Customer Reviews

Flambeau Tackle Top Load Soft Side-New Cosmetics Tackle Station (Green, X-Large)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For what I paid for it, I am happy with it. It holds a lot of tackle and it comes with four storage boxes. I like having the external pockets on it for extra things that will not fit in the included boxes, or the main compartment seeing as the three big boxes fit in the main compartment very snug with no room for anything else like pliers or a knife. the one thing I dont like is that it gets very wet when you are fishing in the rain. This is not a problem, it's obvious that it would happen, but on the inside of the lid of the main compartment, there is what looks like a water repellent zippered pouch that does not hold water out at all.

This thing is great. Zippers are made of tough material, not cheap one's like you find in a store. All containers came with plastic dividers, you choose how to set them up. Has elastic ropes on top of bag (we used to secure our worm container), didn't move at all. The front pocket has enough room to store pliers, and any additional gear for your trip.

I have the smaller AZ3 version and like it alot. It is my small tacklebox for carrying around when I have to walk some and just need a subset of my tackle/lures. It seems built fairly well and has a well thought out design. I really like the magnetic pockets, the large zippers that seem to be easier to open than smaller ones, and the psuedo waterproof storage area under the lid. It also has quite a few storage pockets. I really like it.

My Plano tacklebox that I have been using for years for holding my "terminal tackle" or whatever you call stuff for fishing with bait (hooks, weights, floats, miscellaneous stuff,etc.) is starting to all apart. Thus I decided to get an AZ4. I went to the store to pick one up (I had seen it when I bought my AZ3 late last year). The store had them, but they are now green instead of blue. I like the blue better, but the color isn't that important. However, they made other changes as well. I am almost certain the new (which started sometime in early to mid 2011) model is just a cost reduction of the previous model. The two magnetic pockets now use Velcro, the psuedo waterproof pocket under the lid is removed, some little "elastic" retainers which are above the elastic "pockets" inside the front pocket are removed, and some little retainters for the front pocket on the outside are removed.

I don't like the conversion of the magnetic pockets (right side and back) to Velcro. I don't like the loss of the pocket under the lid. I don't really care about the loss of the "elastic" retainers inside the front pocket (note: The elastic pockets are still there). I use them, but I wouldn't miss them. I don't miss the outside retainers for the front pocket. I'm not really sure what they are for. I used one to tie a stringer to when wading with my AZ3 once, but that is it.

At any rate, I think the "old" blue AZ3 and AZ4 tackleboxes are very good. Well thought out design and quality construction. I'm sure the "new" green ones are still great tackleboxes because they retain much of the original design. However, they are missing some nice features. I always hate cost reductions.

I ended up looking around at several stores over a couple of weeks as I was near them (it is a major department store that carried them with tons of locations in my city) and on the fourth store, I found they still had two of the original blue ones so I bought one.

i bought the "medium" size, which is the AZ4. source link on flambeauoutdoors.com is:
http://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/fishing/default.asp?p=Details&c=FRESH+AND+SALT+WATER&s=SOFT+TACKLE&i=AZ4

pros:
1. compact. holds a lot for it's size
2. includes 4 organizers that are made in the USA
3. affordable

cons:
1. horrendous zippers. plastic teeth, very hard-closing. impossible to close one-handed.
2. flaps that cover pockets are held closed only by a 1"x.5" piece of velcro and will NOT retain small items.
3. no capability for storing spinnerbaits
4. bag made in china. stitching quality is reflected.

what changes would make this bag fantastic?

1. carry handle on top. I plan to put a paracord handle on mine.
2. higher quality zippers. preferably steel. consider only two bag sizes with saltwater and freshwater zipper options. i'd pay $5-7 more to get YKK zippers.
3. quick release snap buckles to hold pocket flaps closed rather than velcro

overall, i'm somewhat satisfied. it will work, but i doubt it's high enough quality to last very long. i suspect this will quickly become my backup/secondary bag for holding duplicates of my favorite baits.

For what I paid for it, I am happy with it. It holds a lot of tackle and it comes with four storage boxes. I like having the external pockets on it for extra things that will not fit in the included boxes, or the main compartment seeing as the three big boxes fit in the main compartment very snug with no room for anything else like pliers or a knife. the one thing I dont like is that it gets very wet when you are fishing in the rain. This is not a problem, it's obvious that it would happen, but on the inside of the lid of the main compartment, there is what looks like a water repellent zippered pouch that does not hold water out at all.

We live on the eastern coast of NC where fresh and saltwater fishing is readily available. My husband has been looking for a tackle bag that would accomodate both fresh and saltwater gear...this is it! There is plenty of room for all. This bag keeps the salt off all of your goodies.. no rusted hooks and allows you to keep everything seperate yet handy. He actually felt the need to shop to fill the bag and be properly equipted for any sitaution. His review= "Love it."