Cleaning Out Your Tacklebox?

[Bitethis]

So...as March begins, i find myself breaking out all my fishign tackle. (Yes, I put it away in the winter, because I don't like fishing in the cold [under 40f]). Every year that Bpro does their Spring Classic, I like to go see some of the new stuff in person, get a good eye on it. This year, I have seen some new crank baits by Gary Yamamoto (Chikara Crank) that have caught my eye. At $8, it is the MOST expensive crank I have ever purchased, but I thought I would give it a shot ((silver/black, Chart/Blue, and Firetiger). I also and adding a couple Rick Clunn trickster spinner baits into the tackle, 2 RC sticks, a Gary Yamamoto popper, and 2 Z-man Chatter baits (of which I have used before, with no success), and 2 scatter raps(i know they are not new, but I thought they looked dumb lastyear)

My question: Do you ever just go through your tackle box and ask yourself "how long am I going to keep this in here without catching fish on it?"

With all the new stuff that comes out, my tackbox doesn't get any bigger despite my quantity of tackle growing. I have things that I have never caught fish on, but don't want to junk because i spent my hard earned money on them. One item in particular is Wiggle Warts...I was told so long ago to not even start a tackle box in MO without wiggle warts - well to me, they are almost worthless. I have never caught a fish on them. I fish em between 45-60f water, bounce em off the bottom, reel em fast, blah blah blah...not sure what the hype is. I catch more fish on a 1/4 oz rooster tail. I know, I know...user error. I believe ya...but still, not my cup of tea. Hot'N'tot....gotta go, no luck in the heat of summer with these. I have plastics running out my $%&. If I am real honest with myself, I have caught fish on A-rig, Zoom/StrikeKing plastics, H2O med diver crank bait, lipless cranks, roostertails, and grubs on a jig. Model A Bomber is a great crank for me, and XCalibur I have had significant success with (lipped and lipless). Spinner baits in about 4 colors, and 1/2 oz jig/trailer in 2 colors (Blk/Blu & Pumpkin)....everything else i keep JUST IN CASE!

And I want to try all the new stuff, especially the new LiveTarget crank that has 3 shad in once glass body....but at $15 I will pass for now. There are other things I will try first..

WTH is wrong with me? Why do I need 64.8lbs of tackle when I only use 4-5 lures in a day? I feel like I have a problem...I need to clean out my box, only take why I have had success on, not what I want to have success on...am I alone in my personal issues? I feel like mty wife and her justification of keeping 14 pairs of sandals...she only wears each pair once a year?!?!

[Lead Head]

First off, you sound like about everyone else. I have so many lures on peg boards lining the wall of my basement that it looks like the fishing department at Wal-Mart. I just have to buy another bait most every time I go to the store. I have no more room in the boat for anything else. That being said I think I could take your Wiggle Warts off your hands if you would like to get rid of them. I could probably come up with some 1/4 oz rooster tails to trade.

[fishbait3]

You dont have a problem its a fisherman's thing.

im the same way have lots of tackle, I eventually get around to using it all and catching something with them. Now the tackle that i repeat buy i for sure catch fish.

if ur interested in trying to get rid of some stuff reasonably priced pm me on here.

[MOPanfisher]

I discovered a very quick and easy way to clean out a tackle box. Accidentally leave it on a fishing dock on a nice day, it will be gone by morning, and then you just go buy a new plastic Plano 1600 series, again. Sadly I have found it works every single time. Part of the reason I don't have too many crappie jigs in it at one time.

[Feathers and Fins]

Find the top 10 baits for where you fish and stock up heavily on them everything else is eye candy costing you money you could be spending on what works... My philosophy anyway.

[Bitethis]

Find the top 10 baits for where you fish and stock up heavily on them everything else is eye candy costing you money you could be spending on what works... My philosophy anyway.

So that is an interesting philosophy I am leaning towards after this years frustration. I have a tackle box soley for catfishing, i take nothing else except that when i go fishing for cats. Same for crappie. I was thinking of making a "stockton tackle box" for LMB and Whites, as that is usually all I fish for there. on occassion, I may swing for the fences and "target" walley, but it will be luck that I catch one. Walleye are not in my wheelhouse of expertise, but I do love eating them...maybe one day I can focus on that.

I fish stockton 90% of the time, Pomme 1-2 times a year, and TableRock I will hit once with a buddy...if he asks me. I don't think 1 lake is ebtter or worse, I just know stockton best. twice a year I hit Osage arm of LOZ for crappie (30 minute limites last 3 years, same spot, same lure, same time of year) But stockton is my go to, and I don't have much success with 1/2 my tackle there. (confidence my be a contributing factor). I hear a lot of other guys having significant success with this or that, and I don't want to miss out. My fear is I will go somewhere with 7 lures, and my partner will be killing it on one of the 20 others I left at home.

I think I need to take that plunge and force myself to do it.

Suspending stick baits is another lure i have plenty of, but fail at using effectively. (again, I feel like im missing out because i know alot of successful fishermem using stickbaits)

[Old plug]

It is a stage you to through I think. Maybe your starting to find this stuff about all the lures you need in a rainbow of colors just is not true. I have found on the past 60+ years fishing that knowing how to use a small group of lures beats a big tackle box hands down.

[Bitethis]

It is a stage you to through I think. Maybe your starting to find this stuff about all the lures you need in a rainbow of colors just is not true. I have found on the past 60+ years fishing that knowing how to use a small group of lures beats a big tackle box hands down.

When I think about it...i can narrow my success down to that (about 10 lures). And regardless of lure, it boils down to 3-4 color choices depending on environmental factors.

Maybe I should be content with the success i have (for not being a pro angler, or on the same level as some of you old timers) and accept that I am really good at fishing cats, and whites...mediocre at Crappie and LM/SM stick with what I know and stop gettign excited about all the newest crazes, etc.

TOP 5 List:

A rig (2 color plastic choices)

Pop'r (2 kinds)

Spinnerbait (3 colors)

Lipless crank (3 colors)

Med dive Crankbait (2 colors)

Outside of that, my success tapers off significantly. All you need for cats is some hooks, bait net, and a 5ga bucket - Game on!

[Feathers and Fins]

Im actually doing inventory right now and snapped a few pictures here is my boxes, real simple

1ST IS THE FLICKER SHAD HOMES

Next is everything else

Pretty much everything minus the crappie jigs and worm rigs for walleye is multy species friendly and what works on Beaver. Not pictured terminal tackle box, spoon box and extra hook boxes. I keep it simple and able to target multiple species with what works.

[Bitethis]

Im actually doing inventory right now and snapped a few pictures here is my boxes, real simple

1ST IS THE FLICKER SHAD HOMES

Next is everything else

Pretty much everything minus the crappie jigs and worm rigs for walleye is multy species friendly and what works on Beaver. Not pictured terminal tackle box, spoon box and extra hook boxes. I keep it simple and able to target multiple species with what works.

So now i am thinking I need to invest in Flicka shads....am I missing out? I think I have 3 or 4 total...but I don't troll fish that often.