Not my Grandpaw, but somebody’s! My Dad’s friend left his tackle box to my dad. I’m sure he was from Minnesota judging by his gear. I dug it out because I’m going to the Boundary Waters (if I secure a permit).


Look at this stuff and tell me what I should bring to fish with!

I circled what I’d use.

The only thing I would check is the orange spinner rig. Sometimes the line can get rotten. Basspro will tell you the jitterbug and Erie Dearies are a fave. QMike will like the white spinnerbaits and the (I think?) Lucky 13.
You look to have some good jigging spoons for lake trout. Bring 'em all and let the fish sort 'em out. Make sure the hooks are sharp.

plander: "I circled what I’d use.


"

I was thinking the same thing.

I would tend to agree with what others here are saying. A lot of them look like they have seen some action so make sure to check split rings, etc. to be sure they're sound. Replace skirts on a couple of baits and I think you're good to go.

Plander, you wouldn’t take a Lazy Ike??

plander: "I circled what I’d use.

"

I can honestly say that I have caught fish on every one of those. This is a very good start to your tackle box. Jitterbugs, Zara spooks, lazy Ike’s, red eyes, spinner blades, Rapalas all lures on this page can and will catch fish. With that said I would still just bring slip bobbers, split shots and leeches or crawlers.

Savage Voyageur: "I can honestly say that I have caught fish on every one of those. This is a very good start to your tackle box. Jitterbugs, Zara spooks, lazy Ike’s, red eyes, spinner blades, Rapalas all lures on this page can and will catch fish. With that said I would still just bring slip bobbers, split shots and leeches or crawlers. "

That's pretty impressive, Savage! I haven't used about half a dozen of the lures. Of the ones I have used the only lure I haven't had success with in the BW are the lipless cranks. As for favorites, I still enjoy the topwater action best!

Was there anything labeled "Grandpa's cough medicine" included??? :)

YetiJedi: "

Savage Voyageur: "I can honestly say that I have caught fish on every one of those. This is a very good start to your tackle box. Jitterbugs, Zara spooks, lazy Ike’s, red eyes, spinner blades, Rapalas all lures on this page can and will catch fish. With that said I would still just bring slip bobbers, split shots and leeches or crawlers. "

That's pretty impressive, Savage! I haven't used about half a dozen of the lures. Of the ones I have used the only lure I haven't had success with in the BW are the lipless cranks. As for favorites, I still enjoy the topwater action best!"

I did not say that I’ve caught fish in the BWCA, but I have caught fish in Minnesota. Which is why I said the comment on slip bobbers.

Wow! A red eye wiggler. I can't find any of the originals anymore. Just some knock-offs.

I guess it would largely depend on when you are going, what lake you are going to, what species you might be targeting and you.

The spinner baits are great for all day pike and smallmouth bass in bays and rocky shorelines. You might even catch a walleye up shallow early or late in the day.

Most of the crank baits will work but once again it depends on what you're targeting. That large stick jerk bait will catch lake trout if you get it down deep. It will also catch walleye, bass and pike over shallow reefs.

That white jigging spoon is great for lake trout, but you have to fish it deep in a lake with lake trout.

I once returned from a late June BWCA trip in which we caught close to 100 bass, walleye and pike on nothing more than a tube jig and orange bass crank baits. I setup a friend with a the same gear and he headed off to BWCA a week later. Different area but still BWCA. He caught 3 fish all week. He said he cursed me all week because he didn't have the "right" gear.

Sometimes a hook and leech is the best setup you can have.

Sometimes it's not the lures!