The 6 Best Saltwater Tackle Boxes for Sea Anglin’

Fishing rods and saltwater reels may be some of the most talked about fishing equipment. However, saltwater tackle boxes are vital for success when fishing at sea.

Sadly, the best saltwater tackle box is challenging to find. There are many options on the market, after all.

Which tackle box you choose is a matter of personal preference. It depends on the equipment you like to carry and your thoughts on organization. 

However, some tackle boxes are objectively better than others. Everyone needs a tackle box that’s durable, cost-efficient, and portable.

We reviewed some of our favorite boxes below, allowing you to select the best one for your needs. 

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Best Tackle Bag for Saltwater – At a Glance

Best Overall Saltwater Tackle Box

Flambeau Outdoors 6382TB Classic Tray Tackle Box

Specs

• Dimensions: 14″L x 8.16″W x 7.57″H
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Timeless design
• Plastic, waterproof material
• Made in the USA
• 15 tackle compartments

Cons

• Not the biggest

For those just looking for a traditional tackle box, this is the one to get. It features the classic 2-tray design, providing easy access to tackle and tools.

In total, it contains 15 different compartments with six removable dividers. The top flips open and has a compartment, allowing you to store even more items. 

Users describe the latch as secure and durable. The outside features an oil-resistant resin that can survive saltwater and weathering.

It’s even made in the USA – which is hard to find nowadays. Unlike many tackle boxes, this one is built to last. 

It’s relatively small, though, so it may not work for those that need a lot of storage (for that, take a look at one of the bags below).

It resembles a utility box more than anything, similar to what your grandfather probably carried around. 

Best Tackle Bag for Saltwater

KastKing Fishing Tackle Bag

• Dimensions: 15”x 11”x 10.25”
• Material: ‎420D Ripstop Nylon

Pros

• Extra shoulder padding for comfort
• Non-slip bottom
• Large capacity
• Plenty of outside pockets with self-healing zippers
• Waterproof and rust-proof

Cons

• No tackle boxes included

With the KastKing Fishing Tackle Bag, you can store up to seven 3600-size lure boxes. These boxes are sold separately.

However, with this bag’s size, it’s hard to pass it up. Furthermore, you can put whatever size lure boxes you want into it, allowing you to customize it a bit. 

The fabric is 420D ripstop nylon, making it extremely durable. In my experience, ripstop nylon holds up far better than other materials. It’s also waterproof and can easily be wiped clean when needed. 

Of course, because it doesn’t contain metal, it won’t rust. The bag contains an extra PVC layer to protect your fishing tackle from drops and bangs. 

I like the tacky material at the bottom of the bag, which helps prevent the bag from scooting around. The last thing you want is your tackle box sliding around underfoot when you’re on a boat. 

There are several pockets around the outside for storing fishing pliers, additional bait, and other tools. However, it is smaller and cheaper than the tackle backpack made by the same company. 

Best Saltwater Fishing Backpack

Piscifun Fishing Tackle Backpack

Specs

• Dimensions: 17.7” X 12.6” X 7.9”
• Material: 1200D Nylon

Pros

• Large bag with 11 compartments
• 1200D nylon for durability 
• Comes with four tackle trays
• Removable clapboard to personalization storage

Cons

• Expensive

Sometimes, backpacks are just the easiest way to carry things around. While tackle boxes are “traditional,” backpacks are increasing in popularity.

The Piscifun Fishing Tackle backpack is currently our favorite on the market. 

It’s made of 1200D high-density nylon, which is waterproof and tough. In my experience, nylon is one of the best materials for fishing tackle bags, as it’s very resistant to weathering without being very heavy. 

This backpack is divided into 11 areas with quality zippers. Therefore, it should have plenty of room for your fishing tackle. It has four tackle trays, so you don’t have to purchase extra storage containers.

Most other tackle backpacks on the market don’t include trays. 

The inside of the bag has a clapboard, which separates it into two compartments. Alternatively, you can remove the board for a larger, single space. It depends on what you’re trying to store. 

Plus, the shoulder straps have plenty of padding and are quite breathable – essential for anyone spending a long time with the bag on. It’s also reflective at night, though minimally so. 

Best Tackle Box for Surf Fishing

Calamus Fishing Tackle Box

Specs

• Dimensions: 14.3”x 9”x 7.5”
• Material: 600D Polyester 

Pros

• 600D rip-stop for durability
• Seven pockets in all
• Contrasting zippers for easy access
• Internal PVC layer
• Non-slip rubber bottom

Cons

• Not as large as others

Surf fishing requires more consideration. These bags get beat up more than others, especially in the rough and tumble environment where surf fishing occurs.

The key is finding a bag made of durable materials with strong velcro to keep everything safe inside. 

The Calamus Fishing Tackle Box is a great option. It’s made from 600D rip-stop material, allowing it to withstand tougher environments. It’s completely waterproof and able to withstand the saltier environment of the ocean. 

There are seven pockets in total – each with a contrasting zipper. I love that it includes a handle and a shoulder strap, making it far easier to carry around. 

The inner PVC layer helps the bag withstand drops without breaking any items inside. The bottom repels moisture and features rubber feet to prevent sliding.

It is much more stable than other options on the market, though you’re paying a bit extra. 

Consider our best tackle box above if you’re looking for a cheaper option. 

Simply put, this bag is built for function. It’s comfortable and easy to use for saltwater lure storage. Plus, it isn’t nearly as expensive as some similar options. While you have to pay for a decent bag, this one is cheaper than most. 

Best of the Rest

RUNCL Fishing Tackle Box

Specs

• Dimensions: 14” x 8.66” x 2.15”
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Removable dividers
• Translucent brown color provides UV protection
• UV protection
• Completely waterproof

Cons

• Not practical by itself

I wouldn’t recommend the RUNCL Fishing Tackle Box by itself unless you were going on a quick trip. It isn’t the most accessible in the field or durable.

However, it works great when stored inside a larger fishing tackle bag or backpack. 

This box set works great if you purchase a bag with poor internal storage (or one made to work with tackle tray inserts). 

The translucent brown appearance allows you to quickly identify all the objects inside. It also provides UV protection, allowing you to leave it in the sun without damaging the lures inside.

The dividers inside the box are removable, allowing you to store smaller or larger items. 

Once the dividers are in, they’re in. You don’t have to worry about them shifting about. 

The box is completely waterproof. We’ve heard of customers using it for many functions beyond fishing. For instance, some gardeners reported that it makes a wonderful seed storage box. 

Plano Guide Series 3700 XL Tackle Bag

Specs

• Dimensions: 19.5”L x 12”W x 14.75”H
• Material: Denier fabric

Pros

• Very big
• Straps for backpack or shoulder usage
• Many external pockets for extra storage
• Room for your phone, license, and expandable rods

Cons

• May be too big
• Expensive

We recommend the Plano Guide Series 3700 XL Tackle Bag if you need a huge bag. It has plenty of storage for many tackle boxes and tons of outside zippers.

It’s great for practically anyone looking for a larger bag. However, the larger size also makes it more expensive. You’re paying for what you get. 

The bag is designed to be worn on the hip or the back. It doesn’t require any hands for transporting, and you can store the straps inside the back compartment.

You can utilize the straps to make transport a bit easier when carrying a heavy load. 

The side pockets are useful when storing items you’ll need to access quickly. 

There are two external pockets for expandable rods and a pocket for your license and cell phone. Both pockets are completely waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about your phone getting wet. 

I love the molded foot pads, which keep the tackle box from moving around on the boat. 

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Tackle Box for Saltwater Fishing

When searching for a tackle box for saltwater fishing, there are many things you need to consider. To some extent, your personal preferences matter.

For instance, you may want a large or small box; it largely depends on how much stuff you carry. 

However, some things are objectively better than others. For instance, cost-effective bags are always better – even if money isn’t an object.

More durable bags are also important; you don’t want the bag breaking in the middle of a fishing trip. 

Let’s look at some of the more important aspects to remember when shopping for the best saltwater tackle box. 

Material

There is nothing that destroys faster than salt and the sun. Therefore, you must choose a quality bag made of durable material.

Preferably, rip-stop nylon or polyester are the best choices. UV-resistant plastic is great for harder cases, though many boxes are now “soft” – designed to be carried on your hip or back. 

Higher-density nylon is the best option. It’s very heavy-duty and designed to take a lot of abuse. Rip-stop nylon is made not to rip, preventing it from falling apart. The higher density of the nylon, the tougher it typically is. 

You’ll also want the material to be water-resistant – especially since you’re going to be on the ocean. Corrosion resistance is also vital, as salt is slightly corrosive.

However, you also have to look at the other pieces of the fishing tackle box, like the zippers. If a zipper breaks, the bag becomes useless. Therefore, you must also find a high-quality zipper to find the best saltwater tackle bags. 

Self-repairing zippers are the best, as you don’t have to worry as much about breaking. 

With that said, a high-quality zipper that isn’t self-repairing is also a great option. 

Figuring out how durable a bag is can be challenging. After all, no company will advertise that their bag isn’t durable.

Therefore, your best option is to look at customer reviews like ours to determine how well the bag really stands up. 

You typically get what you pay for. Therefore, if you purchase an extremely inexpensive bag, you can’t expect it to last as long as a premium option.

If you have the money and love fishing, I recommend splurging on a great bag that will last years. 

Size

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all best offshore tackle bag. Instead, it largely depends on your needs and preferences. You probably need a bigger bag if you carry a lot of gear. 

If you don’t, a smaller bag will probably work just fine. It’s all relative, so it depends mostly on what you’re looking for. 

With that said, it’s usually better to have too much room than too little. Too much room allows you to expend your fishing gear as needed. Therefore, we typically recommend getting a bigger bag than you currently need. 

If you’re anything like most anglers, you’ll purchase more tackle and gear as the years go on (and you don’t want to purchase a new bag constantly just to fit all your new stuff). 

Bigger bags are typically more expensive. We found a pretty clear correlation between size and price. Therefore, you don’t necessarily want to purchase the biggest bag.

Not only would it be bulkier than you need, but it may also be more expensive. 

When shopping for the bag, take a look at the overall size. Generally, this gives you a pretty good idea of how much the bag can hold. However, you’ll also want to look at the type of storage the bag offers. 

If the bag only has room for simplistic tackle boxes, you’ll need to ensure all your stuff can fit in one of these boxes. 

On the other hand, many of the best tackle boxes for saltwater fishing also have external pockets. These pockets can store larger pieces of equipment or items you need to access quickly.

Because many are waterproof, it’s also a good place to store your phone and license. 

Many have external pouches for poles too. In this case, you can save internal space by putting your fishing poles on the outside. 

Therefore, while space may seem pretty straightforward, it does come with some variance. One bag of the exact same size as another may be different just because of how the pockets are set up. 

Portability

Traditional fishing boxes had a handle on top that allowed them to be carried around. While this is perfectly fine when you’re only carrying a few items, it can make for a heavy load when you have lots of fishing gear. 

Today, you’ll still find these more traditional boxes – and we recommend them in many cases. 

If you’re just going on a quick trip or only taking a few lures, there isn’t any reason to purchase a huge backpack. These traditional cases are traditional for a reason; they simply work well. 

However, if you have a lot of gear, you’ll need to think about other ways to carry them around. Often, a backpack is the safest bet. We can carry a lot more weight on our backs than anywhere else. 

A comfortable backpack makes carrying tons of fishing gear much easier. It does need to be a quality backpack, though. 

You can also utilize bags with shoulder straps. These tend to be more box-shaped and may sit nicer on a boat than a backpack. The extra strap for your shoulder makes it easier to carry than a traditional tackle box, though. 

No matter what bag you get, ensure the strap is high-quality. Straps can be horribly uncomfortable, making the bag difficult to carry.

They may also break or rip, rendering the bag useless. The straps hold a lot of weight, so they must be made to last. 

If your tackle box has a handle, ensure it’s comfortable and durable. You don’t want the handle snapping off during a fishing trip. 

Accessibility

Preferably, you should be able to access your fishing gear quickly. You shouldn’t have to unpack the tackle box to get to a particular lure.

On top of tackle, you may bring other fishing gear along in your tackle box, too. For instance, telescoping fishing poles, pliers, multitools, and other tools can also fit inside a tackle box.

Many boxes have external pockets designed for these items to easily access them. External pouches for telescoping fishing poles are extremely common, for instance.

These external pockets are vital for ensuring that you can reach your gear whenever you need to. 

You can purchase a fishing tackle box without any external pockets. External pockets are unnecessary if you’re planning on just taking lures and bait along in the box. 

However, for all other situations, that can make a huge difference between getting to your gear quickly and needing to dump your bag.

For instance, many saltwater anglers take extra inshore spinning reels, and you’ll want to access these quickly. 

How you get into a tackle box is also important. Quality zippers are a must. I personally like zippers with clear contrast, as the last thing I want to do is hunt for the zipper in the middle of a fishing trip. 

Price

When it comes to the best tackle box for saltwater fishing, you pay for what you get. Therefore, if you purchase an extremely inexpensive tackle box, you can expect to replace it in only a few months. 

It could hold up for years or even decades if you splurge a bit and get something more expensive. The materials are simply better. 

Of course, you’re the only person who knows your budget. Therefore, you’re the only person who can decide whether something is too expensive.

We included several different tackle boxes above, allowing you to find something at just about any budget. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Every angler needs a fishing tackle box to carry all their stuff around and keep it organized.

Saltwater anglers need extra care to purchase a durable, quality box that can withstand the salt and sun – two forces that can quickly destroy just about everything. 

The best saltwater tackle box for you depends largely on your preferences. You’ll need a larger tackle box if you have a lot of stuff.

Once you reach a certain size, purchasing a bag or backpack instead of the traditional tackle storage box makes more sense. 

You’ll also need to consider what external pockets you need and your budget. 

We included several of the best saltwater tackle boxes above to help you pick the best option. While these tackle boxes are great for saltwater, you may want something else for different types of fishing, such as kayak fishing.

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