Plastic Questions

[Keith_MN]

Just started using plastics (tubes, worms, etc.) this past summer fishing for smallies on the Mississippi.

So I'd like to know 1) Do plastics ever get old? and 2) How frequently do you change/replace your bait while fishing?

First, if I bought a bag of plastic lures this past summer will they still be ok to use next summer (and even the summer after that)?

Second, should I replace plastic baits every hour or so if the fish haven't managed to tear it apart before then?

Thanks for the input.

[delmuts]

as far as changing baits; i don't til the thing is no longer usefull.most of the sented products , the smell/taste will last for a very long time.( days) i still have some plastics from a couple of years ago. i keep them sealed in the bags they come in( or in a zip loc bag) , in a dark cool place. they will last for a very long time.

[Deitz Dittrich]

as del says...dry cool place.. Sunlight and heat kill plastics.. I have some plastics in a crawl space of my basement that I have had for I would guess about 12 years.. Still as good as the day I bought them.

As for how often I change my plastics.. I to change it when it is so used up it wont stay on a hook or when I wish to change colors. It really doesnt go bad unless you are talking berkley gulp.

[delmuts]

cheez dietz ?? you keep them that long?? after a few years and i haven't been using them, i donate them to some kids to use.( or just play with!!) i don't think i would ever do that with the chompers i use though! mite have some really ticked off moms!!

[Deitz Dittrich]

actually Del.. the only reason I know they were still good was I just dug them out of storage to give to my younger brother. Dude.. I am all about giving!... LOL

[Tom Wilson]

WOW Deitz,

My bags never last more than a day or two. The fish tear them up so bad, and then it's right back to the store to get more. 5 and 6lb Bass aren't very nice to plastics...

[Deitz Dittrich]

but dude.. I buy/get all my plastics in packs of 100 or more. I didn't get any bass over 6 lbs this last year.

[Tom Wilson]

Oh!

I usually only buy them one at a time out of the bulk section--I could see where that would be different.

[delmuts]

i don't think dietz buys anything one at a time ! ( unless it is a boat.) i have to agree though; i seldom buy less than 10 at a time( but most of what i buy is prepackaged),but usually have two or three pks. of each. you'll want some spares incase the bite really gets going on one particular plastic.

[Keith_MN]

All, thanks for the responses. And the good humor!

[FishinBill]

As to storage...I just bought a new house and the garage isn't heated. Should I bring my plastics inside to store for winter...ie so they don't freeze or should they be ok out there?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Mine stay in the garadge!... And its not heated either... The only plastic I could see getting damaged by freezing it would be Gulp... all others should be fine.

[FishinBill]

sweet...thanks!

[Tom Wilson]

Del,

I was just kidding, I buy everything in large #'s too. That was just a friendly jab at the Deitz.

[delmuts]

good!! i was wondering ! one just never knows about you guys though !!!

[Deitz Dittrich]

LMAO @ Tom... yes but I used fancy "Wax on wax off" to defleck the jab... I like your style.. we need to get out fishing next year!

[Tom Wilson]

Absolutely Deitz--I might even be convinced to ride in a Triton.

Tom W.

[delmuts]

Tom! just make sure you have a very good life jacket!!i hear that deitz has a license to fly with that thing!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Nah... its just a 186 with a 150... Its a slow Triton!.. but it has been known to catch a fish or 2?

[delmuts]

i thought you had a 200+ on that thing? it still should be in the 60mph range.

[Deitz Dittrich]

With just me and light load of gas I can get low 60's.. fully rigged I get about 57-58? Fun anyways!

[delmuts]

hmmm! that's about what i got out of my 1988 ranger with a 175 johnson. now i go slower with a 90hp.

[SluggoMaster]

I have the Optimax 150 on my Triton TR-186, and I was able to get it up to 60-61. However, I have not seen that speed since I had to get my prop fixed. I was thinking of buying a new prop. I think I lost a little pitch on it when the guy fixed it.