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Direct Answer
Dairy powders are moisture magnets. If you store them poorly, they clump, weigh differently, and behave differently in the paste. Finished milk-based boilies also change over time depending on drying and storage. Consistency starts with storage.
Quick Start
- Store powders sealed, cool, and dry.
- Don’t store open tubs near steam (kettles, boiling pans) or where you air-dry bait.
- Label powders with “opened date.”
- For boilies: decide if you’re freezing or air-drying and stick to one system for testing.
Step-by-step: Powder Storage
Step 1) Seal it properly
Factory bags inside an airtight tub is ideal. Once moisture gets in, powders behave differently.
Step 2) Avoid humidity
Garages and sheds swing humidity hard in spring. Keep dairy powders away from those swings if you want consistent bait.
Step 3) Don’t “rescue” bad powder with brute force
If it’s clumped and smells off, bin it. If it’s only lightly clumped from minor moisture, break it up and accept it may measure and mix slightly differently until replaced.
Step-by-step: Finished Boilie Storage (Non-Preservative Approach)
- Freezer: most consistent for “same bait, same behavior.”
- Air-dry: changes the bait over time; good for durability but test how it behaves after drying.
- Keep records: how long dried, how stored, and how long before use.
Common Mistakes
- Open tubs in a damp bait shed all spring
- Storing powders near steam/boiling
- Mixing “fresh boilies” and “two-week air-dried” boilies and calling them the same bait
Michigan Notes
Michigan spring humidity swings are real. If you’re building repeatable milk baits, storage discipline matters as much as ingredient choice.
FAQ
Why does clumping matter?
Clumped powders often weigh and hydrate differently, which changes paste feel and finished bait behavior.
Is freezer always best?
For testing and repeatability, yes. Air-dry has its place, but it changes the bait over time.