Attack on Fishing

[Carter1]

I was on Bassmaster.com and saw an article about a Congressman in Maine who wants to ban soft plastics in that state. You can let them know you oppose this by clicking on a tab within the article. I just did it. If we let this happen there then we can expect it to make its way around our country. I don't expect it to pass but then look at what is going on now.

[DJD]

I was on Bassmaster.com and saw an article about a Congressman in Maine who wants to ban soft plastics in that state. You can let them know you oppose this by clicking on a tab within the article. I just did it. If we let this happen there then we can expect it to make its way around our country. I don't expect it to pass but then look at what is going on now.

It's a constant attack on your rights as a fisherman, hunter or outdoorsman. Many people feel we harm the environment and hurt populations of game with our fishing and hunting. It's special interest groups who are usually behind this stuff. I love fishing Maine and plastics are what we use the most..but your right it doesn't stop with Maine. If this ever grabs a foothold it will grow just as lead free areas and of course the latest attempt at control.........gun control.

[zx150]

Don you are right on. It will never stop. People will never leave well enough alone.

[HURRICANEBOB]

Okay, all touch feely stuff aside:

a. The bill supporters contend:
- Rubber baits are un-natural
- Bass can pull the bait off and not get caught but swallow it.
- Bass can't digest it so it either clogs up their digestion or just sits in the their stomach reducing the amount they can eat, so the fish doesn't get as nmuch nutrition.
- Bass can hit a bait, tear it off and drop it. If lying on the bottom with attractants still intact, another bass or any fish may **** it up and have the same digestion problems.
- Unspecififed number of bass caught had worm hanging out of the "exhaust ports", starting the concern.

b. Arguments against the concern:
- The rubber is not degradeable, but also 100% non toxic.
- The number of bass caught with a clogged exhaust was in question.
- The fact a bass can tear a bait off and drop it was excused assuming the attractant fades qick, the worm looses its color and so become non attractive to other fish. Therefore not an ecological future problem.

My gut says some one is trying to lookout for the health of the fishery, and that the problem really is the extent of the problem maybe exaggerated. This may not be a cause for alarm or legistlation.

Now....again, with all that fact........how does this become a politcal agenda thing? Tell me which of these you think is the master conspiracy:
a. The rubber worm maker in my distrcit didn't support my campaign and I want to punish his business (Bob opinion: Get a life! Really....do you think that happened)
b. We want to kill artificial baits so we can help the natural bait producing industry in our state (Bob Opionion: Get a life....who even thinks that way)
c. It became a political thing becuase the "Yapping dog....Geo....decided it was." Crazy yapping dog - YouTube

[SLP]

I have the answer. Fish with gummy worms!

[HURRICANEBOB]

I have the answer. Fish with gummy worms!

You are a wizzard! And, not need to carry snacks anymore. I love it LOL ROFLMAO

[inrll]

Okay, all touch feely stuff aside:

a. The bill supporters contend:
- Rubber baits are un-natural
- Bass can pull the bait off and not get caught but swallow it.
- Bass can't digest it so it either clogs up their digestion or just sits in the their stomach reducing the amount they can eat, so the fish doesn't get as nmuch nutrition.
- Bass can hit a bait, tear it off and drop it. If lying on the bottom with attractants still intact, another bass or any fish may **** it up and have the same digestion problems.
- Unspecififed number of bass caught had worm hanging out of the "exhaust ports", starting the concern.

b. Arguments against the concern:
- The rubber is not degradeable, but also 100% non toxic.
- The number of bass caught with a clogged exhaust was in question.
- The fact a bass can tear a bait off and drop it was excused assuming the attractant fades qick, the worm looses its color and so become non attractive to other fish. Therefore not an ecological future problem.

My gut says some one is trying to lookout for the health of the fishery, and that the problem really is the extent of the problem maybe exaggerated. This may not be a cause for alarm or legistlation.

Now....again, with all that fact........how does this become a politcal agenda thing? Tell me which of these you think is the master conspiracy:
a. The rubber worm maker in my distrcit didn't support my campaign and I want to punish his business (Bob opinion: Get a life! Really....do you think that happened)
b. We want to kill artificial baits so we can help the natural bait producing industry in our state (Bob Opionion: Get a life....who even thinks that way)
c. It became a political thing becuase the "Yapping dog....Geo....decided it was." Crazy yapping dog - YouTube

[HURRICANEBOB]

Whats the concern with plastics? Was issue raised by a nightcrawler farmer?

[Carter1]

According to the article, if I remember it right, there was no reason given as to why the baits should be banned. And they do not have rubber in their contents. I really don't think it will pass; or at least I am hopeful it won't.

[DJD]

According to the article, if I remember it right, there was no reason given as to why the baits should be banned. And they do not have rubber in their contents. I really don't think it will pass; or at least I am hopeful it won't.

The bill doesn't explain a thing. Sure would be nice if they had to show their work!! Lol like in school....remember?? Ok you got the answer but how did you get there? What or who made this guy think this was a good idea? Like the article said Maine gets a ton of money from non residents during their fishing season so who would try and restrict that? I don't remember seeing a lot of trash there when I fished 7 different lakes. Actually it was amazing at how clean it looked.
The article mentioned they teamed up with ASA so it's being taken seriously enough to get a team together to fight it.

[SLP]

I don't know the reason but if I had to guess I assume that the reason is environmental. Probably some fanatical environmentalist that believes that plastic and rubber lures lost in fresh water lakes are a potential hazard.

Maine gets a lot of money from fishing and tourism related to the sport. I seriously doubt this gets any traction.

[spinnerbaitguy]

First, I have not read the article but I have tried to observe the political process for a few years. Those were the driving issues behind my observations. It was not to step on any toes with those observations. I was not the one who used words like libtards and sub culture. Many times, bills proposed are brought about because politicans trade big money contributions for support of contributors personal or corporate agendas. That doesn't make this a terrorism issue but it does cause me to ask about the mechanics behind many issues. I think DJD's comments have been good here. At least they haven't spewed with venom. I still say that it is fair for fishermen to be able to discuss fishing related issues in a fishing forum and maybe it should be or will be moved to another area but Bassmaster thought it was important enough to publish and the moderators of this board have left it here.
I will not discuss this issue further. My only interaction with Maine was a tenant I had a couple of years back. Bad experience, still recovering from it. I hope this situation works out better.