This review dives deep into the Gander Mountain tackle bag, examining its practicality and organization capabilities for serious anglers. We explore every compartment, from the spacious main storage area to the dedicated pockets for sunglasses, soft plastics, and various lure types. This comprehensive assessment covers the bag's ability to efficiently house a wide range of fishing gear, including tools, terminal tackle, and a diverse collection of lures. We'll scrutinize the bag's design features, highlighting both its strengths and any minor shortcomings.The review details the placement and organization of numerous lures, from crankbaits and spinnerbaits to topwater and jerkbaits, showcasing how effectively the bag accommodates a variety of sizes and styles. We’ll also assess the durability of the bag's construction and the accessibility of its various compartments, ultimately determining if the Gander Mountain tackle bag truly lives up to its claim as the ultimate fishing gear organizer. Prepare to uncover whether this bag is a worthwhile investment for anglers seeking superior organization and convenience on the water.
Pros And Cons
- Main compartment for tackle
- Mesh zippered compartment for licenses/maps
- Bungees for tools
- Sunglasses holder
- Side compartment for terminal tackle
- Two tool straps
- Tool straps too small for some pliers
Read more: 5 Best Small Fishing Tackle Boxes for Anglers
Main Compartment and Exterior Features
The Gander Mountain tackle bag boasts a spacious main compartment, perfect for storing all your essential fishing gear. Its ample size ensures you can easily organize lures, lines, and other accessories. The top opens wide for easy access. The exterior includes a convenient mesh zippered pocket ideal for smaller items like licenses, maps, and permits, ensuring they're easily accessible.
Adding to its practicality, the bag features sturdy bungee cords for securing tools or other equipment. This keeps items readily available and prevents them from shifting around during transport.
Side Compartments and Sunglasses Holder
On the left side, a dedicated sunglasses holder is a welcome addition, providing secure storage and protection for your eyewear. While the reviewer’s sunglasses weren’t present during the review, the design appears durable enough to withstand impacts. A smaller, side compartment offers additional space for items like terminal tackle.
This extra pocket allows for better organization of smaller accessories and keeps them separated from the main compartment’s contents. It adds organization to the overall design.
Internal Organization and Terminal Tackle Storage
Inside the main compartment and smaller side pocket, the reviewer showcases their organization system. Hooks, sinkers, and split shot are neatly stored, along with other terminal tackle items like scissors and power bait. A stringer is also kept within easy reach for securing caught fish.
The inclusion of a stringer shows the bag's consideration for fishing-specific needs. The organized placement of various terminal tackle items demonstrates the bag's effectiveness in keeping small items from getting mixed up.
Tool Straps and Front Pockets
The bag features two tool straps, although the reviewer found them slightly too small for their pliers. Forceps are instead stored there, showcasing the versatility of the straps for different sized tools. The front of the bag includes a larger and a smaller pocket, providing additional storage space for items needing quick access.
While the front pockets were empty during the review, the size suggests they're suitable for various items, increasing the functionality of the bag. The reviewer suggests future uses for these pockets.
Larger Pocket and Tool Storage
The larger of the two main pockets effectively holds most of the reviewer's tools, including a Rapala fillet knife known for its sharpness and filleting efficiency. This suggests that larger, more delicate tools are adequately accommodated. A Condor scale with jaw grip for weighing fish is another important tool stored here.
The inclusion of the Condor scale highlights the bag's suitability for anglers who prioritize accurate fish weighing. The reviewer notes the pliers are usually stored here as well, further emphasizing the ample storage space.
Mesh Pocket for Soft Plastics
A large mesh zippered pocket on the back of the bag is specifically designed for soft plastics. This keeps soft plastics separate from hard lures and prevents damage. The reviewer demonstrates the storage of various soft plastics, such as Trigger X, Power Lizards, and tube jigs.
The mesh material allows for ventilation, which can help prevent the accumulation of moisture or odor. The dedicated space for soft plastics enhances organization and protects these delicate lures.
Crankbait and Lipless Crankbait Storage
The reviewer's crankbait box contains various sizes and patterns of Bomber Fat Free Shads, showcasing the organization of different lure types. Lipless crankbaits are also stored separately, highlighting their frequent use. This demonstrates how the bag accommodates a variety of lure sizes and styles.
The separate storage of lipless crankbaits suggests the bag's capacity for various lure types and prevents them from getting tangled or damaged. The reviewer's favorite lures are included, indicating the practicality of the storage.
Topwater Lure Storage
A dedicated box for topwater lures holds various sizes and colors of popular choices like Hula Poppers and Jitterbugs. The inclusion of frogs and other topwater lures illustrates the versatility of the bag to accommodate different styles. The reviewer clearly favors certain colors and sizes.
The organization by lure type, along with the inclusion of a wider variety of topwater baits, highlights the bag's effectiveness in storing specialized lures. The organization of the lures suggests that the user has a strategy for lure selection.
Jerkbait and Stickbait Storage
A separate box for jerkbaits and stickbaits includes various brands and styles, including Rapala and Excalibur. This organization ensures these lures stay protected and readily accessible. The selection indicates a preference for diverse styles and sizes.
The dedicated storage for jerkbaits highlights their importance to the reviewer's fishing strategy. The variety of lures within this box suggests a preference for adapting to different fishing conditions.
Spinnerbait Storage
A specialized spinnerbait box, taller than standard boxes, prevents wire bending. This features Booyah and Strike King spinnerbaits in various colors and weights, showing a preference for specific brands and models. The tall box design is a noteworthy feature.
The tall design of the spinnerbait box showcases a thoughtful design consideration for protecting these lures. The inclusion of multiple brands and styles shows a preference for diverse fishing techniques.
Jigs, Swimbaits, and Soft Plastics
A collection of jigs, swimbaits, and soft plastics includes various colors, styles, and weights. This section showcases the variety of lures used and how the bag effectively stores them. The organization emphasizes the angler's preference for versatile fishing techniques.
The range of jigs, swimbaits and soft plastics demonstrate the adaptability of the angler's approach. The organized storage shows that different jig sizes and weights are kept separated.
Gander Mountain Stick Bait Kit and Additional Lures
A Gander Mountain stick bait kit provides a variety of colors and styles, with a design suitable for wacky rigging or Texas rigging. This demonstrates a practical approach to stocking up on versatile lures. The reviewer highlights a favorite color combination.
The kit's inclusion of multiple colors indicates a strategy for targeting different fish species. The reviewer’s comments on rigging techniques shows the bag’s suitability for different fishing styles.
On-the-Go Box and Conclusion
A smaller on-the-go box contains additional lures, like the Storm Chug Bug and a KV D square bill crankbait, showcasing the angler's preparedness for quick fishing trips. This highlights the angler’s preference for additional smaller items that can be quickly grabbed.
The Gander Mountain tackle bag proves to be a highly functional and well-organized system for storing a vast array of fishing gear. Its various compartments and pockets efficiently accommodate different lure types and tools, enhancing convenience and accessibility. While the tool straps might be slightly undersized for some pliers, the overall design and functionality make it a worthwhile investment for serious anglers.
