A fully equipped tackle box comes in handy when out in the wilds.
Preparing for Your Next Fishing Trip
Before you head out to the ol鈥 fishing hole, make sure you鈥檝e checked your fishing tackle box. Believe us, you want to be prepared with the right stuff once you鈥檙e out on the water.
Of course, the contents of your tackle box will vary, depending on the type of fish you plan to catch, but this is a typical tackle box for you (or a loved one) to get started.
Tackle-Box Checklist
- Extra fishing line
- Lures or flies
- Bobbers (or, floaters)
- Swivels, to keep the fishing line from twisting
- Leaders
- Sinkers (or, weights)
- Different sizes of hooks (for different types of fish)
- Needle nose pliers to help remove hooks out of fish (and maybe you!)
- Stringer, to hold all the fish you catch
- Sharp knife (such as a Swiss Army knife)
- Ruler/scale
- A small flashlight
- First-aid kit (with basics just in case a hook gets stuck in your thumb)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
Reader Suggestions
- Unscented soap to wash your hands before handling bait. 鈥搒uggested by Jerry Buerge
- Plastic worms and a couple of lures to attract fish. 鈥搒uggested by Andy Fox
- Magnifying glasses for aging eyes. 鈥搒uggested by Will Dwyer
- 鈥淚 like to keep a few glow sticks in my tackle box. One large one is for marking your spot or your vehicle, and some small ones are for your rod, bait box, or ice chest. I think it helps to avoid using flashlights.鈥 鈥搒uggested by Mike Tyler
Are we missing anything? What else would you put in a tackle box? Please post below!
Read Next
Read more on our Best Fishing Days page.
Catherine Boeckmann
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Wd-40 also helps with keeping wasp and Hornets, etc. Away. You spray it making a perimeter of where you are going to be.
It's said to be made from fish oils.
Another thing to add to your tackle box is a lighter or matches!
Most of these are a no brainer if you have ever fished in your life. For people new to fishing this is a good list. My Dad, God rest his soul, made sure I had everything I needed in mine. I've been fishing most of my life and enjoy it. I don't use unscented soap because the river/creek water cleans it just fine.
I take two boxes. To keep hooks close to hand, I use a small sheet of foam that comes in shipping boxes. Cut to size needed and put hooks by size on it. Slides into the soft side tackle box without problem. A small wire cutter for removing things, placed on a lanyard tied to the handle of a box. light weight needle nose pliers extra long to get into the deepest small mouths like turtles. I got mine in the crafts area. Minnow bucket with bubbler/aerator for small silvers and always a box of worms. Clamp on sinkers. A lot of items you can in the boxes sold at walmart's. I buy the boxes on sale and use them to hold my tackle like large swivels, bobbers, sinkers,clampers, tools so I can take it out and see at a glance what I need. What bait is up to the fisherman. I like live, my g'son likes plastic. We try to get plastic that is like the bait around where we fish. Of course after every trip I clean everything up and replace things used, especially after having the grandkids along..lol
Small bottle of SPF 50. To many times getting home and burnt to a crisp!
I always take a pair or two of rubber gloves so your hands don鈥檛 smell like bait and the fish won鈥檛 smell your perfume/lotion etc
I keep a multitool in my tackle box. It helps when I need to cut line and remove hooks from fish.
I keep a multitool in my tackle box. It helps when I need to cut line and remove hooks from fish.
I can not emphasize enough the importance of hydration when fishing. You will be near water or on the water but you need water as you will experience thirst.
