Best Tackle Boxes and Tackle Storage: Hard Boxes, Trays, and Bags
Plano's 3-Tray box, Waterproof StowAway, StowAway 3700 trays, and EDGE 3700 sealed box, plus KastKing's Bait Boss tackle bag, compared for anglers organizing their gear.
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Quick picks
- Best overallPlano 3-Tray Tackle Box with Dual Top Access$25–50Check today's price on Amazon
- Best budgetPlano 3440-10 Waterproof StowAway (3400 Series)Under $25Check today's price on Amazon
- Best premiumKastKing Bait Boss Tackle Bag$50–100Check today's price on Amazon
Compare our picks at a glance
| Product | Best for | Price | Rating summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plano 3-Tray Tackle Box with Dual Top Access | Beginners and gifts | $25–50 | Simple all-in-one box; the fixed tray layout is less flexible. | Check price on Amazon |
| Plano 3440-10 Waterproof StowAway (3400 Series) | Kayaks and boats | Under $25 | Sealed tray for wet trips; the seal must stay clean to work. | Check price on Amazon |
| Plano StowAway 3700 Tackle Box, 4-Pack | Building a system | $25–50 | Four standard-size trays to grow with; not waterproof. | Check price on Amazon |
| Plano EDGE 3700 Premium Tackle Utility Box | Rust-prone tackle | Under $25 | Sealed box with rust and moisture control; a single box. | Check price on Amazon |
| KastKing Bait Boss Tackle Bag | Carrying trays | $50–100 | Lots of pockets and a shoulder strap; trays usually sold separately. | Check price on Amazon |
Every angler’s tackle starts out organized. Then a season goes by and hooks are loose in the bottom of the box, soft plastics have melted into each other, and a favorite lure has rusted. The right storage won’t make you a better angler, but it’ll save time on the water and money on replacements.
There are three main ways to store tackle. Classic hard tackle boxes with lift-out trays, slim utility trays (often called StowAways) that you stack or slide into a bag, and soft tackle bags built to carry several of those trays. Plano dominates the hard-box side and KastKing is a big name in bags. We compared five options using manufacturer specs, Amazon listings, and recurring owner-review patterns. We haven’t used them ourselves.
How to choose
Box or bag. A hard box protects lures from getting crushed and is easy to hose off. A soft bag holding several trays is lighter, has outside pockets for pliers and line, and usually carries more variety. Bank anglers who walk a lot often prefer bags. Boat anglers often like hard boxes or trays that slot into built-in storage.
Tray sizes are a standard of sorts. Plano’s 3500, 3600, and 3700 numbers have become common shorthand for tray sizes, and many bags and boat compartments are designed around them. The 3700 is the most common larger size. Before buying a bag, check which tray size it’s built for.
Waterproofing. Water is what ruins hooks and lures. If you fish from a kayak or a small boat, a sealed, waterproof tray is worth it. For dry-bank fishing, standard trays are fine, and you can add moisture absorbers or anti-rust inserts.
Adjustable dividers. Movable dividers let you make small compartments for hooks and weights or long ones for crankbaits and soft plastics.
Soft plastics. Some soft baits react with certain plastics and with each other. Keep them in their original bags, or in containers designed for them, rather than loose in a tray.
Plano 3-Tray Tackle Box: best classic tackle box
Plano 3-Tray Tackle Box with Dual Top Access
$25–50- Three cantilever trays that open out for easy access
- Dual top-access lids for frequently used items
- Bulk storage area in the base for larger gear
- Fixed tray layout is less flexible than modular StowAways
- Bulkier to carry than a slim tray
This is the tackle box many people picture when they think of fishing with a parent or grandparent. Three trays fold out when you open it, a large compartment underneath holds reels, spools of line, or bigger lures, and the top has two quick-access lids for the things you reach for most.
It’s a great all-in-one for a beginner, but the trays aren’t as customizable as modular StowAway systems, and it’s bulkier than a slim tray.
Who it’s for: beginners, kids, and anglers who want everything in one grab-and-go box.
Plano Waterproof StowAway, 3400 Series: best waterproof tray
Plano 3440-10 Waterproof StowAway (3400 Series)
Under $25- Sealed waterproof design for kayaks and boats
- Adjustable dividers
- Clear lid to see contents at a glance
- Smaller 3400 size holds less than a 3700
- Seal needs to stay clean to work properly
Plano’s waterproof StowAway line uses an O-ring seal and latches to keep water out, which makes it a favorite for kayak and small-boat anglers. This listing is the 3400-size version, a compact tray that’s good for hooks, weights, and small lures.
Keep the seal free of sand and grit so it closes properly. If you need more space, Plano also sells the waterproof design in larger sizes.
Who it’s for: kayak anglers and anyone who needs their terminal tackle to stay bone-dry.
Plano StowAway 3700, 4-Pack: best value tray set
Plano StowAway 3700 Tackle Box, 4-Pack
$25–50- Four 3700-size trays, a size many tackle bags are built around
- Pre-cut dividers for custom compartments
- Rustrictor corrosion-protection technology
- Not waterproof
- You'll need a bag or shelf to carry and store them
If you’re building a modular system, a multipack of 3700 trays is the most flexible starting point. Plano lists pre-cut rigid dividers, a single-latch design, a clear lid, a labeling area, and its Rustrictor corrosion-protection technology. Since 3700 is the size most tackle bags are built around, these fit a wide range of bags.
They aren’t waterproof, so keep them in a bag or a dry compartment.
Who it’s for: anglers who want to organize by lure type and carry only what they need each trip.
Plano EDGE 3700: best sealed utility box
Plano EDGE 3700 Premium Tackle Utility Box
Under $25- Dri-Loc watertight seal and Rustrictor rust preventative in the base
- Pre-cut vented dividers with an EZ Label labeling system
- WaterWick divider with a reusable moisture-wicking packet
- Costs more than standard StowAways
- Single box, so you'll need several to organize a full collection
The EDGE is Plano’s upgraded take on the 3700 utility box. Plano lists a Dri-Loc watertight seal, its Rustrictor rust preventative built into the base, and a WaterWick divider with a reusable moisture-wicking packet. The pre-cut, vented dividers work with an EZ Label system so you can mark what’s in each section. Plano also lists a clear lid, an oversized latch for one-handed opening, and steel-pin hinges.
It costs more per box than standard StowAways, so it makes the most sense for your most expensive lures and terminal tackle, with cheaper StowAways for everything else.
Who it’s for: anglers who want maximum rust and moisture protection for their best gear.
KastKing Bait Boss Tackle Bag: best tackle bag
KastKing Bait Boss Tackle Bag
$50–100- Water-resistant ripstop nylon construction, per KastKing
- Multiple internal and external pockets for tools and terminal tackle
- Shoulder strap for carrying to the bank
- Trays usually aren't included
- Check the listing for which tray sizes and how many fit
A good bag turns a stack of trays into a portable system. KastKing’s Bait Boss line is built from water-resistant ripstop nylon with plenty of pockets for pliers, line, and small tackle, and it’s a popular choice for anglers who walk to their spots.
We couldn’t confirm exactly how many trays of each size this version holds, so check the listing’s capacity details against the trays you own before ordering.
Who it’s for: bank anglers and anyone who walks to their fishing spots.
Our take
For a beginner or a gift, the Plano 3-Tray Tackle Box is the simplest all-in-one choice. If you’re building a system you can grow, start with the Plano StowAway 3700 4-pack and a tackle bag like the KastKing Bait Boss. For kayaks and small boats, keep your terminal tackle in the Plano Waterproof StowAway. Check current price before you buy, and toss a few moisture absorbers in with your hooks.
