This Wildly Popular, Cheap Tackle Box Just Got Better: Plano StowAway Tackle Box Review

Most anglers have purchased the Plano StowAway tackle box without even knowing its name. You know when you’re walking around a Bass Pro or Walmart and grab one of those cheap, clear plastic boxes with dividers connected by little tabs? That’s a Plano StowAway or a knockoff of it.

I can’t remember a time I didn’t see them on shelves in my favorite fishing aisle or shop. They’re a cheap, easy storage option and are nifty for all sorts of things. In 2025, Plano released an updated version, which was long overdue.

The most recent improvements include updated divider tabs, a new latch, and a rust inhibitor system. I wanted to test whether these upgrades really made a difference or were just cosmetic changes.

In short: Plano’s updates to the iconic StowAway tackle box give it increased functionality. With more slots for dividers, you can customize the box more than in past models. The new tabs lock in, preventing hook migration between compartments. Anglers also don’t need to worry about losing tackle to rust with the inclusion of Rustrictor, a rust prevention system. To top it off, Plano kept it at the exact same retail price, making it inflation-proof, like the Costco hot dog and AriZona iced tea.

Plano StowAway Tackle Box

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Specifications

• Size: Multiple sizes available
• Latch: Single latch with label
• Compartments: Adjustable with removable tabs
• Waterproof: Waterproof and non-waterproof options available

Pros

• Price
• Rust inhibitor
• Highly customizable
• Secure single latch
• New tabs prevent hook migration

Cons

• Not ideal for treble hook baits
• Divider tabs can be tough to insert correctly

Morgan Nowels

Plano StowAway Tackle Box Review

New Divider Tabs

In the past, the divider tabs included with the StowAway were problematic. They were all connected by small chunks of plastic, and you had to cut them apart. Often, you wouldn’t cut the plastic close enough, and the tab wouldn’t fit in the slots of the tackle box.

The new tabs do not come connected. They are already cut to fit, and it’s a huge upgrade.

Plano also increased the number of slots in the box for the divider tabs, allowing you to customize the box further. Some spots in my past StowAways were a touch too big, which resulted in wasted space. Now, I have more slot options and can maximize the compartments in the box.

Another huge issue that StowAway users found was hook migration. The small tabs on the last version didn’t fully sit on the bottom of the box, resulting in thin wire hooks slipping beneath the tab and into the neighboring compartment. Within a few days, all of your tackle would be jumbled.

Plano addressed this problem and added length to the bottom of the divider tab, allowing the tab to lock into the bottom of the box.

When I tested the box, I didn’t think this upgrade worked. My thin hooks, like the VMC Neko hook, still slid into the neighboring compartment.

However, upon further inspection, I realized I didn’t seat the tabs correctly. I learned that you must apply more downward pressure than you would think when installing dividers. Once seated correctly, you’ll hear an audible click. Once I put more pressure on the tabs throughout the box and installed them correctly, the hook migration disappeared.

Single-Hand Latch

The new Plano StowAway has a single, long latch. In the past, it had two separate latches on each end of the box. The idea behind the new latch is that it allows for single-hand operation.

I don’t think the single-handed operation makes a huge difference. The main difference it makes is keeping the box more secure. I’ve had StowAways that I overfilled, and the lid would bow up between the two latches, leaving a gap for hooks and weights to slip out of. With the single latch, this isn’t possible, since it runs along the length of the tackle box.

Rustrictor Prevents Corrosion

At first glance, the most obvious change in the StowAway is the move away from a completely clear body. That’s because the new box includes Rustrictor, a technology designed to prevent rust and corrosion. The material used to do this is gray, which is why the main body of the box is gray rather than clear.

I have some old StowAway boxes that are completely rusted out. They didn’t protect against rust, and I’ve lost a boatload of money to rusty hooks and jigheads. I figured if the new model successfully kept rust at bay, it would be worth it for me to upgrade all of my StowAways.

Rust Test

I’ve found that rust attacks different hooks in different ways, and some are more easily corroded than others. To test the Rustrictor, I put a new pack of thin wire VMC Neko hooks, heavy-gauge EWG hooks, Ned rig jigheads, and an already-rusted old crankbait into the box. Then, I poured water into it and closed it up. I assumed the rust from the old crankbait would spread like wildfire.

After four days, no rust was on any of the new hooks. The rust on the crankbait didn’t seem to grow, and there were two spots where rust stuck to the bottom of the tackle box under the crankbait. So, it appears that the Rustrictor does its job, at least for a short period of time. If you leave water in your box for longer than 4 days, you’re just being irresponsible.

Plano StowAway Tackle Box Review: What I Don’t Like

The only thing I don’t like about these boxes is how poorly they store treble-hook baits. Because the box is so thin, you can’t put many crankbaits or jerkbaits in one slot, and when you do put multiple baits in a slot, the hooks will get massively tangled. There are better options for storing those baits.

It’s best to keep this box limited to storing terminal tackle, single-hooked baits like jigs, and soft plastics.

Will I Be Upgrading My Old Boxes?

With the new changes, I will update all of my Plano StowAway tackle boxes to the new version. The new tab system alone is enough reason to make the switch, and the price has stayed the exact same: the 3700 size retails for $10. At that low cost, it’s easy to justify upgrading all of my StowAways to a better system.

They’re available in waterproof and non-waterproof versions and in a variety of sizes. If you’re looking for a simple yet functional tackle box for everything besides treble-hooked baits, the new Plano StowAway is the answer.

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