How we pick our products
Fishing bags are the comprehensive organiser for your fishing equipment. They help you carry your gear easily and ensure that your equipment is stored in one place and within easy reach. However, a tackle bag is less suitable for carrying your fishing rods. To transport them, you need to fold the rod or get a rod bag.
With our big fishing bag test 2023 we want to help you find the best fishing bag for you. There is a bag for every need, but many anglers find it difficult to find the right model. Then a fishing bag can quickly become a burden. For this reason, we have listed buying criteria, advantages and disadvantages as well as comprehensive tips so that your purchase is really worthwhile.
Contents
Summary
- Fishing bags are an essential accessory for amateur anglers. They help you to store your equipment in an organised and tidy manner and protect it from external influences.
- Fishing bags are either available as tackle bags, or can be purchased as an elongated version to carry the fishing rods as a whole. The latter is also called a rod bag.
- Before buying, you should carefully consider your needs in order to find the right fishing bag. Fishing bags that are too big or too small can become very bulky and spoil your fishing fun.
The Best Fishing Bag: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a tackle bag
What are fishing bags and why do I need them?
How you pack your fishing bag is up to you. You need to balance the space capacity with the number and size of your items. The smaller the bag, the more likely you are to limit yourself to the bare essentials.
Many models feature a high number of compartments to make organisation easier for the angler. This is not always easy – especially when you consider how many different lure types and sizes there are.
For most anglers, a backpack alone is not enough.
Some models even double as a seat, which in turn saves space and energy.
What types of fishing bags are there?
Before buying, we advise you to take a close look at the advantages and disadvantages of these forms and of course also pay attention to your personal preferences. You should also think about transport.
There are also tool or bait bags, which are usually smaller and easier to handle. These are usually used as an addition to a normal fishing bag.
How much does a tackle bag cost?
| Type | Price range |
|---|---|
| Equipment bag | 25€ – 250€ |
| Rod bag | 15€ – 270€ |
If you’re a frequent fisherman, and especially one who spends time in different places such as ocean waters, your tackle bag may well cost a little more. The higher the quality, the longer it will last.
What alternatives are there to fishing bags?
If you want all your contents to stay dry, you could use a drybag. The disadvantage is that you probably won’t be able to organise them as quickly. The only alternative to buying a fishing bag would be to sew or build it yourself.
As you can make them from second-hand materials, you will save a lot of money. However, you will have to work very carefully and take a lot of time. Maybe you have seen fishing tubes at the fishing pond? They are easy and quick to build.
Decision: What types of fishing bags are there and which one is right for me?
There are two types of fishing bags:
- Variant 1: tackle bag
- Variant 2: elongated fishing bag or rod bag
Basically, the function remains the same, which is why both variants fall under the term “fishing bag”. Only the spatial concepts of the two variants differ considerably. To make it easier for you to get an idea, here is a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages of both types.
What are the characteristics of tackle bags? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
The standard version is usually cuboid-shaped. It consists of “floors” and small individual pockets to give you the best possible overview of your equipment. They are available as soft cases and hard cases and, depending on the model, can also be used as a seat. This eliminates the need for a camping chair. Some models are even equipped with a drinks cooler.
They are best suited to fishermen who have a lot of equipment and want to store it in the most organised way possible. However, you have to fold up the rod to transport it.
What are the features of rod bags? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Rod bags are elongated and are primarily – as the name suggests – there to transport your rods. You don’t have to fold them up or take them apart. You can comfortably store your rods as they are.
Most models have small individual pockets so that the rest of your tackle can be stored in the same bag. Rod bags are very popular with anglers who want to take multiple rods to the fishing spot – the rods are ready to go.
There are also slimmed-down versions where the individual pockets have been partially or completely dispensed with. They are often used as an add-on for standard fishing bags.
Buying criteria: Here you can rate anglers’ bags
Here you can find out which aspects you can use to decide between the many models for the right fishing bag to be prepared for your next trip. The criteria for choosing your gloves include:
Let’s now go into more detail about these criteria:
Construction
Both versions are available in softcase and hardcase versions. Softcase is more the standard. They are lighter and more comfortable to carry, but beware: when they get dirty, the dirt often remains more stubborn, which means that you have to make a little more effort when cleaning them.
Hardcase fishing bags are very robust and protect the contents best from external forces. However, they are heavier and more unwieldy to transport due to their solid structure.
Material
You are transporting high-quality and expensive equipment in your fishing bag, so the quality of the material of your fishing bag is an essential factor. After all, you want to protect your equipment from external influences.
Ideally, your softcase fishing bag should be waterproof. Nylon is water-repellent, but it is not particularly known for its durability. Neoprene and polyester are much more durable, but neoprene in particular is quite heavy.
| Material | Properties |
|---|---|
| Nylon | Although it is elastic, strong and water-repellent, it is sensitive to water in the long term |
| Polyester | It is hard-wearing, easy to clean and dries quickly. It is also much more resistant |
| Neoprene | Is extremely resilient and waterproof, but weighs a lot more |
Ideally, your tackle bag should be made from a mix of these materials, combining their advantages. If your equipment is worth something to you, you can pay a little more for it.
Size and length
Like everywhere else, the bigger the bag, the more space it will hold. However, think carefully about how much space you really need. A fishing bag that is too big can take up too much space and be very uncomfortable to carry.
Size is even more important when it comes to rod bags. Since you can stow your rod as a whole, you need to match the length of the bag exactly to the length of your rod. The best thing to do is to add a few centimetres.
You should also check how much space your car offers. If the bag is too long, your purchase was probably a mistake. The best thing to do is to compare the storage space of your car with the length of your bag. If it doesn’t work out, it’s probably wiser to buy a standard fishing bag.
Weight
The weight of the bag plays an important role, especially during transport. The lighter it is, the lighter the total weight of your fishing bag. So always take the weight of your equipment into account when buying. Depending on the equipment and size, fishing bags weigh between 0.5 and 2 kg.
Due to the rigid structure of hardcase bags, they also have a higher weight. When buying a soft case bag, keep your preferred carrying method in mind. Over-the-shoulder fishing bags, like any other bag, can become quite uncomfortable if they are too heavy.
Rollers
If you want to save yourself the trouble of carrying your bag, you can opt for fishing bags with wheels or rollers. Wheels are particularly popular for hard cases, as they are uncomfortable for longer journeys, depending on the size.
There are fishing bags that can be pushed or pulled on four wheels. You will also find some that only have two wheels and can be pulled like a trolley. Of course, you’ll need to budget a little more for a fishing bag with wheels.
Seat
Many tackle bags can also be used as seats. Soft cases have their own frame to support the weight of the body. Hard cases even have seats with thick padding for added comfort.
The advantage is obvious: you can save yourself the camping chair. Remember, however, that fishing bags with a seat are usually larger and have a rigid structure due to the frame. So you won’t save space or weight.
Other accessories
Sometimes you need to have more patience and more time to fish. Fishing bags with several gadgets allow you to make the time until a fish bites as pleasant as possible.
Some models have integrated drink coolers, usually powered by rechargeable batteries. There are also models with an insulating layer that can keep your drinks or snacks cool for quite a long time.
Remember: the more accessories, the more expensive and heavier your bag will be.
Also interesting: models with a laptop compartment. We’ll leave it up to you to decide what you need a laptop for when you’re fishing, but it’s a good idea to put it in one of these compartments. In any case, it’s better than letting your laptop fly around loose among the other things.
Facts worth knowing about fishing bags
How do I wash my tackle bag?
When cleaning, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Every bag is different. So whether your bag is suitable for machine washing, or may even be impregnated, depends on the model.
Never put a fishing bag on the radiator!
If you’re not sure, you’ll probably have to resort to good old hand washing. Use a damp, soft cloth or sponge and scrub off the impurities. Then let them dry. Fishing bags usually dry quite quickly.
Are fishing bags also suitable for transporting on a bicycle or motorbike?
That depends on the model. There are fishing bags in backpack design that are made especially for longer transport. They are usually smaller and only have space for essential items. That’s why you should think carefully beforehand about what you really need for your trip into the wilderness and what you don’t need.
Make sure they are waterproof in case the weather changes or the boat gets a bit rough. Alternatively, dry bags are also suitable. You’ll probably miss the tidiness, but not a single drop of water will get through.
How can I make a fishing bag myself?
In principle, you can always sew your own bags. However, a fishing bag carries much more responsibility towards its contents than a conventional bag. Due to the material alone, it can be difficult and at the same time expensive to make a fishing bag yourself. Instead, homemade fishing tubes are becoming very popular with fishermen.
They replace your rod bag, protect your rods and are very cheap to make. Learn how to make your own fishing tube and what you need in this video.
Fishing tubes have the advantage that they can carry a large number of rods, depending on their diameter. They are great for travelling, especially if you want to take several different rods with you. You will have to pay a lot more for a comparable hardcase rod case.
Image source: Bobal/ flickr.com
Why you can trust me?
Related posts
