The Tackle Box - What I always take to the water with me.
Basically I will give you a general breakdown the fishing tackle box and other equipment that I will not leave home without. All of the following NEED to be with me before I get to the lake or river to day my fishing.
TACKLE STORAGE – Any type of tackle storage solution will do but pick one that you can use easily when at the waters edge or at the boat. If you are walking through dense or climbing up and down steep hills to get to a lake or mountain stream select a tackle box that is right for your trip. (I use the term tackle box loosely; it could be a Tupperware container or a tool box as long as it serves your purpose and protects your equipment.)
I prefer the soft sided tackle bags that use the modular
Plano TackleLogic 3650-00
 style utilty boxes. These boxes allow for maximum versatility and you can quickly select the particular tackle that you want to take on your trip, with the advantage of easier storage at home.
Boxes such as the
Plano 7592 Guide Elite StowAway
can be a great box for some anglers. They offer storage in the top of the box and modular storage in the bottom.
A tackle bag is what I prefer over a hard box. I use the
Flambeau Tackle Bag System - Model AZ7.
 This bag gives me most everything that I need in tackle storage. It has ample tool storage and a great modular sytem. A great bag from the amature fisherman to the profesional tournament angler.
FIRST AID KIT – When flinging sharp object through the air, walking on rough terrain or any other situation when fishing it’s a good idea to have a first aid kit. You may even stumble upon someone else injured and not prepared. When kids are fishing with you, you never know when a hook is in a finger or a large rock meets a forehead. Be Prepared!
Alaways have a first aid kit that has more than a couple of pain killers and a bandage or two. I have an
Orion, Inland First Aid Kit.
 THis Kit contains a general first aid kit as well as a wound treatment kit. It is a great choice not only for the fishing trip but around the house as well.
FISHERMAN'S PLIERS – Always have pliers with you, to pinch barbed hooks if you need to (In Alberta its mandatory), also to remove a hook from a fish mouth. Fix a broken something or other. I also take a multi tool with me, that screwdriver and knife and so on can come in handy, especially when you misplace you’re other tools while fishing. I decided to buy myself a great present about 5 years ago. I purchased
Van Staal Titanium Pliers.
These pliers are probably alot more than most anglers are willing to spend, but, if you want the best product out there in the terms of pliers, those are it!
The average angler doesn't need anything like that, for that matter neither do I. I used
Rapala Carbide Pliers
 for many years and never had a complaint to make about them.
A TAPE MEASURE – Always have a tape measure so you don’t have to guess weather or not a fish fits the slot size to take home. This
Catch-and-Release Tape Measure
 is a great choice, is compact and holds up in harsh environments. Always measure your catch before you keep it. Always fish within the law!
A DISPOSABLE CAMERA – Take pictures of fish, Pictures of poachers, whatever your fancy. If you don’t have one you’re going to be mad when your fish tales are only that, fish tales, because you don’t have any evidence to prove you caught it.
GARBAGE BAGS – At least two per person they make great raincoats if necessary, also, PICK UP YOUR TRASH!!! I don’t want to spend my time picking it up, I am there to fish!!
The
BoatMates Trash Bagger
 is a great option for anglers with boats and sports boaters as well.
TACKLE – This is the fun part, effective lures can vary greatly between fish species so I will break it down to what I would have with me by species.
Northern Pike Tackle Box
Walleye Tackle Box
Trout Tackle Box
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