Changing Plastic

[Okeechobee_Cracker]

Would it be nessicary to change Plastic's every time you  catch a fish or does it make a difference because I've caught some nice fish on some prety torn up plastics? ;D

[abelfisher]

If I catch a fish on a certain plastic, I'll fish it until it won't stay on the hook or just looks too torn up.  Then I'll put on another of the same.  GYCB would love you if you changed after each fish!  LOL.  Some would say, you practically do anyway..  I have found Senkos are good for about 3 fish (at most) until too torn up to stay on hook.

[Rebbasser]

Nope.  As long as you can rig it why not use it?

[Michael H]

no you only need to replace it if it loses its action

[paully]

why fix it if it aint broke?

I would keep it as long as i can

[Marty]

Well, so far the feeling is unanimous. I've never seen any evidence of the neccessity to change baits.

Changing the subject a little, there are those who feel bass won't hit a bait after it's caught a pike, due to the scent, but I've not seen evidence that that's true either.

[bassackwards]

seems like the bass like the bait a bit torn up.  looks frail and injured.  yanno, for instance a lizard, some people tear off its tail for this effect.

[fishingrulz]

if you are fishing with it and it gets torn up then take it off and rig it backwards.

[Muddpuppy]

I usually wait until I get home and repair them them with a hot craft knife but a lighter will work work pretty good too especially if your running low.  Senkos can be trimed on both ends and eventurally used for wacky rigs.  If the arms are tore of of a kreature bait it can be trimed to resemble an Ika.

[nwgabassmaster]

I will be the first to totally disagree with everyone on here.  

There have been more times than I care to admit where the lure has been torn, and the fact that it was torn impeded the hook being fully set, which resulted in a lost fish.

Most notably, the heads of tubes are notorious for becoming torn or "soft" and will slide down the hook when the hook is set.  

So, if you are too relaxed to change the plastic when the lure gets torn, then that's your thing.  I am going to change the plastic upon the first time the lure fouls.  Whether it be after 1 fish, or 20 fish.  

Save the lures, repair them if you want to, or do like I do, use them other ways.  Some worms that I save, I use as trailers on spinnerbaits, or trailers on jigs.

[roadwarrior]

Spend your time catching fish not worrying about your bait.

When in doubt, throw it out.

If you don't think it's perfect, then it's not good enough.

[kbj3579]

I will speak as a man who has to be as economical as possible.  If I'm fishing a tournament, I change after a fish is caught, unless it's as RW says perfect.  If I'm practicing or just fishing for FUN, and FUN being the key word here, (although all fishing is fun, but you know what I mean) I will use the thing as long as I can get it to stay straight texas rigged.  Heck I even bite the heads off when they get torn up and that will usually get you another fish or two.  I don't think I have ever had a fish not get hooked because of a torn worm, I'm not saying it can't happen, I just can't remember that ever being a case.  I have had fish not take a worm all the way, they are just nibbling or pushing out of the way, probably due to it being torn.  But I believe it's because the action is not the same due to it being torn.  

[Jeff_NHBA]

Soft baits can be repaired easily with Pro's Soft Bait Glue.