How To Store Soft Plastics To AVOID Them Melting Together
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on September 4, 2020
Have you ever reached into your tackle bag to grab a soft plastic lure just to find that it was melted to another one?
It’s an unfortunate, but common event that soft plastics melt together, but here’s the good news:
It’s totally preventable!
All you need to do is store them correctly.
What makes this a little more difficult is that there are several types of material these lures are made of, so in this video, I’ll show you how to properly store each type of soft plastic, plus some other tips on keeping your lures in good shape.
Check it out below.
How To Store Soft Plastic Fishing Lures [VIDEO]
Click here to join the Insider Club
Before we get into the three types of soft plastic lure material, here are some general tips to help you keep your lures like new:
- Don’t store soft plastics in direct sunlight
- Keep them in their original packaging
- Avoid storing them in tackle trays (depending on the tray material, it may melt with the lure)
- Put an oil-based fish attractant like menhaden oil or Pro-Cure in the bag to keep the lures slimy (dried out lures can become deformed)
- Use a worm binder to save space and keep lures organized
The tips above are best practices for any type of lure, but now let’s get into some specifics.
Storing Plastisol Lures
Plastisol is what your standard soft plastic lure is made out of.
The Slam Shady and Alabama Leprechaun are both made of plastisol, as are other brands like Zoom and DOA.
These lures are ok to store together, as long as the colors are the same because the colors will bleed together.
For instance, if you have several packs of Slam Shadys, you can store them in one big bag, but you wouldn’t want to store the Slam Shady and Alabama Leprechauns together.
Storing TPE Lures
TPE, or thermoplastic elastomer, is a very tough material that some of the higher-end soft plastics are made out of.
Brands that use TPE include:
- Chasebaits USA
- Savage Gear
- Vudu Shrimp
- Monster 3x
With these lures, you don’t want them touching any other lures, no matter what they’re made of because they will melt together.
That includes other lures made from TPE.
To keep these lures in good shape, keep them stored individually.
And the best way I’ve found to do that is to keep them in their original packaging.
Storing Z-Man ElaZtech Lures
Z-Man lures are made of the really stretchy and durable ElaZtech.
They’re similar to plastisol lures in that they can be stored with other lures made of ElaZtech.
Also, the colors will bleed, so keep them stored with lures of the same color.
And finally, don’t mix them with any other type of soft plastic lure because they will melt together.
Conclusion
If you don’t store your soft plastic lures correctly, they could easily melt.
The easiest way to remember to store them correctly is to just keep them in their original packaging.
Have any questions about storing lures?
Or any other tips to keep them safe?
Let me know down in the comments!
And if you know someone who needs to learn how to properly store lures, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store (where we sell these jig heads)? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!
Related articles:
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I have looked on some of these bags for ID recycle. how do I know what baits are are what designated plastic?
Hey Scott!
The packaging on some baits will say what they are made from (such as TPE). I base it on feel and strength. TPE will be much stronger than standard plastisol. TPE will stretch a lot (like Zman) without breaking, or be very stiff but somewhat stretchy without breaking. Plastisol will break very easily when stretched.
I know you say not to use the plastic trays for storage, but what about keeping soft plastics in a tray on the yak just for the day while fishing? Upon return they could be put back in the bags. Just trying to simplify the gear in the yak.
Hey David!
It’s really the heat and sunlight that causes the plastics to react to each other when they’re mixed together. If you can keep a small tray under your seat or even in your cooler it can help. I just keep mine in their regular packages in a hatch.
Also, will your Dr Juice Saltwater Slam work to keep the soft plastics oiled up?
Absolutely! The scent is very strong though and will stay on the fingers for quite some time, so I usually use the spray whenever I rig a lure up.
Hey Tony. What are your views on the ShrimpZ? Do you like them? If so, do you have a favorite color, and how do you rig them?
Hey Allan,
I have reviews for both of the Zman shrimp lures here:
https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/z-man-scented-shrimpz-review/
https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/z-man-ez-shrimpz-review/
Hey Tony, have you ever seen or heard of anyone using those reusable ziplock style bags they make now?
Hey Jonny!
I’m not too sure if I’ve seen them. Share a link snd I would be happy to check them out!
Something like this… they are usually made out of silicone… 10 Pack Dishwasher Safe Reusable Food Storage Bags (5 Reusable Sandwich Bags, 3 Reusable Snack Bags, 2 Freezer Gallon Bags), Extra Thick Leakproof Silicone Free Plastic Bags https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GXXPXKD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_C3EXB2DT592WG9ZMKNDP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Tony, I did reach out to Zman and their ElaZtech® will NOT react with silicone, so they can be stored in reusable bags. I am assuming most other brands would be fine too then. Just wanted to update you with what I found out.
Awesome, thanks for the info Jonny!
Made the mistake of adding a bomber to my pre rigged slams and a few melted together, plus I had them in a DIY pencil box that allowed the rigged hooks to be set in a foam bottom to keep them in line but not separated. So all total I think I committed at least three, possibly four of the don’ts HaHaHa. Thanks for the Vid Tony, I hope to get it right this time.
Bummer! Definitely gotta keep them from touching each other. It doesn’t happen as fast when they’re stored in a cool place. When in the sun and heat it reacts much quicker.
Thanks for the tips, Tony!
You’re welcome Larry!
Will the liquid in with the Gulp shrimp work as the oil to add to keep the plastics in shape?
Hey Robert!
I wouldn’t use the gulp juice because its water based, and the scent doesn’t hold onto the lure like an oil based scent would. So it would almost be like adding water to the bag with a slight chance of that juice leaking out and causing a stink, literally haha
Thanks, I’ll look for some oil.
You mentioned adding an oil or fish attraction to your soft plastics. What kind do you recommend? You you normally use a fish oil or scent?
Hey Mike,
Some tackle shops will sell jugs of menhaden oil (which is what a lot of lure manufacturers add to their bags) similar to this:
https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Nutrition-Menhaden-Premium-Gallon/dp/B07CPLLJ6R/ref=asc_df_B07CPLLJ6R/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241990509333&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4967913068007969825&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011804&hvtargid=pla-568666546246&psc=1
I personally just add pro-cure gel to my bags if needed:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/418267FE-02C0-470D-87B9-D209161EE9AC
Great info Tony!
Thanks Tavis!