Is it a noise factor for instance or maybe, comfort (soft versus hard rubbing your side while being carried), tip over/stability issue, breathabilty, breakage?

What reasons do you have for either choice?

I wear my bag over my shoulder with a strap= hands free for other things. Probably can't swim with a tackle box or bucket too well either.:)

Dealing with Plano boxes just plain sucks! Nevermind when you drop the bag on the beach, rocks or the bed of the truck I hear them break everytime! Lets talk about the tangles with trebles.....

Good to have you back Ed......

They are just plain handy. Flip the top and choose your weapon. I bring a big plano to the canal for jigs/rubber. It doesn't require too much walking and there is usually a place to set it down. There is some sort of sexy attraction to a white bucket but i resist.

especially if your distance walking the shoreline

nothing to put down
no threat of thievery

an old friend of mine used to tell me
all the time (of course this was freshwater fishin)
what ever you can carry in your shirt pocket
and thats it... run and gun

Weight (less), convenience, comfort and functionality!

You can open a bag with one hand and hold your rod with the other. Whilst waist deep in water. Without fear of spilling. Those plastic boxes are kinda clumsy in the surf imho.

If my better half can spend hundreds on a bag, then so can I!!!!!!!!!!!:smash:

It's mighty tough be elitist with a white bucket in hand, even with a Lami Alberto and ZB slung over one's shoulder, so...

Gotta go with a purdy white surf purse!!!
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Comfort... and with a soft sided bag, you can always stuff in 5 more sluggos , rubber shads, or anything else beyond capacity. Besides, hard plastic chips, breaks.

Tackle boxes go well with webbed beach chairs and 30 packs, room temp of course.

I remember the first time my uncle agreed to take me surfcasting... i asked him what I need to bring. He gave me a short list of essentials, and then said:

"Don't EVER be caught dead with an effing tackle box on the rocks... If you bring a tackle box tomorrow, don't stand within 100 feet of me"

That always stuck out in my mind for some reason, and I have passed that advice down to my friends who wanted to tag along... the advice is a bit sharp, but there was something about it the really intrigued me if that makes sense...

Big tackle boxes are very handy for some types of boat fishing.
I have a slew of them that I use regularly, but for striped bass plugging or small boat stuff they don't fit enough large plugs and take up too much space.

I have tried swimming with a 5 gallon bucket but it's very difficult:rotf2:

Just an FYI for the youngsters. Back in the day, long ago, no one made a surf plug bag so we use to go to the Army/Navy stores and buy WWII gas mask bags and convert them to carry plugs.

I have tried swimming with a 5 gallon bucket but it's very difficult:rotf2:

Try it with the lid on next time.

swimability. with a double barrel, a shorty bag and a bucktail pouch, i can swim out to rocks. I wont even use a big lure bag, they act as a drift sock. Standing waist deep in the ocean kinda limits your options

Is it a noise factor for instance or maybe, comfort (soft versus hard rubbing your side while being carried), tip over/stability issue, breathabilty, breakage?

What reasons do you have for either choice?


In answering your question from a Striped-Bass focused website, it's more practical in most of the ways you mentioned above...nuff said about that.

From a more generalized fishing perspective, there's nothing wrong with a hard tackle box OR a white-bucket.

If I'm taking my son out for a fishing adventure, to simply try and catch fish...sure, I'm bringing a tackle box. There are many lessons to be taught when more tools are handy. If I take him out to target scup, why would I not be prepared for fluke, mackerel, skip-jax, choggies, what-have-you,,??? It's a lot easier to bring an organized tackle box prepared for all these different species then kick and scratch when an unexpected species shows up. Perhaps it's just the old-school in me....



"Don't EVER be caught dead with an effing tackle box on the rocks..."

IMO, that's not very good advice to give a child. What types of values are being taught with that lesson? :confused: ...too many metrosexual-fishermen out there already don't ya think?...to each their own I guess.



I'm not only an advocate for the "white-bucket" fisherman, "I'm also a member..." :jump1:

LOL Tackle boxes are great with kids on peirs but the lid should always be closed and locked or most of the gear in it will soon be either in the water or scattered all over the place. Learned that with the kids when they were in Scouts an such.But in the Surf can't beat them. Still never have the right size though. Room for 6 plugs I take 8 room for 8 I take 12. Hooks go through cloth then can't get the plug out and it's always the color that working LOL. The newer ones with the big tubes in them work best.

Big tackle boxes are very handy for some types of boat fishing.
I have a slew of them that I use regularly, but for striped bass plugging or small boat stuff they don't fit enough large plugs and take up too much space.

Phooey.

Soft sided bags are becoming the rage simply because some scamp with a sewing machine decided to make his own and empower his minions to do the same...much like he did with wooden fishing lures. Next thing you know canvas prices will skyrocket and Singer's stock will be over 100 bucks...now where did I put that box of needles?

Phooey.

Soft sided bags are becoming the rage simply because some scamp with a sewing machine decided to make his own and empower his minions to do the same...much like he did with wooden fishing lures. Next thing you know canvas prices will skyrocket and Singer's stock will be over 100 bucks...now where did I put that box of needles?
Thats what I am doing. I just don't trust my mind enough to be confident that I have considered all angles. The fabric is kinda pricey already, at least the fabric I am using (1050 ballistic nylon 2yds. $28, Hypalon $35.50/yd. plus shipping or Rhinotek $21/yd plus shipping) for the bottom, then add the hardware d-rings , grommets, tubes etc. and it adds up quick. I was considering what to do for inside the bag as far as making it easy to pull a plug out without dealing with tangled trebles or hooks penetrating the fabric which lead me to seek the advice here.

Be careful.......it gets out of hand fast. Seems I still need a 6 tube :smash:

Be careful.......it gets out of hand fast. Seems I still need a 6 tube :smash:
Those look awesome!

Not as awesome as buying 4 Hunters, which would have been cheaper.

Not as awesome as buying 4 Hunters, which would have been cheaper.

:eek:I hope you say that because you value your time more than I.

When you are on a hot bite lasting a few nights, sometimes it is best to dress up like a complete moron... No one will pay any attention to you as you come and go... (oops!) Every read the "dirty deeds in the surf" article in the fisherman? I loved that read

:eek:I hope you say that because you value your time more than I.

LOL. The time spent building them is a benefit, not a cost. I'm not counting that. It is very comparable to building plugs, the setup costs end up pretty close.

but think of all the money you will save your family in tailoring costs down the road

That 2 tube would look perfect on my web belt . . . . $$$$$$

Be careful.......it gets out of hand fast. Seems I still need a 6 tube :smash:

Those are awesome George. Unreal work.

The ultimate plug "bag/box". 2 gallon Mazolla oil container or something as sturdy ( I also made a 1 gallon), 6 plastic tennis ball containers, strapping, fastex buckles, pop riveter, stainless washers to fit pop rivets, velcro, rubber coated canvas, phone hand set chords. Cut off top of container slightly higher that the height of tennis ball containers, drill 1/2 inch holes in bottom of container and punch holes in all flat spots on tennis ball "cans" (I use a hot nail for this). With trimmed plastic form carriers for lip grip and long nosed split ring pliers (good to have to change plug hooks). Attach 2 waist straps (short one with 1/2 of fastex buckle), shoulder strap (this strap off center where "bag" will ride against body). You don't really need a fastex buckle on this one if only you are going to use it, but it is nice to be able to adjust the hang height. Oh...am adding a modification... 1/2 qt. oil container pop rivited to the front for leaders snaps etc. This will also have a canvas cover.
OK so what's the advantage of the fishdoc bag? Oops..not really a fisdoc bag I saw something like it some where??? 1. Water drains out when hit by wave (actually little gets in If I remember to close the canvas). Besure to close canvas if wading deep...surface plugs will float away:uhuh: 2 At end of day I simply run water into the container faster than it can drain 'till filled to the top, let water drain and hang bag opened on the deck. I have NEVER had a rusty hook, cakey salt buld up or rotting, soaked canvas. Last seasons plugs are still in this "bag"...not a single rusty hook. I use VMC's and stainless and brass everything else. I've had Mustads discolor but no heavy rust.