. I tend to throw new tackle I buy in there until I can put it in its place. Recently while looking for a particular spinnerbait I knew I had bought, I pulled out 9 spinnerbaits and 21 crankbaits still in their packages. Then I stopped looking because I found the one I wanted.
Boat As A Tacklebox
It is a good thing I have a fairly big boat to carry all my junk. Usually before going fishing I go through all my rods and tie on what I plan to use. I hardly ever change during a trip. Sometimes I wonder why I carry all the tackle with me!
Clean Your Tackle
This is also a good time to clean your reels and repair any loose guides on your rods. Take the reels apart and clean the gunk out of them, coat the working parts with a light quality grease and seal them back up. You should also replace your line often and when cleaning the reel is a good time.
Clean Your Boat
I have heard some people actually wash and wax their boats too! I try to do that every year or so, going on the idea a shiny boat scares the fish and a dirty one is more camouflaged. It is a good idea to take the time to check all electrical connections, hoses and cables to make sure they are not going to cause a problem while you are on the lake as far away from the ramp as you can get. Wheel bearings on trailers often are ignored until they start smoking - usually on a extremely hot day many miles from home and many miles from the nearest repair shop. Keep them full of grease and you are less likely to have that problem. Also check the inflation on your tires before every trip. Fixing a flat is no fun in the heat.
How do you organize your tackle? Do you have a system? Tell me about it. If so, you can also post information about it for others on my message board - you must register to post but can read the board as a guest. Also, if you have thoughts you want to share about this topic, let me know about it at fishing.guide@about.com. for a "Fishtale". Tell others what you like.
