In my opinion Lure fishing from the bank needs to be truly mobile, allowing one to walk long distances in comfort, and that requires a well thought out load carrying system. When I say “system” I am referring to a combination of items which allow me to carry my tackle and tools in the most accessible and comfortable way.
How you carry your tackle is a very personal thing, defined by how you fish, the kind of lures / tackle you carry and just simple preference. I’m not saying that my system is necessarily the best or should be used by everyone, but simply that it works for me.
My criteria is to be able to carry the essential kit such as waterproofs, lunch, camera, small first aid kit, spare end tackle and of course lures but still be able to cast comfortably without having to drop / remove a bag. I also prefer not having to remove a bag from my shoulder or back to change lures or access unhooking tools.
A very good solution which I came across was a MOLLE vest. Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment or MOLLE (pronounced Molly) is a system designed by the US military which comprises of a base vest covered with webbing loops onto which modular pouches can be fitted. The pouches have strips and a fastener that are weaved through the webbing loops then fastened.
How you carry your tackle is a very personal thing, defined by how you fish, the kind of lures / tackle you carry and just simple preference. I’m not saying that my system is necessarily the best or should be used by everyone, but simply that it works for me.
My criteria is to be able to carry the essential kit such as waterproofs, lunch, camera, small first aid kit, spare end tackle and of course lures but still be able to cast comfortably without having to drop / remove a bag. I also prefer not having to remove a bag from my shoulder or back to change lures or access unhooking tools.
A very good solution which I came across was a MOLLE vest. Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment or MOLLE (pronounced Molly) is a system designed by the US military which comprises of a base vest covered with webbing loops onto which modular pouches can be fitted. The pouches have strips and a fastener that are weaved through the webbing loops then fastened.
My vest pictured above shows small chest pouches, ideal for a mobile phone (iphone sized) etc. and larger waist pouches for other tackle. I manage to fit Plano 3500 series lure boxes (and Tupperware style deeper versions) in the largest four pouches that came with my vest; although two boxes are enough for a session so I usually just use the front two pouches for lures The Plano boxes hold my smaller lures if I’m fishing for Perch / Chub and the Tupperware style boxes can hold up to three or four 6” - 7” jerkbaits each if I’m fishing larger Pike lures.
I’ve been using a MOLLE vest for bank lure fishing for several years now, I moved away from it a couple of times and tried a rucksack or fly vest solution but I soon switched back to the MOLLE vest! Since a year or two I see similar purpose built “Lure Vests” sold for Sea Bass or fly fishing, these often have two large front pouches and a built in rucksack. These look ok but are not so modular, but if the default pouch configuration suits you then it could be considered.
I complete the system by adding a large long pouch to the back of the vest (for waterproofs, lunch etc.) to which I attach a rolled unhooking mat. The vest has a grab loop (carrying pull handle) at the top for carrying the loaded vest by hand, this doubles up as a substitute D ring for attaching Trout style spoon net as shown above.
Empty pouches are flat so do not get in the way (or can be removed) and un-used webbing loops make a nice tight fit for holding unhooking pliers and hook cutters.
If you consider this type of system be sure to get a true front opening vest rather than a ‘plate carrier’ (a different vest that allows Kevlar plates to be inserted) that looks similar but would be too hot and bulky.
You can find a cost effective vest for around £40 - £100 including basic pouches like I did. Such budget vests are often sold for paint balling or Airsoft skirmishing.
An ‘empty’ MOLLE vest, note webbing loop strips and large map pocket zips either side of the central fastening zip.
My MOLLE vest spec.
- 6 large universal pouches
- 2 small shoulder/chest pouches
- 2 large map sized zipper chest pockets
- 1 Carrying-pull handle
- Webbing loops on front and back (MOLLE compatible).
- 6 large universal pouches
- 2 small shoulder/chest pouches
- 2 large map sized zipper chest pockets
- 1 Carrying-pull handle
- Webbing loops on front and back (MOLLE compatible).
Plano 3500 lure boxes and 3500 footprint deep Tupperware style boxes fit perfectly into the four large pouches.