Stabilizer can be a good thing to be using on transparent colors that will be heated long or several times. Its cheap insurance. If you are shooting bass or salt water baits you won't need softener, but if you are doing small baits for say crappie or sunfish I recommend it as well....reheats can harden plastic as can the addition of hi lites, glitters and pearl powders. Salt will really stiffen up plastic. If you are going to want softer plasticss, use the softener.... cheaper than plastic.