lead free fishing

[jan]

Hi guys,

just wandering are the fishing weights now a days really made out of the heavy metal lead (Pb). Never ever or? that toxic stuff that causes birth defects as well as brain and nerve damage?

Anyways was wondering if you guys know of any alternatives to the store bought weights? Just looking for a niffty DIY solution and lessen my impact on the environment.



THX

[OldTimer]

The majority of commercially produced fishing sinkers, jigheads and downrigger balls sold in North America are currently made from lead or lead containing alloys.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores...ad+sinkers

Lead sinkers and such are still quite legal in most of North America. Some USA states and our Canadian National parks have banned them primarily to protect waterfowl (they can mistakenly eat them).

Old steel nuts and bolts are not toxic and simply rust away if lost. However the density/weight of steel is not as great as lead.

One of the "projects" on my do-list is to make sliding sinkers from smooth "roundish" river granite pebbles or stones by simply drilling a hole in them with a diamond bit then deburring/smoothing the hole edges. There are a few small firms out there selling such already.......................................

Cheers,

OldTimer

[Eli]

Old Timer, if you carry out this project I will gladly purchase rock weights from you. Seriously. The only reason I use lead still is because of a lack of suitable alternatives out there.

I remember reading a while ago that tungsten (the most commonly used lead alternative) is also toxic, just in a different way.

[mcfly]

At the whirlpool when we need weights we use rocks. Main reason being, the place is a mine field for snags. Your guaranteed to lose lots of tackle at the whirlpool if you fish bottom like I do lol. We tie a rubber band on the line and get a big nasty rock and wrap it up. When the carp or channel cat runs with your bait, the rock hopefully slips out of the rubber band letting you fight the fish directly!

Old Timer's idea seems a lot more practical and less caveman style LOL which i am totally down with

[jan]

(12-29-2013 11:28 PM)Eli Wrote:  Old Timer, if you carry out this project I will gladly purchase rock weights from you. Seriously. The only reason I use lead still is because of a lack of suitable alternatives out there.

I remember reading a while ago that tungsten (the most commonly used lead alternative) is also toxic, just in a different way.

I as well would be in for a set of your weights ...
will have a look at home depot for a suitable drill bit...

[OldTimer]

(12-29-2013 11:59 PM)jan Wrote:  

(12-29-2013 11:28 PM)Eli Wrote:  Old Timer, if you carry out this project I will gladly purchase rock weights from you. Seriously. The only reason I use lead still is because of a lack of suitable alternatives out there.

I remember reading a while ago that tungsten (the most commonly used lead alternative) is also toxic, just in a different way.

I as well would be in for a set of your weights ...
will have a look at home depot for a suitable drill bit...

Tungsten dust can be toxic if inhaled long term, but few of us will ever see such exposure......... and highly unlikely from the currently available sinker products.

Problem with tungsten is the WOW cost......... it's way over the top.

Here's a few links I quickly gathered in this subjects regard (no recommendations - just sharing info....):

http://www.rockybrooksinkers.com/

http://www.ecofervor.com/Eco-friendly-st...B007304CX6

http://www.greentackle.com/catalog/produ...ategory/5/

http://www.oemstone.com/

http://www.ehow.com/how_12067170_make-si...rocks.html

**

BTW - diamond bits can be purchased in quantity at reasonable prices online through the likes of EBay, etc.............

If you do try this project - buy more than a few spare bits - they can snap easily and do get dull ........

Cheers,

OldTimer

[jan]

AWESOME THX SO MUCH, WILL START TO REPLACE MY WEIGHTS RIGHT NOW!

[ST_ShoreFisher]

i remember as a kid using my teeth to open/close lead split shots

[OldTimer]

(12-31-2013 01:54 PM)ST_ShoreFisher Wrote:  i remember as a kid using my teeth to open/close lead split shots

I'm sure you'll be just fine - a very low level of exposure.

BTW - Did that all my angling life and I still do that..................

OT

[MichaelAngelo]

(12-31-2013 03:58 PM)OldTimer Wrote:  BTW - Did that all my angling life and I still do that..................

OT

OHHHH so that's....

nevermind...