Ken Schultz, author, the Fishing Encyclopedia: I have a speculative answer. Love those. In olden times, people used wooden boxes to store gear for a particular activity, like sewing supplies or household tools. Much like today. Right. All the stuff that's used in fishing -- line, lures, leaders, rods, reels -- goes in the tackle box. But why tackle box? Why not fishing box? Because fishing gear is called tackle. And why is that? Hmmm ...
Jim Rader, etymologist, Merriam-Webster, Inc.: Tackle can refer to all kinds of gear or equipment, but over time, the meaning has narrowed. Today, it's pretty much only used for fishing gear. And why is that? Got me, pal.