Are tackle boxes OK for storing soft plastics? (Both regular and with VCI rust inhibitor?) I'm sort of concerned that the plastics may react with each other. 

 

Thinking of putting soft plastic swimbaits like Keitech and Berkley, as well as rigged swimbaits.

Might be brand dependent but I believe most are wormproof these days with the exception of soft plastics made from Elaztech. I would think Plano & Flambeau & house brands from BPS/Cabelas would be fine. Read labels & make sure.

I don't think plastisol reacts w/ plastic other than melting from heat.  Color often bleeds, tails get kinked, and rigged baits often rust out hooks with the high salt content.  It's a bit of a gamble that I don't take with my baits, but I know others on here do.  If you store them nice and neat with like colors, you're gonna be happy.  Elaztech on the other hand does not play nice with other plastics, definitely keep those away and separate.  

 

scott

I’ll second what has already been stated. Store like colors together and keep Zman elaztech away from other plastics.

Back in the day some plastic tackle trays or boxes didn’t react well with soft plastics as they melted the trays over time.

Todays or since the 90’s that issue has been resolved with newer tackle box’s and trays. If you have an old box be warned.

As. Everyone has suggested Keep likes with likes.

Tom 

 

Most of today’s plastic baits are basically made from some pvc compound and so are the storage boxes.  They store safely in the boxes except those made of Elaztech.  Elaztech baits can destroy pvc boxes and baits.

I never had plastics react but I have had cases where certain baits would get kinked (soft jerkbait types) or if it had a florescent green tail and purple body the colors would bleed, etc. I've had MUCH better luck just keeping all my plastics in their bags they come in and store those in plastic storage containers. 

 

Added benefit is if I ever need to pull some stuff from the boat for a travel box I can pull specific baits/colors instead of an entire tray of baits. 

1 hour ago, Functional said:

I've had MUCH better luck just keeping all my plastics in their bags they come in and store those in plastic storage containers. 

I started doing this a few years ago too.  I used to keep some in tackle boxes but I bought bought specific storage for bags of plastics and since then just kept all of them in the original packaging.  Plus most of them come with a re-sealable bag so they stay fresher that way too.

I leave my soft plastics in original packaging, I use Plano speed bags. Have two of them, one for worms and one for creatures and tubes. All extras I keep in totes.

same as @Functional and @gimruis.

If I didn’t keep my stuff in labeled boxes I would never be able to find anything.

 

Pretty much all of my Yamamoto plastics are in Plano boxes.  I keep them color matched or close to it to minimize the bleed between colors.  Sometimes the blended color baits work better than the originals. 😉

I'm about 50/50 right now.  1/2 my plastics are in the original bag stored in the sides of my tackle area in my boat.  The other 1/2 is in planos boxes in the front of another compartment.  I'm slowly eliminating the plano boxes for the most part with the plastics.

I've got a bunch of newer (last 3 years) 3600 boxes from a couple of different brands, including Plano, and even the Elaztech baits don't react with them.  They will, however, react with other soft plastics, so don't keep both in the same box.  Even if they're not touching.  

This is what I store mine in on the boat.

For those that use Z-man (Elaztech), I can confirm that the Plano Synergy Edge works with no worries.

 

Most cubbies are filled with Elastech baits and have no wear, damage, etc. Baits are perfect too. 

 

There are also non Elastech in here as well and they stay isolated when the case is closed. No damage to those either.

 

Just sharing in case this is of interest to someone.

 

 

Thank you @RRocket -- that was a question I had -- posting your picture and info. answered it for me. 

 

 

On 12/18/2023 at 11:00 AM, TOXIC said:

Pretty much all of my Yamamoto plastics are in Plano boxes.  I keep them color matched or close to it to minimize the bleed between colors.  Sometimes the blended color baits work better than the originals. 😉

@TOXIC, the Baitmonkey is whispering to me to find out what color that is in the three rows of consecutive darker senko's you have in the first picture, if you don't mind sharing. Is it a 955 or 956 perhaps?🤑🤓

@SnaggedAgain HaHa.  I have no problem sharing those colors.  I set that box up depending on where I will be fishing.  That grouping is from left to right, Goby, 297,297, 955, 955, 955, 305 (Baby Bass) and finally 901.  This set was for the Rappahonock River over a few trips.  I’ll be re-doing it for Florida and I will restock it differently for Michigan and lake St Clair.

@TOXIC 🙂Thank you for sharing. I know you fish many places from your posts and assumed you fish specific baits/colors depending on locations. Knowing you are pretty close to myself and seeing those 955's they caught me(and hopefully some bass in the future) looking like a potential great color for some places I like to throw senko's. Baitmonkey will be pleased👍

I keep mine in the original packages.  They last longer and retain their smell and texture. 

This is what I use.  I have 4 of them and keep 2 of them in the boat.  Its easy to grab one or both of them when I go fishing in someone else's boat (which is rare).  I can also just open it and grab individual bags to take with.  I generally organize mine by "type" of soft plastic, except for Zman.  They are stored with other zman in the original packaging in their own compartment.

 

https://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/Fishing/Hard-Storage/Waterproof-Satchels/super-1/2-satchel-with-zerust