Storing ZMAN baits in waterproof Plano boxes? 2025
NateCatchesFish reply :
I’m curious if anyone stores ZMAN baits in waterproof Plano boxes. I’m a yak angler and want to put together a box specifically for Ned Rig stuff and I’m gonna use a waterproof Plano box. I’m just curious if anyone does this and has had any problems with them warping? Thanks
Scott F reply :
Newer Plano boxes that have not been used to store other plastics will be just fine. I don’t use the water proof boxes because if water does get in, it has no way to get out. In a normal box, water will evaporate if it gets in.
Darren. reply :
Yeah, I've toyed with the idea, too, Nate, but I've
played it safe and kept my TRDs in original bags and
in the second (larger) compartment of my guide box.
I would say @Scott F is right with the Plano box advice.
NateCatchesFish reply :
On 1/2/2018 at 7:34 AM, Scott F said:Newer Plano boxes that have not been used to store other plastics will be just fine. I don’t use the water proof boxes because if water does get in, it has no way to get out. In a normal box, water will evaporate if it gets in.
Okay awesome! It’s brand new and I had planned on using it to store them but didn’t think about them warping before I bought it. I just prefer using the waterproof when I’m on the kayak just Incase something was to happen!
On 1/2/2018 at 7:36 AM, Darren. said:Yeah, I've toyed with the idea, too, Nate, but I've
played it safe and kept my TRDs in original bags and
in the second (larger) compartment of my guide box.
I would say @Scott F is right with the Plano box advice.
Thanks! I had before but I know that the waterproof boxes are a lot thicker plastic then the regular planos so I don’t think I’ll have a problem.
thinkingredneck reply :
I had them warp a new plano box that was not waterproof.
cgolf reply :
I have used the double sided smaller Plano boxes for elaztech baits with pretty good success. There is some warping over time of the dividers, but the lids stay pretty good. Guessing that it has to do with all the bends and curves in these covers, it may add some rigidity to the cover. I am currently using the 3500 size.
i did read an article or watch a you tube video recently about soft plastics and how the amount of I believe softener in the plastic is what warps the boxes. Some standard plastics warp boxes pretty badly too.
NateCatchesFish reply :
On 1/2/2018 at 7:58 AM, thinkingredneck said:I had them warp a new plano box that was not waterproof.
I could see that happening. I’m using a waterproof and those are a lot thicker plastic than non waterproof Planos
On 1/2/2018 at 8:13 AM, cgolf said:I have used the double sided smaller Plano boxes for elaztech baits with pretty good success. There is some warping over time of the dividers, but the lids stay pretty good. Guessing that it has to do with all the bends and curves in these covers, it may add some rigidity to the cover. I am currently using the 3500 size.
i did read an article or watch a you tube video recently about soft plastics and how the amount of I believe softener in the plastic is what warps the boxes. Some standard plastics warp boxes pretty badly too.
I was curious about the ZMANs because I’m not sure but I don’t think they have the softener in them like regular plastics. I’m mostly worried about the baits melting or anything from being in there. The box won’t be kept out in the sun but I still just don’t want to ruin all my
trd baits.
What about storing them in ziplock bags? The main issue is I’m using a ned rig a lot and don’t want to have bags of trds taking up space when they can be in the same box as my jig heads. I can’t fit the actual bags in a waterproof 3600 any way. So what would y’all suggest? Right now I have them in the box out of the original package. I feel like they should be fine. They will be kept
in a covered kayak crate (Black Pak) our of the sun.
fishwizzard reply :
They have warped every box I have put them in, given a long enough timespan. It does not seem to hurt the lures, but I only put them into the planos once they have been used a bit. Right now my main Ned box is a plano knockoff I got at Home Depot. It is not as thick and the latch isn't as good, but it was $2, so if I have to replace it in a year it's no big deal.
I have also kept the z-mans in ziplock bags and there seems to be no change in the lures. My current strategy to store Ned rigs are small plastic fly boxes with a foam insert, like this,
I have had them in there for about 4-5 months now with no warping. I throw a z-rust tab in there for good measure and the hooks have not rusted either. I bought two the the cheapest ones I could find on ebay, if it works out I am going to look for a nicer one with a better latch.
NateCatchesFish reply :
On 1/2/2018 at 8:58 AM, fishwizzard said:They have warped every box I have put them in, given a long enough timespan. It does not seem to hurt the lures, but I only put them into the planos once they have been used a bit. Right now my main Ned box is a plano knockoff I got at Home Depot. It is not as thick and the latch isn't as good, but it was $2, so if I have to replace it in a year it's no big deal.
I have also kept the z-mans in ziplock bags and there seems to be no change in the lures. My current strategy to store Ned rigs are small plastic fly boxes with a foam insert, like this,
I have had them in there for about 4-5 months now with no warping. I throw a z-rust tab in there for good measure and the hooks have not rusted either. I bought two the the cheapest ones I could find on ebay, if it works out I am going to look for a nicer one with a better latch.
Thank you I appreciate that. I was considering keeping them in very small ziplock bags and in the Plano boxes. It’s not so much opening the bags that bothers me it’s the fact that the trds are so small in such a big bag and they take up unnecessary space. I think I will store them in ziplock bags in the Plano box as long as they don’t melt inside the ziplock bag.
Scott F reply :
I've had Z man baits in the same Plano boxes for 3 years and I've never had the box warp.
NateCatchesFish reply :
On 1/2/2018 at 9:06 AM, Scott F said:I've had Z man baits in the same Plano boxes for 3 years and I've never had the box warp.
Thanks for the input! I’m gonna keep them in the Plano. I’m more worried about the baits messing up and less the Plano. I can replace the Plano for $10 but I have over $50 worth of trds currently and don’t want to have to replace all of those
fishwizzard reply :
On 1/2/2018 at 9:04 AM, NateCatchesFish said:Thank you I appreciate that. I was considering keeping them in very small ziplock bags and in the Plano boxes. It’s not so much opening the bags that bothers me it’s the fact that the trds are so small in such a big bag and they take up unnecessary space. I think I will store them in ziplock bags in the Plano box as long as they don’t melt inside the ziplock bag.
Z-man used to sell the TRDTubes in pretty small bags, I keep them and reused them to carry a few Neds before I thought of trying the fly box. I would give the ziplocks a try, but only with a few lures, I am sure there are plastic composition difference between brands/styles so you might get unlucky.
NateCatchesFish reply :
On 1/2/2018 at 9:15 AM, fishwizzard said:Z-man used to sell the TRDTubes in pretty small bags, I keep them and reused them to carry a few Neds before I thought of trying the fly box. I would give the ziplocks a try, but only with a few lures, I am sure there are plastic composition difference between brands/styles so you might get unlucky.
I wish they sold them in smaller bags at least. Being a kayak angler I’m limited to gear and having extra plastics take up valuable space
fishwizzard reply :
If you are not size-restricted, the Plano 3600 Worm Stowaway is worth a look. It is made to hold a half dozen or so bags of plastics and has small spots for terminal tackle as well. I wanna say it was designed for Z-man plastics as the bags fit perfectly and the packaging slows it full of them.
EDIT: I just saw you post about the kayak. If you really want to carry that many TRDs, then the Worm Stowaway looks right up your alley.
cgolf reply :
On 1/2/2018 at 9:18 AM, NateCatchesFish said:I wish they sold them in smaller bags at least. Being a kayak angler I’m limited to gear and having extra plastics take up valuable space
The TRD Tubez come in a smaller bags, at least the ones I have, and would give ya another bait to try.
Here is the response I got back from Zman about storing their baits. I personally don't use the original bags since I glue the bait to the jig, I don't want to seal a wet jig in that bag.
NateCatchesFish reply :
On 1/2/2018 at 10:06 AM, cgolf said:The TRD Tubez come in a smaller bags, at least the ones I have, and would give ya another bait to try.
Here is the response I got back from Zman about storing their baits. I personally don't use the original bags since I glue the bait to the jig, I don't want to seal a wet jig in that bag.
I found your post when I was looking about it. I think it would be already to keep them in a Plano. If it warps the box then I will just know better for next time. I’d be a little upset if it melted my baits or something since it’s quite and investment. I wanna try the TRD Tubes here soon I just can’t get them anywhere in town. I’ll have to make a TW order here soon with some in it
fishwizzard reply :
I thought the TRD tubes would be the best thing since sliced bread, but I have not been as excited by their performance. The tails dont have much action and stick together if you don't lube them. They are a little better for weedless rigging on Owner Ultra head due to the hollow butt section collapsing out of the way better than a solid TRD.
NateCatchesFish reply :
On 1/2/2018 at 11:38 AM, fishwizzard said:I thought the TRD tubes would be the best thing since sliced bread, but I have not been as excited by their performance. The tails dont have much action and stick together if you don't lube them. They are a little better for weedless rigging on Owner Ultra head due to the hollow butt section collapsing out of the way better than a solid TRD.
I will have to try that idea. I’ve never actually used the trd tubes but I feel like it would be a really good thing to try some day
fishwizzard reply :
The Owner Ultras/Decoy Nailbombs are the best jigheads I have found for a weedless Ned. You will miss some hits, especially if you are using a lighter rod, but having it be weedless is a godsend for a lot of the river fishing I do. Being able to drift the lure lets me fish water that I cant wade over to and it's really nice for skipping under brush and other super snaggy cover.
NateCatchesFish reply :
On 1/3/2018 at 12:08 AM, fishwizzard said:The Owner Ultras/Decoy Nailbombs are the best jigheads I have found for a weedless Ned. You will miss some hits, especially if you are using a lighter rod, but having it be weedless is a godsend for a lot of the river fishing I do. Being able to drift the lure lets me fish water that I cant wade over to and it's really nice for skipping under brush and other super snaggy cover.
I haven’t heard of those. I will have to give them a try. I currently am just using the ZMAN weedless jig heads
fishwizzard reply :
On 1/3/2018 at 6:52 AM, NateCatchesFish said:I haven’t heard of those. I will have to give them a try. I currently am just using the ZMAN weedless jig heads
They are more of a shakyhead/slider style jighead, so the hook point will be skin hooked into the plastic. Due to the plastic being both strong and stretchy, it makes hooksets less reliable. But as I said, you can drift them with little fear of a hangup.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
I store my Zman in its original bag in Plano 3607 utility box(1 compartment) I can fit 6-8 bags in a box. Will Zman wrap the plastic box, yes if the plastic box in thin and stored Zman for awhile.
I use owner ultra shakey head for Zman mostly Zinkerz, big TRD, Hula stick and paddlerZ but to skin hook this plastic is pretty tough. If you skin hook to deep you might has problem setting hook, if you skin to shallow it might not be weedless at all.
I got a new shakey head for all my Zman it is Lunker Shakey Head. I'm going to try next season to see if this work better than owners ultra.
Boomstick reply :
I use the 3650 style boxes where I can keep them in the original bag inside the box myself, but you should be fine especially if you go through them fast enough.
tander reply :
I keep mine in the original bag and put them in soft sided bags like this.
NateCatchesFish reply :
On 1/5/2018 at 1:32 AM, Boomstick said:I use the 3650 style boxes where I can keep them in the original bag inside the box myself, but you should be fine especially if you go through them fast enough.
This time of year they get used a lot. That’s why I wanna make them easy access and take up little space when I’m on the kayak.
On 1/5/2018 at 2:46 AM, tander said:I keep mine in the original bag and put them in soft sided bags like this.
That’s how I keep my plastics when I’m on a boat. But that’s too much to keep on a kayak
Boomstick reply :
On 1/5/2018 at 7:10 AM, NateCatchesFish said:This time of year they get used a lot. That’s why I wanna make them easy access and take up little space when I’m on the kayak.
That’s how I keep my plastics when I’m on a boat. But that’s too much to keep on a kayak
Yeah, if you want to play it safe I would make a box special for each trip with anything you plan on using and backups should you lose or wreck one.
LCG reply :
Kept mine in a 3500 size Plano this year, box is now warped, but it's more convenient than having them in bags for me.
cgolf reply :
Here is my current Zman Ned box. It is the 3500 size double Plano.
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