Discarded Soft Plastics

[ww2farmer]

I toss all mine used ones into the console area while I am fishing, and then they go in the trash when I get home. A buddy of mine pours plastics, and some times I save some for him to re-melt and make me stuff. I have gotten in darn near fist fights with guys I fished with who have tossed used stuff back in the lake, they all thought (or said they did, but maybe they are just jerks) that the plastics breakdown and disolve in the water. I think each and every soft bait company needs to put a warning on the packs about this, like the warning on ciggerette packs. Enough falls off the hook that we can't do any thing about, no need to add to the problem.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

At least these are not intentional. This thread is about the carelessness of intentional littering. Yes, I understand you will lose some in water through normal fishing, but its not that many. I still feel bad, but at least I have a clear concious after. I do understant your point though.

Ok Intentionally no I wouldn't...I melt all my plastics for re-use and am in the process of making a bait line.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

I take them home and dispose of them properly.

I've caught many trout that have had soft plastic crayfish baits lodged in their stomache.

Catfish eat em too. think about it. A stinky scented bait sitting on the bottom?

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

I always end up replying to these threads. It's just straight up ignorant for anybody to do this. Even if you think it's a myth, the point is why even take the chance??? I have 2 buddies that like to tear the bait in little pieces then throw them out. That may be a little better? Whatever. I still get on them about it! Another buddy of mine kept hrowing senkos overboard. Thats prob the worst of all evils! not only does it flutter seductively down but how many times have you sat there for five minutes lit a ciggarette and your line slowly takes off? Also salt impregnated baits like senkos swell to over twice their size when soaked. if a fish swallows that they are pretty much toast!

[Bigbarge50]

I toss all mine used ones into the console area while I am fishing, and then they go in the trash when I get home. A buddy of mine pours plastics, and some times I save some for him to re-melt and make me stuff. I have gotten in darn near fist fights with guys I fished with who have tossed used stuff back in the lake, they all thought (or said they did, but maybe they are just jerks) that the plastics breakdown and disolve in the water. I think each and every soft bait company needs to put a warning on the packs about this, like the warning on ciggerette packs. Enough falls off the hook that we can't do any thing about, no need to add to the problem.

Should be in the eye of the law you can make a citzen's "beat down" on people littering and harming our resources. It is just dumb. People sinking cans to the bottom, discarding of line or plastic, or my favorite...... obvious opening a package of something at tossing all the packaging in or around the lake.... all are awful. We should get a special padle or something as conservationists that allow us to smack such people upside the head. Seems only fair right? HaHa