Hey y’all, First post, I’ve been creeping on here for a while and finally joined up. Great wealth of information here! So I have a new fiber-tuff pack basket with the lure box inbound from a raffle I won. Like any outdoorsman I am already trying to figure ways to modify it. Curious as to what others have done to “improve” their pack baskets?

Here is my planned list:
*Better straps- likely MOLLE system as I love the one I put on my climber stand.
*Possibly drill out rivets and replace with carriage bolts.
*Seal the “wrong side drainage hole” and drill new one(s) on correct side.
*PVC for trowel, driver, hammer/hatchet.
*mount pouches on exterior for pliers/jhook tool/spare jhooks,swivels, quick links, wire, etc.
*Badass sticker job haha.

Any other suggestions???. Pics of your modded packbaskets?

Let's see the pack. Link or pictures.
mt

Martentrapper. I don’t have it yet, just won it yesterday so have to wait for it to ship. It is the fiber-tuff with lure box that FnT, minntrap, fleming and many others sell. But these are the planned mods... I will chronicle the modification process on here once I get it. Wondering how others have modded theirs.

I just throw everything in mine....lol

this is mine. I try to keep everything on the outside to save room on the inside for traps and catches.

Exposed hatchet blades scare me.

DitchDiver thats what I am talking about! I saw your pics from a google search before I joined the page. I am planning to do a lot of similar mods as you.

Notice that the blade is pointing AWAY from where my back would be. The nylon webbing that is holding it, does not allow it to turn towards my body. I do have a sheath I could put over it but i haven't had the need to deal with that hassle. Besides, i use it quite often so it isn't "razor" sharp.

How bout any regular pack basket mods that people have done. I can’t wait to get the fiberglass one and start customizing.

First of all Welcome to Tman .If you are looking to learn this is a great place to do it I have been a trapper for a long time .But I learn something new here on a regular basis .I have a regular pack basket .One thing I did was take a piece of thin aluminum and fitted it in the bottom with about a one inch high edge around the inside of the basket . That way if youput anything like trap stakes in your basket the pointed edges do not start poking holes in the basket

When I got my FibreTuff many years ago I too one of those hunting fanny packs with all the little zippered pockets and bolted it to the top outside rim of the basket. Really handy for lures and other small stuff you need to keep handy.

Moosetrot

I picked up some webbing a, hammer loop and, a few pouches at our local hardware store today. Just waiting on the basket to show up now.

Do you catch more critters now that you got a place to put them?

With the hammer loop, I would put second loop of the webbing towards the bottom of the hammer handle (like I did in the pictures). This will stop the handle from swinging all over and possibly falling out. I did this with the hatchet as well. I also started with multiple pouches but found that a small tool bag with multiple pockets works better. It takes up less room, has pockets inside and outside for small lure bottles/tools and has the large inner compartment for jars of bait. I also carry a small, divided, plastic "Plano" box on the inside to hold extra trap tags, J hooks, swivels, etc.

It came today, got my stickers on. MOLLE straps and kidney belt are in the mail. Will drill drain hole tomorrow and start trying to arrange where stuff goes from bucket boss i used last year. Gotta rig up some dividers for the lure box, more pics once i really start functional mods.

The lousy thing falls over empty or full. I see that somebody was smart enough to add outriggers.

The best modification is to use bungee cords to attach a 4 wheeler to it. Better yet, put a side by side underneath it.

I dont have a quad or a side by side. I do plan to mount skids to make it more stable.

Got the floorplate and skids on today. Cut/drilled a new drain hole in the back center

Got all my MOLLE stuff together to mount the bucket. Drilled out the lower plastic brackets on front and back. Trying to figure out now how/where to mount the MOLLE frame or just the shoulder straps and kidney belt to the bucket.

I got the frame mounted with the web belt that came with the pack up top and another military surplus webbing strap and buckle on the bottom. Its pretty secure now but may need to bolt the frame on once I test it with some weight. Next I will mount the hammer loop, tool pouches, pvc tub inside for drivers, etc.

If you remove the bait holder and move it to the bottom it will stabilize your basket and keep it from tipping over and you could do away with the wood and lighten up your basket.

Fair point. I am gonna give this setup a try first then adjust accordingly. I noticed that the bottom of the MOLLE packframe also helps to stabilize the bucket.

Update: a few days ago put the pvc in for my stake drivers, and realized how heavy the skids made the packbasket in addition to gear attached and inside basket, and how poorly the stock webbing straps secured the MOLLE frame. Decided to use 11 gauge trapping wire to secure the MOLLE frame, drilled holes and bolted the hammer loops and tool pouch on. Much happier with current setup and its stable.

Looking good! You will be happy with it!

Nice set up you have there!

Good luck this season.

Thanks DitchDiver and Bill.

Bump