years ago i remember they used to bleed colors into each other if mixed. is that still the case? i guess im specifically asking about powerbaits. just wondering if i can make best use of available tackle box compartments.

Really can't say if they will bleed together, but I think if they are only mixed for a short trip you wouldn't have a problem. You could get some small Ziploc bags [the kind you get from a hobby store] they wouldn't take up much room in the tackle box. Years ago I bought some off brand twister tails left them on the dash of the truck all summer and all bleed into a sort of reddish-purple-pinkish color and outfished anything we had along. FRED

The worst seems to be painted wooden lures and soft plastics. For some reason the paint on a wooden lure will melt off and turn to goop when it touches soft plastic.

Different color power bait seem to play well together in my experience. If you mix two different brands you may end up with a "custom color":)

White, yellow, and orange seem to be the ones that take on the colors. The plastics are somewhat different nowadays. I remember when they would melt a plastic box they were in.

I used to have those problems probably 6-8 years ago. Now I mix them all and haven't seen any bleed together. Not sure if it's the dye, plastic, or what but they're much higher quality now.

If it's new(er) stuff, mix her up. I still keep all non-plastics out of those compartments. (jig heads, bobbers, etc)

quote kanoes: "years ago i remember they used to bleed colors into each other if mixed. is that still the case? i guess im specifically asking about powerbaits. just wondering if i can make best use of available tackle box compartments."

You probably already know this, but scented baits are better kept in a sealed container like the zip lock they come in, or the scent will degrade over time.

quote AndySG: "

quote kanoes: "years ago i remember they used to bleed colors into each other if mixed. is that still the case? i guess im specifically asking about powerbaits. just wondering if i can make best use of available tackle box compartments."

You probably already know this, but scented baits are better kept in a sealed container like the zip lock they come in, or the scent will degrade over time."

+1

quote AndySG: "

quote kanoes: "years ago i remember they used to bleed colors into each other if mixed. is that still the case? i guess im specifically asking about powerbaits. just wondering if i can make best use of available tackle box compartments."

You probably already know this, but scented baits are better kept in a sealed container like the zip lock they come in, or the scent will degrade over time."

yes, i know that. even though they have been in the box they still have some stink factor.

I used to unpackage plastics and put them in a tray in my tackle box. But for reasons mentioned I have stopped doing that - colors bleed, they stick together, something falls in the tray and it gets all goopy. Now I keep them in their package or transfer them to a smaller ziplock....

I use Mr. Twisters, Kalins, and BFISHN Plastics and I can tell you I have had all three bleed on me. I think it's a pretty good bet others will too considering all plastics are petroleum based. You can separate them with those little snack baggies, but I'd definitely keep them apart if you are worried about it. Sometimes the color they create when they mix turns out to be a pretty good producer though!