Alternatives to Lead

[Guest]

This story ...
http://www.startribune.com/stories/767/3585195.html
was brought up over in "Outdoor Political Power" and has sparked a bit of a debate. If this goes ahead, we're gonna need solutions to the problem of getting the bait where it needs to go. How about some of ya'll putting down ideas for
A) Manufacturers and products which do not
contain lead
Techniques you may already be using

Thanks-

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RobertC

[Guest]

I'll start it off...

Mepps has a pretty cool jig/spinner called a Spinflex which I have caught a couple of nice Northern on, and plenty of panfish, too - it's brass. Spendy, but the Aberdeen hooks will bend on a steady pull and give it back to ya if it's in wood. I'm gonna give it a go on walleyes this spring. I ordered stuff to try making my own and if it works out real well - ya'll will never know about it unless yer in da boat!

I like to use glass beads with a steel bullet for my Carolina rigs - nice rattle.

I use glass beads by themselves when I need a little casting weight but not a fast sink-rate. Glass is more likely to graze over obstructions than a lead or steel weight.

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RobertC

[Guest]

Hevi-Shot.... spendy though

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-FNC

"Hell froze over last week... glad I brought the Vex"

[Gissert]

Maybe bismuth sinkers? I have handloaded it in shotgun rounds, and found it to be nearly as heavy as lead. It is a bit brittle, however.

[Guest]

Given the store shelves have the lead alternative I'll take it over lead any day!!!

[Guest]

C+C Systems Inc.
356 Ontario Street - Suite #223
Stratford, ON N5A 7X6
TEL - (519) 272-0777
FAX - (519) 272-0855
[email protected]

Leadfreelures.com

They have a wide selection of non-toxic lures and jigs.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'll Agree with RobertC, the spin flex is a great idea, and it does catch fish. Never tried it ice fishing, but summer fishing it works well...

I would expect that if Mepps has success with a brass head, more companies will give it a shot. Maybe even see some over flow into the ice fishing jig world?.. never know!~

[Guest]

There are non lead options out there. Tin , Brass , S-Steel , Bismouth even ceramic wieghts. Until these things become mainstream they will be expensive options though. I think we're gonna see the day that lead is banned which is probably for the best considering some of the lead poisoning problems some European bodies of water currently face.

On tip ups I often use brass beads for wieghts instead of lead splitshot. They work good for me.

[Guest]

I knew an "Old Timer" once who always used pieces of copper wire as crimp on shot, or wound it on something like a bobber stop knot.

I have not though of that copper wire deal in years. I just may need to try that copper slip knot on super-braids once? He used the old reliable heavy dacron for all his fishing if I remember right?

The small shot size leads do need to go I think. More then enough proof now that it is hard on bottom feeder birds as well as humans.

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Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson..><sUMo>

[email protected]

http://ed-carlson.fishingbuddy.com

[Guest]

Sources of lead free fishing tackle in the UNITED STATES

A Better Angle Inc.
Myrtle Point, Oregon
steel sinkers
Tel.: (541) 572-2109

Belvoirdale/Dinsmoress
Wyncote, Pennsylvania
tin sinkers
Tel.: (215) 886-7211
Fax: (215) 886-1804

Big Ten Tackle
412 Thompson Street
Latrobe, Pa. 15650
Tel.: 1-800-480-4216

BIO-CAST
Fruita, Colorado,
ceramic weights
Tel.: (970) 858-4019

Bullet Weights
Alda, Nebraska
steel and tin sinkers
Tel.: 1-800-872-0131

Havoc Fishing Products
Lead-free fishing tackle
P.O. Box 801
Natick, MA 01760
Tel.: (508) 314-6897

Du-Co Ceramics
ceramic sinkers and jigs
Saxonburg, Pennsylvania
Tel.: (724) 352-1511

Hildebrandt Corporation
tin sinkers
Logansport, Indiana
Tel.: (219) 722-4455

Jadico
Camdenton, Missouri
bismuth jigs
Tel.: (573) 346-4305

Loon Outdoors
Boise, Idaho
putty sinkers
Tel.: 1-800-580-3811

Luhr-Jensen and Sons Inc.
Hood River, Oregon
rubber sinkers
Tel.:1-800-535-1711

ORVIS Company
Roanoke, Virginia,
tungsten beads, putty weights
Tel.: 1-800-541-3541

SafeCasters
251 Lisa Lane
Pasco, Washington 99301
granite sinkers
Fax: (509) 545-8095

Warrior Sporting Goods
P.O. Box 1511
Sherwood, OR 97140
Tin jigs and weights
Tel.: (503) 296-2149

Water Gremlin
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
tin and plastic composite/steel resin sinkers
Tel.: (504) 838-9440

[Guest]

Daanngg Coldone - nice research! You must have a T1 or DSL!
Thanks -
I like Eddy's tip, and I'm gonna try it.
Keeeeeep 'em comin'.

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RobertC

[Guest]

Bullet Weights
Bullet Weights is a manufacturer of non-lead fishing sinkers. Bullet Weights makes one of the environmentally friendly sinkers available in Minnesota retail stores. The company is planning additional non-lead product lines. Their Ultra Steel non-lead sinkers are price-competitive and claim that performance is superior over lead sinkers.

Jeff Ratte, Sales Manager, 504-838-9440
Water Gremlin
Mr. Ratte is a member of the American Sport Fishing Association (ASA). Water Gremlin manufactures Gremlin Green non-lead sinkers.

Non-lead fishing tackle is not a novelty product. Major retailers like Wal-Mart, Target and Cabela's all stock alternative sinkers. In addition, you can go straight to these web sites of tackle manufacturers and retailers.

Bass Pro Shops
Their web site offers XPS weights made of tungsten.

A Better Angle Inc.
The patented "Ecosinks" are adjustable-weight, snagless fishing weights made with steel balls and cotton sleeves.

Bullet Weights
Offers "Ultra Steel 2000" sinkers made from steel and split-shot made from tin.

Du-Co Ceramics
Jigs and sinkers made from ceramic. Call Nick Norante, 724-352-1511, for product information or becoming a distributor.

Havoc Fishing Products
Products marketed as environmentally safe using a bismuth-tin alloy.

Jackfish Lures
Jigs and sinkers made of bismuth.

Lake Fork Tackle
The "Mega-Weights" line features worm weights and barrel weights made from a tungsten-nickel alloy.

Loon Outdoors
The "Deep Soft Weight" (1 oz.) is made from tungsten.

Lucky Strike Bait Works Ltd.
Dominion brand tin sinkers and bismuth jig heads are now available.

RTP Company
Manufactures lead-free high gravity thermoplastics for terminal tackle and ammunition manufacturers.

Warrior Sporting Goods
"Duck Crossing" line of tin jigs and weights in over 220 styles and sizes.

Water Gremlin
Their "Gremlin Green," split-shot is made from tin.

[This message has been edited by coldone (edited 01-16-2003).]

[This message has been edited by coldone (edited 01-16-2003).]