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Columbia Customs,
a better way to store line-through swimbaits
(continued)
  Real
World Test: To
test the Columbia Custom Tackle Boxes we loaded them up with an assortment of
swimbaits, even some that were beyond the product’s rated specifications in type
and size just to see how the boxes handled the baits. We then fished with the
boxes for a period of three months at a combination of local lakes in the Bay
Area as well as the Northern California Delta.
Stowed and ready to go our baits
are held in place perfectly spaced
Operation:
Even though Columbia warned us that their boxes were really designed for top
hook plastic swimbaits we wanted to see how the complete range of swimbaits
worked in the boxes. The standard box was able to hold the treble equipped
swimbaits and we didn’t have too many tangling problems until we started
carrying the boxes in our backpacks while fishing from shore. In this
application the baits would all lean towards the bottom and would indeed tangle
up. With plastic swimbaits like Hudds and Baitsmith lures the box did a great
job holding the baits safely and it was actually quicker and easier to draw the
right lure. Our only complaint with the standard box is that the clips are a
little tricky to fiddle with on the 6” version since the lid opens downwards (or
towards you)
Yes it floats and remains
watertight
We liked the standard
version but found it very similar to implementations we have seen in the past,
the major difference is the use of a waterproof box and the option of a 6” or
10” version which basically is the same box with the bar and clips either
installed horizontally or vertically. The 6” version is able to hold 12 six inch
baits while the 10” box is able to hold eight full sized swimbaits.
Ms. Casey helps us test a variety
of different baits
Next we moved on the
line-through version. From the outside the box looks pretty much the same, in
fact both boxes feature the same brand label on the outer right corner. In place
of the metal clips are 4.25” wires coated with plastic. These wires are easy to
bend into any position anywhere down the length of the wire, they are also easy
to straighten simply by pinching the wire and pulling downwards. Like the
standard version the wires are separated with one inch plastic spacers.
The standard version makes use of
clips
I tested a number of
different line-through swimbaits including Osprey Talons and Castaic Catch 22
trout lures. The Osprey Talons have a very long line through section which
requires you to thread the wire through the front of the bait all the way
through the belly. Sounds hard, but to our surprise this was surprisingly easy
with this box. The wire is just the right thickness and the black coating makes
it easy to see and guide the wire from start to finish. Once threaded through
the bait an upwards bend will hold the line through swimbait in place securely.
Testing the seals on the box, we
were pleasantly surprised
The nice thing about this
implementation is that the box is able to hold all types of line through
swimbaits. For example the Castaic Catch 22 swimbaits only require threading
through the head portion and this is not a problem with the flexible wire
design.
A rubber gasket lines the entire
edge of the box
Next Section: The test continues and price &
ratings
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