Organizing Soft Plastics For Easy Access?

[WDE86]

I've got a lot of soft plastics. I was wondering what were some of the things you guys do to organize them by color, type, size, etc. to quickly sort through them and access them while fishing? Right now, I've got them separated into large ziploc bags divided up mostly by color. I've got about 8 of these bags and its just too much hassle. There must be a better way for me to do this.

[MarkH024]

The BassPro XPS Worm binder is a nice little bag to use. I use it for all my drop shot stuff. All other plastics are in ziplocks by style but all in all, I keep EVERY plastic I own in it's original packaging.  Never a confusion of color or manufacturer that way. I don't really have a big issue finding mine though.

[WDE86]

  On 5/13/2013 at 2:15 PM, MarkH024 said:

The BassPro XPS Worm binder is a nice little bag to use. I use it for all my drop shot stuff. All other plastics are in ziplocks by style but all in all, I keep EVERY plastic I own in it's original packaging.  Never a confusion of color or manufacturer that way. I don't really have a big issue finding mine though.

 

Thanks for the tip. I do have all of mine in their original packaging. I am like you, I want to know what brand/style/color I am working with. I've got those smaller bags in big gallon ziplocs. I've probably got 60+ different bags of soft baits in rotation at the moment. Its a little overwhelming sometimes. 

[MarkH024]

  On 5/13/2013 at 2:23 PM, WDE86 said:

Thanks for the tip. I do have all of mine in their original packaging. I am like you, I want to know what brand/style/color I am working with. I've got those smaller bags in big gallon ziplocs. I've probably got 60+ different bags of soft baits in rotation at the moment. Its a little overwhelming sometimes. 

At one point I had them in color from Light-Dark in the ziplocks, but that became too much maintenance to keep up with. I kind of just go by packaging brand to know what I'm searching for. Also, I will pull out 5-10 bags that I know I'll be using that day and keep them out for easy access. 

[MarkH024]

I also keep all my pitching/flipping style craws/creature baits in my BASS membership bag so that those are separate from the other stuff. I tend to use those styles for more than my other plastics.  I guess I just "know" my system.

[WDE86]

  On 5/13/2013 at 2:35 PM, MarkH024 said:

At one point I had them in color from Light-Dark in the ziplocks, but that became too much maintenance to keep up with. I kind of just go by packaging brand to know what I'm searching for. Also, I will pull out 5-10 bags that I know I'll be using that day and keep them out for easy access. 

Yea, I should probably try to cull what I don't plan on using on particular days. Thanks for your input. 

[tomustang]

Does't seem like there's an organized system problem, just an over abundance problem. This is where downsizing your variety would help clear up space. Depending on where you're going you should have a good idea what works and won't so you can divvy up what you got to use before you get there.

[WDE86]

  On 5/13/2013 at 3:02 PM, tomustang said:

Does't seem like there's an organized system problem, just an over abundance problem. This is where downsizing your variety would help clear up space. Depending on where you're going you should have a good idea what works and won't so you can divvy up what you got to use before you get there.

That should be a lot more true than it is. I am certain I have too much considering my knowledge base of general bass fishing. I am pretty new, trying to learn my way around. Simplifying might help me a lot more than just with organization. I may be confusing myself with too many options. But, that is another discussion entirely. 

[5dollarsplash]

I bought some shoebox sized clear containers awhile back.  They are the perfect for most soft baits to be kept in their original bags.  I label mine by type, "craws" "frogs" "senkos" "trick worms", whatever works for your use.  I've got an open spot back by my outboard where they stack neatly in the boat.

[WDE86]

  On 5/13/2013 at 3:20 PM, 5dollarsplash said:

I bought some shoebox sized clear containers awhile back.  They are the perfect for most soft baits to be kept in their original bags.  I label mine by type, "craws" "frogs" "senkos" "trick worms", whatever works for your use.  I've got an open spot back by my outboard where they stack neatly in the boat.

Nice! I'll have to track some of those down. I appreciate all of the advice here. You guys are very helpful. 

[Pegwedge]

I do the ziplock freezer bags stuffed wth plastics in their original bags, thanks to Gene's video. I'm a bank fisherman so I can't carry a whole lot with me and I don't really have a ton of soft plastics to start with. I usually keep them sorted by type (craw, worm, lizard, etc) at home and then, when I get my stuff ready to go, I pick and choose what I want to take and put them in a zipper bag. That and a couple 4600s is all I can fit in my backpack and it's really all I need on my outings.

[PABASS]

I will echo what others have already said, use a ziplock freezer bag and organize all baits by type, worms/swimbaits, dropshot, trailers and tubes/creatures.  I am at a point where I tend to forget where did I put those Berkeley helgramites, overall it works.  My biggest issue is plastics bending my trailer bag is a mess with zoom trailers bent every which way but I don't have room to put them in a plastic box, I have found if you lay them straight and take out the air they tend to stay straight however as soon as you open one up you need to do it again.

[MichBassMan]

I have about 6 or 7 soft sided coolers of different colors. They are about the size that hold one six pack. Plastics in their original bags fit file style pretty good. I use a permanent marker to identify the type plastics in each bag; ie tubes & grubs, worms, flukes, creature baits, etc. In a very short time you will associate a color bag with type bait you want.

[roadwarrior]

I keep most of my soft plastics in their original bags, carried in a worm binder.

For the stuff I will be fishing regularly on any given outing, Plano boxes.

 

 

 

 

[WDE86]

  On 5/14/2013 at 1:54 PM, roadwarrior said:

I keep most of my soft plastics in their original bags, carried in a worm binder.

For the stuff I will be fishing regularly on any given outing, Plano boxes.

 

 

 

 

Quick question: Does plano make boxes a little more accommodating for soft plastics? 

[roadwarrior]

No, they are the same as any other brand. Mine came with the tackle bag.

[WDE86]

  On 5/14/2013 at 2:22 PM, roadwarrior said:

No, they are the same as any other brand. Mine came with the tackle bag.

Gotcha. I assumed they were, but didn't know if they had something specifically for the soft plastics. Thanks for the help. 

[floridabassman]

Buy some big tubaware containers and organize your different types of plastics in each box. For example: creature baits in one box, worms in another box, drop shot baits in another box, and trailers in another. Then you can put those boxes in your boat, or you can just take a couple baits that you need out fishing.

[BuckMaxx]

Do a youtube search for Aaron martin soft bait organization. I use his system. Clear boxes with cable ties on one end of the lid so it flips... seperating each catagory. I also have a extra/spare box with it all mixed in together. I duct tape the bottom of ziplock sandwich bags then put the baits in I write specifics if I don't know what it is on the ductape. I have clip strips i built out of aluminum angle iron and badge clips. I installed these under the lids on my boats, to keep the ahold of the baits I use most often handy. Obviously this changes thru out the season.

[cajunpapi]

First go to 4 or 5 proven colors . Elimanate similar style senko and yum dinker same style .Go to one major manufacturer you like Zoom, yum, Yamamoto, and Strike King. Keep in original bag store in plastic shoe boxes less than $5.00. Put in worm binder what you are going to be using for trip. You have absolutely to much plastic for one man. I know been there!