balloons

[Backlash]

are they legal to use for putting baits out i've been useing them for years until last week whan some guy came up to me and said they were baned because turtles mistake them for jelly fish

by the way i was fishing the jupiter inlet

[MoJo]

No there not banned and no turtles do not eat them.

http://boatlessfishing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5029

[sprtsracer]

Actually, it's a matter of conscious! There have been several studies done that show there is minimal, if any, damage as a result of using balloons! I also can't imagine any "creature" mistaking a balloon for a "jellyfish"! Even if it did, what predator stalks jellyfish??? I don't know of any that see them as "tasty"!!! They certainly have to be safer than fishing line, six-pack plastic rings, plastic bags, and even cigarette butts!!! You will also find "self styled" "EXPERTS" who know everything there is to know about fishing on the beach and how illegal it is to use balloons, fish for sharks, fish after dark, fish in front of their "condo" because it is a "private beach", don't shine a flashlight at night because of the turtles, ad-infinitum!!! None of these idiots have ever held a fishing rod in their hands, and even if they did, there was probably a Zebco 303 attached to it!!! Fish the dang balloon!!! If you run into that guy again...give him the name of your attorney, or ask him to call the police!!! There is a Florida law which prohibits the interference with anyone who is engaged in recreational fishing. Turn the tables on the SOB's!!! Sometimes, Guys, we just have to take a stand! God forbid we ever end up like the poor guys/businesses up on the OBX! We could be next!!!

[rsieminski]

Not to steal the thread, but we were chased off the beach a while back because we were using flash lights. Is this NOT a legal reason for the Turtle People to kick us off?

I was concerned about using them, and them getting away too, until someone here said that they erode in the salt water in a few days....sure enough I tested it and they desintegrate in the salt water....probably digestable, or at least would break down in the belly of the jelly fish, balloon eating foolish creature.

[Frogfish101]

Turtles wouldn't mistake large balloons for jellyfish. Turtles prey mainly on small jellies (1-2" dia)

[RJT]

I have used balloons for years as many people have. I will say, I never liked the idea of putting any trash in the ocean no matter what experts say. The less we can pollute the better off we are. Their are alternatives that can be used like the Aqua Gem Snap Float and others.

I would say if you can find an alternative to balloons I would use them.