Honest Reviews. Expert Advice. Better Fishing
Plano 3700 StowAway Tackle Box
The industry-standard utility box everyone uses
- 3700-size utility box that fits nearly every tackle bag and backpack on the market
- Adjustable dividers let you build 4 to 24 compartments per box
- Rustrictor corrosion-resistant versions available for saltwater tackle
- One-handed ProLatch or single-latch closures keep contents secure
If you have spent any time around a boat ramp, you have seen a Plano 3700. It is the closest thing the fishing world has to a universal standard, and that ubiquity is exactly why it belongs at the center of any storage conversation. Nearly every soft tackle bag and backpack on the market is engineered around the 3700 footprint, which means these boxes are the currency your entire system runs on.
The core appeal is modularity. Each box uses rigid, pre-cut dividers that snap into slotted rails, letting you build anywhere from four large compartments up to roughly two dozen small ones. That flexibility means a single box can hold bulky topwater plugs one week and be reconfigured for drop-shot weights and hooks the next, all without any tools.
Durability is solid for the price bracket. The polypropylene shell shrugs off drops and the clear lid resists cracking, though the standard latches can loosen over years of daily abuse. Plano addresses the two most common complaints with dedicated lines: a Waterproof 3700 with an O-ring seal for boat spray and rain, and Rustrictor versions that fight the corrosion that quietly destroys hooks in saltwater bags.
Where the 3700 truly earns its keep is cost. Because they are inexpensive, most anglers own several and dedicate each to a technique or species. One box for crankbaits, one for terminal tackle, one for soft plastics. Grab the boxes you need for the day, drop them into your bag, and leave the rest at home. That workflow is only possible when the boxes are cheap and interchangeable.
The limitations are worth stating plainly. Standard boxes are water-resistant rather than submersible, so a box that falls overboard will let water in. Overfilling a compartment lets hooks migrate under the dividers into neighbors. Neither issue is a dealbreaker, but both reward a little discipline in how you pack.
For most anglers, the question is not whether to buy a 3700 but how many. It is the storage layer that makes soft-sided tackle bags useful in the first place, and it does that job better and cheaper than any proprietary alternative. Bottom line: the Plano 3700 is the foundation nearly every serious tackle system is built on, and it delivers exceptional value doing it.
Specifications
| Type | Standardized 3700-size utility box |
| Capacity | Up to 24 compartments with dividers |
| Included Trays/Boxes | Single box (sold individually or in packs) |
| Material | Polypropylene with clear lid |
| Dimensions | Approx. 14 x 9 x 2 in (standard) |
| Best For | Modular storage inside tackle bags |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Plano 3700 waterproof?
Standard StowAway boxes are water-resistant, not submersible. Plano makes a Waterproof 3700 model with an O-ring seal and cam-action latches for wetter conditions.
Will the 3700 fit in my tackle backpack?
The 3700 is the most widely supported utility box size in fishing. Most bags from Piscifun, Spiderwire, and others are built specifically to hold 3700-size boxes.
How many compartments does it have?
It ships with adjustable dividers that let you configure anywhere from about 4 up to 24 compartments depending on how you slot them.
Is it good for saltwater?
Choose the Rustrictor or waterproof versions for salt use. They add corrosion-resistant technology that helps protect hooks and terminal tackle from rust.
Can I buy them in bulk?
Yes. Plano sells 3700 boxes individually and in multi-packs, which is the economical way to build out a full tackle system.