Is powerbait digestable?

[racfish]

I called Berkley Company to ask if its edible for humans. The customer service rep was very nice . She said it wont harm you at all. She did go on to say that if vomiting happens to seek advice from a doctor.Other then that she dosent reccomend eating it. There is nothing harmful in it according to Berkley.

[Anglinarcher]

I think it is probably not healthy for consumption by fish, the idea is that you keep the fish you catch with it, not release them. On the package it says "not for human or pet consumption" which leads me to believe it is not actually FOOD but is meant to catch fish. I think the "bait law" stating that if fishing for bait the legal limit is the first legal fish caught was designed as a result of prevalent powerbait usage. It encourages people to keep fish that have swallowed powerbait. Aside from being digestible/not, it is going to take up valuable real estate in the fishes stomach and digestive system and may make eating normal foods difficult or impossible.

Matt, there is not a single prepared bait out there that does not state that it is "not for human or pet consumption". This is simply making it lawyer proof. After all, would you want to be sued by some idiot for eating power bait, freeze dried minnows, salmon eggs, or what ever after they have that has been opened for 6+ months, left in the bottom of some tackle box, etc.

There are specific FDA rules that must be followed for a food to be "for human or pet consumption". Fishing companies have no desire to have FDA inspectors costing them money. Simply, your argument lacks substance. Of if it had any substance at all, it would also apply to all fishing baits, including worms.

Now, as mentioned above, catfish had no issues with the stuff, it passes right through at the very least, taking up no "valuable real estate". I will give you that we still do not know if there is any nutritional value, but there is no nutritional value to moss, sticks, and the occasional rock I have seen is fish guts either.

I suspect the bait rule in Washington pre-dated Power Bait. Before Power Bait, I have used Corn (outlawed now in Utah and Wyoming), Velveeta Cheese, marshmallows, dough baits, and of course worms and stone fly larvae, caddis larvae, crickets, etc., etc. All are frequently swallowed.

In every other state I have fished in, you were told what to do if the fish swallowed the bait. Some followed the instructions and some did not.

In Washington, they chose to criminalize the act. I guess that what you, and every one else, should understand is that we, the citizens of Washington are just plain stupid. WE are not smart enough to know what to do, so a law has been made to prevent us from releasing potentially injured fish. Some follow the law, some do not.

[Matt]

I suspect......

Sounds like you have about as much substantiating evidence to your claims as I have to mine. So I stick to what I said.

I will just agree to disagree, sir.

[Anglinarcher]

I suspect......

Sounds like you have about as much substantiating evidence to your claims as I have to mine. So I stick to what I said.

I will just agree to disagree, sir.

Fair enough.

[racfish]

Its the same in the salt in regards to catching shakers(inmature salmon) . When using a barbed hook the mortality rate for shakers is very slim. Thats why they want you to use barbless. Most people I see use barbed.
Corn should be outlawed in Wa too,but its not Or only in some lakes. Fish like humans cannot digest the skin on corn kernels thus choking the fish.Lots of rules need revamping but that costs money. Our state cant afford that. So they say.

[Anglinarcher]

Its the same in the salt in regards to catching shakers(inmature salmon) . When using a barbed hook the mortality rate for shakers is very slim. Thats why they want you to use barbless. Most people I see use barbed.
Corn should be outlawed in Wa too,but its not Or only in some lakes. Fish like humans cannot digest the skin on corn kernels thus choking the fish.Lots of rules need revamping but that costs money. Our state cant afford that. So they say.

I will agree about what you meant, not what you actually said about mortality rate for the shakers. Mortality is high on the shakers when the swallow the hooks. You know, you can cut the hook off and it will dissolve in a couple of weeks at max. Of course, this requires the use of carbon hooks, not stainless steel or plated hooks that are frequently designed for Salt Water. I have caught many trout in my youth with remains of the hooks that were just about gone, and the fish were just fine. The problem comes from people determined to save that $0.25 hook and turn away a bleeding fish.

As for corn, I agree, fish cannot digest the skins, but like with humans, they can pass it. Fish cannot digest snail shells or crayfish shells, both much larger then the corn, and they pass just fine. The real problem with corn is that it is just so easy to "chum" with it.:shaking:

I agree, we need re-vamped laws, but who does it? Do we allow the lobbyist and politicians that do it now or do we count on educated fisheries managers.

[burlee]

I too have seen the gut of trout stuffed with Powerbait and thought "wow, that must hurt". So I e-mailed someone who might know, the extension service of the Fisheries School of my alma matter, Auburn University.
Here's what the extension agent had to say:
"Powerbait is a plastic (PVC) product made by Purefishing (Berkley). I'm pretty certain that Powerbait products are not digestible by fish. I too have seen plastic lures in the stomachs of fish and sometimes lodged between the stomach and intestine. When lures lodge like this it can prevent food from moving through the gut leading to starvation. I have never specifically tested Powerbait as to wither it would pass through the gut of the fish, so it would not be fair for me to explicitly say that it would not. I'm sure it would depend on the relative size of the lure and the fish. Remember as well that fish often regurgitate things they can't pass. There are a few biodegradableproducts on the market. Gulp, another Berkely product, is a biodegradable poly-vinyl alcohol based product that should breakdown in the gut of a fish. I don't know if it is digestible; that is I don't think the fish gains any food value from the lure."

So maybe I'll stick with worms, or Gulp baits.

[fishcreekspinners]

So we mostly feed em feathers, plastic and metal. No wonder they eat each other.

[natetreat]

When Berkely Gulp first came out I wanted to know why it supposedly caught 50% more fish but cost twice as much so I went to the website and looked it up. their old website said the original was some kind of oil based polymer, and the new stuff was water based, which let it degrade in the water allowing a slow dispersion of scent. the new website doesn't have this description anymore, but I imagine that it is not indeed nutritional for the fish to eat it, but that it will break up and pass through the fish. Probably like if you were to swallow bubble gum, or wood pulp. I've caught fish that have it in their stomach and it breaks down. But I don't know how long ti would take or if it hurts the fish, but I don't think it kills it unless you rip the hook out.

[sparky1doug]

Thank you, John. A recent survey of bank fisherman at Wannafishalot Lake in southern Washington porduced some telling results. 8 out of 10 polled preferred Power Bait over Nightcrawlers, Salmon eggs or Leeches. However as one angler commented "If you chase em with cheap beer they all taste about the same".

[Bodofish]

Good conversation so keep it comming. Just a little food for thought.

I'm not really sure what the fuss is about, we're not supposed to be feeding the fish powerbait or gulp or what ever. We're supposed to be catching fish.
Is it digestable? I thnk not. Does it hurt the fish? I think not. I like a little fly fishing after opening weekend at quincy or burk. The fish seem to be pooping the stuff like crazy and it looks about the same comming out as it does going in. It doesn't seem to hinder them at all.

So I gues the bottom line is...... If you're going to use PB then make sure it stays on your hook and keep the fish you catch.

OH yeah, Stop feeding the fish PB, just because it's about the most expensive fish food you'll find doesn't mean it's good for them.



Happy New Year!

[Anonymous]

So I e-mailed someone who might know, the extension service of the Fisheries School of my alma matter, Auburn University.
Here's what the extension agent had to say:
"Powerbait is a plastic (PVC) product made by Purefishing (Berkley). I'm pretty certain that Powerbait products are not digestible by fish.

Burlee, I was about to start the New Year off right with a self inflicted meal of 1 or 2 Power Eggs, etc. Time to put an end to the wonder, altogether. I figured 1 or 2 Power Eggs on Jan 1st.... eyes open on Jan. 2nd. :shaking2:
But I draw the line at eating (PVC) thanks for you good post from alma matter.
And yes, I realize "Not meant for human consumption" :safe: but sometimes you just wanna put wonder to rest.

[Matt]

Powerbait is a plastic (PVC) product made by Purefishing (Berkley). I'm pretty certain that Powerbait products are not digestible by fish. I too have seen plastic lures in the stomachs of fish and sometimes lodged between the stomach and intestine. When lures lodge like this it can prevent food from moving through the gut leading to starvation.

My thoughts exactly.

[Bodofish]

Yes rubber lures. Not PB. PB goes right on through. Now rubber worms and the like...... Any of you Steelheaders using rubber worms......

[Anglinarcher]

[quote="burlee"]I too have seen the gut of trout stuffed with Powerbait and thought "wow, that must hurt". So I e-mailed someone who might know, the extension service of the Fisheries School of my alma matter, Auburn University.
Here's what the extension agent had to say:
"Powerbait is a plastic (PVC) product made by Purefishing (Berkley). I'm pretty certain that Powerbait products are not digestible by fish. I too have seen plastic lures in the stomachs of fish and sometimes lodged between the stomach and intestine. When lures lodge like this it can prevent food from moving through the gut leading to starvation. I have never specifically tested Powerbait as to wither it would pass through the gut of the fish, so it would not be fair for me to explicitly say that it would not. I'm sure it would depend on the relative size of the lure and the fish. Remember as well that fish often regurgitate things they can't pass. There are a few biodegradableproducts on the market. Gulp, another Berkely product, is a biodegradable poly-vinyl alcohol based product that should breakdown in the gut of a fish. I don't know if it is digestible]

This demonstrates how stupid the so called Fisheries School people really are. YES, there is a line of Berkley PLASTIC baits that are flavored by the Power Bait scent, and called Power Bait, but we are talking about the paste floating bait here, aren't we? The Power Bait plastics are numerous, and include the Power Eggs, rubber worms, etc.

That is what concerns me about the so called experts from the so called schools of higher education. They are too busy acting smart to have a real clue.

[Bodofish]

I think we should start picketing stores that sell dough bait and rubber worms. Maybe a march on Oly! This travesty of fish justice has got to stop! Those poor little fishes getting their guts ripped out and put on the stringer. This has gone far enough! I can't stand by and watch the senseless slaughter of our finned entertainment.

Who's with me? Who will stand with me till we stop this abomination? Who will stand up for the planters?

[Anglinarcher]

I think we should start picketing stores that sell dough bait and rubber worms. Maybe a march on Oly! This travesty of fish justice has got to stop! Those poor little fishes getting their guts ripped out and put on the stringer. This has gone far enough! I can't stand by and watch the senseless slaughter of our finned entertainment.

Who's with me? Who will stand with me till we stop this abomination? Who will stand up for the planters?

OK, I'll join in, just as soon as I'm done with dinner. Dang, this fish sure taste good.:chef: :jocolor: [lol]

[sparky1doug]

Flash: Breaking news from Wannafishalot Lake. 'The Rainbow trout have organized and plan to boycott all fisherman using bait resembling or tasting like Power Bait", Billy Lunker leader of "Bows Against Bad Bait" was quoted. Recent posts on WA.Lakes.com are said to have tipped off trout to this travisty. Boy have we got cabin fever or what? Somebody needs to go fish'n bad.

[sparky1doug]

All kidding aside before you dig too deep into the toxicity of Power Bait one might want take note what else might be in the waters your taking your fish from. I would be more concerned with things like mercury, lead, pcb's, insecticide from run off, ect. There is more than one reason why catch and release is popular its not just about catching bigger fish. Sorry to bring this up but humans haven't taken good care of their waters, its getting better but damage is done and it will take generations to clean up. If you read your WDFW fishing pamphlet carefully you will find warnings to this effect, they are warrented. Don't stop keeping fish to eat just keep it all in perspective.

[Anglinarcher]

I will agree that keeping it in perspective is important. Most of the warnings are warranted only so far as they make the State Lawyer proof.

For Example, in Spokane there have been several attempts to get Fluoride added to the water for dental health. Every time, a single group of radicals convince the people that it is dangerous. I grew up in several larger cities, like Phoenix and Colorado Springs, where Fluoride has been added for years. For some reason, it is not dangerous for those citizens! Still, people in Spokane are convinced that Fluoride is dangerous and promised to SUE if the City passed the ordance to add it.

In the past, when the State treated a lake to remove unwanted fish, they would allow salvage of the desirable fish, like trout, while the treatment was added. In South America, where the "poison" is grown, that is the way they fish! The "poison" only impacts the gills so it does no harm to anything without gills. Still, to make the State lawyer proof, we are not not allowed to salvage during the kill.

Quite frankly, I don't trust the state to make honest evaluations on the levels of toxins in the fish. I think that they overstate it strongly to, again, make them Lawyer Proof. I could give several examples, but why bother, some will agree with me but many will consider "big brother" to be to holy to be questioned.