Keeping Soft Plastics Fresh.

[Scotty58]

Here in Illinois its getting closer to the end and about time to get tackle and the boat put up. I was wondering if there is anything you guys do to try and keep your plastics fresh all winter? I store all my soft plastics in tackle boxes out of the bags. I just don't want next year to come around and I open my boxes to find them far from effective. Or am I just worrying too much?

[Big C]

They should be fine.  If you are really worried put some fish attractant on them before you fish with them again.

[Ski213]

I would say you'll be fine. I bought a pretty significant quantity of Berkeley power worms about fifteen years ago. I still have some and they still look, smell, and fish like they did new. I kept them in the bags. I wasn't careful with them. Just tried to keep them from getting too hot. Outside of that nothing though.

[Scotty58]

Ok sounds good. I'm storing everything in our basement so everything oughta stay cool down there. Haha we wrap up alot of money into these lures, I just hate to see them waste away but I feel better about it now

[bigbill]

I keep the used plastics in a zip loc bag.

[Bluebasser86]

I have bags of plastics that are probably 10 years old that still catch fish. You're worrying too much. 

[Bankbeater]

Just keep them in the bag and somewhere out of the sun so the colors don't run together.

[bigbill]

As long as the original bag is sealed and air tight the new plastics will last for years.

I put the used plastics in there own zip loc bag I don't mix them. Some plastics don't like being in one bag they can blend color wise

[bunkerbstr]

Ditto everyone else's comments.  I've had some for a decade or more, still use them, they still work.  

 

As others mentioned, keep colors separate and try to keep out of fluctuating/extreme temps, as in don't leave in your boat or garage all winter long.  

 

Bags and/or boxes, I keep them in both (boxes on the boat, bags are my back-ups, kept in the bait barn until needed) and don't have issues.  

[WIGuide]

You're worrying too much. As long as salt impregnated ones don't get wet you're good to go.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I have a bunch in my shed some are bags 20 yrs old .they have survived heat and cold

[bigfruits]

some of my plastics are over a decade old. kept in original bag away from heat and sun.

[ChrisD46]

Even a partially opened bag of Robo Worms develop a STRONG industrial  / plastic smell after a while !

They are the only soft plastics that do this - I still favor them but I'm not much for stocking up on Robo Worms any more .

Conversely - Strike King , Havoc , Zoom , etc. present no problems - just those blasted Robo Worms !

[A-Jay]

My plastics are kept in the original bag.  Muliple opened bags (of same brands & type) are kept in gallon zip-loks.

 

This has worked for me for both short & long term storage.

 

All plastics get a slathering of Megastrike during use - Can't beat it.

 

A-Jay