Best Tackle Box Reviews 2018

When you’re starting a new hobby like fishing, you need tools for the job. However, being a novice, you don’t know which tools are meant for what, and you need help. Luckily, there are plenty of manufacturers out there making it easy for new anglers to get into the hobby with ready-made tackle boxes. But, what to look for in a tackle box? To help you make a good choice, we prepared a short guide for you so you can tell which one fits your needs the best.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Design

Size

Capacity

Trays

Our Top Choice

Ready 2 Fish 2-Tray Tackle Box

One of the best companies for novice anglers is Ready 2 Fish. It makes and sells a great deal of ready-made tackling boxes and other fishing equipment.

2-tray box with 136 tackle pieces. Short user guide included. Sturdy and spacious but lightweight.

The box is multi-species, so it may be missing some elements if you’re targeting a specific type of fish. .

Blue with latch and handle

13.9 x 7.6 x 7.4 inches, 2.5 pounds

136 tackling lines plus extras

2 trays

Best Value

South Bend Worm Gear Tackle Box

Second up is South Bend. This company has existed for 101 years, so you can bet its experts know what you need and what you want.

Highly versatile kit. 88 pieces of equipment included. Very compact for easy transport and storage.

Versatile kit no good for specific fish.

Green with latch

Approx 12 x 8 x 8 inches

88 pieces of equipment

Single tray

Plano Flip Side 3-Tray Tackle Box

Plano is a company that gets it. Not everyone fishes for the catch – some just want some fun and to relax. That’s why Plano produces beginner level tackle boxes, so everybody can have some fun.

Stacked tray system means organized, easy-to-access contents. Spacious and sturdy construction. Lifetime warranty.

Price is quite high.

Stacked trays and handle

17.5 x 11 x 7.75 inches, 4.1 pounds

135 pieces of equipment

3 trays

Wakeman Fishing Tackle Box

Wakeman may not be the most famous manufacturer, but it sure is one of the most prolific. All its tackle boxes are affordable and well-made.

Durable construction and very strong. Customizable design. Compact size for portability. Comes in blue and lime green colors.

Limited to a single tray and less equipment than some.

Black/Green with latch and handle

12.75 x 7.25 x 5.50", 1.8 pounds

55 pieces of equipment

Single tray

Flambeau Tackle 2 Tray Tackle Box

Flambeau was established in 1947, and hasn’t stopped delivering great products to our doorsteps since then.

Lots of space and compartments for storage. Durable build quality. Weather and worm, proof.

Heavy when fully loaded.

Blue with latch and handle

14 x 8.5 x 7.5 inches, 2.4 pounds

150+ pieces of equipment

2 trays

(Updated August 11, 2017)

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Watch Our Tackle Box Review

How Do I Choose the Best Tackle Box?

The very first thing you ask yourself when buying a tackle box is what does it contain? Boxes come in many iterations, and some of them are more specialized for catching a certain species of fish than others. So, your first concern should be what kind of fish do you plan on catching, so you can buy a box accordingly. Next, you need to assess your skill level. All of our products are beginner level items, and such boxes usually come with guides and instructions on what bait to use and when. You can go beyond your level, of course, if you’re anticipating that you’ll advance your angling skills, and a beginner’s box might become obsolete.

Next up, you need to consider how much a particular box offers. Some tackle boxes are pretty large – large enough for some extra tools like a survival knife, and come with a wide variety of equipment. Then again, you may not need so much stuff. Also, you may not have that much space, or wish to carry a very heavy box, so a smaller, more compact product may suffice. You might also be carrying more stuff, like a bug zapper or a hatchet with you, in which case a light box is a plus. However, be aware that you might outgrow your box in the coming seasons, and you may need a bigger one. Considering the brand is always a good thing to do, as certain brands are more trustworthy than the others.

Lastly, there is a matter of sturdiness. A plastic box should last you quite a while if not heavily mistreated, and may be able to sustain quite some wear and tear. Make sure your box is also watertight and weather-resistant, as, naturally, you’ll be spending a lot of time on or around water with it, and you don’t want your stuff to get all wet and form mold. Also, having a worm-proof seal is a great addition, as such boxes protect your worms from damage or escape. Finally, picking a tackle box with great layout is always a plus, as it will allow you to find your stuff more easily, and let you browse through your inventory.

Price

Where price is concerned, tackle boxes aren’t overly expensive. Sure, there is a difference between brand names and different skill level boxes. Usually, though, if you’re looking at a beginner’s tackle box, you can expect to pay no more than 25 dollars. If you’re looking at a professional-grade box, you’re looking at a 70-something dollar item. Generally, tackle boxes are lower skill level that the similar tackle bags, as tackle bags are really pro-grade, and can exceed $100.

We did find some especially cheap tackle boxes during our research but these were flimsy and did not have trustworthy latching systems. All our featured products represent a solid, good value investment.

Features

Though many boxes are different, they share some common traits and features. All boxes come with some sort of carry handle. This lets you carry the thing from your car to your favorite sport. Tackle boxes also come with trays that cascade or unfold to the side, offering you a better overview of your inventory, and easier navigation. These trays are also often divided into compartments. Tackle boxes usually feature latch locks so they won’t open by accident. Tackle boxes are usually made of plastic.

To sum up all the features, here is a short list:

Plastic construction
Cascading trays
Trays divided into compartments
Foldable handles
Latch locks

Construction and Design

When it comes to construction, molded plastic is the most common and best material. Combined with a good latch, this should make them weather-proof, as well as water-tight and worm-proof. As far as design goes, boxes are made to facilitate quick access, which is why they often have trays that open up to the sides or cascade, so you can get to what you need more quickly.

Performance and Ease of Use

Boxes are made to offer easy access to your stuff. All boxes have some kind of tray system that unfolds, divided into compartments so you can organize your equipment better. Some also have a ‘top box’ in the lid for access to bait or tackle without needing to keep the box open. The easier it is to use a certain tackle box, the better its performance will be. Performance also depends on the box’s sturdiness, additional features like worm-proofing and overall skill level for which it’s intended.

What is the Best Tackle Box?

As you’ve seen, choosing the right tackle box is a matter of some consideration. We picked five of the best products from great manufacturers and presented them in the next section. Keep in mind what you’ve read, and see if any of them look like what you need.

Our Top Choice

For a beginner angler, there is not a better product than Ready 2 Fish Tackling Box. And if you’d like a soft model, you can check out Ready 2 Fish Soft Sided Tackle Bag.

Ready 2 Fish Tackle Box – 2 Tray

Ready 2 Fish Tackle Box R2FK-TBVP-2A

Features

Buying a tackling kit has never been easier with Ready 2 Fish. This company understands fishing doesn't have to be an expensive venture and many of us don't have time to research deep into this sport. So, Ready 2 Fish makes it easy for even a novice to get a hang of the game by offering them ready-made tackle boxes, complete with instructions inside, as well as tips and tricks so you know which thingy to use where. Not only that, but you can get specialized tackle boxes that focus on one species, but also general-purpose boxes.

The blue Tackle Box is a very affordable product. It keeps with the spirit of the company, being a great starter kit. It’s got 2 trays and can house 136 pieces of tackling, together with hooks, lures and other things you’ll need on your fishing trip. The box also comes with a fishing guide that contains tips and tricks so, if you’re a complete novice, you’ll know what to do once you hit the water.

Design-wise, this box is a very nice product, made of ABS plastic. The plastic is strong and gives the box decent resilience against all kinds of damage and weather. The box is quite spacious and large but also quite light. It’s got a sturdy latch that closes the box and keeps the lid firmly in place, plus a foldable handle on top so you can carry it around no problem. This box is also general-purpose and intended for multiple fish species.

Here’s a list of the box’s features:

2 trays
Latch lock
Tackling, hooks and baits
Foldable handle
Strong plastic construction
Fishing guide for beginners

In the end, this is one of the best beginner’s items around. It’s very cheap and very comprehensive when it comes with the equipment you’ll receive with it. Ready 2 Fish is a company that caters to novices a great deal, and you can never go amiss with their products.

Want more Ready 2 Fish products? The brand has lots to offer.

Best Value

Getting started? Check out South Bend’s Worm Gear Tackle Box Kit. In case you want another product, check out South Bend Blue Worm Gear 88-piece Tackle Box.

South Bend Worm Gear Tackle Box with Hook Disgorger and 6’ Stringer

South Bend Tackle Box WG-TB88-G

Features

Tackling boxes are perfect for beginners. They’re compact and contain everything you need to start. The folk at South Bend like to make it easy for novice anglers and families on trips. Fishing doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby, and, with a couple of hundred dollars in pocket, you can head over to South Bend and find everything you need. South Bend has been in business for 101 years now, so you bet it knows how to make a customer happy.

The product we’re presenting today is the Worm Gear 88-Piece Loaded Tackle Box kit. Right off the bat, you can see it’s a little smaller than the previous product, but you can bet it’s as versatile. However, you still can’t expect it to have as many things. The box is multi-species, so you can go fishing for different fish without having to change sets. Again, if it's a specific fish you're after and this kit doesn't have the equipment you need, you'll have to switch to something else.

Being quite compact, this product is perfect for smaller boats. It’s made of ABS plastic, so you know it’s weather-proof and resistant to damage. The latch fits well and secures the lid. The lid also fits well, so water can't get in it. The box has space for 88 pieces of equipment, as it says in its name, and has one additional tray.

Here’s a list of Worm Gear’s features:

Multi-species equipment
88 pieces of equipment
Weather-proof
ABS plastic
Single tray and compartment
Latch lock

Versatile boxes like this are an excellent way to get into the world of fishing. South Band makes such boxes available and affordable. Worm Gear 88-piece box kit is one of the best, and its versatility makes it very popular among novice anglers across the country.

Want more South Bend products? Take a look through their extensive range to find the ideal C-clamp for you!

Plano is the place you need to go for really high-quality tackle boxes. Their Plano 7603 Flip Sider box is one such example. And if three trays aren’t enough, check out the Plano 1354 4-By Rack System 3500 Size Tackle Box.

Plano 7603 Flip Sider Three Tray Tackle Box

Plano 7603 Tackle Box 7603-01

Features

Plano acquired Frabill in 2012, thus amassing around 135 years of experience with fishing equipment between the two companies. It’s all about the journey for Plano, and the fact not all people want to catch big game all the time. For this reason, the company started creating tackle boxes and kits to help novices get the hang of fishing.

The 7603 Flip Sider tackle kit is one of the best on our list because of its layout. The box, as the name suggests, doesn’t open like any old tool box, but practically “unfolds”. Its three trays are stacked, and they provide an easier access to the equipment inside. Also, this box, as you’ve noticed, has one more tray than the other boxes, allowing for a bit more stuff to be put in it. It also comes with a handle so you can carry it around.

But this box is more than just a sum of its parts. It’s also been put through rigorous testing to ensure the box’s durability. Naturally, the tough ABS plastic checks out. However, you’re all set even if something breaks, as the box has a lifetime warranty covering it against any defects. However, this warranty is the reason the box costs a bit more than the two we’ve covered so far.

Here’s a short list of the box’s features:

Three trays
Stacked trays
Heavy-duty plastic build
Build-in handle
Rigorously tested

All in all, Plano’s tackle box is one of the best around because it’s tough and has a wonderful layout. On top of that, the product has a lifetime warranty, so if it has a defect, you can have it fixed or replaced in a flash. Plano puts a lot of trust in their products, and so should you.

Want more Plano products? Check out what else they have available.

If you want small, affordable kits, you need Wakeman Fishing Tackle Box Kit for sure! And if you like this manufacturer and want something bigger, try their Wakeman Fishing 2tray Tackle Box with 3 Removable Organizers.

Wakeman Fishing Single Tray Tackle Box 55 Pc Tackle Kit

Wakeman Tackle Box 80-FSH5015

Features

Our penultimate product comes from Wakeman. This company isn’t as prolific as the others on this list, but its products are more than good enough to stand toe to toe with the others. Wakeman makes standard products, good for novice anglers, always with a focus on value, which explains its popularity among the customers.

The Single Tray Tackle Box is one such standard item. This is an ABS plastic box, with one tray, spacious enough for 55 pieces of equipment. The box contains snelled leaders, hooks, sinkers, pop floats, spoon crank bait lures, line clipper tools, round bobber floats, and pretty much everything else that you could require.

As we said, this is a plastic box. The plastic's been tested against and proven to withstand regular damage that you may expect when fishing. It should also be said that the contents of the box may vary, so you can buy the one that you like most that fits your needs.

Check out these other features too:

55 pieces of equipment
Single tray
Latch opening
Carry handle
Customizable content

All in all, the Wakeman Fishing Tackle Box is a very solid item that we would definitely recommend. It may contain less equipment, but the different iterations of it allow you to greatly personalize your gear.

The Flambeau Tackle 2 Tray Tackle Box is the most versatile product on the market, so you should definitely check it out. If you want something more advanced, check out Flambeau Flambeau Tackle T4 Multi-Loader Tackle Box.

Flambeau Tackle 2 Tray Tackle Box with Tip-Guard Tray Supports

Flambeau Tackle Box 1627B

Features

Our final product comes from perhaps the most prestigious company in the hunting/fishing industry. Flambeau was established in 1947, so it has extensive experience, as well as a reputation for excellence. Products vary greatly when it comes to user proficiency level, and you can find both beginner and advanced kits, which is another reason Flambeau is popular.

The product we're presenting today is the Tackle Box Kit. It's a beginner's model, very simple but neat and useful. The box has got two trays. However, between those two trays and the inner compartment, there are 27 compartments, so you can be sure that a lot of equipment can fit in it. The box features a carry handle and features a simple drawtite latch.

The sealing is excellent and it's weather- and worm-proof. The product has been tested and can withstand a good deal of punishment, and years of service. A reliable box is always a plus, and you can count on the Flambeau Tackle Box to be by your side and follow you on many fishing trips.

Here’s a short list of the product’s features:

2 trays
27 compartments
Spacious inner compartment
Weather-proof
Worm-proof
Long-lasting

All in all, what you have on your hands is a very neat box. It’s very spacious, and comes with plenty of equipment, so you won’t have to look elsewhere to complete your collection.

Get the Best Tackle Box of 2018!

A tackle box is supposed to be accessible, sturdy, and spacious, and should last you quite a while. Choosing the right one isn’t easy but, once you choose, you’ll be set for at least a couple of seasons – or even longer.

Our Top Choice

Ready 2 Fish 2-Tray Tackle Box

Best Value

South Bend Worm Gear Tackle Box

Plano Flip Side 3-Tray Tackle Box

Wakeman Fishing Tackle Box

Flambeau Tackle 2 Tray Tackle Box