The current fishing industry has increasingly been promoting “jelly” bait, with some even proudly claiming to have produced or “developed” such baits. What exactly is the so-called “jelly” bait today? And why do I believe that the businesses producing these baits are morally corrupt and unethical? Let me briefly explain:
“Jelly” baits vary slightly among different manufacturers in terms of materials and ratios. Many so-called “expansion powders” are actually water-absorbing “gels” used in agriculture or industry (such as Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) — potassium or sodium polyacrylate and polyacrylamide copolymer). In its natural state, it’s a white powdery crystal that expands many times when in contact with water, making the bait loose and increasing its dispersal effect. This is widely sold as a water-retaining agent for agricultural use.
As for “jelly,” some manufacturers add or even completely use food-grade gels, industrial adhesives, medical-grade gels, construction adhesives, etc.
Most of these “gels” break down over time, but just because something can break down doesn’t mean it is environmentally friendly or harmless to fish. Don’t be misled by unscrupulous businesses that try to convince anglers with statements like “our jelly bait is hydrolyzed, so it’s eco-friendly.” This is a blatant misrepresentation!
Even if such “gels” are ingested by higher mammals like humans, they can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients, and may even be toxic. Experiments and evidence show that in larger quantities, these “gels” can cause fish to suffer from indigestion (many fish don’t digest food with their stomach acids but rather with enzymes, which don’t react well with these substances), loss of digestive function, and poisoning.
Furthermore, “time-dependent decomposition” for living organisms is critical, and should not be confused. In medical science, the accepted decomposition time for biological systems is when the material begins to break down upon contact with water, reaching a biologically safe level within roughly 4 hours, and without producing harmful substances during the breakdown process. It is absolutely not acceptable for the breakdown to be extremely slow, with toxins being released gradually over time, yet some people claim that this is “harmless” to organisms.
I once considered producing a certain formulation to achieve the perfect bait state. In the initial tests, some of the aforementioned “gels” were included. However, after consulting experts and testing on fish, we found that the fish exhibited varying degrees of digestive disorders. So, I decided not to release this product. Instead, I began researching and testing new, biologically safe, “soluble” fibers in the food and pharmaceutical industries to replace these harmful substances. So, the product I had originally announced remains on hold.
To reiterate my old saying: unethical profits are no better than a chicken!
I urge all anglers to think carefully, stay rational, and not be swayed by others’ deception. Let’s approach our fishing activities with clear judgment and consideration for our environment.
Note: Many developed countries have long prohibited the use of such “jelly” baits.