A fully equipped tackle box comes in handy when out in the wilds.
Preparing for Your Next Fishing Trip
Before you head out to the ol’ fishing hole, make sure you’ve checked your fishing tackle box. Believe us, you want to be prepared with the right stuff once you’re out on the water.
Of course, the contents of your tackle box will vary, depending on the type of fish you plan to catch, but this is a typical tackle box for you (or a loved one) to get started.
Tackle-Box Checklist
- Extra fishing line
- Lures or flies
- Bobbers (or, floaters)
- Swivels, to keep the fishing line from twisting
- Leaders
- Sinkers (or, weights)
- Different sizes of hooks (for different types of fish)
- Needle nose pliers to help remove hooks out of fish (and maybe you!)
- Stringer, to hold all the fish you catch
- Sharp knife (such as a Swiss Army knife)
- Ruler/scale
- A small flashlight
- First-aid kit (with basics just in case a hook gets stuck in your thumb)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
Reader Suggestions
- Unscented soap to wash your hands before handling bait. –suggested by Jerry Buerge
- Plastic worms and a couple of lures to attract fish. –suggested by Andy Fox
- Magnifying glasses for aging eyes. –suggested by Will Dwyer
- “I like to keep a few glow sticks in my tackle box. One large one is for marking your spot or your vehicle, and some small ones are for your rod, bait box, or ice chest. I think it helps to avoid using flashlights.” –suggested by Mike Tyler
Are we missing anything? What else would you put in a tackle box? Please post below!
Read Next
Read more on our Best Fishing Days page.
Catherine Boeckmann
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A couple sticks of dynamite will greatly increase your chances of "catching" fish.
Well, where it is legal, I carry a small firearm, S&W 317 Kit gun 22lr 8 shot. fits in my tackle bag, stopped using hard tackle boxes decades ago. And yes, I carry a flashlight also. Hope no one thinks I am a gun nut, but I am a Vietnam Era Vet. Thank you very much and enjoy the outdoors!!
I’m of a like mind sometimes I’m out well after the last light and I too carry a torch and pistol “WMR”for coons and yotes and other critters. So yes good on ya.
I like to keep a few glow sticks. One large one for marking your spot or your vehicle and some small for your rod or bait box or ice chest. I think it helps to avoid using flashlights. I also recommend an extra change of clothes or at least socks and shoes. A raincoat is good in the mountains too. Bait nets or cast nets are another good item. Last but not least, Paracord.
Great tips! Thanks, Mike!
Fish oil capsules and whistle
I keep a rod tip repair kit and butane lighter in my tackle bag. The lighter is to melt the rod tip glue. I've used it many times!
As far as additional fishing box items, I like a few rod tips and stick glue repair kit, lighter, pencil and small sticky notes also a spare copy of fishing license.
I like to use a grabber tool for the fish's mouth, it really helps with stuck hooks. Also nail clippers for cutting line. Sun block, bug spray, net for head, especially during black fly season in Maine! Reading glasses, tough to see those knots at my age. Towel or rag. Matches, lighter. Lip balm.
In the Pacific N.W. it is believed that spraying WD-40 on your herring will generate more bites when salmon fishing. Sort of the photo negative of the unscented soap comment. I haven tried either.
