Curious as to what you spin fishing tubers use for tackle–I have a number of large Planos (model 3700), but they are too big and will likely end up spilling and dumping lures. Tube Dude shared his wisdom, but I thought it would be good to see what you guys use.
Since I started lure making, I have loads of spoons and spinners, and jigs galore to come. I will probably want to haul as much as possible of the homemade lures until I pare down to my favs.
Plano makes all kinds of sizes of boxes. Try some of the smaller boxes.
I tend to take a little more tackle than necessary unless I am targeting only one species. But then I load up on lots of new goodies to test on that species as well.
**As I shared via email, I have largely quit carrying larger boxes afloat, even though the pockets on my Super Fat Cat will easily accomodate good sized lure boxes. **
Over the past couple of years I have “evolved” and downsized. I now use a lot of the Flambeau boxes in 4.5" X 9" size, with the little inserts to adjust the inner compartments. Each of these can hold a suprising amount of tackle, and if you take more than a couple or three well-planned boxes you are fooling yourself. You will never use that much.
**The only times I take more tackle is when fishing a new water, or fishing a known water during a “transition period” when I might have to work a bit to find a hot lure and a pattern. Otherwise, I usually have a pretty good idea what the top three or four lures are going to be and everything else I take is just for balancing out my tube. Me? I am usually unbalanced and extra tackle won’t help. **
I use 1 Plano 4700 in my back pouch for my firs-aid kit and other lures I may use if I want to change tactics. In my side pockets I keep a just a couple small 3500 utility boxes.
I’m thinking about getting a tackle backpack instead of the hard box. Does anybody have any experience with these?
Good thread. Up to this point I had just grabbed handfuls of gear from the big tackle box in the trunk of my car and put them in a plastic shopping bag next to my donuts and ice tea…And then I just crumple the bag up and zip it in one of my float tube pockets.
In addition to wearing and using a standard fishing vest, I also wear a large pouch/chest pack when I go tubing. It is a good place to keep sunglasses, lip balm, and other “personal” items for easy access and safety.
There are several fishing chest packs with compartmented boxes, etc. Lots of stream wading fly flingers use them.
TD,
Do you have to use a smaller chest pack so as to not have it be cumbersome or restrictive in the tube?
Good stuff, as usual, you deliver the dope
Glad I am a lint chucker
**Fishing from open front tubes and toons, unlike donuts, leaves you plenty of room to operate if you wear a chest pouch or pack. You can find lots of potential pouches at military surplus and outdoor clearance outlets. **
TubeBabe and I are currently using what were once fanny packs. We adjust them for size and fasten them around our upper chest and hold them in place with a sewed on elastic strap that goes around our neck. I think we only paid a couple of bucks for them at a clearance outlet.
Let’s not have any of this “holier than thou” stuff. Maybe you are more efficient than some of the fairy wand fans I know, but I have seen plenty of them go forth with a steamer trunk full of fly boxes and accessories.
I carry a butt load with me, but I carry 4 4" by 8" boxes. One with Bunny, One with Soft Hackles, One with Leeches and one with Big Drys, plus the two littler X system boxes with nymphs and Chironomids in it. Fills one bag with the indicators and flouro spools. Other bag is munchies, tools, extra spools/reels and a drink.
I use the larger Planos for mass storage than the smaller ones with the Yellow latches that are water tight.
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Good stuff, as usual, you deliver the dope [/reply]
I SHOULD BE FISHIN WITH TD
Yeah, he’s so hard core he even smokes salmon 
A drink???
Don’t you have room for the whole 12pack?? Sometimes a guy might have more lint in one pocket so that there is no sacrifice for real space in the tube pockets.
But I don’t inhale.
One thing I can say, I don’t drink beer like the rest of the fambly. I have had maybe two in my many fishing trips with Poky. Don’t like it, now tequila is a different story 
Got a flask for that! And I only need one can of Mountain Dew to go with that!
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A drink???
Don’t you have room for the whole 12pack?? [/reply]
A 12 pack is enough till noon then its time for a refill.
lets try this again. FG have you tried mixing Squirt with Ta-kill-ya. It is a quick and easy Margarita.
Now yas talkin Sista![:)]