Keep Tackle Gear Organized And Ready With This Pool Noodle Boat Hack

Fishermen always head to their favorite fishing spot thinking they've chosen the best bait or lure for the day. However, in reality, very few fishermen stick to that first choice the entire trip. More often than not, anglers continue to change baits throughout the day. When they do, they typically have to spend time rummaging through a boat hatch or tackle box to find the next bait. This can be time consuming and noisy, costing anglers valuable fishing time and possibly even spooking nearby fish.

However, there is a simple, cheap, and effective hack that can help fishermen avoid these issues when on the water. So, if you are looking for a quicker, quieter way to find what you need when it's time to switch lures, you need look no further than the venerable and versatile pool noodle. While pool noodles are widely used for a variety of hacks from protecting fishing rods to keeping campsites dry, when mounted on a boat, pool noodles are handy to hold an array of lures all within reach. This means fishermen can spend more time fishing, less time looking for lures, and can avoid slamming boat hatches and tackle box lids.

This pool noodle lure organization requires very little and is very simple to implement. What do you need? Well, for the basic version you only need a pool noodle and something to cut it with. For the cutting, scissors, box cutters, and filet knives will all work just fine. Step one: cut the pool noodle to the desired length. This can be based on where you plan to attach it or just on the amount of lures you feel you will have hanging on it. Next, split the pool noodle along the seam that runs the length of the noodle. Finally, push the split pool noodle onto any rail or edge in your boat and you're ready to begin hanging lures. Depending on the size of your boat, you may want to put multiple foam lure holding stations throughout the boat.

Before leaving the dock, hang an assortment of lures or leader rigs you think you may want to use during the day on the pool noodle. Having them readily available will make changing lures much more efficient, as you simply grab what you want to tie on, then place the bait you cut off your line onto foam. It's also a good idea to hang multiples of the lures you think you'll be using the most. That way if you lose or break one off during the day, you'll have a replacement handy.

If you find a pool noodle to be too bulky, you can use sections of foam pipe insulator tubes instead. This is usually a better choice for smaller boats. Another handy tip is to zip-tie the foam tubes to the rails so they don't fly off when underway in rough conditions. This will also keep them from spinning on the rail when hooking or unhooking lures. Something else to keep in mind is foam tubes and noodles are not permanent fixtures. Over time, sun, use, and saltwater (if you are in a coastal region) will cause them to deteriorate. Once you notice them beginning to flake, it is best to replace them so you don't end up with a mess on the boat.

While this hack is handy for grabbing lures quickly, it can also present some danger, particularly on a rocking boat. It is important to be cautious with any multi-hook baits. Be sure to put every hook into the foam or else it is just dangling in air, practically waiting to hook someone. Single hooks will be completely covered, but treble hooks will have at least one barb exposed since it is not possible to place more than two of the three barbs in the foam at one time. To reduce the chance of you or someone else being hooked, you can carry pre-cut pieces of foam to place on any exposed barbs.