I have some old plactics that are starting to get oily. Should I trash them or will they be OK? I'm thinking it will have a negative effect but I wanted to ask.

 

I'm just now getting back to fishing after a couple of years off. I hate to trash them, but will if I need. Thanks!

1 hour ago, BigMoneyGrip said:

I have some old plactics that are starting to get oily. Should I trash them or will they be OK? I'm thinking it will have a negative effect but I wanted to ask.

 

I'm just now getting back to fishing after a couple of years off. I hate to trash them, but will if I need. Thanks!

I have used power bait from the late 90's recently with no issues and caught some fish.  

No need to toss them. Lay them on a paper towel. Place a second towel on top of them and roll them back and forth. You might need a second towel, depending on how much oil is on them. Bag them in sandwich bags when they're dry. You can also add some salt to them if you want, before bagging them. 

I don't think that oily is necessarily a bad thing with soft plastics.  Having said that oily is one thing and melting if another.  Soft plastics that are just melting and losing their shape - I'd pitch.   If that's happening I'd also find a new place to store soft plastics, cause the one you've got just ain't working right.

Heck, I have bags of my favorite plastics marinating in oily fish scents ready to go..

I still have some old Manns Jelly worms and others that my Dad bought back in the late 70's and they're still useable. I think the "oils" actually prevent them from breaking down. That may not be the case with the newer formulas of plastics, but the old formulas thrive in the juice....

they’re ruined

 

send them to me and i’ll see to it that they’re disposed of properly ?

I fish 40 year old Rebel Ringworms on occasion with no issue. 

Like others have said ...i have some 30 yrs old still doin fine ...as long as they aint melted