Storing Soft Plastics In Plano Boxes

[JeziHogg]

My friend and I are having an argument, I say theres nothing wrong with storing soft plastics in a plano box (out of the original packaging) He says the can dry up and stain the plano box.

Please prove one of us wrong.

[Scott F]

I've been keeping all my plastics in Plano utility boxes for 20 plus years. None of the boxes have shown any discoloration, and none of the plastics have ever dried up. If I mix colors  of baits in the same compartment, they have been known to blend together to form a new color, but the box doesn't change. Years ago, the plastic some tackle boxes were made of was different and some would melt when you put soft plastic baits in them, but the Plano utility boxes have never melted or been damaged.

[JeziHogg]

Thanks!

[Derriick]

Why not just keep them in the original bags? Ive always wondered why people put soft plastics in plastic boxes.

[Scott F]

I use boxes because when I use the original bags, I can never find what I'm looking for. Most soft plastic packaging covers up the baits so you can't easily see what's in the package. You dump a couple dozen bags in a tackle bag and you have to dig to find the bait you are looking for. In a box, I label it on the outside, and can open it and see exactly what I'm looking for. I save empty bags for when I'm wading and only carry a few different styles at a time.

[jbsoonerfan]

I use boxes because when I use the original bags, I can never find what I'm looking for. Most soft plastic packaging covers up the baits so you can't easily see what's in the package. You dump a couple dozen bags in a tackle bag and you have to dig to find the bait you are looking for. In a box, I label it on the outside, and can open it and see exactly what I'm looking for. I save empty bags for when I'm wading and only carry a few different styles at a time.

 

 

What???? Most packaging says the color of the bait, the name of the bait and the length of the bait on the package. How hard is that to understand?

[iabass8]

What???? Most packaging says the color of the bait, the name of the bait and the length of the bait on the package. How hard is that to understand?

I have a feeling he understands it but has a found a way that works better for him. How hard is THAT to understand...

 

As for the question, I like to organize everything in plano boxes. It's just much easier for me to have a Craw box, Beaver box, trick worm box, Trailer box, etc. It's so much easier for me to stay organized and be able to just open up a hatch and see the box I need instead of searching through bags. Some things I keep in their bags but not many.

[jbsoonerfan]

I have a feeling he understands it but has a found a way that works better for him. How hard is THAT to understand...

 

As for the question, I like to organize everything in plano boxes. It's just much easier for me to have a Craw box, Beaver box, trick worm box, Trailer box, etc. It's so much easier for me to stay organized and be able to just open up a hatch and see the box I need instead of searching through bags. Some things I keep in their bags but not many.

 

 

I would need 30 boxes to store the various soft plastics I have. I can store the same amount in 5 one gallon zip loc bags.

[Blues19]

If I had a boat I would put everything in Plano boxes, however I do not have a boat so it is easier to just pick certain plastics to put in a gallon bag or a Worm Binder.  helped my uncle put all his stuff in the Plano boxes and its so much easier.

[iabass8]

I would need 30 boxes to store the various soft plastics I have. I can store the same amount in 5 one gallon zip loc bags.

That doesn't mean what's efficient to you is efficient to somebody else. I used to be in the zip loc bag group but just didn't like it. I don't like having to search for a bag that says "craws" and then search through that 5 gallon bag and all the different bags for the color of size I want. I like to open up a hatch and being able to see the "Craw" label on a plano box and just pull it out and there they are when I open it up. There isn't ever any guessing or searching for where a certain style/color is and I always know what I'm short on. Since I keep most of my soft baits in plano boxes, I don't find that I have pounds of excess plastics that never see the light of day and just take up space either. I

[jbsoonerfan]

That doesn't mean what's efficient to you is efficient to somebody else. I used to be in the zip loc bag group but just didn't like it. I don't like having to search for a bag that says "craws" and then search through that 5 gallon bag and all the different bags for the color of size I want. I like to open up a hatch and being able to see the "Craw" label on a plano box and just pull it out and there they are when I open it up. There isn't ever any guessing or searching for where a certain style/color is and I always know what I'm short on. Since I keep most of my soft baits in plano boxes, I don't find that I have pounds of excess plastics that never see the light of day and just take up space either. I

 

 

I guess I am just more efficient at storing them in bags, because it doesn't take me long at all.

[Scott F]

What???? Most packaging says the color of the bait, the name of the bait and the length of the bait on the package. How hard is that to understand?

 

The labels that are used are small and not easy to read even when the package is new. After they've gotten damp and rubbed on other packages they are even harder to read. All companies don't use the same labeling system. All of this adds to the length of time it takes to locate what you are looking for. I prefer my system. It works for me

[rippin-lips]

I was a ziplock guy but switched last year. It's way more efficient for my needs to use Plano boxes. I'd have 6-10 gallon bags and then 10-20 smaller bags inside of it. I would have to move the big bag of flukes,tubes,lizards,grubs,worms,senkos,brush hogs,trailers,beavers,ect ect and then I finally find the craw bag. Now I have to dump it out and find my green pumpkin purple/gold flake craws. I can keep all my craws in 2 3700 boxes. Let's me see what I'm low on and most important find it right away.

[primetime]

I have a buddy who showed me an awesome way to manage soft plastics on a boat, kayak, or from the bank...Take what you plan on using with you to the lake for the day in sandwich ziplock bags...I know some elaztach is bad, I leave that stuff in original bags, but I can't see what I have in a bag of Yum, I have 30 bags that say Yum and some are craws, grubs, senkos etc...

 

So, Even though I want to bring a few hundred pounds, I force myself to divide the bags into groups and I will put a few bags of sticks together,

 

few bags of flipping craws, tubes,

 

some swimbaits, maybe dropshot and then hang them from a clothes hanger.....I label with tape and section them off as FLipping, Sticks, Ribbons, Finesse, LIttle, Swimbaits, then last few bags are under the tag.."wont use but had to bring just in case"

 

I now realize I stick to 3 colors and maybe 6-8 baits, and I like not bringing 80 bags with me.

[ww2farmer]

I was "keep them in the bag" guy for years, I am slowly converting over to keeping them in boxes. It IS EASIER to find what your looking for quick, and there are no...."crap, I am out of those" moments, because ever time I open a box I can take instant inventory of what I have.

[ksboy]

I was "keep them in the bag" guy for years, I am slowly converting over to keeping them in boxes. It IS EASIER to find what your looking for quick, and there are no...."crap, I am out of those" moments, because ever time I open a box I can take instant inventory of what I have.

This!!!!!

[HeavyFisher]

I have the plano boxes with the little holes all over, you think because of the constant contact with circulating air the baits would potentially dry out?

[lmoore]

I was "keep them in the bag" guy for years, I am slowly converting over to keeping them in boxes. It IS EASIER to find what your looking for quick, and there are no...."crap, I am out of those" moments, because ever time I open a box I can take instant inventory of what I have.

This x10!

 

I was a ziplock bag guy up until the end of last year.  Got tired of dumping a whole ziplock bag out, sorting through a dozen or more smaller bags, and realizing I was out of whatever I was looking for.  Boxes have been much more efficient for me this season and I can always tell when it's time to restock.

[David D.]

Do y'all notice a scent loss or anything when storing plastics in boxes rather than in their original packaging?... Y'all are about to successfully convert me to a plastics-in-boxes guy...

[Scott F]

If you use heavily scented baits, keep those in the bags they came in unless you like the smell! Regular plastics will not dry out but those like gulp will.

[Raul]

Why not just keep them in the original bags? Ive always wondered why people put soft plastics in plastic boxes.

 

I put soft plastics in original bags in Plano boxes.

[CTGalloway21]

I have had the ones made of elaztech melt though boxes, even if all by their selves.  

[Darren.]

I recently answered a similar thread that I was (once again) keeping my soft plastics in original bags inside gallon ziplocks.

 

I'm now keeping my most used soft plastics inside three 3600 sized BPS boxes, and one for my hard plastics. Then I keep the "rest" of the soft plastics under my kayak seat in ziplocks, and in a large plastic bin. So I've compromised.

 

Also mentioned that I am constantly evolving in my setup. I find one method that works great, but encounter something that irritates me and I'll switch out to something else. Now I'm at a mix of methods. Will see how long that lasts.

 

But I completely agree with others, it's far easier to see what you've got by a glance of your Plano box (at least mine), and to keep things organized, inventory up-to-stock, etc.

[spartyon8]

I am only keeping my roboworms in shallow plano boxes. I saw a video with Aaron Martens and I thought I would try it. I don't nearly have as many colors as him but it leaves room for my dropshot hooks, weights and shakey head to fit with the worms.

[bigbill]

I keep used plastics two ways one in a seperate zip lock bag so the wet plastics don't ruin the new plastics. And sometimes I use a 3700 with used plastics still with the hooks in them for quick changing baits.