Pass the salt?

Gene Larew started the salted soft plastic bait craze in the 1970's. The salt craw was the first soft plastic bait to use salt in its plastic formula. The sales pitch was that the salt was an attractant and fish that bit the bait would hold on longer. Larew had a patent on "salt-impregnated" baits and they claimed that mixing salt with the plastisol allowed the salt to be released over the life of the bait. This was different than other soft plastic baits that had salt added to the outside of the bait after it was molded.  Many lawsuits between Larew and other bait manufacturers were a result of this patent.

Does salt really make fish hold on longer? Some say yes, while others say no. In our research, we have not found any scientific data to back up the claim. Salt does increase the density of the bait and can be used to adjust the fall rate of soft plastic baits as well as adding weight to improve castability. However, it significantly reduces the durability of the bait and can also discolor plastisol creating baits that are much duller and less visually appealing.  

In our opinion, bait makers use salt as a cheap filler which reduces the required amount of plastisol as well as decreasing durability which keeps the fisherman buying baits. Modern plastisol manufacturers create floating and sinking formulas that eliminate the need for salt to increase fall rates. Also, bait makers have the option of plastisol formulations in different durometers so that durability can be adjusted depending on the styles and technique of the bait.

A majority of our soft plastic baits are made with floating plastisol which gives the baits a much livelier action and the ability to stand up off the bottom. Certain baits such as weightless stick worms can be made by using sinking plastisol as well as the introduction of glass bead media for added weight. This allows the baits to maintain durability and vivid color.  

It comes down to personal preference and confidence in what you are using. However, we want our customers to understand why salt has historically been used in soft plastic baits. We suggest thinking twice before asking to "pass the salt"!