In this video blog we’re looking at setting up your tackle box for fishing in small boats to make sure you have all the essentials covered.
Having run a successful barra fishing charter business for 30 years, I’ve made my share of mistakes, left things I need at home, and carted around stuff for years and never used it.
After years of trial and error, these days I have it pretty much down pat.
In a small boat you need to be organised and have a set place for things so they’re at your fingertips when you need them. Setting up your tackle box in an organised way is critical.
The video below is a guide for beginners on setting up your tackle box.
Or more correctly, how I set up my tackle box. Because this sort of thing is quite personal and it’s horses for courses.
The tackle I can carry in my big boat is different, so this post will focus on setting up your tackle box for inshore fishing out of small boats.
To summarise, the fishing equipment I use fairly regularly is always close at hand in the tackle box, and gear I “may” need plus spare lures etc. up the front under the hatch so it’s accessible when required.
The tackle box I’ve been using for years is from the Plano Guide Series #1374. The only issue I have over had with them is the lid deteriorates in the elements and that’s what determines when I get a new one.
What’s in the top hatch of my tackle box?
- Tackle: 2 boxes of live bait hooks Kahle pattern size 6.0 and 7.0 plus some of my commonly used leader (in this case Penn Power Pro 10x in low vis green)
- Accessories: braid snips, knife, hook sharpener, wire, lip grips, barotrauma needle and split ring pliers.
- Electronics: Statellite phone, electric motor controller, mobile phone and VHF hand held radio.
What’s in the top drawer of my tackle box?
- Commonly used trolling lures
- Other casting lures
For a list of my favourite lures, gear and tackle, sign up for our downloadable gear cheat sheet.
Contents of drawer B of my tackle box.
This is the plastics drawer and contains a range of plastics from Berkely Power Bait for fishing Wonky Holes to a variety of paddletail shads for big barra.
WARNING: Plastics from different manufacturers can interact and stick together so be sure and keep them in separate compartments in the drawer storing like with like.
Drawer three contains my favourite casting lures, jig heads and treble hooks.
- Old Dog Lures 100mm Guttermaster
- Reidy’s stick baits
- Common treble sizes to suit all lures and vibes plus split rings
- A range of jig heads half to three quarter ounce, 5/0 to 7/0.
The Knick Nack drawer.
- Spare fuses for all equipment, shackles.
- Swivels, live bait jigs, gar springs and other mackerel accessories
- 2 common sized metal slices for any pelagic action I might come across
- Electric motor prop remover, headache tablets.
If you’ve got all the gear but no idea, check out our fish smarter online fishing courses.
Download a gear cheat sheet of the gear and tackle I use for tropical sportsfish like metre plus barra…
