Storing Zman baits (Direct response from Zman) 2025
cgolf reply :
After getting many different answers on the boards here, I will post the response I got from Zman about storage of their baits. In my email to them I did ask for permission and was given it to post it.
My email,
I have a question about the storage of your Elaztech baits. Being a newer user to your product, first tried it last spring, I haven’t quite figured out all the do’s and don’ts with storing them. Thankfully I have not had any meltdowns yet so I have been careful enough.
Here is my setup, and dilemma, I fish 4-6 days a week with mixed baits and don't want to put a Zman on a jig head back in the original sealed bag wet. I would be concerned about rust since I generally carry about 8-10 baits prerigged and ready. I currently store them in a double sided Plano 3500 size box that I drilled holes in to allow the water to evaporate. I also added some paper towel in each slot to help with moisture. With this I haven't had any serious rusting issues or worry about what or how I set the used baits in my truck to dry, the box stays in the truck the entire fishing season.
My question, is the reaction just a contact reaction, or if this vented box is placed in the same compartment of a soft sided bag with either crankbaits or other soft plastics will I have issues? I do currently have a bag that allows me to keep them separate, but once that bag is gone I am not sure the replacement bag would give me the same luxury.
The answers I got on the forum were that Plano boxes do bad things to the baits and the original bag is the only safe option. I figured it would be easier to get the answer from the source. Also let me know if I can post your answer on the forum, I think many others would benefit from it, I get the impression there are a lot of misconceptions out there, including about baits melting due to heat.
Answer from Zman
Thanks for using our products and for getting in touch about proper storage of ElaZtech plastics. There’s a little bit of a learning curve with our material, but once you get it down, the benefits of the material far outweigh any changes you need to make in how you store or rig the baits!
As you already are aware, we recommend storing ElaZtech plastics in their original packaging, as that is the safest bet to prevent them from coming into contact with a foreign substance that may affect the ElaZtech baits, or vice versa. It is also important to keep the baits out of extreme heat (i.e., out of the direct sunlight on a hot day, do not store inside a vehicle in the summer, etc.) because the melting point of ElaZtech is slightly lower than other soft plastics. We are located in South Carolina where it gets pretty hot; I store my baits in a compartment in my boat year-round, and I have never experienced any temperature-related issues whatsoever. Our warehouse reaches in excess of 100 degrees in the summer, and we’ve never had any baits melt here.
As far as storing ElaZtech baits in a Plano box or similar storage tray goes, I’m not aware of any storage boxes that will cause our baits to melt. Over time, ElaZtech may cause the box itself to warp, but the baits should be fine as long as they are not mixed with other soft plastics. I would recommend against storing ElaZtech and conventional plastics together in the same storage box, even in different compartments, to avoid the baits inadvertently being mixed and to prevent any kind of cross-k
I think the setup you described would probably not present any issues as long as you are very careful about not mixing PVC baits with ElaZtech plastics. While I don’t have any hard evidence to support this yet, I believe that a Plano box with holes in it will allow air to flow in and out of the compartments and eliminate, or at least reduce, the warping issue. Plano actually makes a box with holes in it, and I’ve been using it with ElaZtech for a few months without any negative effects on the box.
We are currently working on finding a cost-effective source for ElaZtech-friendly storage boxes and hope to have a series of boxes on the market by next summer. In the meantime, it’s worth mentioning that Flambeau’s K-Series boxes are compatible with ElaZtech. They can be ordered online from several different sources including Flambeau.
If you are going to use a Plano-style box, another thing to be cognizant of is how the baits are laid in the compartments. Our material is prone to ‘taking a set’ over time, so the baits and the boxes themselves must be stored carefully. This is not as much of an issue with baits like ZinkerZ, FattyZ, TRDs, Finesse WormZ, etc. but is something to watch out for with baits like swimbaits with 3 dimensional tails or appendages that don’t lay flat as easily.
I think that you are correct that there are many misconceptions about the material, melting, etc. When we get complaints from anglers about melted baits, we typically ask the customer to return the baits to us so we can check them out. Almost always, the angler insists that they did not mix ElaZtech with other soft baits, and virtually every time, we find a shriveled up PVC bait among the melted ElaZtech baits! And those are just the people that contact us and send the baits back to us, so I’m sure that many of the people complaining about baits melting have unknowingly and unintentionally mixed them with a foreign substance.
Here is a link to video we made about proper storage of ElaZtech baits that you may find helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1wkWQPMcPs. The bottom line is that if you take a few basic precautions, you will not have any issues with ElaZtech.
Please feel free to post this on any forums as you see fit. Thank you again for using our ElaZtech plastics and for getting in touch with your question!
Mad props to Zman for getting me a very prompt answer. The two times I have dealt with their customer service they have been awesome. They seem like a group that stands behind their product and want to do as much as possible to make it succeed.
S. Sass reply :
On 5/12/2016 at 12:40 PM, cgolf said:we recommend storing ElaZtech plastics in their original packaging
Key point 1
On 5/12/2016 at 12:40 PM, cgolf said:Over time, ElaZtech may cause the box itself to warp
Key point 2
On 5/12/2016 at 12:40 PM, cgolf said:the baits should be fine as long as they are not mixed with other soft plastics. I would recommend against storing ElaZtech and conventional plastics together in the same storage box, even in different compartments, to avoid the baits inadvertently being mixed and to prevent any kind of cross-k
^^^ Referring back to Key point 1 and Key point 2 
Clarifying keep ElaZtech plastics away from other brands of baits, and in their original packaging and their wont be any problem. 
blckshirt98 reply :
I'm more curious how to tell if a plastic bait has PVC in it.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 5/12/2016 at 2:53 PM, blckshirt98 said:I'm more curious how to tell if a plastic bait has PVC in it.
Best rule of thumb, if it's not a Zman, don't mix it with Zman baits.
cgolf reply :
On 5/12/2016 at 1:51 PM, S. Sass said:Key point 1
Key point 2
^^^ Referring back to Key point 1 and Key point 2
Clarifying keep ElaZtech plastics away from other brands of baits, and in their original packaging and their wont be any problem.
And when you use a Plano or Flambeu box make sure you use a brand new one, which I do. Have one box in particular that has held baits for 6 months and no issues with either. Even they use Plano boxes, this guy is using the hydro flow series.
massrob reply :
A couple weeks ago i got the ned rig in my mystery tackle box and the first time fishing it I caught my pb a week later i bought every size jighead they sell and all of the baits recommended for the ned rig. They just last longer than anything else and catch fish. I need to start buying their other plastics. Does anyone have any suggestions on what baits they like from zman? Heres my pb caught on the ned rig with a hula stick
avidone1 reply :
I'm not a big fan of zman baits but I do have some. It's not big deal if you have a 'fishing' shirt. I use a Columbia bait caster shirt. It has plenty of pockets so I just put the baits in my pocket in the original package. Every thing else is in the plano's
Easy peasey
boostr reply :
I only have their Turds. I keep them in their original packaging like I do all my plastics.
On 5/13/2016 at 12:48 PM, massrob said:A couple weeks ago i got the ned rig in my mystery tackle box and the first time fishing it I caught my pb a week later i bought every size jighead they sell and all of the baits recommended for the ned rig. They just last longer than anything else and catch fish. I need to start buying their other plastics. Does anyone have any suggestions on what baits they like from zman? Heres my pb caught on the ned rig with a hula stick
I Gotta try the hulla stick
Bluebasser86 reply :
One you don't hear about often that works on a Ned is the punch craw.
r3825 reply :
On 5/15/2016 at 1:52 AM, Bluebasser86 said:One you don't hear about often that works on a Ned is the punch craw.
I've done really well with their craw and the hula stick, I love this setup.
Kevin22 reply :
On 5/12/2016 at 2:53 PM, blckshirt98 said:I'm more curious how to tell if a plastic bait has PVC in it.
Easy. Z-man and strike king stretchy ones are the only two that are not PVC.. and I still wouldn't keep the SK and ZM in the same box.
cgolf reply :
On 5/15/2016 at 4:53 AM, Kevin22 said:Easy. Z-man and strike king stretchy ones are the only two that are not PVC.. and I still wouldn't keep the SK and ZM in the same box.
The SK elaztech are Zman baits, so there should be no issue with those. If they aren't somebody correct me, my next purchase will be including both.
fishwizzard reply :
On 5/15/2016 at 1:52 AM, Bluebasser86 said:One you don't hear about often that works on a Ned is the punch craw.
I have had some luck with the punch craw letting it drift in current when river fishing but it seems to hang far more then a trd or hula stick on the same jig head. No idea why, but I have stood at the same spot working the same pool and the stick shaped ones would pass through a riffle just fine but the craw would hang most every cast. I am going to try the batwing trailers this summer to see how they work.
I also use the finesse shadz a bunch, they rig weedless just perfectly on the smallest Owner ultraheads.
Afishionado reply :
I like zman lures, they're great value for money but they always seem to deform in the bag.. I use the Shrimpz alot in the salt, and a lot of the time the tails end up twisted and stay that way and then they don't swim good at all.. They need to package that stuff in a plastic clam shell like they do rage toads to ensure that the baits stay straight..
riverbasser reply :
I keep all my plastics in the original bags including zman. I always felt that the baits would lose there scent or oil if stored any other way. Right now they all go in the free bag I got from joining B.A.S.S , there is easily 30 bags of plastics in there and it's not big or bulky. Works great, there are also these binders I bought that would work http://m.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Tackle-Binder-or-Replacement-Pages/product/37107/
tander reply :
Great info !!!! This is how i store my ZMan baits.
ClackerBuzz reply :
On 5/12/2016 at 12:40 PM, cgolf said:the benefits of the material far outweigh any changes you need to make in how you store or rig the baits!
Can I get an amen~
Their baits are gold. I wish i found them years ago i.e. many paychecks ago
tander reply :
On 5/22/2016 at 10:42 AM, ClackerBuzz said:Can I get an amen~
Their baits are gold. I wish i found them years ago i.e. many paychecks ago
Amen and Amen
Hurricane reply :
On 5/20/2016 at 10:24 PM, tander said:Great info !!!! This is how i store my ZMan baits.
I am going to do the exact same thing lol..
dam0007 reply :
On 5/13/2016 at 12:48 PM, massrob said:A couple weeks ago i got the ned rig in my mystery tackle box and the first time fishing it I caught my pb a week later i bought every size jighead they sell and all of the baits recommended for the ned rig. They just last longer than anything else and catch fish. I need to start buying their other plastics. Does anyone have any suggestions on what baits they like from zman? Heres my pb caught on the ned rig with a hula stick
I can't stand their baits, but my buddy loves "bat wings"??? The jig trailer. If that's any help.
ClackerBuzz reply :
On 7/4/2016 at 3:06 PM, dam0007 said:I can't stand their baits
"I hate babies, grandmothers and puppies". that's all I heard you say
dam0007 reply :
On 7/4/2016 at 11:37 PM, ClackerBuzz said:"I hate babies, grandmothers and puppies". that's all I heard you say
Lol
txchaser reply :
On 5/12/2016 at 12:40 PM, cgolf said:it’s worth mentioning that Flambeau’s K-Series boxes are compatible with ElaZtech.
A bit of a thread necro, but it is an ongoing question, and it was this thread that helped me find a good answer.
I have tried the boxes posted below for 8 months now, since the Flambeau mentioned above was polycarbonate.
My objective was to have a compact ned kit with heads and a decent selection of colors. I don't need all of them out of the bag since they last so long.
No warping of the box, no distortion of the baits, no discoloration. And really compact vs a bunch of bags with TRD's, TRD hogs, or the mini craws. Frankly the ones stored in the box are in better shape than the ones in the bag that are getting squared off from pressure.
https://www.amazon.com/Aventik-Transparent-Polycarbonate-Multi-Compartment-7-52X5-24X1-08inch/dp/B078VHXFSY
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41h6HSJ9BjL.jpg
GreenPig reply :
On 5/13/2016 at 12:48 PM, massrob said:A couple weeks ago i got the ned rig in my mystery tackle box and the first time fishing it I caught my pb a week later i bought every size jighead they sell and all of the baits recommended for the ned rig. They just last longer than anything else and catch fish. I need to start buying their other plastics. Does anyone have any suggestions on what baits they like from zman? Heres my pb caught on the ned rig with a hula stick
The Crawz is a great bait
Jig Man reply :
I talked to a Zman guy and got the Flambeau info last year. I ordered 4 of their boxes and put some of my Zman baits in them. It took longer but all 4 have warped.
In the original package my worms got flat and stuck together. I like their baits but they are hard keepers.
TnRiver46 reply :
My buddy left one on the dash of my boat and it did some strange things
kayl. reply :
I made a compact Ned rig box using a small double sided Plano stowaway. The only negative I noticed was pink trds getting stained when stored with darker colors.
https://www.planomolding.com/fishing/stowaway-utility-boxes/adjustable-double-sided-stowaway-medium-3400
cgolf reply :
On 10/10/2019 at 11:09 PM, kayl. said:I made a compact Ned rig box using a small double sided Plano stowaway. The only negative I noticed was pink trds getting stained when stored with darker colors.
https://www.planomolding.com/fishing/stowaway-utility-boxes/adjustable-double-sided-stowaway-medium-3400
I had the pink TRDs stored with the bama craw or one with orange colors and it turned into a dreamsicle orange color. Man did the fish like that color, way more than the pink.
ChrisD46 reply :
On 5/13/2016 at 12:48 PM, massrob said:A couple weeks ago i got the ned rig in my mystery tackle box and the first time fishing it I caught my pb a week later i bought every size jighead they sell and all of the baits recommended for the ned rig. They just last longer than anything else and catch fish. I need to start buying their other plastics. Does anyone have any suggestions on what baits they like from zman? Heres my pb caught on the ned rig with a hula stick
*TRD Crawz , TRD Ticklerz , TRD Bugz , TRD Hogz - any of these are good as an addition to the TRD Ned Worm .
rtwvumtneer6 reply :
Does anyone know if the elaztech is safe to use on silicone skirted baits?
I assume since chatterbaits were their niche before these plastics, that they are compatible, but I'm a little nervous to try it without some feedback!
Dangerfield reply :
On 11/28/2019 at 3:56 PM, rtwvumtneer6 said:Does anyone know if the elaztech is safe to use on silicone skirted baits?
I assume since chatterbaits were their niche before these plastics, that they are compatible, but I'm a little nervous to try it without some feedback!
I've used the diezel minnowz, Minnowz, and Swimmerz with Nichols, Dirty Jigs, SK and Freedom tackle skirted Jigs. No issues, some left on in a hydro Plano box for a month at a time.
Bird reply :
Great post cgolf, thanks.
I throw more Zman than any other bait over the course of the year.
Common sense tells me that extreme heat deteriorates soft plastics so naturally I try to avoid.
It's encouraging to see that you got such a lengthy response from the manufacturer regarding storage and affirmation that I'm using a product from a formidable company, thanks.
related Fishing Tackle topic
previous topic
next topic
© 2025 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.