Shad are the predominant forage now in many lakes and swimbaits really mimic them well, but it’s critical that a swimbait runs exactly the way it was designed to do. Sometimes, a swimbait gets kinked in the package or jammed up so that the tail develops a set in it. That’s no good; it will cause the swimbait to spin or run off-center.

Here’s how to soften baits that get bent so they’ll run true: Bring a pot of water to a boil and drop in the swimbaits you want to straighten. Leave them there for a couple of minutes, then remove them with tongs and drop them in a pan of cool water. Finally, lay them flat and let them cool completely. Basically, you’re reactivating the memory in the plastic that the mold created. That’s all it takes; the swimbaits won’t melt if you keep them in there for just a couple of minutes.

To keep swimbaits from getting compressed and out of shape, always store them flat in a good Plano box that’s big enough to accommodate them without having to fold over their tails. Be careful about how you lay them in the box. If you store them correctly, you’ll never have to waste fishing time on the water changing swimbaits.

— National Guard pro Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla.