Yes, the title is correct.  Keeping your tackle organized will help you catch more fish.  I know what you are thinking,… how can organizing my tackle help me catch more fish?  Well, the answer is very simple.  The better organized you are when you fish the more time you will spend with your bait in the water.  The more we cast and keep our baits in front of fish the more likely we are to catch one.  In this article, I will share with you the methods I use to keep my tackle organized and ready for use.
     Several companies make plastic storage boxes, which have removable dividers.  I prefer the Bass Pro Shops and Plano Stowaway 3700 and 3600 utility boxes.  The 3700 is two feet in length and has four to twenty-four compartments.  The 3600 has six to thirty- six compartments.  Most bass boats, such as Ranger, are designed to hold these utility boxes which make them easy to store and locate.  Bass Pro Shops and Plano both identify their utility boxes with the same numbering system.  In fact, the Bass Pro Shops boxes are manufactured by Plano.
     One thing most fisherman have is plenty of tackle.  I will describe below how I organize my tackle.  The first thing I like to organize is my hooks and weights because they are the most difficult tackle to organize. 

Hooks and Weights: I use a 3600 utility box and transform it to have eighteen compartments.  I place hooks in each compartment according to size beginning with the largest starting at the top left hand corner of the box.  I follow the same procedure with the weights.  In order to save time I write the hook and weight size with a black Sharpie on the lid directly above the appropriate compartment.  If you carry a larger variety of hooks and weights a larger utility box may be necessary.

Crank Baits: I use two different size utility boxes for crank baits.  I use the 3700 utility box for smaller and different manufactured crank baits.  I place all of my shallow to medium diving crankbaits in one box by manufacturer, i.e., Thunder Shad Balsa Wood Crank Baits made by the Awesome Bait Company in one box and Lucky Craft in another, etc.  The only exception to this rule is with lipless crankbaits.  I place all lipless crank baits in one box.  I find it necessary to use a deeper utility box, such as a Plano 3730, due to the large bill on the deep divers.  Another little trick I use that helps the organization of crank baits and saves time is writing the depth of the crank bait on the under side of each bill with a black Sharpie.  For example, for a crank bait that will run 8 to 12 feet I write 8-12 on the under side of the bill.

Topwater Baits:  I use a 3700 size utility box for topwater baits such as Sugoi Splashes and Scum Frogs.

Soft Plastics:  Storing soft plastics is a little easier for me.  I only carry Yamamoto plastics on my boat, therefore, I don’t have to break down my soft plastics by manufacturer.  I do, however, break them down by color of water and time of year.  This enables me to keep the weight down on the boat because I don’t have to carry all soft plastics.  I have 9 series, 5 inch, 9S and 9J series, 4 inch, and 9B series 3 inch senkos in the appropriate utility boxes.  I organize my lizards, craws, worms, hula grubs, grubs, ikas and finesse baits the same way.

Jigs:  I use the 3700 utility box for jigs.  In this box I place various sizes and colors of jigs as well as three inch Yamamoto craws for trailers.  I use a black sharpie and write the jig size on the box lid above the appropriate jig.  I have everything I need for jig fishing in one location.

Spoons/Blade Baits:  I use a 3600 utility box for spoons/blades because I don’t carry many different types, brands or styles.  Here I keep various spoons and blade type baits such as Silver Buddys.

Spinner Baits/Buzzbaits:  For spinner baits and buzzbaits Plano makes a 3503 box.  This box allows you to hang your spinner baits and buzz baits and keep the skirts straight.

     Once I get my baits organized in the appropriate utility boxes I label the boxes.  I use computer generated file folder or address labels.  In my Ranger bass boat the utility boxes fit side to side in the compartment.  Therefore, I label each box on the outside edge where the box opens.  This places the label facing me when I open the boat compartment and saves a lot of time when looking to change a bait.
      I also keep a small empty container in a compartment on my boat for “used baits”.  My definition of used baits is a bait that I have taken off my line for various reasons such as to change colors, size, etc.  I cut the bait off and toss it into the box so that at the end of the day I can sit down and cut off any excess line, check or change the hooks etc. and place the bait back into the appropriate utility box.  The used bait container allows me to save time on the water.  I don’t have to take the time to place this bait back in the utility box and don’t have to discover that the bait has excess line or a bent or dull hook.  The used bait container not only saves me time which results in more fishing but it also gives me the confidence that each bait in a utility box is ready to go.
     If you don’t own a boat or are not fishing on your own boat a soft tackle bag is great to store and carry your baits.  The soft tackle bag is designed to carry the Plano 3600 and 3700 utility boxes with ease.  They also make many other sizes to fit your needs as well.  The soft tackle bag allows you to vary and limit your tackle.   
     I believe you will discover that if you keep everything organized your days on the water will result in better fishing.     

"As published in the September - October 2002 edition of Gary Yamamoto's Inside Line Magazine"