How much is to much?
mskyhntr
Posted 2/9/2005 8:43 PM (#134459)
Subject: How much is to much?




Posts: 814


how much is to much when it comes to carrying all of your tackle out with you on your boat? I have over 400 lures is it stupid to be hauling 4 or 5 tackle boxes with at all times since most of todays tackle boxes only hold about 45-50 jakes a piece. I have a box with bucktails a box with gliders, a box with twitch baits. etc. with all the new and great lures on the market today how does one store all this stuff with out getting rid of their already proven producing lures? my collection keeps growing and my boat isn't getting any bigger and I hate not having alot of different colors and sizes with me at all times what do you guys do or suggest since alot of you have a lot more lures than I do?
Slamr
Posted 2/9/2005 9:12 PM (#134461 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 7039


Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs
I have about 75 lures in total, in a day I bring maybe 10 in the boat with me, maybe one or two more if I have another person or two using my gear.
Do I think you need to bring 4 or 5 tackle boxes with you? Uh....a few thoughts about why you might NOT want to.....

-how big is your boat? wouldnt some of the unused space be better as walkable area
-how much time do you spend trying to figure out what to throw, when the one that catches fish is the WET bait, not the ones that you're looking at in your box.
-decisions, decisions....with more, you try to make more educated decisions...thinking that there is a "magic bait" out there that if you look long enough in your box, you'll find.
-(Nikki's thought) you'll probably try to use a good portion of those 400 baits all in one day, so you'll spend more time fishing for a lure in your boxes, then fishing with a lure in the water.
-a few thoughts from Doug Johnson you might want to consider
*"there is no such thing as a magic bait, but there are magic spots" ie. worry less about the bait, more on where you're throwing
it
*"if it moves, its food" muskie have a brain the size of your fingernail....do you need to have that many lures in order to trick them?

Just my not so humble opinions....or maybe I'm just jealous that you have 400 baits.
Steve Jonesi
Posted 2/9/2005 9:36 PM (#134464 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?




Posts: 2089


I feel your angst!Remember, you don't have to carry them all with you.I use 2 storage systems that hold the "must haves".The Monster from Lakewood and Plano 3700's and 3730's comprise the meat of my system.Must haves include certain baits in several colors.Dawgs,Shallow Invaders,Mepps etc. all have their own boxes.The larger oddball stuff goes in the Monster.Over the years,having never lived down the street from muskie water(until now),I fished a handful of different types of water each season.Aquired a lot of baits in the process.I had them all hung(except for the boxes) and would pick a handful to take for that day.There are a TON of baits that I'll never use now that I live in Mn..BUT, if the fish takes me on the road again, I'm set.Shad baits in Ohio, Traps on the Cave,Wiley's and Terminators on St. Clair, the list could go on.Don't carry them with me, but they're there, just in case.Base your selection on experience and the waters you'll fish.This year really drove home the point that 90% of the fish are caught on 10% of the baits.Although I do collect baits and have, some would say, an "obsession", I realize that they're just tools.I may go out for a long day and throw only 2-3 different baits.Don't even think about the 500 under deck.Instinct and gut feeling will also prompt me to carry/throw this or that.2 other storage options I like are the tubes on the pole and the large plastics binders bass guys use.I can store 35 Rad Dogs in a binder that takes up very little space in the boat.The one I use is made by Arapaho Trading and is marketed by Shimano.Others out there too.Lots of options, but the most important thing is to have FUN! Steve
muskyboy
Posted 2/9/2005 10:59 PM (#134472 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?


I bring my Monster Lakewoods and my other Large Lakewoods where ever I may roam. If portage fishing on Lake X, then I just rig up 5 rods and bring maybe 5 other baits. But that is roughing it big time!
Chartertalk
Posted 2/9/2005 11:18 PM (#134476 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?




Posts: 71


Location: Lake St. Clair
I bring what I know I will use that day. I usually troll so I bring what works. One big box of 50 baits is good for me. I too own over 400 baits but I want as much room as possible. If you bring all those lures what happens when you catch a fish?
I have a Ranger 621 and 2- 50 bait boxes,planer boards, mast and a net is planty of stuff to carry.

Think of what type of fishing you will be doing that day and take what you really need.
Beaver
Posted 2/10/2005 8:22 AM (#134489 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 4266


When I'm going fishing for a day, I just fill about four Plano boxes and stick them in my storrage compartment. When I'm on vacation, I take the whole shootin' match.
I've got plenty of room and fill 2 compartments with Plano boxes that have cranks, jigs and plastics, bucktails, topwaters, 6" HR's and a few other assorted goodies. Then in the front, right up against the front deck I have a "treasure chest" that my dad made for me. It's full of gliders and jerkbaits. Right next to it is a Lakewood that has my 8" and 10" HR's. They fit together perfectly, side by side.
Some days I'll use 30 different lures. Somedays I throw 5. It all depends on the conditions.
If I'm fishing with someone, I tell them to bring a box of their favorites because they can use any of my stuff........provided they have insurance
Beav
The Handyman
Posted 2/10/2005 8:32 AM (#134491 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?




Posts: 1046


I think its really very simple, ITS ALL CONFIDENCE! For me the more fish I catch the less amount of tools I need! One small box with a couple cranks,jerks,topwaters and a small spinnerbaitbox with a 1/2 doz. of those. I can cover any water casting/trolling and maybe never switch baits all day. At 600+ baits I use very few of them, but I got to have`em hanging in my fishroom anyways!
Gander Mt Guide
Posted 2/10/2005 8:51 AM (#134496 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 2515


Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI
Here's what I do, I take all those styrofoam bait buckets I don't use and fill them with baits I know I'm going to use on lakes I fish. I have 3 set up for Palmer/Tenderfoot, The Cisco Chain and LVD...these baits never leave the buckets. If I have a need for a bait from one of the buckets for fishing down here in SE Wis, then I buy a double. Gradually, I'm trying to build u a bait aresenal for down here and one for up there.

It's a pain in the arse having to pack all your crap every time you travel up and back. I understand when you go up on trips you want to be prepaired, but my suggestion is to set up a "Day Box", just the baits you need for that day or that lake.
nwild
Posted 2/10/2005 9:12 AM (#134498 - in reply to #134496)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 1996


Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain
I have been narrowing down my selection by a bunch over this past winter. I refuse to bring that many baits with me in the boat again this year. I have taken a new approach to my bait choices, I do not need a choice of 35 styles of glide baits. Instead, I will take the two or three makes of gliders I like the best in a couple different colors and sizes and leave the rest at home. Same goes for twitch baits, cranks.... well just about everything.

I want to get my bait selection down between 100-150 baits this year. Lots less different brands, just going with those that are proven winners year after year. Slamr's DougJ quote sums it all up, there is no magic bait out there, but there are some magical spots.

Gander Mt Guide
Posted 2/10/2005 9:17 AM (#134500 - in reply to #134498)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 2515


Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI
Norm, that's so true. It's almost to the point now where I look in my box and say.."hey??, when did I get that Crane???".

I'm going through my boxes this month to weed-out all the stuff I don't want or need and am giving it to guys who can use it. I got a list of three guys who'll be seeing some new and old stuff very soon.
matt collins
Posted 2/10/2005 9:27 AM (#134502 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?


I usually just take a small lakewood box(goody bag). I take the stuff I will need to have for my day of fishing and leave the rest at home or in the cabin/truck if on a trip. Less time changing baits = more time with a lure in the water.
Slamr
Posted 2/10/2005 9:41 AM (#134503 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 7039


Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs
Another thing to consider, a strategy of bait bringing:

take your 10-10000 lures in the boat with you, and leave your tackle box, or boxes in the truck. If you find that you are JONESING for that "magic lure" that you know you NEED for the afternoon....come in for lunch, and grab another 2000 lures.

tomcat
Posted 2/10/2005 9:43 AM (#134505 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 743


What kind of question is this for crazed, luring buying musky jonsers??? a great question!
more often than not, when i'm in someone else's boat, the lures, rods, equipment are out of control!! and that's the way i prefer it. more the marrier if you ask me.

Like alot of musky anglers, i dont get to fish as much as i'd want. most of buddies are the same way...not enough time, but PLENTLY of lures. so, what's the point of buying lure after lure if you're not going to pack it in the boat? you dont want to hear they are biting on XYZ only to remember you left those at home because you didnt think they would be effective this given weekend.
but i also travel 2 1/2 hr one way to fish, so i WONT leave home without just about all my lures. so mskyhtr, are 400 lures too many to take in your boat? NO WAY!

Mskyhtr, you are in perdiciment that many guys are in...the lure selection is growing much faster than the size of thier boat..OH WELL!! bring it all.
I bring all the lures i can fit in my boat when i go. the entire floor of my baot is now the same level as the casting flatforms; thanks to 4 or 5 full Monster Lakewoods. When they are biting on 7 1/2" white/black gliders..you better have them with you..or cranks or whatever. Hell, i bring a hundred trolling lures w/ me when i go out and i only troll once a month..at the most.

So..what do i do? make sacrifices and ORGANIZE best you can. carefully lay out boxes in storeage area as best as you can. any unused storage? put some baits in plano boxes and put thim in there. i got baits under the seats, next to battery charger, every storage place basically has lures. so.. you might not be able to fish 3 or 4 guys in your boat, but the 2 of you will have every lure. and will be prepared for when the are biting in XYZ.
Bring it all!!! load the the boat to the MAX... if you want to get away from all the "musky clutter" take the poontoon out for a spin!
pgaschulz
Posted 2/10/2005 9:55 AM (#134506 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 561


Location: Monee, Illinois
Dont even get me started. If i can fit a lure somewhere in my house, that means I still have room to buy more lures. You never know.....



pga
Steve Van Lieshout
Posted 2/10/2005 10:03 AM (#134507 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?




Posts: 1916


Location: Greenfield, WI
The past few years, I have made a point of observing guests in my boat as far as how many baits they bring versus how many they use. In general, most don't use more than a half dozen or so.
Years ago I stopped carrying all my baits, but rather brought 2 or 3 baits of each type, such as gliders, crankbaits, bucktails and spinnerbaits, and topwater. I still don't use them all.
They all fit in a very small Plano box which is smaller than the old two sided black Plano boxes.
Save your back, gain space in the boat, and get real about what you will really use.
muskycore
Posted 2/10/2005 10:11 AM (#134509 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 341


I have the mothership box and my MVP plastic bin which holds maybe 10 proven lures. So far it's worked out ok but I'm always wishing I had the mother ship for the one bait I didn't bring based on conditions or intuition.

C'mon sun melt that bastard ice!
Slamr
Posted 2/10/2005 10:13 AM (#134511 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 7039


Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs
muskycore,
arent you the one that FORGOT your baits for the FRV challenge last year?
muskycore
Posted 2/10/2005 10:16 AM (#134512 - in reply to #134511)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 341


lol yea I wasn't in the correct state of mind that day.
Slamr
Posted 2/10/2005 10:19 AM (#134513 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 7039


Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs
See, now if you'd left your 10 "go to" baits in the boat......
muskycore
Posted 2/10/2005 10:27 AM (#134514 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 341


That was pre-MVP box and how it became..
Thanks for the loaners that day.

Edited by muskycore 2/10/2005 10:28 AM
mskyhntr
Posted 2/10/2005 11:13 AM (#134526 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?




Posts: 814


Thanks for all the replies I think I need to buy a couple lakewood monsters and be done with it.
By the way how many 10 inch jakes does the Lakewood Monster hold?
TECK
Posted 2/10/2005 11:20 AM (#134527 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 670


Location: Minnetonka , MN.
If I'm going on a trip I like to take everything but will leave most of it in the truck. One box in the boat may only use 5 baits. but have 500 0r 600 just in case.
tomcat
Posted 2/10/2005 11:22 AM (#134529 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?





Posts: 743


how many 10" jakes will fit in a Monster Lake wood?


you can't really fit 3 Ten Inch Jakes in each compartment and expect to get them out easily to use. you can fit 2 great. with that being said, you can fit...like..67 10" Jakes in Lakewood monster.

Edited by tomcat 2/11/2005 6:26 AM
muskihntr
Posted 2/10/2005 11:40 AM (#134531 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?




Posts: 2037


Location: lansing, il
get back to work tomcat!!!
Grass
Posted 2/10/2005 11:55 AM (#134533 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?




Posts: 620


Location: Seymour, WI
I read an excellent post by Doug J once where he said he tied on a silver and black Mepps # 5 at the start of the season and kept the same bait on the same rod for the whole season. The bait caught muskies in all seasons, spring summer and fall and in all weather conditions.

That being said, my box is overflowing and I'll be buying lots of new baits this winter. I'm always looking to add new baits and presentations to my arsenal.

Grass,
Wisconsin Wade
Posted 2/10/2005 12:59 PM (#134539 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?




Posts: 194


Location: Lincolnshire, IL
A buddy and I went out with a guide this past summer for about 6 hours in Northern Wisconsin...maybe he had more baits hidden in the boat but all I saw was a Lakewood Musky Jr and it certainly wasn't stuffed. I would say he had maybe 10 baits, the 3 of us used a total of maybe 6 different baits, we went 3 for 6. My goal for this year is to leave the Monster at home(when casting) and to have only 15 baits in the boat....now which 15???? Maybe that's another thread...
Dacron+Dip
Posted 2/10/2005 3:08 PM (#134555 - in reply to #134459)
Subject: RE: How much is to much?


I find myself with the same 6 baits rigged on the same six rods every trip. 2004 it was org/blk 10'' bootail, cisco Triple D, 10" purple rage wghtd Suick, 10" silver sucker Jake, wht Reaper and firetiger straight 8" Depth Raider. Fished those 6 baits all year and would take them anywhere, anytime without batting an eye if I had to. I'm like Slamr, own about 45-50 baits, only need 6 onboard with me to feel confident. The fish on the water I fish see a lot fewer baits than they do down there----I can wholeheartedly appreciate the difference a hot/stand-out bait can make on these types of systems. Catch the fish with her pants down in the right spot and she'll hit a potato most of the time where I fish. Pressure's far lower, fish are big and dumb.