Bought some Zman Zinkerz and just opened the packaging and it looks like they melted, they were stuck together. Looked like what old, used, worn out Senkos look like all roughed up. They are new in the original packaging and were in the bow compartment of my boat. Did they melt or is something else going on?

 

 

Z-Man plastics in particular are prone to melting in the heat.  I personally have only had them melt when I've left them in the truck on summer days - they won't just melt with regular use.  I've also heard that they will melt if they come into contact with other soft plastics.  You should be fine as long as you store them in their original package and don't leave them in a hot vehicle/boat.

yup they require a little extra care.  however 50-100+ fish per lure is easily worth it to me

The more used and roughed up the better Elaztec tends to work.  Rig them up and catch some fish...

Stuck together, perhaps, but probably not melted together.

 

I keep some in my car all summer long and they can get stuck together....but they pull apart and fish just fine

Also be careful with some scents. I know firsthand they'll melt in JJ's Magic. Do fine with Megastrike. I'm not sure about the others, might be something that only happens with the garlic scented stuff. 

 Just yesterday I found a huge glob of yuk in a compartment with some soft swimbaits . I didnt know what it was so when cleaning it out I found a Ned rig head . I must have rigged one up and threw it in there . I did not know those baits would disintegrate that badly .   LOL

You really have to be careful with Z Man plastic but it is well worth the effort.

I have found that they keep the best if you store them in the original packaging and then take one at a time as you need it.

It says right on the bag not to mix with other plastics and to keep in the original package.

 

I have dozens of bags of Zman and Strike King 3X plastics that have been stored in my boat for several years now in triple digit to below zero temps. I have yet to have a single bag melt together. I've had them stick together, mainly the ZinkerZ, but they pull apart easily and fish just the same as always. Mine are all stored in their original packages, in a gallon ziplock together in my boat's storage.