So it's that time of year that I'm going through all my lures and tackle and trying to re-organize from last season. I've been fishing a lot of years and have never solved this problem and I'm wondering what other people do.

My ultimate solution would be some way where I can keep everything organized by lure/tackle type (pencil poppers, needlefish, swimmers, jigs, terminal tackle, etc.) in individual boxes that would then fit into a larger waterproof box that could be taken to the beach or thrown on the boat. Everything wouldn't need to fit, just 4-6 boxes for the type of fishing I'm doing that day.

The Plano boxes don't work for larger lures because they're not tall enough and I don't like the dividers. I've tried a lot of approaches over the years, never been 100% happy with any of them.

Looking for ideas/solutions!

Thanks

Build it and they will hang.....

I did this and posted it on the CSA forum last year. It has really worked out well for me.

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So I made my plug cabinet and I am really glad I did. It took me a
while because I have been shoehorning it in while renovating our
home.

I still have a couple of boxes of plugs kicking around that need to be
managed but most of the volume has been freed from confinement
and now is at my fingertips. Plugs....that were buried. Plugs that I
intended on fishing two years ago, but forgot about. With exception
of my spring plug bag, all my other plug bags are empty. Weird....and...I like it.

As Pete K. states....My plugs are now ready for company. Hahahaha.
It really is hard to quantify how great it is to do away with the barrels
full of monkeys. Hopefully this organization lasts.

So, I tried to design it to be easy/convenient to build.

material List

3 2x4s
4 5/4x4s
6 hinges - recycled from renovations
2 sheets of 1/4" plywood - recycled from renovations
6 8' schluter aluminum edging
1 door jamb - recycled from renovations
2 window screens - recycled from renovations
2 packs of size 6 1/2" screws
2 packs of size 6 3/4" screws
1 pack of screw in hooks.

If someone actually wants to build one of these, I can provide a cut list.

The outer doors can hang plugs on both sides. I made the outer
shallow and the inner part of the door deeper so when it closes there
is little chance the plugs can swing and tangle with the wall mounted
hangers.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5161027_zpsezsbgwpz.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5161027_zpsezsbgwpz.jpg.html)

The top row of the interior has hooks for plugs like big pikes and
needles that just have a flag on the back. One regret of my layout is
that I didn't do the same for the doors as I have more plugs of this
style than hooks and several of my plastic swimmers are
sans-tailhook.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5161032_zps5m95tgzv.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5161032_zps5m95tgzv.jpg.html)

The Green frame for the drying rack is hinged and can be flattened
during the off season. This is made from a door jamb that i ripped
out of our house. It was going to the dump but now it has a new life,
as do the window screens and the legacy brass hinges.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5161030_zpsjyedpsc1.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5161030_zpsjyedpsc1.jpg.html)

There are hinged supports that swing out to support the rack.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5161035_zpsgcn0dchj.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5161035_zpsgcn0dchj.jpg.html)

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5161033_zpsa7bdl7pa.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5161033_zpsa7bdl7pa.jpg.html)


The schluter edging is a bit pricey at about $1 per foot, but I like the
built in discipline as the cells force spacing between the plugs. I used
it on my tackle bin a few years back and dig the stuff for the purpose.

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/showthread.php?t=81424

The edging is for tile...but because its aluminum and already perfect
for hangers it is easy to work with. Just cut and screw into place.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5161029_zpsvveopcdr.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5161029_zpsvveopcdr.jpg.html)

oooohh...the plugs...just shameful.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5191070_zpshcjz8dz2.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5191070_zpshcjz8dz2.jpg.html)

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5191072_zpsgsvejwra.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5191072_zpsgsvejwra.jpg.html)

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5191076_zpsqle4fyss.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5191076_zpsqle4fyss.jpg.html)

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5191066_zpsgoyavkwl.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5191066_zpsgoyavkwl.jpg.html)


http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P5191100_zpsrzabmdmn.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P5191100_zpsrzabmdmn.jpg.html)

The stuff that will be going into boxes will be the "new in package"
stuff, which thankfully I do not have a ton of. The outer doors are
pretty barren right now, but I intend or re-balancing the plugs to fill
the space so each section has a little wiggle room, both for ease of
replacing and in the event they have a few more friends show up.

----------------------------------------------------



As a follow up. I have used this thing for a year and it has been priceless.
Having that drying rack below the cabinet is key to getting the plugs back
in order. Most of the season the usual suspects were always in the rack
as I would dumpthem there from my plug bag to dry after an outing.
The variable plugs would be moved in and out of rotation and place back
where they belonged when I found time to clean up the rack. Pretty cool
to stand in one spot an have access to all my plugs. Its like being a
conductor of a symphony! I just wish more fish would give me the
nod.....hahahhaha.

Seeing the breadth of my collection in one place has also curbed my
buying....much to the horror of the plug builders.

duplicate

I did something simple

Peg board and hung all my plugs sorted my style/builder/brand.

Haven't finished yet but real easy to see everything I have and what I don't need.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I have one of these.....holds up to 100 plugs...

https://secure.finishlinestudios.com/v3/clients/muskyshop_com/files/cart/products/2236/flambeaumaximizer2012.jpg
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I have one of these.....holds up to 100 plugs...

https://secure.finishlinestudios.com/v3/clients/muskyshop_com/files/cart/products/2236/flambeaumaximizer2012.jpg
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

where did you buy that Kevin?

With my carpentry skills, that would take me a lifetime! Very nice though.