Just getting into soft plastics and want to know the differnce in the plastics.

[RAVEN]

I know you got soft, medium and hard. What is a good way to go and reason. I'm from Western N.Y.. I like to fish St. Lawrence River, Finger Lakes. Ontario, Erie and small rivers. Bass, Pike Family and Waleye.

[Fishermanbt]

It really depends on the type of bait you’re pouring and your presentation. Soft= lots of bait movement but does not last long due to teeth or structure. Medium= just that, middle of the road in bait movement and durability. Hard= less movement of the bait but it lasts for several catches or snags. 
With that said, some bait types like swimbaits often times call for a medium or hard plastic to maintain their action. Tubes is another I generally pour with a hard plastic for durability. With crappie baits I use medium or soft plastic. 
I suggest trying out a few different manufacturers’ plastic sample kits to get a feel for what you want rather than being disappointed in a gallon of money spent. If you do a sample kit, shoot your favorite mold once in clear then try some with color. Do this with all three firmnesses. Let the baits hang for several days to a week and see if the clarity and firmness suit your needs. Make detailed notes with dates in a notebook as you go. 

[basscatlildave]

I pretty much use soft for action. I do add hardner when I want a little stiffer bait. 

[Les Young]

 I use medium  for everything except tubes & crappie lures. Since i always texas rig tubes i make them by mixing 50/50 medium & hard to make them  a little firmer so as not to tear after a bite or on hookset.  My  crappie lures i make out of hard for durability since their slid up onto a barbed jighead with the hook  fully exposed. The crappie lures don't tear nearly as easy from sliding them up onto the barb & can be used a lot longer. 

Edited April 19 by Les Young

[mark poulson]

On 4/18/2024 at 5:27 AM, basscatlildave said:

I pretty much use soft for action. I do add hardner when I want a little stiffer bait. 

If you want to add hardener, mix it well into your cold plastic before you heat it, or all you'll wind up with is hard lumps.