13 Must-Haves In Your Bug Out Fishing Box

The best fishing trips are often the ones you did not plan. The weather clears, the river calls, and suddenly, you’ve got a rare pocket of time that begs to be spent near water. That’s where the idea of the "Bug Out Box" comes in. Much like its survivalist counterpart, the bug-out bag, this scaled-down tackle kit tucks away in your vehicle or garage, always ready to roll at a moment’s notice. No fuss, no frills, just a handful of handpicked essentials that I’ve come to rely on that get you on the water fast.

The Eagle Claw Pack-It Spinning Combo is a compact rod and reel combo perfect for keeping stashed in your vehicle. Designed with a telescopic rod that collapses down for effortless transport, this combo is ideal for spur-of-the-moment fishing detours, whether you’re hiking into the backcountry or sneaking off to your favorite roadside creek. With a fiberglass rod blank and ceramic guides, it’s tough enough to handle multiple species of fish without adding bulk to your pack.

The Plano Weekend Softsider Tackle Bag has enough room for essentials without weighing you down, thanks to its thoughtful design. This bag includes two StowAway utility boxes to store a selection of your go-to lures and accessories. Mesh side pockets and MOLLE webbing offer extra storage, while a zipper-free top panel gives quick access to gear you use most often.

Keep your catch secure and in the water with a Danielson Stringer. With nine corrosion-resistant snaps on a durable poly rope, this classic piece of gear is a simple yet effective way of stringing fish…perfect for anglers who like to keep it old-school. This no-frills tackle box staple has certainly stood the test of time. Because sometimes, the simplest tools are the most reliable ones.

Engineered with Dyneema fibers for optimal strength and sensitivity, this line cuts through the water with a smooth, whisper-quiet cast that won’t spook finicky fish. This line is available in multiple colors, ranging anywhere from eight-pound test all the way up to 100-pound test.

Over the years, Worden’s Original Rooster Tail has proven to be consistently effective. Its unique tail, combined with a free-spinning blade, creates strong visual and vibration cues that attract a wide range of freshwater species. Available in a wide array of colors and weight options, this lure casts well and maintains a natural presentation during retrieval. It’s a simple, time-tested design that continues to deliver results season after season.

The Rebel Pop-R has long been a staple in topwater fishing, and for good reason. Its classic concave mouth design delivers a sharp, consistent popping action that mimics the sound of surface-feeding baitfish, drawing aggressive strikes from bass in both calm and lightly rippled water. This well-balanced lure sits tail-down at rest, allowing for a realistic presentation between pops. Whether working slowly with long pauses or in a quick series of pops, the Pop-R offers a level of control and response that makes it a reliable choice in a range of water conditions.

The Rapala X-Rap is a favorite amongst those targeting aggressive feeders in clear water. With its translucent body, detailed scale pattern, and internal holographic foil, the Yellow Perch color closely mirrors the natural forage in many northern lakes. This lure is quite versatile and can be fished with an aggressive jerk-pause retrieve or a steady twitch, and the lure responds with sharp, erratic movements that often trigger reaction strikes. The internal casting system adds distance and accuracy, while the feathered rear treble creates just enough added movement to lure in cautious fish.

The Berkley Gulp! Grub is one of those soft plastics that’s earned a permanent place in many a fisherman’s tackleboxes due to its effectiveness across multiple species and conditions. Designed with a high-action curly tail, the grub creates a natural, fluttering motion even when retrieved slowly, ideal for pressured or finicky fish. The Gulp! scent dispersion is top-notch and draws fish in from greater distances compared to traditional plastics. I’ve had consistent luck rigging it on a jighead for everything from walleye and bass to panfish, especially in cooler water when subtle presentations are ideal.

The Thill Night ‘N Day Glow Floats are a favorite for both daytime and low-light fishing. What makes these floats especially useful is their glow-in-the-dark feature, which charges quickly and holds brightness well, giving anglers a clear visual even in near-total darkness. The high-visibility top makes tracking strikes easy from a distance, while the slim, balanced design provides excellent sensitivity to subtle bites, a must for targeting finicky crappie or other light-biting species. I’ve used them during dusk-to-dark transitions and overnight sits, and they perform consistently, holding steady in light chop while remaining responsive.

The Bass Pro Shops 150-Piece Hook, Sinker & Swivel Kit includes an assortment of split shot sinkers, swivels, and hooks that work well for panfish, bass, and catfish alike. The compartmentalized case keeps everything in place, and the selection is versatile enough to rig live bait, soft plastics, or bottom setups without having to dig through a larger tackle box. I’ve kept one of these kits in my tackle box for years, as it’s a reliable grab-and-go solution when you need terminal tackle that gets the job done without overcomplicating things.

The Eagle Claw Rod Tip Repair Kit with Glue is the kind of backup gear every angler should have tucked away in their tackle box. When a rod tip breaks mid-trip, this kit can be the difference between cutting the day short or getting back to casting in minutes. It includes three common tip sizes and a tube of strong adhesive that sets quickly, making it easy to match the replacement and get back on the water without needing a full rod replacement. While it’s not a permanent fix for high-end rods, it’s more than enough to keep you fishing through the weekend and is a smart insurance policy for any angler who’s been around long enough to know accidents happen.

Constructed from high-carbon stainless steel and coated for corrosion resistance, the Bubba 6" Forged Fishing Pliers can be used in both saltwater and freshwater. The non-slip, signature Bubba grip feels secure even when your hands are wet or gloved, and the spring-loaded design keeps operation smooth and responsive without any fuss. They work great for removing deeply set trebles, crimping split shot, and cutting line cleanly. With precise jaws, strong crimping surfaces, and an integrated lanyard hole, these pliers are more than just a toolbox item, they are an essential, multi-purpose piece of gear.

The Creme 6" Scoundrel Worm in the Live color is a nod to one of bass fishing’s most trusted classics. With a slender, natural profile and lifelike action, this soft plastic is ideal for finesse presentations, especially when paired with a light Texas or Carolina rig. The "Live" color blends subtle earth tones with just enough contrast to trigger strikes in clear to lightly stained water. I’ve had success fishing it slowly along weed edges and rocky points where pressured bass seem to respond best to the worm’s understated, natural movement. Simple, effective, and time-tested, the Scoundrel proves that sometimes the most unassuming baits are the ones that draw the most attention when the bite gets tough.