It has happened to every fisherman at least once and it will always happen at the worst possible time. Try letting a boated cobia loose on the floor and watch things fly!
But today's tackle boxes have come a long way to helping us protect our investment (and at some of today's tackle prices - it is definitely an investment!). The Plano Molding Company has a complete line of tackle containers, so complete that they now refer to them as tackle systems! No longer are they tackle "boxes". MEI, maker of the Flambeau line refers to systems and calls their containers "tackle stations". These two famous names have both soft side and hard side containers, and every container has a purpose. These boxes can help you organize your tackle and keep the spills to a bare minimum.
Perhaps the best tackle arrangement for my needs is the built in storage containers on many boats. You say your boat doesn't have a built in tackle storage? Not to worry - West Marine has some built-in boxes in a variety of sizes that you can mount yourself in no time.
The best way to stay ahead of the tackle nightmares is to stay prepared. For me that means going over everything in my tackle boxes prior to each trip. I mentally prepare for the day's fishing and think about every situation in which I might find myself. Then I check to see if I am prepared for that situation. Do I have enough leaders tied up? Are the right hooks attached? Am I running low on any high turnover items like weights, swivels, or hooks? Are all the lures in order? Are the hooks sharp?
Bin by bin and compartment by compartment, I go through every item to make sure that (1) I know where everything is, and (2) I have enough of the right tackle for the trip ahead. If I can answer these questions in the positive, I can avoid long delays searching through rusty hooks in the bottom of the boat, or looking for that ever missing spool of leader material to tie another leader in 5 foot seas! It sure makes the fishing more enjoyable when everything is in it's place!
