In this How 2 Tuesday episode of the Tom Rowland Podcast, host Tom Rowland shares a practical solution for organizing fishing tackle on his new Yellowfin 24 CE carbon boat. After discovering that his perfectly organized lean post tackle station kept getting buried under rain gear, jackets, and personal items during charters in the Florida Keys, Tom developed a mobile rigging station using a specific Plano Edge plastic box. This simple modification transformed his on-the-water efficiency by creating a portable workstation with all essential rigging tools, leader material, hooks, and terminal tackle that can move anywhere on the boat.
What is a mobile rigging station for fishing boats?
A mobile rigging station is a portable, waterproof tackle box containing all essential rigging tools, leader material, hooks, weights, wire, scissors, and pliers in one organized container. Tom Rowland developed this solution using a Plano Edge plastic box with a 3,700 footprint that's seven inches deep, allowing him to move his complete rigging setup anywhere on his Yellowfin 24 CE when the primary tackle station becomes covered with rain gear and personal items during charters.
Who is Tom Rowland?
Tom Rowland is the host of the Tom Rowland Podcast and a charter fishing captain who operates out of the Florida Keys. He runs charters from his Yellowfin 24 CE carbon boat equipped with a Mercury 350 outboard, sharing practical fishing techniques and boat organization strategies through his How 2 Tuesday series based on real experiences from his time on the water.
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This episode is brought to you by Star brite, the marine care products Tom relies on to maintain his Yellowfin and keep his gear protected from the harsh saltwater environment of the Florida Keys. From boat care in a bucket to Salt Off for daily rinses, Star brite provides the complete maintenance solution for serious anglers.
Visit Star brite →The Problem with Fixed Tackle Stations
Tom's new Yellowfin 24 CE carbon boat came with a brilliant design feature: Plano 3,600 boxes fit perfectly into the lean post where the captain sits, creating an organized tackle station. He invested in the new Plano Edge boxes with water wick and rust blocker built into the plastic, plus waterproof seals, and reorganized his entire tackle collection. The setup was perfect—until a cold front rolled through the Keys. When customers started shedding rain jackets, bibs, and gear, everything landed right on top of his meticulously organized tackle station. Sunscreen, cameras, phones, and rain suits buried the exact spot where Tom needed to work when it was time to re-rig after break-offs or change lures. By day three of this reality, Tom knew he needed a better solution. The full tackle station dilemma unfolds at 1:48.
Why the Plano Edge Plastic Box Changed Everything
Tom discovered that Plano's newer Edge line included a box they hadn't made before—a plastic box designed for soft plastics that could be left in their original bags. This box has the same 3,700 footprint but stands seven inches deep, perfect for keeping dissimilar plastics separated and preventing the chemical reactions that used to burn holes through old tackle boxes. But Tom saw a different application. This box became his complete mobile rigging station, holding scissors, pliers, his most-used hooks, split shot, wire, and all the leader material he needs. The key advantage is that this box lives in a hatch that customers don't stand on or cover with gear, yet he can grab it and move anywhere on the boat when it's time to rig. How Tom loaded out his mobile station starts at 3:32.
Hear Tom explain exactly what he keeps in his mobile rigging box and why this setup works in both big boats and skiffs
The Same Problem Happens in Skiffs
Tom points out that this isn't just an offshore boat problem. When he ran charters from a small skiff, all the tackle, lures, and leader material lived under the seat—which is exactly where customers sit when you pull up to a fishing spot. Having a mobile, waterproof rigging station that can sit on the deck while staying organized solves the same problem in smaller boats. Whether you're running a 24-foot center console or a technical flats skiff, the principle is the same: keep your rigging essentials in one portable box that doesn't fall overboard, doesn't get buried, and gives you immediate access to everything you need when fish are breaking you off or conditions demand a tackle change. Tom's skiff tackle station story begins at 8:50.
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SubscribeBeyond Tackle: Safety Gear and Multi-Purpose Storage
Tom reveals he actually uses two of these seven-inch-deep Plano Edge plastic boxes on his boat. The second one serves a completely different purpose: storing safety gear and flares. The waterproof construction and depth make it ideal for items that need to stay dry and accessible but don't require constant access. This dual-purpose approach shows how the same organizational principle—keeping related items together in a portable, protected container—applies beyond just fishing tackle. Tom's enthusiasm for this solution comes through clearly: after years of dealing with buried tackle stations, he wishes he'd thought of this approach sooner. Tom's full organizational system and safety gear setup is explained at 9:38.
This simple modification could transform your on-the-water efficiency
Whether you fish offshore or on the flats, this How 2 Tuesday delivers a solution you can implement this weekend
Key Takeaways
- Tom's Yellowfin 24 CE carbon boat with a Mercury 350 features a lean post designed to hold Plano 3,600 boxes—but that prime real estate becomes unusable when customers pile rain gear and personal items on top during charters
- The Plano Edge plastic box with a 3,700 footprint and seven inches of depth creates a complete mobile rigging station that can move anywhere on the boat while keeping scissors, pliers, hooks, weights, wire, and leader material organized and accessible
- These Edge boxes feature water wick technology and rust blocker built into the plastic, plus waterproof seals—originally designed for keeping soft plastics in their bags to prevent chemical reactions that used to burn holes in tackle boxes
- The same mobile rigging concept solves tackle access problems in small skiffs where all gear traditionally lives under the seat—exactly where customers sit when you pull up to fish
- Tom uses a second seven-inch-deep box for safety gear and flares, showing how this organizational principle extends beyond fishing tackle to any items that need waterproof storage and easy access
- Text TEAM to (305) 930-7346 to join Tom's inner circle for exclusive announcements, sponsor discounts, and direct access to submit show suggestions and questions
Final Thoughts from Tom
This is one of those solutions that seems so obvious once you implement it, but it took me dealing with the frustration for several days before the lightbulb went off. The beauty of the mobile rigging station is that it doesn't matter what kind of boat you're running—the principle works everywhere. I've had the same problem in my skiff, on larger center consoles, and now on this Yellowfin. People need somewhere to put their stuff, and that somewhere always ends up being exactly where you need to work.
What I really appreciate about the Plano Edge plastic box is that it wasn't originally designed for this application, but the dimensions and features make it perfect. The seven-inch depth gives you enough room to stand things up vertically, the waterproof seal means you can set it on the deck without worry, and the footprint is small enough to store in a hatch that doesn't get constantly accessed. Plus, having that second box for safety gear means everything has its place and nothing gets lost or damaged.
If you're tired of digging through piles of rain gear to find your leader material, or if you're constantly searching for scissors and pliers that have migrated around the boat, this How 2 Tuesday is for you. It's a simple modification that makes a huge difference in your efficiency on the water. Give it a listen and see if this approach might work for your setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Plano Edge plastic box Tom Rowland uses for his mobile rigging station?
Tom uses a Plano Edge plastic box with a 3,700 footprint that's seven inches deep. It features water wick technology and rust blocker built into the plastic, plus a waterproof seal. Originally designed for storing soft plastic baits in their original bags, Tom repurposed it to hold all his rigging essentials including scissors, pliers, hooks, weights, wire, and leader material in one portable container.
Why does Tom need a mobile tackle station on his Yellowfin 24 CE?
Tom's Yellowfin 24 CE has a lean post designed to hold Plano 3,600 tackle boxes, creating a perfect fixed tackle station. However, during cold fronts when customers wear rain gear, everyone sheds their jackets, bibs, sunscreen, cameras, and phones directly onto this tackle area, burying Tom's organized system exactly when he needs to rig tackle after break-offs or make lure changes.
What items should go in a mobile fishing rigging station?
Tom keeps his most-used hooks, pliers, scissors, split shot, wire, and all his leader material in his mobile rigging box. The key is including everything you need for the most common rigging tasks—re-tying after break-offs, changing lures, or adjusting terminal tackle—so you can work efficiently anywhere on the boat without returning to your primary tackle storage.
Do mobile rigging stations work in small skiffs?
Yes, Tom explains that the same problem occurs in skiffs where tackle typically lives under the seat—exactly where customers sit when you pull up to fish. A mobile, waterproof rigging station that can sit on the deck solves this issue in smaller boats just as effectively as in larger center consoles, giving you organized access to rigging essentials without disturbing your passengers.
What else can the seven-inch-deep Plano Edge box be used for?
Tom uses a second Plano Edge plastic box to store safety gear and flares. The waterproof construction and seven-inch depth make it ideal for items that need to stay dry and accessible but don't require constant access during fishing. The same organizational principle—keeping related items together in a portable, protected container—works for various boat storage needs beyond just tackle.
Related Episodes
Tom discusses the features and considerations that led him to select the Yellowfin 24 CE carbon boat
More strategies for keeping fishing gear organized and accessible when running charters
Tom shares additional techniques and tips from his charter experience in the Keys
Learn the fundamental rigging techniques that Tom keeps ready in his mobile station
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Tom Rowland – Host, Tom Rowland Podcast; Charter Captain, Florida Keys
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ABOUT THIS GUEST
Tom Rowland
Tom Rowland is the host of the Tom Rowland Podcast and a charter fishing captain operating out of the Florida Keys. He runs charters from his Yellowfin 24 CE carbon boat equipped with a Mercury 350 outboard. Through his How 2 Tuesday series, Tom shares practical fishing techniques and boat organization strategies developed through years of experience on the water. His approach combines real-world problem-solving with straightforward instruction, helping anglers at all levels improve their effectiveness on the water. Text TEAM to (305) 930-7346 to join Tom's inner circle for exclusive content and direct access.
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