What causes plastic mush meltdown ?

[DJD]

I am sure somebody here knows what I am talking about...

From time to time, I find some of my plastic cases that lures came in, melted in spots where a worm or something has touched it. I have as also found some of my lures are mushy and melted. It seems to be chemical , not thermal .What causes this?

Thank you in advance.

Nanna

No doubt it's a chemical reaction. It used to happen alot more often but they have changed something in the blend that reduced it. My old tackles boxes have melted spots from plastic and especially from old plastic skirts like the ones that came on hula poppers.

I keep baits separated based on type so I get no chemical reaction problems anymore. One thing that should be mentioned is sunscreen on your hands and what it can do to certain bait casters that you palm while fishing. I ruined the left side plate on a Shimano Chronarch SF from sunscreen on my hands so now I wash my hands after applying sunscreen or use the spray type as much as possible. Some say it can turn fish off from biting as well if you get it on baits....I don't know about that but I just don't want it on my fishing equipment.

[Nanna]

Thank you all for the replies.

I too can recall tackle boxes with melted stuff too. As far as the wacky rig, I had know about it in theory, it never dawned on me that the o ring would help make the plastic last longer. I have a few that I love, and have had for a while. i can't recall where they came from...I am always trying to keep them.

[redearhoosier]

I've always thought those plastic worms and other artificials were full of cancer causing agents. I use live bait on most of my fishing trips, occasionally using Mr. Twisters during the spring when I'm chasing crappie.

NEVER put those things in your mouth and I've got a five year old boy I won't let touch those artificial baits.