In-depth review
Plano 4-By Rack System 1374 Review (2027)
The Plano 4-By Rack System holds four 3700 boxes under a top access lid. Our research verdict on the one-box boat system.
Plano 4-By Rack System 1374
A whole boat box in one carry: four 3700 utility boxes under a top access lid with bulk storage on top.
Our verdict
The 4-By Rack System solves a boat problem that bags cannot: keeping a full lure spread organised, visible and in one rigid object. Four included 3700 boxes slot into a rack with top access storage above them, so the angler carries one handle to the boat and opens one system on the deck. The trade offs are size and weight, because a loaded rack is a serious carry, and the 3700-only fit, because 3600 boxes from a bag system do not slot in. For boat anglers who fish a wide spread from one deck, it is the most complete single purchase here.
What we like
- Holds four 3700 series utility boxes, all interchangeable, so the spread can be swapped by the season
- Top access storage under a see through DuraView lid keeps frequently grabbed items reachable without opening the rack
- Included 3700 boxes arrive with ProLatch closures, so the system works as a complete kit from the first trip
- Rigid body and handle make it a stable platform on a boat deck, where soft bags slide and slump
What to watch out for
- The rack is a large, heavy unit once four loaded boxes and top storage are inside it
- Utility boxes inside the rack are 3700 size only, so 3600 boxes from a bag system do not slot in
- Top access storage is handy but shallow, so bulky items still need the main rack or a separate bag
What owners report: Plano 4-By Rack System 1374
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Owners like carrying one box to the boat instead of juggling loose trays and a separate bag
- The top compartment gets used constantly for the lures and tools that change most often during a day
- Anglers who already own 3700 boxes say spare boxes slot straight into the rack without fuss
Common complaints
- Some owners say the loaded rack is heavier than they pictured from the product photo
- A few report the top lid latches needing a firm press to seat fully when the rack is full
- Owners with a 3600 based bag system note their existing boxes do not fit this rack
Who it is for
Boat anglers who want their full lure spread in one rigid box, and guides or regulars who fish the same spread often.
One handle instead of a pile of trays
Loose trays are the enemy of a tidy boat. They slide in lockers, stack in the wrong order, and end up under a rain jacket at the moment a lure change matters. A rack fixes the pile into a system: four boxes in known slots, a top compartment for the items that change most, and a handle that moves the whole spread at once. That organisation is worth more on a busy deck than any single feature on a tray.
Top access is the daily habit
The top compartment under the see through lid becomes the working shelf of the system. Pliers, the lure just tied on, the weights for the next rig, all live where they can be grabbed without opening a tray. Anglers who use the rack daily say this compartment, not the four boxes below it, is the feature they would miss most if it disappeared.
Know the size before it arrives
A loaded rack is large and heavy, and that should be planned for, not discovered on the dock. Measure the boat locker or deck space it will live in, and think about who carries it from the car. Bank anglers walking any distance should look at a bag or a sling instead, because the rack's virtues are boat virtues: stability, capacity and one-handle carry over a short distance.
Key specifications
- Holds
- Four 3700 series utility boxes, included
- Top storage
- Top access with see through DuraView lid
- Latches
- ProLatch closures on included boxes
- Footprint
- 16.5 x 12 in, per listing
- Model
- 137401
Also consider
Plano Guide Series 3500 Tackle Bag
A compact soft bag that arrives complete: five 3500 boxes, a magnetic top pocket and a non skid base.
Why consider it: The compact soft system, for anglers who carry their spread on foot rather than on a boat deck
- Includes: Five 3500 StowAway utility boxes
- Dimensions: 14.5 x 9 x 8 in, per listing
Plano EDGE 3700 Standard Utility Box
The sealed, rust guarded 3700: the utility box for lures worth protecting from spray and damp lockers.
Why consider it: The sealed single box, for protecting the most valuable lures inside any larger system
- Size: 3700 Standard
- Dimensions: 14 x 9 x 1.88 in, per listing
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Do my existing 3700 boxes fit the rack?
Yes, if they are 3700 size. The rack is built for four 3700 series utility boxes, all interchangeable, so spare 3700 boxes from a bag or locker system slot straight in.
Is the rack too big for a small boat?
It can be. Measure the deck or locker space first, and consider that a loaded rack is also heavy. Small boats often suit a compact bag or a couple of loose trays better than a full rack system.
What goes in the top access storage?
The items that change most during a day: pliers, the lure just tied on, terminal tackle for the next rig, and small tools. Keeping those on top means the trays below stay closed and organised longer.
Every guide on Fishing Tackle Boxes16 pages
- Topic hubFishing Tackle Boxes
- Best ofThe Best Fishing Tackle Boxes (2027)
- Bank fishing punishes every box that was designed for a boat deck. Weight matters, one-handed access matters, and the ability to move spots without repacking matters more than total capacity. This ranking therefore puts carry style first: a sling for moving, a compact bag for a settled spot, and a tray box for the angler who walks a short distance and stays put.The Best Tackle Boxes for Bank Fishing (2027)
- Waterproof is the most abused word in tackle storage, so this ranking separates three levels and never blends them. Sealed boxes with an O-ring are first, because they are the only boxes that keep water out when closed. Saltwater resistant bags are next, because they survive spray and decks even though they are not sealed. Plain latching trays come last, and only where their rust protection or price earns them a place despite the weaker seal.The Best Waterproof Tackle Boxes (2027)
- A tackle bag is judged on what it carries, not on how it looks empty. Tray fit comes first, because a bag that does not take the angler's existing trays is a storage problem, not a solution. Fabric toughness and pockets come next, and carry comfort decides the rest, because a bag that hurts to carry stays in the car. This ranking covers the full range from a compact five-box bag to a saltwater XL bag.The Best Tackle Bags (2027)
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