Fishing Guides

TALS Wade and Chest Packs

Data for Review

Date – April, 2005
Type of Tackle – Storage
Manufacturer – TALS (Stycorp LTD)
Reviewed by – Andrew Ragas


The Practical Tackle System

The TALS tackle system is created for anglers who wade, surf, float and kayak. These chest packs are designed to provide fishermen with a complete and organized tackle storage system that can be worn in the comfort as a chest pack, waist pack or satchel. Many of us know some of the most exciting and adventuresome forms of fishing can be had outside the confines of a boat.
 

About TALS Tackle Systems (Stycorp)

TALS Tackle Systems was founded in 2000 by STYCORP Ltd. (a product development company) of Watsontown, PA. These systems are designed to provide spin fishermen and flyfishermen with a complete and organized tackle storage system that can be worn in comfort as a chest pack, waist pack or satchel. TALS has two models of chest-packs. They are the 500 series (spin fishermen) and the 600 series (fly fishermen). The patented, twist action, side access TALS Tubes sets this tackle tote apart from the rest. These rotating, worm proof, clear-plastic storage tubes have an internal latching mechanism to prevent themselves from jarring open and use a hook and loop to secure lures and tools inside the pack. It has never been so easy to store tackle right at your fingertips before the TALS tackle system came out into the market. The entire pack and tubes are ventilated for quick drying so there is no need to worry about storing wet tackle.


Out on the Water (Storage, Comfort & Organization)

In early 2005, I purchased my TALS chest pack on-line, at a bargain price of $15. I bought this system with the intentions of wading rivers and having easy-access to my baits and lures. Some of us know how an over-loaded wading vest feels. If you have maybe 2-3lbs of gear inside your vest, your range of motion will be limited when casting and fighting fish. Along with that, finding many of your favorite lures will take up valuable fishing time. With the TALS chest pack, that won’t be an issue.


Storage

Before I purchased my TALS system, it read on Ebay that I was going to receive the 500 series. Instead, I got the 600 series. About a week later, I noticed that the 600 series is specifically designed for the fly-fisherman. The difference between the 500 and 600 series is that the 600 series comes with 6 Tubes. Not 8, unlike the 500 series. As most of you know, I am scared to turn to the dark-side. I did not return my item that is for fly fishing. Instead, I fixed it up myself and turned it into the closest thing you can get to a TALS 500 system. The tubes that came in this series had plastic rings inside. I pulled off the rings and converted the tubes to fit my form of fishing. Along with that, I also placed velcro straps on a small double-sided Plano box I have and included it with my system.

The TALS 500 series comes with 8 tubes in 4 different sizes. These tubes can fit everything, from crankbaits, minnowbaits, jigs and in-line spinners. I refuse to place plastics inside of the tubes because on warm and sunny days, there is the chance that the plastic baits will warp and on most given days if you have an overload of plastics in one tube, the plastics will prevent the tubes from opening up.

The front zipper compartment will hold many bags of your favorite soft-plastic baits. It also features a D-ring harness which can hold small packets of hooks, small jars and tools.


Comfort

The TALS Tackle system is soft and spacious. Compared with a regular wading vest with a million small pockets and zippers, nothing will get in your way. It is all hands-free fishing. While wading or shore fishing, it’s just you, yourself and your rod and reel.

The TALS 500 is soft. The base material of the product is denier nylon and is a very light material. The system is fully breathable and will be a charm to use on hot and sunny summer days.

The main difference between a chest pack and a wading vest is basically the name of “chest pack”. The system is strapped right to your chest. Your arms and shoulders are free and out of the way for a better range of motion compared with an ordinary vest (editor’s opinion). Another feature that assists in overall softness is the back-end frame of the chest pack. It is fully padded for extra comfort.

All TALS tackle systems come with six point, fully adjustable, comfort harness that eliminates neck strain and makes the pack comfortable for all-day wear. If you are an angler with back problems, I believe that this is the thing for you. The system also comes with adjustable shoulder pads that can be adjusted for all sizes of fishermen.


Organization

As I said before, the TALS tackle system has 3 main storage areas. These storage areas are the breathable clear-plastic tubes, the main compartment flex loop rings and front-end zipper storage area.

The tubes will hold all of your favorite hard baits, in-line spinners and plastics. They are also breathable, so if you accidentally soak your baits, or tube underwater, the tube will dry quickly. It is best to connect the tubes vertically so they stick to the pack for a longer-lasting life-period.

The main compartment flex-rings can be used for a wide variety of applications. You can hang spinnerbaits and buzzbaits off of them. If you aren’t using those types of lures, you can hang and secure your small fishing tools, such as needle-nose pliers, scissors, utility knives, tape measure and packets of hooks.

When you un-zip the main storage compartment, a "hands-free" fold down work table with tool holders is formed. This is basically a small fold-down platform that stands horizontal while the pack is opened.

The front-end zipper compartment holds many of your favorite bags of plastic baits. Compared with my White River wading vest, I can hold more plastic baits in the TALS pack. With holding plastics in a wading vest, you are adding weight and pressure to your lower back and shoulders. When you hold plastics in the TALS system, the plastics become almost a part of your body. Just think of adding an extra lb of fat to your stomach area. You can’t feel the addition of weight from plastics and if you like to frequently change lures, your selections will be right in front of you!


The front-end zipper compartment holds many of your favorite bags of plastic baits. It also features d-ring loops that hold packages of hooks and bait that comes in small jar containers.


Special Features

Stycorp’s mission is to bring innovative tackle storage solutions to all types of anglers.

How right you were!

The main features on all TALS tackle systems are the Velcro connectors which are a part of the plastic tube and is found on all TALS tubes and the flexible D-loop storage rings which allow you to easily store tools and spinnerbaits.

Other special features are listed as they follow:

- Padded neck-straps and shoulder straps
- Adjusts to fit all sizes of fishermen
- Lightweight and flexible
- Breathable and quick to dry
- Converts between chest pack/ waist pack/ satchel
- Prevents tackle clutter and tangle
- 1-year manufacturers warranty



TALS Tackle System Ratings (0/5)


Construction/ Quality – Made from denier nylon material. Material is breathable but could have more backbone and strength. - 4

On the Water Uses – A solid chest pack built for many forms of fishing. The system is hands-free and stays out of the way. While out on the water, it is just between you and the fish. - 5

Design (ergonomics) – Light-weight and able to hold many pieces of tackle. Front zipper compartment stores many bags of plastic baits. Prevents clutter and tangles - 5

Features – Fully padded material and padded shoulder-straps. Easy to handle on long outings and easy on the body. - 5

Presentation – Holds many baits. End of story! - 5

Price – At $34.99 including tubes and at $19.99 excluding tubes, what else could you ask for? – 5


Total Score - - - - 4.8/5



Positive and Negative Thoughts


Positive

- See-thru tubes
- Attached by Velcro
- Lightweight
- Hands-free fishing
- Extra tubes can be bought separately
- Easy organization

Negative

- Material of chest-pack could be stronger
- Not found in too many retail stores