Lead Fishing Tackle Ban

I dont know if this has been posted recently. Sorry if it has been. I would think Cabelas would make money if there was a ban.

Take Action Now! Protect your right to fish.

September 2, 2010

Dear Cabela’s Customer:

Occasionally, an issue of such importance arises we feel it necessary to contact our loyal customers. With our fishing rights at stake, this is such an issue.

On August 23, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and others to ban lead from ammunition and fishing tackle, including sinkers, jigs, weighted fly lines and components containing lead, such as brass and ballast in lures, spinners, stick baits and other fishing products.

On August 27, the EPA denied the petition regarding ammunition, but let stand the petition to ban lead in fishing tackle and has opened a short period for taking public comment.

Such a ban would cause prices of fishing products to skyrocket. Alternative metals can cost from six to 15 times more than lead, and most do not perform as well. For many, fishing would no longer be the affordable sport it is now.

Please join Cabela’s and Keep America Fishing in opposing this ban by submitting your comments to the EPA no later than September 15, 2010. You can easily do so by clicking here.

LINK

It is a fast and easy way to assure your opinion is heard.

Cabela’s is working in conjunction with the American Sportfishing Association and Keep America Fishing to protect our tradition and heritage of fishing.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely, Cabela’s

This e-mail was sent to you by: Cabelas.com, One Cabela Dr., Sidney, NE 69160

Just another article.

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The group estimates 10 million to 20 million birds and other animals die each year from lead poisoning in the United States.

If people start believe in those number lead tackle will be ban.

Sportsman have bigger numbers but antis have bigger voices.

Thanks for posting this to make us all aware of this. It’s a very important issue to fisherman, if a total Lead ban were put into affect tackle prices would increase 2-3x, due to both the high price of Alternative metals, as well as the new tooling, molds ,etc that would be needed.
Please take a few minutes to voice your opinion, make it count.

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if a total Lead ban were put into affect tackle prices would increase 2-3x, due to both the high price of Alternative metals, as well as the new tooling, molds ,etc that would be needed.

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I just did a google search on non-lead tackle and found the prices to be comparable to lead tackle. Most of the Tin/Bismuth alloy products are 0-10% higher than the lead products. I must have misunderstood your post…where do you get the 2-3X cost increase? Not saying it aint true for some tackle…just not what I’m finding for you basic jigs, weights, and other terminal items.

Jason

Let me know where you can get a standard nonlead walleye jig 1/4 oz for 0 to 10% higher because I’m seeing 2x to 3x the price. I can get lead jig heads for less than .35 a piece.

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if a total Lead ban were put into affect tackle prices would increase 2-3x, due to both the high price of Alternative metals, as well as the new tooling, molds ,etc that would be needed.

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I just did a google search on non-lead tackle and found the prices to be comparable to lead tackle. Most of the Tin/Bismuth alloy products are 0-10% higher than the lead products. I must have misunderstood your post…where do you get the 2-3X cost increase? Not saying it aint true for some tackle…just not what I’m finding for you basic jigs, weights, and other terminal items.

Jason

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I just did a cabelas search & for a 420 piece lead split shot was $11.99, a 210 piece of tin split shot was $11.99. This is pretty simple math, it’s double the cost!

I think you guys are right. I was finding sites with 1/4 oz jigs for about a buck that were non-lead. I was comparing them to the jigs I buy for fishing the river from bfishn which are $0.85 for a 1/4 oz painted. But I see there are other jigs out there for a lot cheaper than bfishn. My bad.

Jason

Here is an easy way to do it- just fill in the blanks with your zip and it automatically sends it to your politicians. thanks for the post Duke.

It is the 2nd subject down dated 8/31/10
http://www.keepamericafishing.org

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…said lead-weighted lures that are left behind often are mistaken for food by many species of birds,…

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Let natural selection work and you won’t have a problem in a few decades when you don’t have birds stupid enough to eat lead.

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The group estimates 10 million to 20 million birds and other animals die each year from lead poisoning in the United States.

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I find that hard to believe. I wonder how the extrapolated that figure.

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“In New England and portions of the Midwest, lead poisoning is the No.1 cause of deaths for loons.”

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I thought loons ate fish?

Seriously, what are the chances of a bird actually eating lead? I suppose it would stick in their gizzard, but what are the chances of then not pooping it out?

The only place I could see this being a big concern is for city birds where there could be high concentrations (relative) of lead in certain areas. Those areas would be near places where city folk like to feed birds.

Having thrown stones in the air and had seagulls grab them and try to eat them, I guess they might be highly susceptible. However, speaking as a guy who’s had poop shampoo, would less seagulls really be a bad thing?

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The group estimates 10 million to 20 million birds and other animals die each year from lead poisoning in the United States.

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I find that hard to believe. I wonder how the extrapolated that figure.

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I’m guessing they count all shot birds and animals as victims of lead poisoning.

-J.

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I’m guessing they count all shot birds and animals as victims of lead poisoning.

-J.

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LOL

I was going to say that, but I am not a hunter. But my brother and nephew do and I thought lead was banned in hunting? Or is it only a certain kind of hunting?

One thing is for sure, with all the turkeys I have seen, they aren’t dumb enough to eat lead.

Not sure where those numbers come from either but probably the most likely scenario is that fisherman gut hooks fish….fish breaks line….fish dies….bird eats fish.

I’m not a big fan of gulls but seeing the loons on Leech and hearing them call at dawn and dusk is one of my favorite things about being on the lake in MN.

I’m sitting on about 400 lbs of lead. That should get me through till death

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I’m sitting on about 400 lbs of lead. That should get me through till death

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Not if they make it illegal to poses lead in your boat

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Not sure where those numbers come from either but probably the most likely scenario is that fisherman gut hooks fish….fish breaks line….fish dies….bird eats fish.

I’m not a big fan of gulls but seeing the loons on Leech and hearing them call at dawn and dusk is one of my favorite things about being on the lake in MN.

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I’ve heard most of the deaths are from old lead shot being consumed off the bottom of shallow lakes and ponds during the dry years. To me that makes sense, but banning lead fishing equipment? Nonsense!

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To me that makes sense, but banning lead fishing equipment? Nonsense!

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I agree. I’m curious though about what’s driving the 3X cost of Sn/Bi. Is it materials cost, availability, processing, etc. If the costs were more comparable it might make sense to me to phase out lead. Anybody know why its so much more? If the industry were to switch over would the cost come down?

JP

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If the industry were to switch over would the cost come down?

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Price would definitely come down but I doubt to the point where lead products and equipment are.

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The group estimates 10 million to 20 million birds and other animals die each year from lead poisoning in the United States.

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Fine, let’s ban cats too then since they kill far more birds and small animals than that each year in WI alone.

Seems to me that there are not enough studies or such to support the claims they have ….

Give me some solid proof and I’ll be the first one to sign up……

Besides…I would really like to see what fish or bird that could(or would want too) swallow my 6oz sinker @ 30ft+…

Wholesale prices Lead 97 cents per pound
Tin/Bismuth 9 dollars per pound
Just like gas when demand increase price goes down.

I agree that we all need to be diligent and make sure we let our representatives know how we feel. If we don’t this kind of thing will eventually pass. It sucks that we have to go through this pretty much every year for the last 10 years, but it’s a small price to pay to be able to do what we love.

My sense of a tackle ban is based on participating in a series of Stakeholders meetings with Senator Prettner Solon some years ago. If we are going to be concerned with lead, the smaller jigs and split shot are more apt to be digested by waterfowl. Dying from lead poisoning is not a pretty sight, the birds digestive track becomes paralyzed and they actually die of starvation. Fortunately many companies like Water Gremlin are offering a environmentally friendly splitshot but at a greater cost. Many new jigs are available that are lead free and they actually fish better, due to their compacted size, they make for a more concise presentation. Bismuth is another good lead substitute but it has problems with its durability.

My sense of how to proceed is to convince anglers like ourselves to voluntarily transition to lead free tackle, especially the smaller stuff. The fear is that if we have a ban, we will see guys melting down lead tire weights rather then spend the few extra bucks.

I’m collecting the lead as we speak. It’s for other reasons, but I’m looking into jig and sinker molds if this would happen.

Can you imagine enforcement on a all out lead ban?? SUPER!! I’d certainly look forward to the magic wand going through all of our tackle like lead searches in shotgun shells. Simply nonsense,and “Bird Huggers” need to step off into the deep end on this isssue. We had some scuttle about this a couple years ago here in the National Park presumably initiated on a federal level in which areas like a National park might be the first to be effected. It was quickly swept under the rug after issue started to get circulated around town, but there is little question this was discussed in earnest. IF this were to become reality I truly believe this would create a war with fisherman. sinkers, jigs, leadcore, weighted bobbers, dumby markers, decoy anchors, bottom walkers, blade baits, and numerous weighted minnow baits would need to be destroyed or bought back in some short term government program. If so…….My H20 Jigs are worth about $5.00 a piece Dead Feds!! I highly suspect the buy back theory would be simply ludicrious, and likely not even offered. Probably something we want to make a big stand against. Likely something that isn’t far from reality. Need to take a stand here boys. rifle cartridges will be next in line.

There are few people that take a conservation minded approach to most fish and game like myself, but this would simply be ridiculous. Anyone care to conduct a study on the amount of fish a Loon or cormorant consumes on a DAILY BASIS and the effect that has on a fishery?????? Or as James mentioned House Cats killing birds?? Maybe migrating birds eating fish should be banned from our waters for DIRECTLY killing fish with no regard to limits. Maybe grandma should hand over “Mittens” for her killing rampage each night on rabbits and birds. I suspect the death by Loon Sword is also likey (NOT A PLEASANT DEATH). That isn’t a theory, but bloody hardcore evidence on the front porch each morning. Lets put the feds on that issue while they have so much time on their hands. Show me a politician that supports it, and I’ll show you one that will thrust himself/herself into yet another big battle against most sportsman along with the fishing industry.

Back when they banned lead shot on waterfowl that too was to reduce lead poisoning. How many ducks/geese do you suppose were wounded and left crippled simply due to the inefficiency of the killing impact of steel?? I suppose the study stopped with the ban huh?? Sure some will purchase $3.00 shells, but many won’t becuase the dramatic increase in the sport reduces the participants.

Banning lead is flat out ridiculous. How much do you suppose a 40lb Tungsten anchor will cost?? $2500.00?? Oh I’m sure there is no chance the lead isn’t fragmented off a heavy anchor being scraped amongst the rocks.

For the record how about everyon that is agaist this get on the horn, and follow the link on the above post to voice your concern. After you have taken the 5 minutes to stand up for yourself post that here on this thread.

Rainydaze has spoken his piece AND filled out the form to be circulated from those who want to know!!

“On August 27, the EPA denied the petition regarding ammunition, but let stand the petition to ban lead in fishing tackle and has opened a short period for taking public comment.”

This makes no snese at all! If you do any upland or turkey hunting at all, you will most likely leave more lead behind in one season (if you see any birds at all ) than even the most avid fisherman would leave in a decade or perhaps a lifetime! Granted, if you are fishing rock piles or heavy wood you are bound to lose a few jigs. But if I am correct in how I understand the numbers on the shot shells, you would need to lose 5 1/4oz jigs to equal the lead in just one shot gun shell (1 1/4oz) (I am not a ballistics expert and don’t claim to be knowledgeable about how shells are made. I just buy ’em and shoot ’em )Imagine how much lead is distributed in one night of a trap shooting league! It looks like the fishing industry and fishermen are being unfairly singeled out on this one!
I will be signing up!

Chris, you have an anchor made out of 40 pounds of lead? When was that made? During the Roman Empire? (LOL)

LOL!! Just making a point,actually mine is Stainless Steel.

I’d also like to add that one my theorize the barbed hook may cause an ugly scene with anything that would suck that lead headed jig off the bottom as well. Course maybe they are quick to spit the hook, and only suck the lead????

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Fine, let’s ban cats too then since they kill far more birds and small animals than that each year in WI alone.

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Maybe the people who conducted the study should find out how many cats are dying from lead poisoning due to consuming birds who have consumed lead.