I re-purposed one of my Plano boxes that I was not using because the internal dividers did not work for me. This storage solution stores my hybrid frogs really well. But! I feel strange buying new Plano boxes so that I can modify them via high speed rotary tool. Hence, I purchased an open compartment utility box form Plano and made my own internal dividers.

Making your own internal dividers is easy. You only need an open utility box, a sheet of paper, cardboard, and a recycled corrugated vinyl sign. In addition, you also need some simple tools: ruler, scissor, utility knife, fine tip Sharpie, and two clips.

First, make two templates for the inner dimensions of your box via paper and scissors. One template for the length and height and one template for the width and height.

Second, place the paper templates onto cardboard and secure them via clips. Trace the outline of the templates onto the cardboard via fine tip Sharpie. Cut along the Sharpie lines via utility knife. Be sure to have a piece of scrap plywood (or a similar material) underneath the cardboard so that you do not damage the underlying surface.

Third, make the interlocking slots on the “length” cardboard divider template. Divide the length of the template into three equal segments and mark it via fine tip Sharpie. At the two marked interlocking points, cut slots to half the height of the divider and to the width that will accommodate the thickness of your corrugated vinyl sign.

Forth, make the interlocking slots on the “width” cardboard divider templates. At each end of the the template, cut slots to half the height of the divider and to the width that will accommodate the thickness of your corrugated vinyl sign.

Fifth, place the cardboard templates on your vinyl sign such that the internal ribs are perpendicular to the templates. Secure the cardboard templates to the vinyl sign via clips. Trace the templates onto the sign via via fine tip Sharpie. Cut along the Sharpie lines via utility knife. For the “length” dividers, cut the two internal ribs at each end. This will help the dividers bend at each curved corner of the utility box.

And lastly, connect the dividers inside the utility box. Trim and make adjustments via utility knife, as needed.

This inexpensive DIY storage solution effectively quarantines my hybrid frogs so that they do not mate, infect their colors onto their neighbors, or damage their delicate feet.

I fish frogs from May to October. I have four frog rods on my kayak at all times. I am Frog Freak! I recently discovered hybrid frogs, which combine physical and functional characteristics from hollow body and solid body frogs. Hybrid frogs tends to have large foot prints, which make storing them a challenge. After searching the market for a storage solution, I decided to make my own Hybrid Frog Tackle Box.

I re-purposed one of my old Plano[https://www.planomolding.com/] tackle boxes (Model 3640-1). I used a RotoZip [https://www.rotozip.com] with disk grinder to remove two dividers, which gave me two double-width channels. I always wear safety glasses. For this project, they were indispensable! The plastic shreds went everywhere!! Everywhere!!!

This storage solutions works well. However, I feel strange buying new tackle boxes to modify them via high speed rotary tools. Hopefully, manufactures produce a tackle box that will allow horizontal and vertical divider adjustments.

I have a plastic ice fishing sled. I like plastic ice fishing sleds because they are light, low cost, low maintenance, and highly versatile. They can transport a lot of gear over snow, slush, and ice with ease. I have expanded my ice fishing methods to include jigging. Hence, I have customized my plastic ice fishing sled with a multi-functional rod rack.

My ice fishing sled rod rack exploits a simple design and uses 1.25″ PVC pipe and 4 stainless steel eye bolts with stainless steel flat washers, lock-tight washers, and nuts. This is a low cost and multi-functional design that can be adapted to just about any plastic ice fishing sled on the market.

The first feature is the rod holders. Based on the width of my sled, I was able to fit 4 rod holders such that the reels do not bump into each other as I am dragging my up, down, and all around the ice. When building this part of the rack, be sure to use a flat surface and a rubber camping mallet to drive the PVC segments and fittings into each other.

The second feature is the built-in ice skimmer holder. Using the backbone of the rod rack to store an ice skimmer allows for easy access while keeping it out of the way! You can put use one of the rod holders; however, when transporting your sled, the ice skimmer can rotate and collide with your ice rods.

The third feature is the eye bolts. The primary purpose of the 4 eye bolts is to secure the rod rack to the sled. The secondary purpose of the 4 eye bolts is to function as anchors for elastic tie downs. Elastic tie downs in an x-pattern helps to keep gear in place when traveling.

This simple and inexpensive ice fishing sled rod rack passed all of my field tests. In fact, this rack has transformed my sled from a “bucket” into an “Ice Utility Vehicle”. 😉