When you’re out on the water fishing one of the best ways to save precious time and improve efficiency is having your tackle organized and accessible- starting with your swimbaits.
And although swimbaits have become some of the most prolific fish catchers out there storing them can be a real hassle. Unlike hardbody swimbaits that can easily be stowed away in Plano or other storage boxes, soft-body swimbaits present unique storage challenges.
The most important part of a soft swimbait is its tail, which also tends to be the most vulnerable component when your lure isn’t being used. On the other hand, using these storage tips will help keep your favorite soft swimbaits fresh so that you can put monster fish in your live well all year long.
Store Similar Soft Swimbaits Together
First, be sure to store swimbaits with the same type of tail design together in-a-given box or compartment. In other words, don’t bury your Castaic Jerky J thin, round-tail swimbaits underneath a pile of heavier, paddle tailed lures like the RS Fathead Jr.
It’s also important to stagger your swimbaits in a head to tail pattern while laying them next to one another, as this alignment will keep the tails from moving around and getting bent. After all, a straighter tail delivers a more realistic side-to-side action in the water during the retrieve- leading to more violent strikes from trophy worthy fish!
Keep Your Confidence Swimbaits Handy
Every angler has their favorite go-to swimbaits that no hungry bass can resist, like the Castaic Boot Tail or RS Revolution Rat with its razor-sharp Kitana hook. Spend more time doing what you love by keeping those confidence baits close-at-hand.
Store your favorite lures in hard plastic utility boxes that you then keep in the main compartment of your boat. Only carry swimbait colors that match the forage, which also allows you to access them without rummaging through your entire tackle box while the big one is getting away!
Create Lake-Specific Swimbait Bags
Another swimbait storage tip is to keep your soft plastics in 1-gallon, clear zip-lock storage bags that are labeled for individual fishing spots that you frequent.
For example, if you’re heading to Toledo Bend or Lake Fork in Texas for some bass fishing, prepare in advance designated bags with the swimbait types, colors and sizes specific to that body of water.
Better yet, starting in the spring do the same for all the waterways that you will be visiting during the next 6 months or so. Because it’s a favorite of largemouth no matter where you are, be sure to pack the RS Chunky Shad in multiple styles and colors.
To prevent your baits from getting damaged keep them in the original blister packages, place them in the storage bags, and then label the bags with permanent marker. Then, stash the bags in the side box of your boat so they’re handy without getting in the way.
Store Specialty Plastics and Tackle Together
Are you a serious angler who’s had much success using an umbrella rig and soft swimbait combo to go after schooling bass? Or maybe you’ve found that using Jerky J Swims as a softbait trailer on your new Castaic TWT Buzz is a deadly combo for snaring monster bass lurking in thick weed patches.
Either way, why store your soft plastics and tackle-of-choice separately?
In general, to save time and energy it just makes sense to stow away your specialty plastics in the same utility box with your favorite rigs.
Lay Your Soft Swimbait Boxes Flat
Many beginning anglers make the mistake of not storing their swimbait boxes flat when they’re kept in large tackle boxes or boat storage compartments.
But much like storing different types of soft swimbaits together, when turned on their sides the baits push together- which can permanently kink the tails and diminish the life-like swimming action they’re supposed to produce in the water.
Always store your soft swimbaits flat, whether it’s in your tackle box, truck bed or garage shelf.
Use Small Containers that Fit the Baits
And finally, try to keep each kind of swimbait in a small container that’s just the right size and length for that specific bait.
For example, if you enjoy fishing with a 5” Castaic Catch 22 because it casts longer than your other soft swimbaits and supports violent hookups, find a plastic storage container with a lid that’s just large enough to hold the lure- leaving you extra room in your tackle box.
When stored properly and fished with the right techniques, soft swimbaits can be an angler’s best friend. If you have any additional questions about how to take care of your hardbody or soft-body swimbaits, contact the pros at Castaic today.