Tackle Boxes and Bags Compared for Every Angler
The Plano 3700 ProLatch StowAway is our overall pick for its sealed latches and modular sizing. The Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad is the best bag for organisation and built in lighting, while the KastKing Fishing Tackle Backpack is the value carry option.
The Plano 3700 ProLatch StowAway takes the overall pick because the 3700 tray format has become the standard everything else builds around, with the Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad the most organised bag and the KastKing Fishing Tackle Backpack the best value carry system.
Tackle storage is trickier than it looks because hooks rust the moment moisture gets trapped, and a box that seals perfectly against splash is often the one that seals moisture in. We compared tray formats, latch designs, corrosion features and carrying systems, alongside what anglers report after seasons of boat and bank use.
The best picks, ranked
Plano 3700 ProLatch StowAway
The 3700 format is the size most tackle bags and boat lockers are built around, so buying into it means your trays fit everything later. ProLatch closures snap firmly and do not pop open when a box is dropped. Adjustable dividers let you configure the same box for crankbaits one week and terminal tackle the next.
Pros
- Fits virtually every tackle bag and boat locker
- Latches hold securely when dropped
- Fully configurable dividers for any tackle type
Cons
- Standard versions are splash resistant, not sealed
- Trays alone need a bag or box to carry them
Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad Lighted Backpack
An LED lighting system built into the lid genuinely changes early morning and night fishing, since tying knots by phone torch is miserable. The pack holds several 3600 trays plus a padded pocket for pliers and a phone. Anglers report the build quality justifies the outlay over several seasons.
Pros
- Integrated lighting is a genuine advantage at dawn
- Excellent pocket layout for tools and accessories
- Comfortable to carry over rough bank access
Cons
- Heaviest option here when fully loaded
- Lighting adds batteries to remember
KastKing Fishing Tackle Backpack
A water resistant backpack that swallows four tackle trays plus rain gear, with rod holders on the sides for hands free walking to a spot. Straps are padded well enough for a long hike in. Anglers report the fabric holds up to bank fishing better than the price suggests.
Pros
- Trays included so nothing else to buy
- Rod holders leave both hands free for the walk in
- Strong value against premium tackle packs
Cons
- Water resistant rather than waterproof
- Zips are the first component to wear
Plano Guide Series Angled Tackle System
Trays sit at an angle so lures stay visible and reachable without pulling every box out, which matters when you are switching baits repeatedly in a boat. The hard shell protects contents from being stood on. It stacks neatly against a gunwale and stays put in chop.
Pros
- Angled trays speed up bait changes
- Rigid shell protects tackle in a boat
- Stable footprint that does not slide easily
Cons
- Bulky for bank or kayak fishing
- Heavier than a soft bag of the same capacity
Flambeau Outdoors T4 Multiloader
Flambeau builds Zerust corrosion inhibiting technology into the plastic, which releases a vapour that slows rust on hooks and blades inside the closed box. The T4 layout combines tray storage with a large open top compartment. Useful for saltwater anglers where rust is a constant loss.
Pros
- Corrosion inhibitor genuinely slows hook rust
- Mixed layout suits tackle of different sizes
- Sturdy latches on a heavy duty shell
Cons
- Corrosion protection fades over several years
- Bulkier than a comparable soft bag
Spiderwire Wolf Tackle Bag
A shoulder bag sized around four medium trays with a good number of external pockets, which is enough for a day of bank fishing without being unwieldy. The base is reinforced so it can be set down on gravel. A sensible middle ground between a small box and a full backpack.
Pros
- Right size for a day of bank fishing
- Reinforced base handles rough ground
- Quick shoulder access without removing a pack
Cons
- Single shoulder carry tires on long walks
- Fabric is only lightly water resistant
Piscifun Fishing Tackle Box Bag
An inexpensive soft bag with trays included, aimed at anglers building a first tackle setup. Construction is basic but the layout is sensible and the trays are a standard size. Good enough for occasional fishing while you work out how much tackle you actually carry.
Pros
- Cheapest complete tackle storage here
- Standard trays that fit other bags later
- Light and easy to carry when part loaded
Cons
- Thin fabric and basic zips
- No rod holders or specialist pockets
How they compare
| # | Model | Format | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plano 3700 ProLatch StowAway | 3700 series standard tray | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad Lighted Backpack | Holds multiple 3600 series trays | Best organisation | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | KastKing Fishing Tackle Backpack | Includes four 3600 style trays | Best value | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Plano Guide Series Angled Tackle System | Holds multiple 3600 or 3700 trays | Best for boats | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Flambeau Outdoors T4 Multiloader | Zerust corrosion inhibiting plastic | Best for corrosion protection | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Spiderwire Wolf Tackle Bag | Holds around four medium trays | Best mid size bag | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Piscifun Fishing Tackle Box Bag | Trays included | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
What to look for
Learn the tray numbering system The numbers on Plano style trays describe the footprint, not the brand. A 3600 tray is the compact standard and a 3700 is the larger one, and almost every tackle bag and boat locker on the market is built around those two sizes. Deciding which format you are buying into is the most consequential choice here, because trays, bags and boat storage all need to agree.
Hard box or soft bag Hard boxes protect contents from being crushed or stood on and generally seal better against splash, which suits boats and rough transport. Soft bags carry more per pound, have pockets for tools and rain gear, and are far more comfortable to walk in with. Most serious anglers end up with a bag for the walk in and hard boxes for the boat.
Rust is the real enemy Salt spray and even freshwater humidity turn a tray of hooks orange faster than most people expect. Corrosion inhibiting boxes such as the Flambeau Zerust range help considerably, and dropping a rust inhibitor chip into each tray does the same job cheaply. The bigger habit is opening boxes to dry after a wet trip instead of stacking them closed in a warm garage.
Buy for the tackle you carry, not the tackle you own Most anglers own several times more tackle than they take out on any given day. A big box tempts you to carry all of it, and heavy gear makes you fish fewer spots. Working out a core selection for your usual water and sizing the storage to that is what makes the difference between a bag you take and one that lives in the garage.
Good to know
What is the difference between 3600 and 3700 trays?
They are size standards rather than brands. The 3700 tray is larger and suits bigger lures and more compartments, while the 3600 is more compact and fits smaller bags. Choose one format and stick with it so your trays interchange between bags and boat lockers.
Is a tackle bag better than a tackle box?
It depends on how you fish. Bags carry more comfortably, have tool pockets and suit bank and kayak anglers. Hard boxes protect better against crushing and splash, which favours boats and rough transport. Many anglers use both.
How do I stop hooks rusting in a tackle box?
Dry everything before it goes away, leave boxes open to air out after a wet trip, and use corrosion inhibitor products such as Zerust chips or boxes made with the technology. Rinsing saltwater off terminal tackle before storage makes the biggest difference.
Are waterproof tackle boxes worth it?
For kayak and offshore fishing, yes, since a sealed rim keeps spray out entirely. Bear in mind a truly sealed box also traps moisture inside, so open it at home to dry rather than storing it wet and closed.
How should I organise my tackle?
Most anglers organise by type or technique, so one tray for crankbaits, one for soft plastics, one for terminal tackle and one for whatever they are targeting that season. That way you can pull two or three trays for a trip rather than carrying everything.
What size tackle bag do I need?
Count how many trays you realistically take out. Four medium trays covers a day of bank fishing for most people. Buying a bigger bag than that mostly results in carrying tackle you never tie on.
Can tackle boxes hold rods and reels?
Boxes do not, but many backpacks including the KastKing pack have external rod holders for carrying rods hands free on the walk in. Reels are better stored separately in a padded case to protect the drag and bail.
Do I need a separate box for saltwater?
Keeping saltwater tackle apart is a good habit because salt residue migrates and starts corrosion in freshwater gear. A corrosion inhibiting box for the saltwater set, rinsed and dried after trips, prevents most of the problem.
Final word
The Plano 3700 ProLatch StowAway is the foundation to build on, since almost every bag and boat locker is designed around that tray. Pair it with the Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad if organisation and dawn starts matter, or the KastKing backpack if you want a complete carry system for far less.
