I was browsing for some formula to help keep my soft plastic lures supple and moist, and I was about to use a little glycerin when I happened to read that glycerin can actually dry the upper layers of the lures if applied pure - as it can do with your skin. 

It acts as a moisture attractant, so if you apply it pure it will soak the moisture out whatever is most humid, whether your skin or the air. If the air is dry, it will actually dehydrate your skin. 

There is no reason why it wouldn’t work the same with soft plastic lures. 

So it seems it would be best to dilute glycerin with a fairly large amount of distilled water using a 10% formula before spraying it on the lures and putting them back into their bags ...

How do you keep your soft plastic lures as new?

After I fish with them let them dry out and put back in the original packaging.

Keep them in the original packaging instead of putting them in a tackle tray helps. I've never had any issue with baits getting dried out or aging in their original package.

I have put glycerin combined with pure anise oil in soft plastic worm bags for decades without any negative affect. The fact is my 30 to 40 year old Stembridge Flip Tail and Delong worms have been stored in bags with glycerin/anise oil. Plastisol soft plastic doesn't appear to absorb most oils, it tends to coat the surface only and as long as there isn't a negative chemical reaction should Be OK. On the other hand several brands of attractive scents can and have hardened my soft plastics and fail the plastic bags, so I no longer add it to bags of worms, only 1 at a time as they get used.

Tom

I don't think drying out is a problem, but often baits that are stored in plastic bags will not slide freely and will bend and set to that bend.  A quick shot of spray vegetable oil (ie. Pam) inside of the filled bag will provide a good lubricant.

 

oe

Pam spray?  pure vegetable or mineral oils that don't turn rancid ( spoil ) may work OK.

Tom

Thanks guys?

I ll go for the time tested and approved glycerin/anise oil if the lures seem to need some lube, and put them back in their bags.

Thanks again for ur answers.

Anise oil is the ticket.

The moderators should add a question mark to my title as I was a bit too fast to jump to conclusions ?

Pure anise oil, no alcohol, only takes a few drops in each storage bag to a teaspoon of glycerin, don't over do it a little goes a long way!

Tom

My plastics have always been kept in Plano 3600 boxes for years out of the pac and never dry out.  The box with bubble gum worms has some 5-6 years old since it is not a frequent use color.  Still good as new.