When it comes to hauling quality fish, soft plastics are a fisherman’s boon. However, they can be a bane if not properly stored. If you are a seasoned angler, you already know there are certain tricks on how to store them to avoid quality deterioration. Have you ever wondered if you could use your tackle box to store them?
It is better to store your soft plastic fishing lures in their original packets to maintain their optimum condition. Certain plastics can have a deteriorating effect on them, especially in the presence of extreme heat, and cause them to melt. However, a high-quality tackle box might work as a better storage solution.
Organizing and storing soft plastics should not be daunting. There are various ways you organize and store them for easy access. This article will cover the ways you can safely store soft plastics to keep them in good shape and allow you to grab them easily when required.
How to Store Soft Plastics?
Learn the best way to store your soft plastic fishing lures by watching this video:
There are various ways you can store your soft plastics.
A proper organization system has numerous benefits to it.
These include the benefit of convenience and easy inventory.
When you are out on the water, fishing becomes time-sensitive.
You will want to be able to reach your collection of soft plastics in a jiffy to re-rig and carry on casting.
Fishing success is often directly associated with preparedness.
Additionally, organizing them makes it easier for you to sort out what type of soft plastics you want with you for a particular type of fishing.
It is better to carry a lighter load and leave behind unnecessary equipment.
Sometimes, anglers buy multiple packs of the same kind of soft plastics.
With an organization system in place, you will be able to go over what you have, allowing you to only buy what you need.
It is also easier to carry your well-organized soft plastics when you are transferring your gear from one location to another.
Below are some tips you should keep in mind when storing soft plastics.
These tips will allow you to maintain their shape and quality:
1. Avoid Brand Mixing
Do not mix your soft plastics. Soft plastics come in varying qualities and are made of different materials.
These materials might react with one another and turn into a messy blob.
Therefore, it is important to sort out different brands.
2. Separate Colors
Create different color categories. Some colors tend to bleed and mix.
If you want to store the soft plastics, make sure you separate dark and light colors.
It is better to store them in their own packaging.
3. Avoid Extreme Heat
When exposed to sunlight and heat for a prolonged duration, soft plastics can become misshaped and start breaking down.
Make sure to keep them in a cool place when not in use.
Avoid leaving them on the deck of your boat or in your vehicle.
4. Assess Storage Containers
Certain plastic containers can have an adverse reaction with soft plastics.
The reaction can result in the soft plastics melding together.
Make sure you are using high-quality containers when categorizing them. Choose waterproof and airtight containers.
While you can look into storing them in a traditional tackle box, it is better to avoid doing so.
Taking the soft plastics out of their original packing and placing them in a hard tackle box can damage them.
5. Keep Them Dry
If you are fishing during adverse weather conditions like rain or rough waters, there is a chance some water may get into your storage containers.
Make sure you dump all the soft plastics on a dry towel to air them when you get home and allow the container to dry.
6. Categorize Them Broadly
It is easier to grab your soft plastics when they are properly categorized.
Make sure to separate them into broad categories based on the size and the type of fishing you plan on doing.
This will increase fishing efficiency as well as save plenty of space.
Do Soft Plastics Need To Stay In Their Bag?
It is not necessary for soft plastic fishing lures to stay in a bag, but it can be helpful for organizing and protecting them.
Soft plastic lures can be easily damaged by sharp objects or rough handling, so it is important to store them in a protective container.
A tackle box with compartments or dividers is a good option for organizing and storing soft plastic lures.
Alternatively, you can use a plastic storage container with a secure lid to protect the lures from damage.
It is also a good idea to store the lures in a cool, dry place to prevent them from deteriorating
Can Soft Plastics Be Stored in a Cellophane Bag?
It is not recommended to store soft plastic fishing lures in a cellophane bag because cellophane is not a very durable material and may not provide adequate protection for the lures.
Soft plastic lures can be easily damaged by sharp objects or rough handling, so it is important to store them in a protective container.
How to Store TPE Lures?
Thermoplastic elastomer or TPE lures should not be allowed to touch other soft plastics.
It will cause them to melt and create a mess. If you want to store them in a tackle box, make sure you use a worm-proof box. It will prevent any reaction with the soft plastics.
If you are placing TPE lures in the same modular storage container as other non-TPE lures, make sure they are not in contact with each other.
Otherwise, you will have a gooey mess on your hands.
How to Dispose of Soft Plastics?
Once the purpose of soft plastics is through, it is important to properly dispose of them to prevent environmental concerns.
Make sure not to discard them on land or in water.
Put away the used soft plastics in a recycling container or trash can.
Ask around and opt for bait recycling programs for proper disposal.
The Bottom Line
Soft plastics are popular among anglers. However, these lures come with the responsibility of proper storage.
If improperly stored, it will cost the angler their time as well as money.
Mixing brands and colors together can result in soft plastics bleeding into each other and becoming a messy plastic blob.
It is important to separate different types of soft plastics and organize them properly for easier access.
Although you can organize your soft plastics in a high-quality tackle box, it is advised against.
This is because the plastic of the container can have an adverse reaction with the soft plastic lures, resulting in a melted mess.
Tight lines, bend rods, and may all your fishes come true!