Storage of soft plastics

[them bones]

I keep some of my soft stuff in their bags, I put some of them into compartments in the tackle bag. The senkos especially seem to degrade, they lose elasticity and pull apart easily. When I pinch them to rig they deform and discolor slightly.

The answer may be obvious, but there is another factor. I leave my tackle bag in my hatchback over the summer, cause on any random day I may go throw some bait for an hour after work.

So am I ruining my stuff by taking it out of the bags, or am I ruining my stuff by leaving it in the solar oven that is a car in the summertime?

[brushhog]

I think the solar oven may be the culprit, however taking them out of the bag may contribute also. I've always kept the original bags inside big gallon size zip-loc bags. Then I can fit several bags of plastics in it, I can see what I need, and they are sealed up. Just my two cents!

By the way welcome to the board, there are a lot of really knowledgeable guys around here, and some pretty hilarious ones too! I, unfortunately am neither!

[stevomac59]

Originally Posted by them bones

So am I ruining my stuff by taking it out of the bags, or am I ruining my stuff by leaving it in the solar oven that is a car in the summertime?

I know the situation. Yesterday High temps went up to 108 deg F. I keep my tackle inside. But some in my truck (just a few)

[lowrider]

the answer is always the same...spend more money

easy to carry from the car to the house

[BigBassin144]

I keep my organized in ziploc bags then have all those in a duffel bag. All my plastics are liky thsi except jerkbaits (Slug-go's, Super flukes, etc.) because you don't want them to get bent, cause then they're useless.

BB

[them bones]

Thanks for the tips. The heat damage came from last summer. I've only had the bag in the car for a couple weeks now, and it's only topped 70 out once.

I put my plastics that still have their original bags into an old toiletry bag. Maybe without leaving the stuff in the car I'll at least prevent damage to the new plastics.

Now I have to find a new excuse for not catching fish...

[zooker]

i rarely have a problem with plastic breakin down. the suns uv rays do the damage. keep them in a dark bag -i use a flw bag-and i leave it in the boat most times..

zooker

[icd]

if you're looking for new plastic baits just leave them in the car with a hook inbetween and you'll have a multicolored, already hooked custom plastic bait. I've done it. :-)

[Lilmoosecountry]

Paul Elias set the record using 10 yr old manns jelly worm that were zipplocked.

[Raul]

Always keep them in their bags and away from direct sunlight.

I still fish with soft plastic baits I purchased over a decade ago and they are still as fresh as the day I purchased them.