Soft-sided tackle storage bags are key allies in the never-ending fight to organize our tackle. Rather than trying to carry it all, as with hard boxes of old, we keep the mother lode of jigs, cranks, spinnerbaits, and other items at home, then pack our tackle bag with smaller utility boxes—the contents of which are tailored to each trip. Soft-side options abound, so we selected a sample of 10 large and small tackle storage options geared for a variety of applications.
Bass Pro Shops Extreme Qualifier 370 Tackle Bag
Built for battle with heavy-duty, water-repellent polyester construction and a reinforced vinyl bottom, the 24 X 15 X 11½ -inch bag holds up to five 370 utility boxes, and offers elastic tool holders, plus zippered and mesh pockets to hold your gear. $34.99 bag only, $49.99 with utility boxes. basspro.com
Berkley Jar Bait Binder
Fans of jarred baits such as PowerBait, Gulp!, and Gulp! Alive! will love this slick, folding softbag. Available in two sizes—an 11 X 7-incher that holds 10 jars, and a 14 X 9-inch model that stores 16. Both bags feature additional terminal tackle storage, a pliers holder, and removable shoulder strap. $14.99-$19.99. berkley-fishing.com
Shimano Borona
Recently redesigned, the front-loading Borona boasts molded interior trays that can be removed and adjusted for a custom fit. We like the easy-to-open Velcro front, which makes accessing the trio of utility boxes inside a snap. The Borona also features a zippered top storage compartment, plus zippered side pockets. Shimano offers two sizes, the smaller of which comes with three 3650 Plano utility boxes, while the larger model carries three 3750s. $119-$139. fish.shimano.com
Flambeau AZ8
Spanning 18 X 11½ X 13 inches, Flambeau’s mighty AZ8 Soft Tackle System is the kingpin of the five-bag AZ clan. It tames a mountain of disorganized gear, thanks in part to eight ’Tuff Tainer utility boxes, including one 00220 spinnerbait box, one 4006, and six 5004s. Storage pockets and tool holders abound, and the company’s patented Zerust technology helps banish rust and corrosion. The bag’s made of 600 denier nylon for weather and abrasion resistance. Other nice touches include oversize zippers, hard waterproof base, and comfortable shoulder strap. $89. flambeauoutdoors.com…
