After catching a five-bass limit weighing 14 pounds, 8 ounces, pro Jason Christie sits in second place. Photo by Brett Carlson. Angler: Jason Christie.

March 7, 2012 • Jason Christie • Archives

A fisherman should work out the tackle management system that makes sense to him. By this time of year, I’ve gone through my boat and replenished everything I think I might need anywhere the tournament trail goes. Otherwise, I take each tournament on an individual basis and I load the stuff I think I might need for a particular lake and time of year. I have a process I follow. In my garage I store a lot of tackle and when I get ready to hit the road, I’ll go around and drop the lures I think might come into play into one of two strong plastic bags. Then I put the bags in my truck and I’m good to go. Of course, a fisherman needs to pack a little of everything. However, I used to pack so much stuff it looked like I had five or six ricks of wood in the back of my truck. Take some spares, take some stuff that fits in with seasonal patterns and take some stuff in case of unforeseen circumstances – such as a passing cold front or thunderstorm that muddies the water unexpectedly. A lot of different stuff will work at different times, but you don’t need to haul it around every time you go fishing.

— Rayovac Pro Jason Christie, Park Hill, Oklahoma