Are slightly swollen plastics any good?

[rgasr63]

I have been and I am still a skeptic with the subject of scents. But my fishing partner got started with Bait Fuel recently. The first time out we had a very good day. The following week was a little better than average at our second pond. We went back to the first pond this week  and I thought maybe there is something to this scent. That day we caught 3 fish total together. So now we are at the 4 week mark and the plastics that were treated are just a bit swollen. So my question is this are the swollen plastics any good now?

Edited July 12, 2022 by rgasr63
Miss spelling corrections

[Cbump]

I feel like the fish don’t care. 

[paulmandude]

I’ve Ned rigged some slightly swollen stickbaits and had a good day catching them. As long as it doesn’t affect the action you’re looking for, I’d say you’re good to go!

[TOXIC]

Are you saying the scent made the baits swell? If so, that would be odd.  

[rgasr63]

1 minute ago, TOXIC said:

Are you saying the scent made the baits swell? If so, that would be odd.  

I had 5 bags of baits that my buddy put in the scent. I would say a tablespoon of the scent in each bag more or less. I'm at 4 weeks approximately. And 3 of the 5 bags the plastic worms have become a lot softer and a little thicker than a worm out of a pack that was untreated. The baits are only exposed to a temperature change at the pond. Otherwise they come back inside the house after the fishing trip. 

6 hours ago, paulmandude said:

I’ve Ned rigged some slightly swollen stickbaits and had a good day catching them. As long as it doesn’t affect the action you’re looking for, I’d say you’re good to go!

I'm going to get a chance to see what they do tommorow. I'll let you know.

[Deleted account]

28 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Are you saying the scent made the baits swell? If so, that would be odd.  

Oil based scents will be absorbed by most standard plastics, and will increase their size if enough is applied. I haven't noticed the difference makes a difference either way.

[Deleted account]

30 minutes ago, rgasr63 said:

worms have become a lot softer...

That too.

[Bankc]

It'll make the baits softer and easier to tear.  Other than that, I don't think there's much of a difference.  They'll still catch fish, if that's what you're worried about.  You'll probably just have to change them out more often.  Obviously, since they absorbed more scented oil, they'll retain the scent better after a good, long soak.  Whether or not that translates into more fish, I don't know.  

 

I've done this a few times.  I had good luck mixing a ton of garlic Bang into some melted plastic I was pouring.  But I didn't have much luck with soaking similar pre-poured, unscented plastics in the same stuff.  They did swell up a bit though.  And I've got to be honest with you, I think my results had more to do with timing and coincidence than anything else.  

[rgasr63]

1 hour ago, Bankc said:

It'll make the baits softer and easier to tear.  Other than that, I don't think there's much of a difference.  They'll still catch fish, if that's what you're worried about.  You'll probably just have to change them out more often.  Obviously, since they absorbed more scented oil, they'll retain the scent better after a good, long soak.  Whether or not that translates into more fish, I don't know.  

 

I've done this a few times.  I had good luck mixing a ton of garlic Bang into some melted plastic I was pouring.  But I didn't have much luck with soaking similar pre-poured, unscented plastics in the same stuff.  They did swell up a bit though.  And I've got to be honest with you, I think my results had more to do with timing and coincidence than anything else.  

They are softer just like you stated I am going fishing tommorow so I'll let you know how it works out. The first time out for me with this scent I had a very good day. 

[J Francho]

I put the scent on the bait right before I fish it. No issues with softening or swelling. 

[WRB]

Plastisol can be mixed with various colorants, scents, minerals and metal flakes that may allow liquid attractants to absorb after setting up as a molded soft plastic lure.

Causing the soft plastic to react by swelling or softening is a chemical reaction. 

I would avoid soaking your soft plastics in Bait Fuel if that is the result.

Tom

[rgasr63]

8 minutes ago, WRB said:

Plastisol can be mixed with various colorants, scents, minerals and metal flakes that may allow liquid attractants to absorb after setting up as a molded soft plastic lure.

Causing the soft plastic to react by swelling or softening is a chemical reaction. 

I would avoid soaking your soft plastics in Bait Fuel if that is the result.

Tom

I really believe you are right. It is a chemical reaction. It happened right about 3 or 4 weeks out. Maybe one would just put it on a few plastics just for that day. I'm going to tryout what I have in the morning. My friend says the instructions say to apply overnight.

 Maybe it doesn't have a shelf life for much else 

[paulmandude]

Guys, BaitFuel is water based so “it’s not like anything before”.  That’s why the baits are swelling up more.  Not saying it’s magic. Haven’t used it myself and have heard mixed opinions. 

[J Francho]

So it dissolves in water. Doesn't sound ideal. 

[rgasr63]

Just a recap the baits were too soft to use. 3or 4 casts and they were torn up without any help from a fish. I have disposed of those baits. Thanks for all the responses