BlogAugust 2014

“Does Not Play Well With Others”

“Does Not Play Well With Others”

By Andy Whitcomb

Aug 12, 2014

Several packages of soft plastics were combined in one package and everyone got along…

Several packages of soft plastics were combined in one package and everyone got along…

Soft plastics come in a staggering selection of colors, scents, shapes, and sizes. They also vary in composition. I have several dozen packages in my tackle bags. In an attempt to increase angling efficiency and make some more luggage room for a much needed vacation, I consolidated some of these packages into a “river” bag, and a “lake” bag.

A few weeks later, I discovered that some soft plastics had seemingly melted together, and I don’t think heat was to blame. I have had some soft plastic lures together for years without an issue, but every once in a while there are a few that seem to “not get along.”

But this particular combo of soft plastics had some “issues.”

There have been times when soft plastics even have melted into a tackle box tray, or stuck to neighboring crankbaits or their packaging. The new River 2 Sea Dahlberg Diver Frog has a warning label that “this lure and components cannot be stored with other plastic baits.” I can’t wait to try this lure, but I’m keeping it in its space-consuming packaging until time to taunt big largemouth bass.

Here are some tips for storing soft plastic baits:

● If you combine soft plastics, try it on a small scale first.

● Keep like colors together in case the colors run. (Unless you think the fish are after a more psychedelic bait pattern.)

● Keep cool, out of sunlight, and in the original bags as long as possible.
Andy Whitcomb
Andy Whitcomb
Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.