He and I might be related. I gave up trying to use the rod locker for rods on my Tracker. That was the one boo-boo they did on that boat, way too short and too narrow. I tried mounting a home-made rod holder kit with golf tubes and a rod handle holder, but that took up more room until it was nearly impossible to extract just one rod. I could get 2-3 out at once with little trouble. Forget putting a 7' rod in there! So now it holds baits and tools stuffed in the long narrow part. You won't see lures or boxes on my boat. Just rods strapped next to the trolling motor, and carpet. Under the deck you would find this mess
Closer up shots here left to right
showing two tackle boxes also, one holding bassing hardware like hooks in Tic Tac boxes, sinkers, etc., and one with everything I need for panfish
showing crankbaits, swim baits & other soft plastics
showing mostly soft plastics
showing one of two jig trays
showing one of two finesse soft plastic trays for drop shotting
Yes, I really do carry a $1,700 Heddon River Runt collection, for good luck I suppose, and they do get fished
Including a sampling of lipless crankbaits, various brands
For some reason the Cooks System racks of spinnerbaits photo isn't there.
On standby are about 9 cardboard boxes full of all kinds of baits from the 1960s to date, replacements for those lost out of the batch above. They help cause me to have to rent a storage room. Half of all my daughter's belongings from Day 1 finish filling the room. I hate replacing, as that requires opening and sorting through hundreds of bags and crankbait boxes. If I'd have invested that Bait Monkey money spent on lures not used I'd have retired years ago on the interest. As it is I carry THE Bait Monkey with me, a big mouth to feed.
A frequently asked question is "Why?". It appears on first glance I might be a little excessive. :grin: But when fishing with me and wanting a particular bait, I probably have it, and then you understand why. The problem is locating it. All that is maybe part of my confidence. I HAVE a bait a bass will bite any one day no matter how reluctant they are. Hey, there's also no telling how many $20 bills I've pocketed selling MUST HAVE baits while fishing. It's profitable. Well, not counting the baits and end tackle given away.
Partner breaks his rod. "OH, he he, I now see why you carry so many rods. Thankyou, I'll guard this with my life." He's fishing with a $350 combo, costing more than all his combos combined. "SOOOOoooo nice, smooooth, wow. Sweet. How much did this cost?" After the answer, "Oh %@!*". But I'd say to any Basshole, "Pick anything you like and enjoy. Find a bait and tie it on."
Life is too short.
Jim