I'd Hate to be Cheap

Don

Well-known member
I'd hate to be cheap and find that it is costing fish. But how do you measure such things when it comes to plastic worms, creatures and tubes?
Every time I use rubber worms and tubes they ride home on the end of my rod. They usually appear whole and in good shape and they may sit there on the end of the rod for a couple days, weeks or months until that rod goes back into service. So do I use that same old plastic or should I chuck it and alway use fresh?
What do you do?
 

Blackcat Outdoors

Well-known member
I chuck them when I get home and start fresh. A lot of bates like that have some sort of scent on them and it's not going to hold up that long. Some start to break down fairly quickly too.
 

Solitario Lupo

Moderator
I keep them on the hook and cut and put away or the older ones that are beaten up I’ll remelt it. Gotta start learning what kinda rubber it’s made from. Some will shrink and deteriorate if not kept right mostly the gulp live that needs to be kept in that juice. Would be one. I’ll use them until they can’t stay on a hook.
 

truecrimson

Well-known member
I leave them and keep reusing them. When I change baits I usually take off the hook with the bait on it and put it in a box I use for already rigged baits. I usually won't put a different plastic on that hook until the one on it falls apart.
 

Don

Well-known member
Wow. There is no conscenus. You folks are all over the lake on this. Should’ve know but it never hurts to ask peeps.
 

HenryDavid

Well-known member
I'm a miser. I save used worms in plastic zip bags so they don't dry out. Sometimes different colors bleed together which is fine also.
 

Bootfoot

Well-known member
I frequently, like every trip, leave rubber on my rods and fish the same rubber the next trip. fish don’t care. Now if it’s on there fora winter I’ll swap it out but otherwise there is no need to change out rubber simply because it got wet once.
 

troutspinner

Nuts & Bolts Guy
I don’t remove the plastics on my jigs or chatter / spinbaits until they get ripped to shreds. I do apply scent to my jig trailers though with a marker application before using them. I do take the senkos off because they’re weak and expensive so I relieve any more stress on them other than fishing.
 

truecrimson

Well-known member
When I have removed baits in the past it has seemed to do a lot of damage to them. So have putting them back on.
 

pabassman

Well-known member
I don’t remove the plastics on my jigs or chatter / spinbaits until they get ripped to shreds. I do apply scent to my jig trailers though with a marker application before using them. I do take the senkos off because they’re weak and expensive so I relieve any more stress on them other than fishing.
I take a senko off. If I'm fishing again soon I leave trailers on but if not I remove them. Most of the plactics I use have a lot of salt. I never cut off a jig/jighead with a plastic on it and but it back in the box. The hook will rust fast.
 

Melvinp

Well-known member
If it’s in good enough shape I’ll take them off but usually pitch um most rubber is scented and they go bad after awhile and smell like plastic.
 

troutspinner

Nuts & Bolts Guy
I take a senko off. If I'm fishing again soon I leave trailers on but if not I remove them. Most of the plactics I use have a lot of salt. I never cut off a jig/jighead with a plastic on it and but it back in the box. The hook will rust fast.
I’ve done pretty good with preventing rust. If I snip off a lure, plastic, whatever, I leave them on the deck of the boat. Kind of my reminder that’s what I’ve used so far and not working. Lol. But they get a chance to dry. I also use desiccant packets in all of my 3700 boxes. They have helped a lot, especially with my salt gear.
 

MB3

Well-known member
I prefer previously chewed worms. I only discard a worm when the tail action isn't there. That goes for new worms too, if they don't work they get replaced. Kind of how the work force was before things changed.
 

Don M

Well-known member
I think this takes us back to the conversation, do stink baits work. I'm a gulp alive guy, I save old juice and put the rubber in it, even my trout magnets. I catch a fair amount of fish, so if it's not broken keep working it.
 

Don

Well-known member
Now there is a conscenus developing. That is to keep these baits. I you’re rich and can afford fish juice soak them before use.
Thanks.
 

Melvinp

Well-known member
I think this takes us back to the conversation, do stink baits work. I'm a gulp alive guy, I save old juice and put the rubber in it, even my trout magnets. I catch a fair amount of fish, so if it's not broken keep working it.
Yes it does work but not for everything I was once told a story were 2 kids dumped a whole bottle of attactent in a pond and a hour later it was loaded with fish but it was like they were all (do I dare say stoned) but first cast they all were gone a little bit yeah I lot no I my opinion of course
 
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