Cutbank Gear Bag

A gear sanctuary on the water Designed to organize gear and keep it dry. With the Fishpond signature molded bottom and welded design, the Cutbank Gear bag covers the bases. As a specialized tackle bag that keeps gear dry on a raft or drift boat, as well as the perfect size to fit in the hatch of...

fishpondusa.com

Patagonia Great Divider Fishing Boat Bag 26L

Our 26-liter Patagonia® Great Divider is a structured, extremely water-resistant boat bag with adjustable internal organization.

www.patagonia.com

I dont use a soft bag but some buddies will bring these on the boat and they seem to be very well built. The Patagonia one can be left unzipped with the magnetic closure strap engaged and stays shut which is nice.

My buddy with the Patagonia one has had it for a few years and it doesn't seem to have had any issues. Dont have any time/testing with the fishpond one aside from one or two experiences but it seemed well built as well.

 

Just something to entertain. My son hates his hard tackle box. Similar to the one blow. We have been looking for a soft tackle box for him. While we looked I let him borrow an old backpack. It's 20 years old. The reason I know this it was the "daddy diaper bag" I had from when he was little. Turns out it makes a great tackle backpack. May want to see if you have any old backpacks laying around. They work great.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/plano-1364-4-by-rack-tackle-system

 

Friggin Great Idea and I do have my son’s old backpack. I will look into it.
Thanks for the solid!

 

I'll second a slight re-purposing. I've been using Gill laptop computer bags for 10+ years (on my second but the first was still going strong when I swapped out). Plenty of zipper pockets and enough room for multiple boxes/soft plastic binder. The zippers have held up well, but my bag lives in the forward hatch when fishing or in the tackle room when idle.

 

Zika, another great idea.

I mainly fly fish, so not an issue, but use artificials with a few friends and family.

I will loo into your idea too.

 

I am going on about 6 years with an older Plano Z-Series bag. It has no zippers, uses buckles to close so no freezing in salt water. The other pockets use Velcro. I've been happy with it and will buy another when it does give out.

 

I am going on about 6 years with an older Plano Z-Series bag. It has no zippers, uses buckles to close so no freezing in salt water. The other pockets use Velcro. I've been happy with it and will buy another when it does give out.

View attachment 255486

I have the same one and it has been good for me also, no zippers and 5+ years old but they don't make it anymore. Just decided to replace mine and went with the new version.

 

I had an Orvis bag for a for years but the best is this $42 Husky Office Pro. I'm usually a guy that says you get what you pay for this $42 bag is far superior to my $230 Orvis bag. Going on 5 years not and functions like new. 3700 boxes fit perfectly if you take a razor and cut out other canvas divider.

Husky 16 in. Pro Mobile Office Organizer 67134-02 - The Home Depot

Designed to be belted into your passenger seat this Husky Truck Tool Box has every thing and gives everything that a basic truck requires.

www.homedepot.com

 

Look at a mesh bag. Go with the sealed plano boxes.

Mesh Crate Storage System

 

Plano guide series if I am going on a trip and need a lot of tackle.

I honestly only take one Plano edge box with me if I am going alone or for the day.

 

A little bacon grease on the zippers never hurt nobody

 

I just use chapstick. Actually guilty of chapsticking zippers on new gear.

 

I use this thing - it's a BEAST, but man, it's the only thing that holds everything I need AND is convenient when I'm fishing. The only zipper that froze on me in the last 5 or so years is one of the side pockets. I use the crap out of that bag, and it's starting to fall apart, but certainly the best layout and durability of any bag I've ever used. Being able to keep my zmans up top and storage trays in the front is awesome.

Shimano Borona Tackle Bag | Large - Discontinued Products

www.fishermansworld.net

 

I use this thing - it's a BEAST, but man, it's the only thing that holds everything I need AND is convenient when I'm fishing. The only zipper that froze on me in the last 5 or so years is one of the side pockets. I use the crap out of that bag, and it's starting to fall apart, but certainly the best layout and durability of any bag I've ever used. Being able to keep my zmans up top and storage trays in the front is awesome.

Shimano Borona Tackle Bag | Large - Discontinued Products

www.fishermansworld.net

Does the compartment for the storage trays come already assembled? This looks like a really nice bag. I ordered one of the AFTCO ones with a similar design, and you had to basically build the interior storage liners yourself with their velcro lined liners. It was such a pain in the ass to get them lined up right and they never seemed secure. I returned it. You can see what I mean in this picture. You can remove those liners...which seems cool in theory but it was not for me.

 

The fishpond cutbank is $100 off at huckberry.com i ordered one yesterday. I wanted a smaller boat bag but the smaller fishpond bags were more expensive. A few buddies of mine have the cutbank and its real nice

 

I've been using the Plano Guide series for over a year now. Hands down favorite bag I've owned and no issues with the zippers. They come in a ton of different sizes depending on what you want. The top is magnetic and has been great for keeping nippers and spare flies handy.

 

Igloo 40QT Sportsman soft cooler

 

I have the older model Patagonia (the gray one with the flyfishing logo) and I'd be hesitant to recommend one from them. After years of good service, it simply fell apart at the seams one day-- almost as if the glue melted. Granted, it was one of those 110-degrees-in-the- shade days, but something made for fishing should be able to withstand some heat/sun exposure. I tried to get a replacement, but Patagonia wanted me to mail it in for "evaluation" and couldn't confirm that they'd send me a new one OR the old one back. They also said that they were having some supply-chain issues and didn't have any new ones in stock, etc. etc. I may dig it out and try the return again, but I wouldn't buy another one unless it was a screaming deal.
Edited to add photos. Eventually, all the seams failed in the same manner.

 

I spray my zippers with the same silicon I use on the trailer bunks. Check 5:11 out, I have one of their slings that will never ware out.

 

It's not a soft bag but I really like the Yeti Go-Box. The only issue is that 3700 series Plano boxes don't really fit well and I really like the Plano Edge 3700 Thin boxes I have.

I have one Go-Box for offhshore tackle and another for bottom fishing and reef tackle but I've stuck with my $42 Husky Office organizer for inshore because of the way the boxes fit and I like the molded tray top.

 

Zman

 

seriously, wd40 on the zipper itself and the guide

 

ChapStik works too

 

we all carry to much crap..........but won't go there
really thankful I am not a bass fisherman......they all need therapy!

 

I like the Mustad soft tackle bag.

 

Another vote for the Plano Guide series. My wife paid too much for it, but it’s awesome. I really like the hard bottom for keeping it dry if a little water shifts as I move around. The 3600 series helps keep me from carrying too much stuff. I just swap boxes from inshore to offshore gear. Not the easiest to find, but the deep 3600 boxes are perfect for offshore lures.

 

I didn't expect the Plano Guide to hold up as well as it has when I first got it. It sat out in the open on our first skiff and got a ton of spray. I have not lubricated the zippers yet, and they all still work very well. The only thing that has given out is the stitching on the pad of the shoulder strap. Wasn't a big deal for me because I don't have to carry it far and it honestly just got in the way. The plastic molded tooth zippers hold up well compared to the metal ones I have on some older tackle bags. Those need more care to keep them running smooth.

 

Here’s the one I have. This is my second one and I bought another backup when they had them on sale. They last a few years no issues. They actually come with a Plano tackle tray that fits in the front zipper. I put my line spools in the side pouches and whatever in the rest. Insulated and waterproof so you can also use it as a cooler. @JC Designs bought one as well. Hard to find but I think you can dig one up.

igloo 40 can - Google Search

 

Here’s the one I have. This is my second one and I bought another backup when they had them on sale. They last a few years no issues. They actually come with a Plano tackle tray that fits in the front zipper. I put my line spools in the side pouches and whatever in the rest. Insulated and waterproof so you can also use it as a cooler. @JC Designs bought one as well. Hard to find but I think you can dig one up.

igloo 40 can - Google Search

Yeah, they need to bring them back!

 

I have a Simms tackle bag that I've had for years. I've made a practice of using Star Bright Snap & Zipper Lubricant periodically, so I've never had any issues. Sometimes when fishing as a guest on another skiff, I'll throw a box or two and my other gear in a Simms Dry Creek Z Sling Pack and that has also worked out really well.

 

Plano is still the best option for soft tackle bags with buckles. Unfortunately tackle bag options have not improved over the years. Often the discontinued versions are much better. I think that's why you are seeing more and more people using dry bags, boat bags, etc.. to carry their tackle trays instead of intended use tackle bags.

 

I used this aftco boat bag Boat Bag, but have switched to the yeti gobox. Some of the materials used inside the bag are fairly lightweight and probably not very durable. The outside of the bag is decent.