The Incredible Edible Bait

Carr focused on replicating natural, water-soluble feeding stimulants in the lab, creating a more potent form that fish prefer. Today, Fishbites offers a line of clean, odorless tastebaits, some of which completely dissolve in water within a few days.

Originally designed as an alternative to live- and cutbait for saltwater fishing, Fishbites has introduced Xtreme Scent Release Baits, with shapes and colors for bass fishing. Made from Fishbites’ proprietary Hydro-Gel, a type of biodegradable plastic, Xtreme Scent Release baits retain flavor and scent until the lure hits the water.

Similar to FoodSource, Fishbites are a little firmer than many soft plastics. But when submerged, they immediately begin breaking down, becoming softer and more pliable. The longer you fish a bait, the more appealing it becomes to bass, as attractant leaches out and its texture becomes natural. In trials last year, nearly every bass that struck a Fishbite held it indefinitely.

Shapes in the Xtreme Scent Release line include a 3-inch Paddle Tail Grub, 5-inch Jerkbait, 5-inch XR Fatty Jr., a soft stickbait, and 6-inch Finesse Worm.

The original generation of Fishbites featured a spongy material that dissolved in water within days. I’ve found that Fishbites Pro Inshore Strips and Crayfish and Shad Strips work exceedingly well as jig and spinnerbait trailers. These thin baits are sold in sheets or strips and can be easily cut with a scissors into any shape. They also contain an ultralight mesh backing to keep baits on the hook. Due to their thin profile, Fishbites offer a flapping action and are as durable as pork rind.

AAT NitroPro: Advanced Angling Technology (AAT), a branch of Optimum Lures, offers NitroPro baits, soft hand-pours that are biodegradable, according to Tony Paino of Optimum. “They’re free of phthalates,” he notes, “which are banned in Japan and parts of Europe. Baits biodegrade, leaving no harmful chemicals and no toxic residue. In lab tests, NitroPro broke down in 1 to 5 years in microbially active waters, leaving no traces of PVC byproducts.”

NitroPro is reportedly plastic-free, made of a porous, organic-based polymer that delivers potent scent and flavor underwater. Like most tastebaits, NitroPro’s scent doesn’t diminish over time, but releases attractants as long as it’s in water. Maximum release, however, is within the first 16 to 24 hours of fishing.

NitroPro has good shelf life and won’t begin to break down until submerged. In the line is a 3-inch Ridge BioWorm, a dainty finesse bait with grooves to enhance movement, excellent for drop-shotting. They also offer 4- and 6-inch curlytail worms, as well as 4-, 6-, and 8-inch straight-tail BioWorms, available in 8 colors including translucent hues.

These are exciting times for anglers. Never before has so much scientific research entered the bait formulation business. The result is lures that appeal to a bass’ every sense while reducing aquatic pollution. We don’t know the eventual destination, but we’ll surely enjoy the ride.

Cory Schmidt, Brainerd, Minnesota, has been writing for In-Fisherman publications for over a decade.