Ban on Soft Plastic Baits

[Woodsman]

Due to the evidence that trout are ingesting and not passing soft plastic baits, it seems likely that the State of Maine, may in the near future, attempt to pass legislation banning soft plastics. Does anyone have any idea if plastic bait companies are moving toward biodegradible baits?

It would be awful to lose plastics as we have today without having something to replace it. On the other hand, if trout are indeed being harmed then something should be done.

Looking for feedback and opinions. This is not going to be easy.

[George Welcome]

Two companies that I know of: Pure Fishing and Yamamoto.

[Avalonjohn44]

Berkley too.  Gulp is biodegradable.  

[Wayne P.]

A hook may harm a trout too. Are those going to be banned too? BS

[CRFisher]

Just think of the number of senkos that have fallen or ripped off hooks the last few years alone.  I believe whatever chemical makes the plastic "soft" may potentially leach out of the bait, I think this is why there are "worm proof" tackle binders.  I believe Europe banned it in all kids toys, I wouldn't be surprised to see it banned for fishing soon too.  

[avid]

So live bait is bad because the fish swallow the hooks.

And plastic artificial's are bad because trout can't poop.

Lead sinkers are bad because it pollutes the water.

I say we just ban all fishing and be done with it.

[CRFisher]

Tungsten ($$$) steel, tin or brass weights with Gulp or similar types should be OK.  My guess is that once a state bans it (a big if) you'll see a gigantic amount of biodegradable types of "plastics" come out.  Maybe they'll go back to being "rubber" worms.  

[Crestliner2008]

So live bait is bad because the fish swallow the hooks.

And plastic artificial's are bad because trout can't poop.

Lead sinkers are bad because it pollutes the water.

I say we just ban all fishing and be done with it.

I think you pretty well hit the nail on the head! Can't do this....can't do that.....just plain can't!!

[Dan:]

Berkley too. Gulp is biodegradable.

Berkley is owned by Pure fishing.

Avid says it all, all we can do is the best we can to avoid harming the fish. No fisherman wants to hurt the species they fish for...

[burleytog]

So live bait is bad because the fish swallow the hooks.

And plastic artificial's are bad because trout can't poop.

Lead sinkers are bad because it pollutes the water.

I say we just ban all fishing and be done with it.

Didn't you get the memo?  That's the plan.  :-X

[Titleman]

_ B_u_r_l_e_y

You may be more right than you think. BTW, really like your signature. 8-), Tom

[bass wrangler569]

That surprises me coming out of Maine. When I read ban on soft plastics California immediately came to mind (they seem to enjoy banning things). I bet California will jump on the on the ban-soft plastics boat soon though. They'll probably discover that wild condors are eating the trout and are dying as a result and we just can't have that.

[Max-in-Mn]

That surprises me coming out of Maine. When I read ban on soft plastics California immediately came to mind (they seem to enjoy banning things). I bet California will jump on the on the ban-soft plastics boat soon though. They'll probably discover that wild condors are eating the trout and are dying as a result and we just can't have that.

Well said ;D

[Marty]

I'd be interested in reading the story. Does anyone have a link?

[mayassa]

I guess you should stock up, before the ban.

[Woodsman]

I don't think you can access it via the web. The article is in this months Maine Sportsman magazine.

The article was written by the editor who suggest that a ban should be debated.

[Sam]

I sincerely hope the Main Legislature takes the same amount of interest in all of the freshwater fishing concerns you all have and helps make freshwater fishing better in the entire state.

Time will tell.  

[quant PT]

A hook may harm a trout too. Are those going to be banned too? BS

And bears - ban them too. They eat trout!

[Brian_Reeves]

I say eat all the trout before they eat all of the plastic.

That ban may actually make sense in places that aren't heavily dependent on bass populations.  Fishing down here in the south revolves around bass, so that ban would be very, very hard to push through.  I wouldn't worry about it.  If it does go through, use foodsource or GULP baits.  I'd rather not fish, personally.

[moby bass]

So live bait is bad because the fish swallow the hooks.

And plastic artificial's are bad because trout can't poop.

Lead sinkers are bad because it pollutes the water.

I say we just ban all fishing and be done with it.

Careful!  We've already banned cutting certain trees because of the little

critters that live in them.  Better to protect them than to build a house for a human. :  When it happens, it shouldn't come as a surprise.

[GonzoFishing]

The fishing will go on but you can bet that we will have to pony up alot more money replacing all our "old plastic baits" with "the new improved bio version". d**n greedy trout!

[-HAWK-]

Seems like this would be a hard Ban to pass with all the fisherman that fish plastics.  :-X

[B-o-b]

Better start practicing sneaking up on bass with my hands and grabbin em

[NBR]

This is likely in response to a Field and Stream article a few months maybe several months back. The research for the article was not well done and in my opinion was full of holes. If the Maine legislature goes forward with this they will prove my theory that state legislators are at the low end of the spectrum in intelectual capacity. Just below their federal counter parts and a bit above toads.

I have seen bass with Senko like lures coming out of their vent. Seeing it doesn't mean they expelled it saferly but in doesn't mean they didn't either.

[Pencil Pusher]

There was an article in Field and Stream earlier this year, march or April I think, that had this information about Maine perhaps banning plastic baits. There was also some statements about private areas already banning some soft plastics. But, the biggest concern for plastic baits is not that they specifically will be banned in some areas but that the chemicals used to soften plastic for production may be banned entirely because its use in other soft plastic items such as baby pacifiers, teething rings, etc. is harmful. If the chemicals are banned, it won't matter how many fishermen use soft plastics, they won't be available until someone comes up with different softening chemicals. Remember, lead shot got banned and every shotgun hunter in the world was using lead shot.