Tackle Test: Plano Liqua-Bait Locker System
The trend in soft baits has shifted heavily toward biodegradable products such as Trigger X, Berkley Gulp! and Big Bite Biobait. These soft baits have a couple of things in common: They work, and they smell bad. The Liqua-Bait Locker System is a great way to organize and store soft baits at home or in the boat.
Components
The first thing that I noticed was the heavy-duty hinge, which is usually one of the first things to break on many plastic storage boxes. Even more important was an O-ring seal that ensures that the box stays dry. Four separate positive latches are arranged on three sides of the box to make a secure seal on the O-ring. It keeps the smelly odors of the soft baits inside, so that if stored in the house or in boat compartments, the baits don’t make everything stink. The included wallet (included in the X-Deep only, but also sold separately) helps seal in the smell of packaged soft baits, while the bottle helps seal in the smell of soft baits in liquid.
Durability
Typically, I jig with plastics for walleyes in the early spring. During this chilly time period I have broken more than a few cold, brittle boxes when they were dropped, even if it was just a fall of a few inches. The new plastic that these boxes are constructed of is much clearer (less milky over time) and durable. None were broken during a long and cold spring jigging season.
Sizing
While it’s a large box, the frame is built around the Plano 3700 sizing. Fitting it into storage compartments or soft-side bags isn’t an issue. I was able to store four of the screw-top bottles (one included; others sold separately) in the X-Deep model, since the bottles are stackable. This still left enough room to file bags of soft baits upright between the bottles.
Specs
Dimensions: Slightly more than 9 inches wide by 14 inches long
Models: Deep model is 3 1/4 inches high; X-Deep model is 4 3/4 inches high; a wallet, bottle and bait grabber are also available
Price: $19.99 to $24.99
Contact: planomolding.com