Stowaway boxes for the Plano 1612?

Okay, I'm getting geared up for my first outing in my new T-11 and decided to no reinvent the wheel here.  I stole Hightide's tablesaw to triple rod rack set up http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,21250.0.html because I like the flat offsets that keep the tubes away from the top.  I ordered my Plano 1612 and even though I have been staring at the compartment it fits so nicely into, I have to say I am surprised at how small this box is now that it's arrived.

No big deal, I don't rock a ton of gear, but I was also surprised that none of the 6 or so sizes of Plano stowaways I have at my disposal seem to maximize the space inside the 1612.  My favorite box is a discontinued shoulder strap plano hard box that holds 4 of the 3620s and has an open area for loose stuff or a 3503 spinner bait box.  These 3620s won't fit unless I leave out the tray, and even then, it's not a great fit.  Same with the 3705s, too tall with the tray, poor use of the length.

I've also got some 3540s that I can load up and make work, but again, they just seem inefficient and I'm not finding anything specifically made to nest in this box.

What are people using for stowaways in the 1612?

I think the main reason people use the Plano 1612 is because it fits behind the seat of the OK, and it is waterproof. Well, it fits okay, but it definitely is not waterproof. You have to do something about the rubber gasket. I flipped a couple times during beach landing. Each time the Plano was filled with sea water, ruinning almost everything in it. I hate that box. I now use those $9 waterproof boxes at Walmart. Works ok for my needs.

The first thing I do with the 1612's is to remove the tray.  It's one less thing to drop overboard.

-Allen

That makes sense - I guess I was just expecting that SOME Plano box was designed to fit in this thing.

Yep....ditch the tray and PACK LESS TACKLE....I go with one small box (double sided ones) for all my terminal tackle. The one more box for targeted species (salmon, RF, etc). The only time I use more then one box is for bass. In that case I am in calm water so I just toss the tray's in the tank well. I also chuckle to myself when I see someone with 25 swimbaits. Have you really needed more then 5-7 in a days fishing?

Less is more (less to loose, less to sort thru OTW)

I also chuckle to myself when I see someone with 25 swimbaits. Have you really needed more then 5-7 in a days fishing?

Yes...Once, at Elk. Dang black RF were huge & ate the tail off every swimbait I had .

However, I too usually only bring one tackle tray. Most times I only use 2-3 lures during a session. If theres a good chance I'll need to fish live bait I have one small tray with weights, hooks, sabikis, and terminal stuff I put in my hatch. Shoot, I just remembered, it's still in the hatch now !

as Bluekayak says "travel light". At least on saltwater.
My style is to cart the kayak to wherever I'll launch on the beach, then make one more trip for the gear. I found that if I keep to the "single trip for gear" rule it prevents me from bringing too much stuff (I still do probably, but I can carry it in one trip). Figure rods & paddle in one hand, and plano box and landing gear bundled up in my net in the other.

Remember too, if you do well you'll be carting a bunch of extra pounds of fish flesh on your return .

I put Shimano & Loomis Worm Binders in mine for tackle, and a Plano 3640 for hooks, weights and terminal tackle. Those worm binders adapt to hold anything, and you can see at a glance what is in each bag.

Thanks for all the input guys - got my Trident 11 wet for the first time over the holiday weekend at Loon Lake - I'll post an official report in a bit - not too much to report sadly.  I decided to go with the Plano 3705s and use the extra width for some small stacking canister jars and some bait.   Seemed to work out nice.  My first kayak, my first trip, had a great time and I am absolutely sold on the Trident.  Loved it.  Thanks again for all the input - I would not have been nearly as prepared without all the great info and input I got from the generous members of this site.

Anthony