Maxcatch Super Slim Magnetic Back Waterproof Fly Fishing Box, 18 Compartments Review (2026)

Who this box is for

This box is aimed at anglers who tie or buy a wide variety of smaller patterns and want them sorted by type or size rather than piled together in one open compartment. The 18 compartment layout works well for someone who fishes a rotation of nymphs, small dries and emergers through a season and wants each pattern easy to find without digging. Because the box measures only about 0.6 inches thick, it slides into a shirt breast pocket or a slim pack pocket without adding noticeable bulk, which matters for anglers who prefer carrying less gear on the water. It is a poor match for streamer anglers or anyone tying bulkier foam terrestrials, since the shallow compartments are not built for flies with any real height or bulk.

Materials and design

The box body is made from impact resistant, high density ABS plastic, a durable choice for a box that gets tossed in a pack or vest pocket repeatedly through a season. Silicone gaskets line both the lid and the base, sealing the compartments against moisture so flies stay dry and hooks stay free of rust even if the box gets splashed or dropped in shallow water. Each of the 18 compartments has its own magnetic pad at the bottom, which holds hook bends in place so flies do not slide around and tangle when the box is opened, closed or carried at an angle. At roughly 7.3 inches long, 3.9 inches wide and 0.6 inches thick, it is built specifically to be as slim as possible while still offering 18 separate compartments.

Using it on the water

The magnetic compartments make it fast to drop a fly back into its slot one handed, which is a real advantage over foam slit boxes when you are also holding a rod and trying to change flies quickly. Because the compartments are shallow, this box is best suited to size 12 and smaller dries, nymphs and emergers rather than anything with a bulky wing or body. The clear or magnetic back design, paired with the impact resistant shell, holds up to being dropped on rocks without cracking the way a cheaper plastic box might. Anglers who fish a mix of small and larger patterns typically carry this box alongside a separate, deeper box for streamers and foam bugs rather than trying to fit everything into one slim case.

How it compares with other fly boxes

In the site's fly boxes guide this model ranks second out of eight, behind the fishpond Tacky Big Bug Fly Box 2X, a double sided box built specifically around larger, bulkier patterns that this slim Maxcatch box cannot hold. Similar slim magnetic boxes from Kingfisher and SF score close behind, generally offering fewer compartments or a smaller overall footprint than the 18 compartment version reviewed here. The Riverruns waterproof slim box and a generic multi compartment box round out the lower half of the group, typically with less durable plastic than the ABS shell used here. For anglers specifically wanting maximum compartment count in the thinnest possible box, this model leads that niche.

Bottom line

Choose this box if your fly selection leans toward smaller dries, nymphs and emergers that you want sorted into individual compartments rather than mixed together, and you value a slim profile that disappears into a pocket. It is not the right choice for streamer anglers or anyone tying larger foam bugs, since the shallow compartments simply do not have the depth for bulkier flies. Pair it with a separate, deeper box for bigger patterns rather than expecting one box to cover your entire fly selection. Anglers who specifically fish larger bug patterns should look at a box built around depth and volume, such as the fishpond Tacky Big Bug Fly Box, instead of a slim magnetic design like this one.

Frequently asked questions