Fishing Gear Organization

I don't know about you all, but the enjoyable beginning of a trip begins before I ever touch the hull of my kayak to the water.  Truthfully, it begins in my garage... and often the night before if I am planning a day long trip.  And most of my trips have not begun well.  I walk into my garage and sort through my gear and have to piece everything together for my trip.  I sure would like to easily put my stuff together... thus the question.  How do you organize your gear to make prepping for your trip, day trip or a couple of hours, a joy... as opposed to heading to your vasectomy appointment.

I would love you see pics of how you set your gear up...

It's pretty grabtastic for me.  Right now I have the dubious advantage of not having much stuff, so that makes is a bit simpler.

I have a large tote that fits all required gear.  My tackle is packed into  clear watertight boxes broken up by the type of fishing they are for.  Makes it really simple.

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+1 on the totes and watertight tackle boxes. A few big ole totes or milk crates or anything the right size fits the bill. Those planos tackle boxes are pretty good (as long as you remember to close them heh. The totes really make loading up easier and theres also the benefit of less mess in the car. IMHO having the essentials, especially food, water, sunscreen, outerwear etc. are as important to having a good time on the water as having all the fishing gear.


I like the 3540, 3640 and 3740. Cabelas is having a sale on em.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Plano174-Waterproof-Stowaways/1165441.uts?
 

I have a large tote that fits all required gear.  My tackle is packed into  clear watertight boxes broken up by the type of fishing they are for.  Makes it really simple.

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+2. I have a days worth of tackle in clear plastic trays for salmon, sturgeon, salt, etc.

I've got about 15 of the Plano waterproof tackle boxes (blue latches).  Each one has gear in it for a particular style of fishing (i.e. Trout, salmon, lake, salt, jigging, trolling, etc). I store those in my rubbermaid tubs in my gear room (not banished to the garage, since 1) I live alone, and 2) I don't have a garage).  When I Decide what I'll be doing, I grab the 2 or 3 boxes  i'll need and the appropriate rod(s) and go.  I had all winter to organize and sort through all my stuff, and did it several times until I liked the system.  It works great,since time and daylight are at a premium here in AK....why waste time digging for crap when you can fish?

Gimme 15 minutes notice and we'll be fishing in no time.

This is my "gear shed" and it is still evolving.I tend to organize things either on pegboard or lots of boxes with compartments and then put things back later. If I am bank fishing, then things go in a vest or pockets since I don't want to carry a box. In the kayak, things get piled into a tight Rubbermaid tub. I like the light and table to pre-tie as much as possible, sharpen hooks , and organize ahead of time.

Big things like rods and nets have a place to hang and my increasing supply of kayak accessories are in boxes under the table.

Much like others, my tackle is organized into trays, Hobie gear buckets. As to other gear, it's all separate but put it all into a big Rubbermaid tub or old Ikea bag. I've copied what a friend on NCKA, Tote, started. He's made small check lists of every type of fishing he does. They're laminated and a grommet put through the top and they hang on a hook in the man cave. So on the night before you look through the lists, grab the one that applies, and put gear in the truck while checking it off with a dry erase pen. From tackle, to dry suits, to accessories, it's all in there. If you add something new to your list of gear for a particular type of fishing it can always be added with a Sharpie pen.

Much like others, my tackle is organized into trays, Hobie gear buckets. As to other gear, it's all separate but put it all into a big Rubbermaid tub or old Ikea bag. I've copied what a friend on NCKA, Tote, started. He's made small check lists of every type of fishing he does. They're laminated and a grommet put through the top and they hang on a hook in the man cave. So on the night before you look through the lists, grab the one that applies, and put gear in the truck while checking it off with a dry erase pen. From tackle, to dry suits, to accessories, it's all in there. If you add something new to your list of gear for a particular type of fishing it can always be added with a Sharpie pen.

Was he in the military? Navy?     I knew a Navy buddy of mine that used the check list idea for his diving gear.  I used to do it for kayak fishing stuff, but started adding too many pieces of gear and switching out other pieces that it was hard to keep the list updated.  Definitely a good idea though.

Much like others, my tackle is organized into trays, Hobie gear buckets. As to other gear, it's all separate but put it all into a big Rubbermaid tub or old Ikea bag. I've copied what a friend on NCKA, Tote, started. He's made small check lists of every type of fishing he does. They're laminated and a grommet put through the top and they hang on a hook in the man cave. So on the night before you look through the lists, grab the one that applies, and put gear in the truck while checking it off with a dry erase pen. From tackle, to dry suits, to accessories, it's all in there. If you add something new to your list of gear for a particular type of fishing it can always be added with a Sharpie pen.

That's ridiculously anal, but somehow I like it! I always leave something behind!

Much like others, my tackle is organized into trays, Hobie gear buckets. As to other gear, it's all separate but put it all into a big Rubbermaid tub or old Ikea bag. I've copied what a friend on NCKA, Tote, started. He's made small check lists of every type of fishing he does. They're laminated and a grommet put through the top and they hang on a hook in the man cave. So on the night before you look through the lists, grab the one that applies, and put gear in the truck while checking it off with a dry erase pen. From tackle, to dry suits, to accessories, it's all in there. If you add something new to your list of gear for a particular type of fishing it can always be added with a Sharpie pen.

That's ridiculously anal, but somehow I like it! I always leave something behind!

+1

Was he in the military? Navy?     I knew a Navy buddy of mine that used the check list idea for his diving gear.  I used to do it for kayak fishing stuff, but started adding too many pieces of gear and switching out other pieces that it was hard to keep the list updated.  Definitely a good idea though.

Not sure but he's crazy organized! I gotta find the pics of how his fishing gear is all set up in his man cave. It's amazing.

That's ridiculously anal, but somehow I like it! I always leave something behind!

My feelings exactly. One time I forgot my box of lures after a 1.5 hour drive and ruined the whole day.  That was it!!

I have crap everywhere if i took time from fishing to organize it well that would be crazy 

Rev, when it comes to organization I believe you are sick man.

Maybe it wasn't you, but when you gave me those jigs, all individually wrapped and in separate zip-locks, (man they worked well) I new you needed help.  I recall you tried to get me organized once, it helped a little for a short period.

Honestly though, for me the more compact, the better.  If I don't think I'm gonna need it I don't include it.  But I'm gonna put together a checklist one of these days, if I ever get organized.  Cause I've left without my paddle before, had a spare in the hull or I wouldn't have fished that day.

I have larger tackle boxes for every type of fishery and will pull from those what I need and store in smaller waterproof containers.  I also keep an emergency fishing kit in the car at all times with a little bit of everything. One must always be prepared.