Tackle Box Essentials: 10 Things You Should Always Have
There are many things we keep in our tackle boxes from old pieces of rubber to new fishing lures still in the box. Mine seems to be getting bigger and bigger each new season and it needs a cleaning so I have more room for what I need - more lures.
But before you clean out your tackle box here is a list of must haves so you know you have at least the essentials before you go out again.
- Water - Bring as much fresh, cold drinking water as possible. It doesn’t take much time for the Arizona sun and dry heat to dehydrate an angler. Pay attention to your body. Dehydration can come on quick with the intense Arizona heat. You know your body best so you must be the judge on whether you are maintaining hydration. For me, I know that when I begin to get a mild headache, I need some shade and I wasn’t getting enough water.
- Sunscreen - Highest priority in Arizona, next to drinking water, sunscreen is a must and even more so if you will be around water. The reflecting sun light off the water’s surface is even more intense than the sun alone. Nothing can ruin a day of fishing in Arizona like forgetting your sunblock. I purchased a tube of sunscreen just for my tackle box so I will never forget it again because an Arizona sunburn is not an experience I want to repeat. Get the highest SPF possible with both UVA and UVB protection.
- Asprin - Nothing can ruin a day of fishing like a headache. Put a few tablets and maybe any other medicines you might need in a small container like an empty film container.
- Water Proof First Strike Matches - You never know when you will need a fire whether for emergency or to keep warm or both. First strike matches are just that, they light on the first strike. They will burn longer than normal matches giving you enough time to get the fire started. They are more resistant to the wind and won’t be blown out as easily as normal matches or a lighter.
- Knife - Get a good strong knife that won’t rust. I prefer a stainless steel pocket knife. A good knife is a must have for any outdoor adventure but especially useful when fishing. One nice blade can cut bait, open aluminum cans, cut line, clean and fillet fish and many other routine fishing tasks. Some knives have been designed just for anglers and come with a scaling blade and a hook remover.
- Small Knife Sharpener - Cleaning a fish with a dull knife is a waste of time and you end up just ruining the fish. A whetstone is too heavy and bulky to keep in a tackle box. But a simple knife sharpener will do the trick. You can pick one up at a kitchen supply store. It’s small, light and will get the job done nicely. I have one that came with my fillet knife and it works great. It’s about the size of a half dollar and made of light weight plastic.
- Needlenose Pliers - A good leatherman will get this job done but they always seem too bulky for me so I just go with your standard needlenose from the hardware store. I also look for pliers that have a cutting feature like wire cutters, a rubber surface on the grip and a grooved mouth that can grab hold of a hook without slipping. Pliers are useful tools for fishing. They can smash a splitshot, crimp leaders, remove hooks from you and the fish, and several other useful tasks.
- Snips - These are miniature scissors, about 2-3 inches in length. I use these to trim my line while rigging. They have become quite useful because they are quicker and easier to use than a knife. They are helpful when cutting open a bag of plastics, trimming skirts on lures, opening a bag of chips with one hand and many other uses.
- Toilet Paper - Nature calls, right. You need it when you need it and nothing is a very good substitute. Keep a generous portion in a ziploc bag in your tackle box. It also will come in handy for starting a fire or wiping your hands off after applying sunscreen.
- Extra Fishing Line - I did run out of fishing line one time and it won’t happen again.
