Northwest Fishing Reports

I have no problem keeping myself warm and dry out fishing in the rain, but I do have problems keeping my tackle from getting soggy. I just switched from a hard plastic tackle box to a soft tackle bag with plano boxes and both systems have their good and bad points. The hard plastic box is waterproof, until you open it then everything in there gets wet if it's raining. The soft bag is water resistant and unless it's a really heavy downpour only the plano box that you open gets wet. Getting wet isn't that big of a deal in the summer rains because it dries out rather quickly, but in the winter it takes some time to dry everything out fully. I've thought about using a rain cover for a backpack or a large garbage bag for extra downpour protection, but there is still the issue of when you open the boxes to get tackle out or put it away.

I've noticed that several manufacturers have rust inhibitor products for tackle boxes. Has anyone tried any of these? Do they work? Could I just put a little piece of zinc in my tackle box or does it need to be touching the metal it protects?

What is everyone else doing to keep their gear dry and rust free?

The rust inhibiting tackle boxes didn't work for me. I got two small ones for free, used em both, no luck.

I don't worry too much when fishing in rain and getting it in my tackle box. But when I go home, I leave my box open in warm, well lit area and let it dry off..

I used to be anal about my gear getting wet...then I realized, "errr, wait a minute...I'm fishing...in water...in western Washington.". I don't worry about it much anymore...like Sam said, open everything when I'm done and let it air dry. No sense fighting a loosing battle. The time I spent trying to keep my gear under cover and dry, could have been spent fishing.

About the only time I kick myself in the backside, is when I leave a salty grub or trailer on my jig hooks and they rust up. A file makes quick work of the rust...but the damage has been done.


Chad