I use cookie sheets and lay the fresh plastics out on it and use a toothpick to straighten tails or legs or anything I want to cure straight. Small baits up to and including the 1.75" small fry and other baits in that range I allow to set for 24 hours at room temperature. Frogs and toads and baits to 4" I allow maybe 48 hours at room temp. I will use a refrigerator in the summer to hasten the process of the larger baits but a day in the garage right now at about 10 degrees works wonders too.
The only time I use water is to set clear plastic after dipping eyes.