by Levi Cain
Since most fishing tackle available within the United States is geared towards larger species, I continuously keep an open mind when looking for a new addition to my arsenal of micro fishing tackle. For a while now, I have been in search of a tackle box capable of carrying all my micro fishing equipment together while still maintaining good organizational factors. So after multiple trips to the various tackle stores in my area, trying out various styles of tackle boxes, I finally found a tackle box that has all the features and capabilities I have been in search of. I found this gear in the last place most people would think to look, a craft and hobby store known as Hobby Lobby.
This micro fishing tackle box is not marketed for fishing gear but, is instead, a Craft Design Portable Organizer (Model No. 06215CD). This is an arts and crafts storage box produced by AKRO-MILS. Its dimensions are 15” W x 11.31” D x 3.25” H, and it provides plenty enough room to carry nearly every piece of micro fishing tackle including: the telescopic Tanago rod available at TenkaraBum.com. Like most tackle boxes currently available on the market, it comes with dividers that allow up to 46 separate compartments. More than enough compartments to separate various sized hooks, weights, and floats which is exactly what I have done. I have purchased every hook size: from a 32 all the way to a borderline, too large for micro fishing, size 10 hook and have placed each size in its own compartment.
Instead of using the smaller compartments, on the top section of the container to organize split shot weights and hooks, I purchased an additional arts and crafts product. I bought clear plastic compartment tubes that connect end to end. They screw together to form about a 5” to 6” long tube when stacked. One reason for putting the weights in a separate container is to prevent the weights from scuffing up and turning the inside of the compartments a lead color. These tubes, when fully assembled, store perfectly in the bottom portion of the tackle box leaving room for other items such as a Tanago rod.
If you just want to use the clear compartment tubes they are available in a box and 6 tube assembly at Wal-mart.
The feature that makes this arts and craft box different from the majority of tackle boxes available on the market is that the bottom of each compartment is curved. This allows for easy retrieval of micro sized tackle. Instead of trying to retrieve a hook by pinching, you can simply put your pointer finger on the hook or weight you want to retrieve and slide it up the side of the compartment toward your thumb. The curved shape also makes it easy to add refrigerator magnets to the bottom of each compartment helping hold hooks in place while traveling to and from the water. This is a feature that I had to add myself but has been well worth the effort and turned out to be a rather easy project.
Another feature that I have found to be an improvement, in comparison to traditional tackle boxes, is that the removable dividers fit firmly in place and are not easily slid up and down when trying to remove items from the compartments. Countless times I have tried to retrieve a hook or swivel from a traditional compartment, with a loose fitting divider, and ended up mixing two separate compartments together because the divider popped out of place prolonging the amount of time that I don’t have a hook in the water.
The last feature, but not least, are the two sure-lock latches that make sure the tackle box stays shut and does not pop open while transporting. In total there are 4 different latching mechanisms. Two for keeping the top section shut while accessing the bottom section, and two sure-lock latches that ensure both the top and bottom sections are securely shut while transporting. All four have proven to maintain their tightness through heavy use.
I have been using this tackle box system for a few months now and have yet to be disappointed in its performance and ability to fit all my micro fishing tackle. The price is decent compared to other tackle boxes in its size range. Especially when taking into account that Hobby Lobby always has a 40% off one item coupon, available online. Which makes a $23.99 tackle box only cost about $14.40. Going to show that just because local tackle shops don’t carry micro fishing equipment doesn’t mean there are not micro fishing options available.
