By: Ronnie Pruitt

I’ve been using the same old Plano tackle box that my grandfather gave to me when I was a child, so it is old. Everything was crammed into this box and it was hard to find anything. You know that junk drawer everyone has in his or her house? Well that was what my tackle box looked like. As a shore fisherman this box was fairly large size so trying to carry it and the poles to a fishing location was a not easy. Normally it meant several trips to the car, or takin
Several years ago I saw a Plano tackle backpack in a catalog. The backpack had zip off sections and plenty of storage. Only problem is I could never find it. So my search was one to find something similar. The searched has stretched over five years. Partly because I am indecisive and there was an emotional attachment to that old clunky box.  As this New Year rolled around I was determined to find my new tackle box or bag. You can say that it was my New Year resolution. I started to pour over ads, go to my local sporting good stores, and surf the good old web to see what I could find. The majority of the bags were over the $50 range, I did not know if I wanted to spend that yet.g the smaller one and then not having everything I needed. As you can see why there was a need for an upgrade.

I ended up as Bass Pro Shops Site where I located their Bass Pro Shops Extreme Qualifier 360 Backpack System. After reading other customers reviews on this bag I decided it was the one I wanted to purchase. After driving to my local Bass Pro Shops and actually holding the bag I decided to purchase this Bass Pro Shops Extreme Qualifier 360 Backpack System.

The Bass Pro Shops Extreme Qualifier 360 Backpack Tackle Bag features a padded back and backpack shoulder straps for enhanced comfort, four pockets on the outside, there are two 9 inch rod tube straps, and a versatile zip-off bottom section with shoulder strap. The 360 Backpack holds a total of 10 Plano 3600 boxes. Four in the bottom zip of portion and six in the large top pocket. You can purchase this with the three bottom boxes for 44.99, or with out the three boxes in the bottom for 29.99.

I choose to purchase the one with the three boxes just to save some money on the boxes. This is the first time I used these types of boxes, so I did not know what to expect. To my surprise the 3600 boxes have a large storage capacity and provided flexibility to organize tackle. I can swap boxes in and out depending on where and what I am fishing for.

The larger upper pocket has room for a raincoat and snacks even with more boxes and gear in it. The outside pockets are capable of storing my fishing gloves, clippers, pliers, and other accessories. I also have used the rod tube holder to carry my landing net. With everything nicely organized in the bag I now have two hands free to carry my rods.

The ability to unzip the bottom and still have three boxes to full of tackle and the outside pockets make perfect for a quick trip or a just to lighten the load. The strap that is provided is plenty long enough to carry comfortable. The best part is you never have to detach it and lose it. It zips nicely in place when the bottom attaches to the larger upper part.

As to the construction of this bag the quality of this this bag is very good. Have had mine in the rain and it keep the contents dry. The zippers are easy to zip and unzip. So for the price you cannot beat it.

I have had my bag configured several different ways. I have used just the bottom and just the upper portion. In the short couple months that I have owned the Bass Pro Shops Extreme Qualifier 360 Backpack System I would dare say that this is probable the best fishing related purchase I have made. You won’t be disappointed in the bag.

My only negative complaint for this bag is that it only comes in one color, which is blue with the Bass Pro Shops Logo on it. I wish it had come in a black or a OD green color.

Ronnie Pruitt

You can reach me at rpruitt@thefishingradar.com 

*Pictures courtesy of http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Extreme-Qualifier-360-Backpack-or-System/product/10204414/#desc-tab