I notice especially the smaller hooks always slide toward the lid and mix with other size hooks and end up in different compartments during transport. Any recommendations on some good tackle boxes that keep the hooks from mixing with other compartments? I was thinking to try a waterproof box, can anyone verify those keep tackle from mixing?
I use a worm binder & keep the hooks in their original pack, and then inside the plastic bags in the binder. Never have to worry about them getting spilled or mixed. :)
Or you could put them in a RX bottle like I do my smaller split shots.
Or get you some rubbery shelf liner material (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Duck-Brand-Select-Grip-Easy-Liner-Brand-Shelf-Liner-with-Clorox-White-20-in-x-6-ft/152144025) from somewhere like Walmart for a couple a bucks. Flip open the lid to your hook box and lay the material over it. Take some scissors and trim accordingly to make a piece that fits the inside dimensions of the lid. Use something like gorilla glue to glue to the inside of the lid. I also glued my dividers in place. This slight cushion of material will make the lid press lightly against all the dividers when closed sealing them from small cracks. I did my 3701 Plano box a year ago it seems and it has worked flawlessly.
I personally use paperclips for all of my hooks. Cheap way to keep them all together.
To add to what SteveTX, said, you can also go to a craft store & get sheets of foam in all kinds of colors. They're usually less that $2 a sheet for 18" X 12", 2mm thick sheets. Some may also have 3 mm or 6 mm thick sheets.
I tie flies with that foam & have used it inside of Plano type boxes to store small flies. 2mm foam glued inside the lid will seal the compartments to keep hooks or other small items from migrating & mixing. Won't keep them from spilling & mixing if you happen to drop the box & the lid pops open. Most craft stores will also have a spray adhesive that will work great with the foam, and some sheet foam comes with adhesive on one side. :)
Paperclips is definitely going to on my list now. I've never put much thought into the topic. Good points
I use the Bass Mafia 3700 size for hooks, weights ect. you can turn it upside and shake it and everything stays put.
They ain't cheap they work as advertised. Also the latches are much more positive than the planos.
The only loose hooks I have are in my little stowaway boxes, 4-5 in each box of soft plastics. That's for when I don't want to carry around the whole tacklebox, I'll grab a stowaway and stick it in my back pocket. Any hooks in the main box are just kept in the packages they come in.
I remember something I had read many years ago along the lines of the paper clips, but it was safety pins.
It may have been a "Taps Tips" mention in Field & Stream, but I'm not sure. Safety pins because of the design can hold many hooks & clip shut.
I used them a little, but got away from doing it because I started carrying too much stuff, including hooks. lo
Steve and Lostboy45b ideas are great. So simple, but never thought about that.