Plastics
The Effect of Plastic on Fishing
Ever since the creation of the first soft plastic lures, the whole fishing industry changed forever. These new and improved lures were able to be customized exactly to the manufacturer’s specifications. For example, they could be any color, shape, or size. Many of the lures currently used today are made of soft, pliable plastic or harder plastic with hooks attached. Most of these plastics are very lightweight and easy to make, allowing them to be extremely affordable and commonly-used.
What kinds of plastics are currently being used for fishing?
Many of the soft plastic lures are made of liquid plastic, also known as Plastisol, which is a type of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This type of plastic is very easy to use and can be made either soft or hard.
Some of the most durable hard baits in today's market utilize polycarbonate, a plastic resin also used in items such as bullet-resistant windows and Blu-ray discs.
What are these plastics made of?
PVC is made from fossil fuels, to include natural gas.
Polycarbonate is made from bis-phenol A (BPA→ produced through the condensation of phenol with acetone under acidic conditions) with carbonyl chloride. BPA’s have been shown to leach harmful chemicals when they come into contact with water.
Where are these fishing lures being made? How are they made?
These plastics are made in mainly two ways:
The first method is done by injecting the plasticized plastic material into the lure mold and then cooled and formed into the desired shape by a machine.
The second method is by DIY, in which a person melts the raw plastic material down and then puts it into the mold themselves instead of a machine.
Who is making plastic fishing lures?
Large fishing companies are the main producers of these fishing lures and are the primary sources for lures in the United States and the rest of the world. Some of these companies include Owner, Berkeley, and TT. Owner Hooks Co Ltd is based in Japan and manufactures hooks and lures in China and Japan. Berkeley is based in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and manufactures hooks, lures, and fishing rods in Iowa and Indiana. TT (Tackle Tactics) is based in Australia, and manufactures hooks, lures, and other fishing components in Fiji.
Are the plastics used to make plastic fishing lures biodegradable?
The lures that are made by these companies are not biodegradable and are harmful to the ocean when they are lost.
What kinds of plastics ARE currently biodegradable?
In recent years there have been many scientists studying to see if it is possible to create plastic that is biodegradable. Many of the plastics are made of plants, for example bioplastics are made from plant materials. These plastics are used in applications such as plastic drinking cups and plastic grocery bags. Other biodegradable plastics come from starch, sugarcane, and cassava.
What are the costs involved with these biodegradable plastics?
Though these new plastics have many benefits like degrading faster and other normal plastics, there are also some downsides. For example, bioplastics are more expensive to produce than regular plastics. They require more expensive equipment to be produced. Also, many people do not know about biodegradable plastics. As people are becoming more educated about biodegradable plastics, there is an increased demand for products composed of biodegradable plastics. Fishing lures are being made for very cheaply and are being sold at a much higher price. This is often because buyers are looking for the lure that is advertised as being designed specifically for their fishing needs, and in turn are willing to spend more money.
Are these biodegradable plastics being used for fishing in any way?
These biodegradable plastics are NOT yet being used in fishing just yet. One reason for this may be that they have not yet been tested thoroughly enough to know that they will actually work. Many universities such as UC Berkeley are doing extensive research on how biodegradable plastics behave in water.