Due to their soft, rubber-like texture, soft plastic baits are plastic-like fishing baits that come in several different types and shapes. Primarily, they are shaped like fish to be used as bait to lure and catch other fish. Their realistic texture and versatility have made them a necessary item for modern fishing.
Among soft baits, worms, leeches, and crayfish are very popular. They account for a lot of success during your fishing adventure. These baits are made to mimic real fishes, and since most anglers want to use the real stuff to catch good fish, they go for soft plastic baits.
This article will discuss some of the most famous questions newbie or people who are still struggling with soft plastic bait have. Some of these questions might be:
“Do they go bad?” and “How can I keep them soft?”. Also, we will discuss the best methods to store the baits that work like a charm so that they may remain fresh for your next fishing trip.
Do Soft Plastic Baits Go Bad?
If “Bad” means expire, then no, they never go bad. Soft baits don’t pass even if you keep them in your tackle box for years. They do not decompose or degrade despite not being used for years. They are usable as long as the sun or heat does not melt them.
These soft plastics will melt if they are stored in a hard-plastic tackle box. This is why the experts advise the anglers to keep them in a cool and dry place because they can dry out and become stiff and lose their versatility. Keeping them in a damp or moist place is also not recommended as they rust out when exposed to dampness. Some flavours that are known to rust relatively quick are Yum and Power bait.
How Do I Keep Swimbaits Soft?
After discussing how a soft bait can go bad, let’s now talk about how to avoid that and keep your swimbait protected. Whether a novice or experienced, every angler should know this if he plans to fish using soft plastic baits.
You cannot store soft plastic baits like regular baits. They need unique places and ways to keep them soft. First and foremost, you cannot keep different soft plastic baits together in a metal tackle box. This is very important as people tend to do this often. Instead, the soft plastic baits should be stored in their original bags or a compact transparent box.
You should not store them in a metal tackle box because the plastic bait will get disfigured and bleed into other colours. They will be ruined and thus become unusable.
How to Keep Soft Plastic from Melting?
As mentioned above, don’t put it in a metal tackle box. Please keep them in a plastic container and a cool, dry place. This will make sure their figure and smell are safe and can be used again. The best solution will always be to keep them in an original plastic bag.
Put all the baits in their respective bag and then organize them. Make sure no bag is open, as this will dry the bait out. When organizing, the best way is to take a box and create sections in it. This way, you can store the plastic bags in the same box. The sterilized storage box is recommended and is readily available in the fishing gear market.
Following are some ways you can keep them safe from melting:
- Do not store soft plastic baits under direct sunlight.
- Store them in their original packaging.
- Do not store them in tackle boxes (especially those made of metal).
- To keep the baits’ slimy texture, use menhaden oil or pro-cure.
- Try to use a worm binder to keep the baits organized and save space.
This method may bite much of your time, but it’s worth it. And you usually have to do this once; next time, you can place the baits in the box where you have created the space.
This is how you avoid the soft plastic from melting or bleeding its colours.
How Long Do Plastic Fishing Worms Last?
If kept with care, plastic fishing worms can last up to two years or more. They should not be under sunlight or in a metal tackle box. Keeping them in a dry and cool place will increase their life span so you can enjoy them for an extended period.
Worms are one of the most popular baits, and a lot of fishes like them. Their catch rate is quite good; however, they should be kept safe to be helpful for a long duration.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed under what condition soft baits go bad, how to store them, how long can they last, and how to avoid getting them melted. Now you can store soft plastic baits confidently and tell your friends about what you learned. Hope this article guided you well, and now you are feeling better prepared for your next fishing session with plastic baits!