There was a tip in the last Bassmasters to make your plastics last longer when t rigging. Coming from the rod, put the line through one end of a small swivel, tie on your hook, thread the plastic on through the head and out the side like normal, but right before you stick it back through the body run the hook through the other side of the swivel then into the body. I haven't tried it yet but think I will.

Also once your curly tails or creature baits get worn out, you can trim them down and make jig or spinnerbait trailers.