BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Since Eamon Bolten began ReBaits in Florida a few years ago, the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation (MBN) has been a leader in recycling used plastic baits. In 2013, it collected 86 pounds. At 50 lures per pound, that means 4,300 discarded baits were kept out of Minnesota waters and landfills.
The focus now is on recruiting more fishing clubs in schools to participate, according to Mickey Goetting, state conservation director.
“We’d like to get them to collect used baits, and then we’d redistribute recycled baits to them,” he said.
Last year, the Minnesota chapter gave more than 300 bags of ReBaits to Junior Bassmaster clubs and 40 to a club at Prior Lake High School.
Goetting said he also hopes to get military organizations such as Take a Soldier Fishing and Wounded Warriors involved.
“Everyone in the B.A.S.S. Nation knows about this and say that they are saving their baits for us,” Goetting added. “Everyone’s collecting, and now we need new ways to get the ReBaits to more people.
“That’s a good thing,” Goetting continued. “Recycling extends the life of the lure and also helps provide lures to others who may not have them otherwise.”
Baits are collected at MBN state and club events, as well as through several partners, including Fishers of Men Legacy, Minnetonka Classic, Pan-O-Prog and the Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series. Anglers can also turn in lures at Zero Tolerance Firearms & Fishing in Willmar.
Most of the used baits are melted and remolded by Goetting’s MG Lures or Larry Roland of Lakes Area Bassmasters.
ReBaits are weighted heavily toward plastic worms because they are the easiest to use. But creature baits, trailers and Senko-type baits also are molded, with green, brown, purple, black and white as color options.
Learn more about Minnesota’s ReBaits efforts here.