Should I get a worm binder or individual plastic bags to store loose plastics (like worms, Rage Bugs, etc.)? If I go with plastic bags, what are good sizes for 10-inch worms or similar plastics

Are you planning to combine them?

 

Some plastics don't play nice with each other when commingled.  Elaztech is notorious for ruining the party.

 

I've also seen darker colors "bleed" into lighter ones.

Keep the soft plastics separated by size and color in zip lock bags.  Put the smaller sand which size bags together by color in a larger gallon size zip lock and write on the bag with a Sharpie pen what’s in the big bag.

I put the bags in a soft tackle bag and only take out what I need for outing.

Tom

Leave them in original packaging.  Group packages of craws and use a binder clip.  Group packages of bugs and use a binder clip.  Group bags of worms (by size if you prefer) and use a binder clip.  Group packages of grubs and use a binder clip.  And then buy a small soft side bag (Walmart’s Ozark Trail has a perfect size) to store all of them.  If you try this, place binder clip in slightly different locations at the top of packages (think tabs on file folders).  You can create labels with white adhesive tape for the flat tops of binder clips.

Just leave them pin the original bags.  I did that when I had the kayak.  I put a 3700 together that was a mix of all the shapes, sizes, and colors of the core plastics that I always wanted to carry.  Then I put everything else into speedbags.   I still have the 3700, but when it mostly runs out I won’t refill it.  The only reason I don’t undo it is because I don’t have the original bags now.

 

On the flip side, when I put my Ned box together, I wanted to carry a range of colors but not loose.  I took 2 or 3 similar colors and put a half or third of a bag of each into the other bags and basically made a mix pack.  Since they are similar colors there is negligible bleed and they take up a lot less space.  

Original bags are best, I do keep a box of Ziploc baggies in the boat for thinning down bulk bags/worm bar purchases or catastrophic packaging failure (OG Robo packaging with those ^*£@! staples for example).

 

I do have a couple 3600’s in my travel bag just for plastics, all separated by color and size, and the yellow Slider box will forever live in the boat as well. 

9 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Just leave them pin the original bags.  I did that when I had the kayak.  I put a 3700 together that was a mix of all the shapes, sizes, and colors of the core plastics that I always wanted to carry.  Then I put everything else into speedbags.   I still have the 3700, but when it mostly runs out I won’t refill it.  The only reason I don’t undo it is because I don’t have the original bags now.

 

On the flip side, when I put my Ned box together, I wanted to carry a range of colors but not loose.  I took 2 or 3 similar colors and put a half or third of a bag of each into the other bags and basically made a mix pack.  Since they are similar colors there is negligible bleed and they take up a lot less space.  

This is the problem I’ve done this and was looking to undo it and heard Aaron martens used to buy bags for it

27 minutes ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

This is the problem I’ve done this and was looking to undo it and heard Aaron martens used to buy bags for it

Laminated bags of all sizes at https://baitplastics.com/product/bait-bags/

1 hour ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

This is the problem I’ve done this and was looking to undo it and heard Aaron martens used to buy bags for it

 

gotcha- you want to undo a plastic box.  In that case, a box of ziplock sandwich baggies are going to be your best bet.  They will hold for 2-3 years for sure, maybe more.  That aren't perfect, but they are cheap and easy to store.

On 9/11/2025 at 7:00 PM, OldManLure said:

Leave them in original packaging.  Group packages of craws and use a binder clip.  Group packages of bugs and use a binder clip.  Group bags of worms (by size if you prefer) and use a binder clip.  Group packages of grubs and use a binder clip.  And then buy a small soft side bag (Walmart’s Ozark Trail has a perfect size) to store all of them.  If you try this, place binder clip in slightly different locations at the top of packages (think tabs on file folders).  You can create labels with white adhesive tape for the flat tops of binder clips.

Good for packaged soft plastics but the topic is loose soft plastics. I keep my original soft plastics in their bags but don’t mix used or loose with packaged.

Tom

3 hours ago, WRB-2.0 said:

Good for packaged soft plastics but the topic is loose soft plastics. I keep my original soft plastics in their bags but don’t mix used or loose with packaged.

Tom

🤭

When I go fishing I don't take the entire package with me.  I only put 3 or 4 baits in the box.  After I get home I put them back in their package until next time.

I have several handfuls of plastics that are in ziploc bags because the original bag deteriorated.

 

I filled a 3600 box with flukes, but I kept the bags in case I change my mind.