Beginner's Tacklebox

Beginner’s Tacklebox with Justin Lucas

Posted on
California native and finesse-fishing specialist Justin Lucas now calls Alabama his home. While sitting on the front deck of his fully loaded Phoenix bass boat, Lucas digs for an empty Bass Mafia tray. His goal?
California native and finesse-fishing specialist Justin Lucas now calls Alabama his home. While sitting on the front deck of his fully loaded Phoenix bass boat, Lucas digs for an empty Bass Mafia tray. His goal?
To show you what lures he'd place in a box for a new or young angler.
To show you what lures he’d place in a box for a new or young angler.
He said to not place all the dividers in until you know where each item will go. It's a custom-fit job.
He said to not place all the dividers in until you know where each item will go. It’s a custom-fit job.
Keep the dividers handy if you ever need to reorganize the box.
Keep the dividers handy if you ever need to reorganize the box.
A Berkley SquareBull is a good crankbait to start with. Naturally it deflects wood and rock, and it doesn't run very deep so it's easier to control -- especially from shore.
A Berkley SquareBull is a good crankbait to start with. Naturally it deflects wood and rock, and it doesn’t run very deep so it’s easier to control — especially from shore.
Keep a couple handy in a few different colors. He likes a red craw pattern during Spring.
Keep a couple handy in a few different colors. He likes a red craw pattern during Spring.
A Havoc Bottomhopper is his preferred finesse, straight-tail worm.
A Havoc Bottomhopper is his preferred finesse, straight-tail worm.
These can be rigged for many scenarios, including Texas- and Carolina-rigs. But his favorite way is with a shaky head.
These can be rigged for many scenarios, including Texas- and Carolina-rigs. But his favorite way is with a shaky head.
He also likes to keep a few Havoc Grass Pigs on-hand as well. You can rig these as a simple swimbait, or as a jig, bladed jig or buzzbait trailer.
He also likes to keep a few Havoc Grass Pigs on-hand as well. You can rig these as a simple swimbait, or as a jig, bladed jig or buzzbait trailer.
A shad color is his favorite for most lakes across the country.
A shad color is his favorite for most lakes across the country.
And of course he loves the new Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Generals.
And of course he loves the new Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Generals.
The soft stickbait can be rigged many ways as well, but his favorite is wacky.
The soft stickbait can be rigged many ways as well, but his favorite is wacky.
The soft plastics remain in their original packaging until it comes time to rig up. Keep all your plastics in their packaging or the chemicals will react with the plastic of your tackle tray causing it to warp.
The soft plastics remain in their original packaging until it comes time to rig up. Keep all your plastics in their packaging or the chemicals will react with the plastic of your tackle tray causing it to warp.
Ever wonder how Lucas likes to rig his wacky rig?
Ever wonder how Lucas likes to rig his wacky rig?
Insert the bait in the tube with a rubber washer already over the tube.
Insert the bait in the tube with a rubber washer already over the tube.
Slide the washer off the tube and onto the bait, somewhere near the middle. The hook can be slid underneath this washer without piercing the plastic bait, which will add substantial to the life of the lure.
Slide the washer off the tube and onto the bait, somewhere near the middle. The hook can be slid underneath this washer without piercing the plastic bait, which will add substantial to the life of the lure.
He puts a nail in one side of it to give it a life-like action as it falls.
He puts a nail in one side of it to give it a life-like action as it falls.
There it is. Easy. And very effective.
There it is. Easy. And very effective.
Keep these tools handy, you'll need them if the bass start crushing the wacky rig.
Keep these tools handy, you’ll need them if the bass start crushing the wacky rig.
Of course you'll find plenty of drop-shot weights, and he suggests you get some for your collection, too.
Of course you’ll find plenty of drop-shot weights, and he suggests you get some for your collection, too.
And shaky head jigs.
And shaky head jigs.
Here's how Lucas rigs his shaky head.
Here’s how Lucas rigs his shaky head.
Hook goes through the nose of the worm, then turned around to bury the hook point.
Hook goes through the nose of the worm, then turned around to bury the hook point.
Pretty simple.
Pretty simple.
But very effective, especially when spotted bass or smallmouth are swimming around.
But very effective, especially when spotted bass or smallmouth are swimming around.
Scissors, always keep scissors handy. Your dentist will thank you for using these instead of your teeth.
Scissors, always keep scissors handy. Your dentist will thank you for using these instead of your teeth.
Keep them close by.
Keep them close by.
Needlenose pliers are also always necessary.
Needlenose pliers are also always necessary.
That's a good start, he said. Leave a little bit of room in the box to add baits to your collection as you master each technique. But don't take on too much. One step at a time he said.
That’s a good start, he said. Leave a little bit of room in the box to add baits to your collection as you master each technique. But don’t take on too much. One step at a time he said.
Thanks for the advice, Justin.
Thanks for the advice, Justin.

Related