BEING organised is a great way to make your time on the water more enjoyable. Tackle trays have been around almost as long as fishing itself. The need for keeping all the small and tangle-prone components separate yet together in one place has always been a job for a solid tackle tray.
Hook’Em has developed several options that I have reviewed. The waterproof tackle tray comes in 2 sizes. I was impressed with the design immediately on opening. The three buckles are solidly manufactured to give reassurance of being water-tight and lasting over time. The removable cell walls are unlikely to fall out due to the wedge-like join that holds them in place securely.
Most fishos have an array of tackle trays. Just like me, I am sure you have made the mistake of putting used lures and hooks straight back into their home for safekeeping, only to reopen the tray weeks later to find everything rusted out. You live, and you learn. These days, to avoid this disaster, I take any tackle that has been used back home for rinsing and drying before returning. It really is a disaster, even to have a bunch of hooks that are slightly rusted and more likely to fail. The gear you have collected over time should be cared for and respected to the best of your ability.
The second tackle tray that I took a look at was the double-sided squid tray. This unique design has 7 interlocking compartments on each side. The profile of each compartment is a deep “U” shape with a slit at the bottom to allow the weight of the quid jig to lock in place. The tackle tray is small, and fitting 14 lures in this space is very efficient.
Having individual sections for a lure avoids tangles and allows you to clearly see what you have stored. I found that lures with trebles fitted perfectly, and this lure box is just as effective for estuary lure fishing or spinning inshore surface. Narrow bibbed lures or bibbless lures fitted most comfortably due to the snug fit. I used lures up to 120mm with a little to spare. Deep diving bibs didn’t find a home in this tackle tray. The squid tray is not waterproof; it has vents to allow breathability.
I strongly suggest taking a look at the Hook’Em tackle storage range. I love the idea of being able to know what tackle trays I could possibly need in a session. Grabbing them and getting on with the good times.
More info at www.hookem.com.au
