Hey Hall of Fame family,
In this week's blog post, I wanted to write about a piece of fishing gear that I've had for quite some time, 12 years to be exact (and counting). This piece of gear is the only piece of gear that has accompanied me on all my fishing outings over the last 12 years. Those of you who've fished with me or know me well know all about this item. And this item, of course, is a blue LL Bean backpack.
I initially got the backpack in 2012, when I was in 8th grade. It was brand new, and the plan was to use it for school. It has three sections, a large main section, a medium sized middle section, and a small front pouch. At this point in my life, I still used a big tackle box (one of the those that takes up a lot of space, has trays that pull out, and you have to carry by hand). As the school year came to a close and I prepared to enter high school, my grandma bought me a new backpack. She said was durable, great for carrying heavy books, and would certainly suffice for a high school student. This new backpack was the same exact blue LL Bean backpack I had received a year prior. I now had two of the same backpack.
At first, I didn't know what to do with my old one. It was still in great condition, and I didn't want to get rid of it. Then, on a fishing outing with Paul and our good friend Robby, I had a mini revelation that would change my fishing career. Instead of lugging around my massive tackle box, I could invest in some smaller "tackle trays" that would fit easily in my "old" backpack, converting it into strictly my fishing backpack. Little did I know that I would still be using that same backpack in 2024.
This fishing backpack has been everywhere with me. It's been on planes, boats, cars, trucks, kayaks, and canoes. It's been to Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Rhode Island, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Kansas, and obviously Missouri (where I live). The backpack has greatly helped me in tackle organization, as well. I now keep all types of lures in organized trays. One for jerkbaits, squarebills, spinnerbaits, jigs, insert miscellaneous hard bait, etc. I don't use trays for my soft plastics anymore, I used to when I was younger. I just keep soft plastics in their packaging now (I'm smarter than I used to be). I have two trays that always stay with my backpack in the largest pouch, one for terminal tackle and one for lures. I don't change the terminal tackle I bring with me, I just make sure it's stocked with any hooks/weights I may need. The lure tray is a different story, though. I'm constantly changing what lures I bring with me in my backpack, depending on what I'm fishing for and where I'm going. All my other boxes full of baits I don't need stay at home. I throw a few bags of soft plastics (I frequently change these out too, depending on circumstance) in the middle section of the backpack, along with a large knife and rod holder that also live permanently in the backpack. The small front section of the backpack I use for other tools and spools of line. I think you can find a spare bobber or two in the front pouch, also.
This backpack has truly stood the test of time. Yes, it's been through the mud and sand, and been on my back as I waded through chest deep water (it's not waterproof). It may not be as shiny as it once was; it's been stained and kissed by the sun. But it hasn't ripped or torn, all the zippers still work, and the straps are in good condition. I don't have any plans on replacing it any time soon. This backpack holds so much more than just fishing gear. It contains memories and experiences I will never forget. It's been with me for most of the great adventures I've been on. It's seen me put 10+ hours in on the water only to get skunked, and it's accompanied me on my greatest outings, the trips where I'd catch 80 crappie, every time I broke a PB, or when I caught 100 bass on a golf course. There are far too many memories I have with this backpack to share. It even has it's own designated place in my kayak. Although corny, I couldn't imagine fishing without it. And yes, I still have the other backpack, too!
Tight lines!
Erik Hoffman, Hall of Fame Outdoor Co