Assorted soft plastics kits give you a working collection of lures without buying singles
An assorted soft plastics kit bundles multiple lure styles, colors, and sizes into one box — usually 50 to 200 pieces depending on the kit. You get worms, crawdads, shad, grubs, and creature baits in a range of colors that cover most freshwater and saltwater situations. The point is not to have every lure ever made, but to have enough variety that you can match what fish are actually eating without making a separate trip to the tackle shop.
Kits work best if you fish multiple species or water types, or if you are still learning which lures produce on your home water. A kit also costs less per lure than buying singles, though the trade-off is that you get some colors and styles you may never use. The real value is in having something ready to tie on when the first choice does not work.
Key Takeaways
- Soft plastics kits typically include 50 to 200 lures across multiple body styles and colors, letting you change presentations without leaving the water.
- Most kits are organized by compartment, so check that the box itself is durable and that compartments stay closed during transport and casting.
- Lure weight and hook size matter for your rod and reel — a kit designed for light spinning gear will not work well on a heavy baitcaster.
- Kits often include colors you will not use; buying a kit makes sense only if you will actually fish at least half the contents.
- Soft plastics degrade over time, especially in heat and direct sun, so storage in a cool, dark place extends the life of unused lures.
Body styles included in most kits
A typical assorted kit includes four to six main lure types. Straight-tail worms (4 to 8 inches) are the foundation — they work on a jig head or Texas rig and catch almost everything. Curly-tail grubs (2 to 4 inches) are smaller and move faster, good for panfish and schooling bass. Crawdad or crayfish imitations have claws and a segmented body that triggers strikes from bass and walleye, especially around structure.
Shad-body lures (2 to 4 inches) mimic baitfish and work well on a jig head or drop-shot rig. Creature baits — thick-bodied lures with appendages and irregular shapes — displace water and appeal to bass in heavy cover. Some kits also include paddle-tail swimbaits, which have a single flat tail that swings side to side and work well on a jig head or free-rigged.
The mix varies by kit and brand. A kit marketed for bass will lean toward worms and crawdads. A saltwater kit will emphasize shad bodies and swimbaits. Check the contents list before buying to make sure the styles match the fish you target.
Color selection and when it matters
Most kits include 15 to 30 colors across all the body styles. You will see natural colors (green pumpkin, watermelon, brown, black) alongside bright ones (chartreuse, white, pink, orange). Natural colors work in clear water and bright sun. Bright colors work in stained water, low light, and deep water where visibility is limited.
The reality is that you will use maybe five to eight colors regularly and ignore the rest. Before buying a kit, think about the water you fish most often. If it is clear, a kit heavy on natural tones is more useful. If it is stained or you fish at dawn and dusk, bright colors matter more. Some kits let you choose the color assortment; others are fixed. A fixed kit is cheaper but less flexible.
Do not assume that more colors mean a better kit. A kit with 100 lures in 25 colors is often just the same five useful colors repeated. A kit with 60 lures in 12 colors may serve you better because every color gets used.
Hook size and weight for your rod and reel
Soft plastics in a kit come rigged on jig heads or unrigged. If they are rigged, the hook size and jig weight are fixed. A kit with 1/8-ounce jigs works on light spinning gear and in shallow water. A kit with 1/4-ounce or heavier jigs works on medium to heavy rods and in deeper water or current.
Match the jig weight to your rod. If you are using a light 6-foot spinning rod, a kit with 1/4-ounce or heavier jigs will feel sluggish and you will not cast far. If you are using a heavy 7-foot baitcaster, 1/8-ounce jigs will feel too light and you will lose sensitivity. Check the kit description for jig weight before buying.
Unrigged soft plastics give you more flexibility — you can pair them with any jig head or hook size you own. The trade-off is that you have to rig them yourself, which takes time if you are new to it. Most kits aimed at beginners come pre-rigged; kits for experienced anglers often come unrigged.
Storage box quality and organization
The box matters as much as the lures. A cheap plastic box with loose compartments will spill lures into each other during transport, mixing colors and tangling hooks. A good box has compartments that close securely, dividers that do not slide, and a latch that holds the lid shut during casting.
Look for a box with adjustable compartments so you can reorganize as you use lures. Some boxes have a hinged lid that stays open at an angle, making it easy to grab lures while standing in a boat. Others have a flat lid that you have to remove entirely. The hinged design is more practical on the water.
Check reviews or handle the box in person if you can. A box that feels flimsy or has loose compartments will frustrate you after a few trips. A well-made box will last years and keep your lures organized and protected.
Soft plastic durability and storage
Soft plastics degrade over time, especially when exposed to heat, direct sunlight, or certain materials. Plastics stored next to foam or rubber can leach into each other and become sticky or discolored. Plastics left in a hot car or garage will harden and lose their action.
Store your kit in a cool, dark place — a basement, closet, or garage shelf away from direct sun. If you fish year-round, rotate your lures so the oldest ones get used first. Lures that sit unused for two or three years may still work, but they will be stiffer and less lifelike than fresh ones.
Some anglers keep their kit in the truck or boat year-round for convenience. This shortens lure life, especially in summer. If you do this, inspect your lures before fishing and replace any that have hardened or lost their color. A kit that costs $30 to $50 is cheap enough to replace every couple of years if you fish hard.
Comparing kit price and value
Soft plastics kits range from $15 to $80 depending on the number of lures, the quality of the plastics, and the box. A $15 kit usually has 50 to 75 lures in a basic plastic box and lower-quality plastic that hardens faster. A $50 kit has 100 to 150 lures in a durable box and better plastic that stays soft longer. A $80 kit is usually a premium brand with 150 to 200 lures and a high-quality box.
The cheapest kit is not always the worst value. If you fish casually and do not mind replacing lures every year or two, a budget kit works fine. If you fish several times a week and want lures that last, spending more on a mid-range or premium kit pays off because you will not have to replace it as often.
Calculate the cost per lure: a $30 kit with 100 lures is 30 cents per lure. A $60 kit with 150 lures is 40 cents per lure. The difference is small, but the second kit may have better plastic and a better box. Compare the contents and box quality, not just the price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a kit or can I just buy lures I know I will use?
If you already know which lures work on your water, buying singles makes sense. If you are new to soft plastics or fish different water types, a kit gives you variety at a lower cost per lure and lets you experiment without committing to full boxes of each style.
What if the kit includes lures I will never use?
Most kits do include some lures you will not fish. The question is whether the ones you will use are worth the price. If a kit has 100 lures and you will use 50 of them, the cost per useful lure is still reasonable. If you will use only 20, buying a smaller kit or singles is smarter.
Can I use soft plastics from a kit on my own jig heads?
Yes, if the kit includes unrigged lures. If the kit comes pre-rigged on jig heads, you can cut the lures off and use them on different heads, though this wastes the original jig. Check whether the kit is rigged or unrigged before buying.
How long do soft plastics last if I store them properly?
Soft plastics stored in a cool, dark place can last two to three years or longer without significant hardening. Lures stored in heat or sunlight may harden within six months to a year. Inspect lures before fishing — if they feel stiff or brittle, replace them.
What size kit should I start with?
A kit with 75 to 100 lures is a good starting point. It gives you enough variety to experiment without overwhelming you with choices or lures you will never use. Once you know which styles and colors work on your water, you can buy additional singles or a second kit focused on those preferences.