Tackle management is rarely the most exciting part of preparing for a day on the water, but it’s often the piece of fishing gear that separates a productive trip from a frustrating one. Whether you’re cruising down the river or you’re on a leisurely kayak float, the right gear organization system can mean more casts, fewer headaches, and less fumbling around.
Plano’s new additions to its StowAway line of tackle boxes expands on the company’s well-known catalog of durable, customizable tackle-storage solutions, with both classic and waterproof versions available to fill every angler’s needs.
On the business end of the rod, Berkley continues to add to their buffet of hard baits and soft plastics: perfect for filling those new StowAway boxes.
New Additions to the Plano StowAway Line
Plano StowAway 3500
The Plano StowAway 3500 is the smallest (9.13"L x 4.98"W x 1.25"H)of the new line of tackle boxes, but don’t let its size fool you. Its compact frame makes it ideal for quick trips when you’re packing light, need to fit a few essentials in a backpack, or are running tight on space.
The updated latch system is a noticeable improvement over older models. Inside, you will find adjustable dividers, allowing for a surprisingly generous number of configurations despite its smaller footprint. This box is right at home in a glove box, kayak hatch, or backpack. Whether you’re organizing lures or terminal tackle, you’ll certainly benefit from adding a few StowAway 3500s to your collection.
Plano StowAway 3600
The Plano StowAway 3600 is the mid-sized option (10.88" L x 7.25" W 1.75" H) in the line, and it hits a sweet spot balancing size and storage capacity. It has more room than the 3500 but doesn’t bulk up to the point of being cumbersome. If you’re someone who likes to carry a variety of lures but doesn’t want to haul your entire kit to the water, this box is where form and function strike a nice equilibrium.
Again, the dividers offer flexible organization, and the updated latch keeps everything locked in without any play. For weekend anglers or those who like to organize their lures based on species, the 3600 is an option that works in almost any fishing scenario.
Plano StowAway 3700
Now, if you're the type to carry more gear than you would ever need on a fishing trip, the StowAway 3700 is going to solve any organizational need you may have. The largest (14"L x 7.25"W x 1.75"H)in this batch of new releases, the StowAway 3700 is built for serious storage and less-than-ideal conditions.
It has everything the 3600 offers, but upsized for those who require more space. Whether you're fishing in multi-day tournaments or just like being over-prepared, the 3700 gives you the ability to carry it all.
Plano Waterproof StowAway 3700
If you have ever had your gear soaked during a sudden downpour or watched a wave lap over the side of your boat into your tackle bag, you’ll appreciate the Waterproof StowAway 3700. While it shares the dimensions of the regular 3700 (14"L x 7.25"W x 1.75"H), the similarities end there.
It features the Dri-Loc O-ring seal and triple-latch system, with dividers that click firmly in place and don’t shift during transport.It's not just water-resistant, it is waterproof. Whether you’re fishing offshore in salt spray or tucked into a backwoods creek with thunderstorms on the radar, this box will keep its contents nice and dry. The interior layout is just as customizable as its dry-land counterpart, and despite the extra sealing, the latches remain easy to operate even with cold or wet hands.
New Killer Berkley Lures
Berkley Swamp Lord Hollow Body Frog
Berkley’s new Swamp Lord Hollow Body Frog is a topwater lure that’s anything but subtle. Co-designed with tournament fisherman Bobby Lane, this bait was made for fishing in the nastiest vegetation you’d imagine coming across. The body compresses with minimal pressure, improving hookup ratios without compromising on durability. It walks clean and tight on a slack line, letting you fish it with precision through pads, mats, and blowdowns.
The tail skirting provides just enough drag to slow the bait down, while its weight and balance allow it to be cast with precision. It’s available in a range of colors, from natural greens to bold blacks and whites, so you can match or stand out, depending on the conditions.
It is quite impressive how the Swamp Lord moves through vegetation, and when struck, the soft body folds just enough to let those heavy-gauge hooks dig in deep. It’s a frog built for landing big bass, and it’s going to earn a permanent spot in my summer topwater box.
Berkley Stunna
If you're working deeper water or targeting suspended fish, you're going to want to add the Berkley Stunna jerkbait to your ever-growing collection. Developed with Hank Cherry, it is perfectly tuned for a wide darting action and slow fall, making it ideal for cold-water or those days when fish need a little more convincing.
The Stunna’s finishes are clean and refined, with just the right amount of flash. The color patterns give you options for clear to stained water, and the dual tungsten weight transfer system helps you launch it further than other similar jerkbaits. When you pause on the retrieve, it suspends naturally, not nose-down or tail-up like some others do, and that neutral posture draws strikes from even the most unenthused bass.
Whether you’re running it along a wall or over submerged grass or other structures, it tracks straight and responds well to both subtle twitches and aggressive rips.
Berkley PowerBait PowerStinger
The Berkley PowerBait PowerStinger might look like another soft plastic, but it is simply not. Designed specifically as a bladed jig trailer, the PowerStinger brings a dense, compact profile and a tail section that’s engineered to complement rather than overpower your chatter-style baits. Where some trailers can kill the vibration or mess with the action of your bladed jig, the PowerStinger builds upon it.
This bait features Berkley’s honeycomb construction toward the rear, giving the tail a subtle, pulsing movement that mimics fleeing baitfish without creating unnecessary drag. It holds to the hook well, doesn’t disintegrate after one or two fish, and comes in a range of colors. If you don’t have a bladed jig on hand, don’t be afraid to use it on a plain swim jig, especially in waters that are seeing a high amount of pressure from other fishermen.
This bait has enough body to skip well under docks and limbs, luring those hungry fish from the shadows for a bite. Add in that famous PowerBait scent, and you’ve yourself quite the tempting meal for fish passing by.
There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with using gear that does exactly what it promises — nothing more, nothing less. Plano’s newest StowAways do just this, and more. Their offer solutions with latches that don’t pop open, dividers that don’t shift, and waterproofing that actually keeps contents dry.
On the bait side of things, Berkley continues to deliver gear that toes the line between innovation and practicality. The Swamp Lord is going to earn a following among topwater junkies, the Stunna brings a tournament pedigree to a classic presentation, and the PowerStinger rounds it all out by making one of the most popular bait styles on the water even better. It’s not about filling your boat with gear, it’s about bringing the right tools for the job. With these latest offerings from Plano and Berkley, you’ll be doing just that.
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