My new favorite tackle box

(Related to kayak rigging, that's why I put it here.)

Thought I'd share my newest favorite tackle box solution for the kayak. I realize everyone does these things differently, so I'm just explaining what works for me.

I like to have the majority of my tackle (anything I don't need a moment's notice) in a watertight enclosure in my basket. This is because when I get saltwater on everything then I have to rinse everything, which means I have to dry everything, which can be difficult to do if I'm not returning immediately home from fishing. So I just keep it dry to begin with and only open it when I need it.

Anyway, I found these "ammo boxes" at Harbor Freight a while back, so I tried one out. They are cheap (big surprise!) but the plastic is sturdy enough and there is rubber seal all the way around the top, and the latch closes securely. It may not be waterproof to depth but I doubt it would take on any water bobbing around for a while if I drop it. The only thing that can rust is the latch, so there's not much to wash down when I come in.

They are flat on top (so stackable in the garage) and have a sturdy, recessed handle. They are light. The size is just right for me for a type or two of fishing per box (I have one set up for sturgeon, I'm setting up another one for bass and trout, a third for rockfish and lingcod). I have not found a perfect plano box to fit inside yet but there are some options that are close and I'm sure something will fit better once I find it.

The best part, though, is that they fit perfectly in a standard crate along the short axis (or both axes if you have a square crate). If I don't have my "lid" on my crate then I just run a bungee through the handle(s) and it's secure for a huli.

Another use for this would be as extra "dry box" space for electronics, paperwork, small charts, etc. Compared to even a cheap dry box at Sportsman's Warehouse this has the same features but way cheaper. Might make a good battery box for a depth/fish finder?

The down side is that with the vertical layout it can be a pain to get to something in the bottom if you're in a hurry or your hands are cold, etc. So far this hasn't been too much of a problem.

Anyway they're $7 at Harbor Freight through the end of the month (January 2014). After that I think they're $10 regularly.

Looks like this is it: http://www.harborfreight.com/ammo-box-61451.html (Looks like one commenter says it's not airtight; I haven't tested mine thoroughly yet but it seems like it.)

Apologies for cell cam pics...

I like it! Thanks for sharing!

I have been thinking about getting one like that for a while.  Craig has used one for years and it works well for him

I've been using a similar semi-waterproof tackle box for some time on my 13' Trident and my 13' Revolution.  It's big enough for three big lure boxes, with room for some additional gear at one end.  It has a "U" shaped lidded tray on top of its lid, on three sides of the handle.  I keep a selection of lures in the tray, and use the tray frequently when swapping lures, which is more convenient than opening the box and taking out lure boxes.  I have mounted "J" shaped hooks on the long sides of the box, and use the hooks to bungie the box onto my kayak, so I won't lose the box if I roll my kayak.

The orange Plano box is my go to yak box. I have added leashes to both sides so it stays put if I roll plus a two or three tube rod holder to the back.
Great system and the medium size fits perfectly on my Trident 13 and the large on my Hobie Adventure.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

I have been thinking about getting one like that for a while.  Craig has used one for years and it works well for him

I like mine.  I fastened a rod holder to mine and drilled a hole thru the rod holder for my ATV whip safety flag (which, sadly, was donated to the bottom fish of Lake Merwin). I can get 4 Plano tackle trays in it plus pliers and other small miscellaneous things.  I mainly use it with my Adventure.




I also did something similar to a cooler that I mounted my down rigger to. 

Craig, consider putting a leash on that downrigger.  On many small coolers, the hinge for the lid consists of two short projections on the lid which are popped into two shallow depressions in the body of the cooler.  The tension on the cable could pop the lid off the cooler, and the lid and the downrigger would end up in the water.  Then the question would be, does the lid have more flotation than the weight of the downrigger and its ball?

Craig, consider putting a leash on that downrigger.  On many small coolers, the hinge for the lid consists of two short projections on the lid which are popped into two shallow depressions in the body of the cooler.  The tension on the cable could pop the lid off the cooler, and the lid and the downrigger would end up in the water.  Then the question would be, does the lid have more flotation than the weight of the downrigger and its ball?

If I leashed my gear, this country would still be in a recession and I would never get to buy new stuff.    

I won that cooler in a fishing derby over 30 years ago.  They made 'em better back then.  Knock on wood.

If I can get the lid off, I may see if it could actually float the four pound ball + down rigger.  I bet it would be close.  Doesn't matter though.  I usually either forget the down rigger or the ball.  A water bottle filled with densely packed beach sand can do a semi-adequate job in a pinch as a ball substitute.

(I tried to update the original post but it didn't take, I don't know why. Also, how do you update a forum post subject?)

UPDATE: Got to eat crow: These particular ones that I was talking about are not watertight AT ALL, not even a little bit. They would only be good for keeping rain and spray off of your gear, they will immediately seep water if even laying on their side.

I should have known better with Harbor Frieght    Buyer Beware!!!

So... now the kids have new lego containers and I'll be looking for similar sized well-made units. Sorry!

If you put additional rubber sealant under the seal that comes with the box, will that not tighten up the edges of the box? I don't know. I'm just trying to troubleshoot here. I have a couple of those boxes as well though not from Harbor Freight.

Fred "True" Trujillo

If you put additional rubber sealant under the seal that comes with the box, will that not tighten up the edges of the box? I don't know. I'm just trying to troubleshoot here. I have a couple of those boxes as well though not from Harbor Freight.

Fred "True" Trujillo

The problem appears to be the location of the hinge. It is slightly too high, so that when the latch is engaged the lid is at an angle with the high side towards the hinge and the low side towards the latch. Since the hinges are plastic you can physically push the lid down to make a good seal (pretty far.. 3mm+?), but I'm not sure how I'd taper extra gasket material. Maybe I could find something soft enough to put everywhere and it would just squish down. I hate to waste the $$ (took all of the stickers off and discarded before I did the underwater test - DOH!) but I don't know how much hassle I want to go to to make it work.

I think Harbor Freight has tried to knock off many of the items Plano makes and this one looks to be the same. Check out the original Plano box #1312, I believe some of the OK yaks were actually molded with this specific box in mind.

Interestingly, a quick search in the googles shows that they're about the same price as well. $8-12



If you want to spend a little more, look into using a waterproof pet food bin for your dry storage. I built one and love it. The bins are made by a company called Gamma and sell them as Vittle Vaults in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Pelagic has a post on here about his as well:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=5637.msg58229#msg58229





 

My tackle box was manufactured by Flambeau Outdoors, and is pretty similar to the Plano tackle box.  It has a flimsy gasket in a groove in the lid, and is splash resistant.  I doubt it is waterproof.

I think Harbor Freight has tried to knock off many of the items Plano makes and this one looks to be the same. Check out the original Plano box #1312, I believe some of the OK yaks were actually molded with this specific box in mind.

Interestingly, a quick search in the googles shows that they're about the same price as well. $8-12



If you want to spend a little more, look into using a waterproof pet food bin for your dry storage. I built one and love it. The bins are made by a company called Gamma and sell them as Vittle Vaults in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Pelagic has a post on here about his as well:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=5637.msg58229#msg58229

Great info, thanks!

Think I will give one a go. I have the regular brown ammo box with tray, it is durable, has lasted for years and still seals through all the abuse i have put it through.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YSFT7S/ref=s9_simh_gw_p200_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1R65NYT5ECNQC5ZQZYHK&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846