What to Look for when Buying a Tackle Box

To a fisherman, a tackle box is a very personal item and a valuable tool that if utilized properly can mean the difference between an enjoyable trip and a miserable adventure into failure. Not all fishing tackle boxes are created equally, and although many look similar there are a considerable number of subtle nuisances that differentiates the good ones from the pretenders to the throne. When buying a tackle box, it needs to be determined first if a conventional tackle box is desired, or one of the newer designed soft tackle bags that have become so popular. Both styles have their benefits and to get down to basics, it is purely a matter of personal choice and taste as to which is better suited for a particular individual.

In a conventional tackle box, it is best to purchase one made of one of the strong plastic types in a light color. The reasoning for this is that an aluminum tackle box can "cook" jarred baits like salmon eggs on a really hot day, and are prone to denting when dropped or roughed up a bit. A light-colored hard plastic tackle box will not absorb heat from sunlight as easily, and many are actually strong enough to serve the dual purpose as a seat in a pinch. This is an especially attractive feature for a fisherman that journeys well off the beaten path in search of a new fishing spot, and is limited by what they can carry along with them. It is well worth the added cost to purchase a tackle box that is heavy duty for that single reason alone.

A good choice for a fishing tackle box should have a sturdy handle, thick plastic design and durable hinges. The size of an appropriate tackle box should be large enough to accommodate all of the necessary tackle without crowding, or the necessity to move several items to find a single desired piece of tackle. The tackle box should have large and numerous fold-out trays and a storage well that is deep and large enough to store large fishing items without the need to jam items inside. If possible, the seals on the tackle box when closed should be tight enough to prevent leaking if briefly dropped in water. This is an important feature in case of an accident while fishing - the tackle box will float long enough for retrieval. Perhaps one of the most overlooked features when purchasing a tackle box is the locking mechanism. It is a certainty that a poorly made or designed locking mechanism will eventually fail, spilling the contents of the tackle box, usually at a most inopportune time - like when the fish are really biting.