are you on drugs? Whats next after lead? And lead ammo has been banned for waterfowl for many years now. If we let these treehuggers get away with this we will eventually loose our right to fish all together because, some loon or duck got a hook caught in it. PETA has been trying to ban all fishing for many years along with hunting.
We don't need more laws telling what we can and can not do. Do you realize how many people will loose thier job in the tackle industry if this ban passes. If it does then only the rich will be able to fish because the average Joe won't be able to afford tungsten lures and weights. If your a true fisherman you will fight this ban in the way the fisherman are in my state.

Harry

I like tungsten a lot more than lead, but there's a big BUT in all this that has me worried. The guy I buy most of my lead jigs from has been looking into switching from lead, but the cost of required equipment capable of melting tungsten, and the problems in making proper alloys, and the availability of raw metals, and the big cost/sell jump involved has him thinking he won't be able to do that if lead is banned.

Tungsten melts at 3,410 °C, while lead requires only 327.5 °C (621.5 °F) . I'd say take a long hard look at it all before making sinkers for a living.

It looks to me like such a ban greatly favors large corporations with financing available for the changes, and assures us China, N. Korea, and other nations will have yet another way to sell us more of their contaminated sinker material.

Jim

Lead is a natural occuring element. I will understand the avoidance of using small lead splitshots, since I believe these are what the waterfowls are injesting. And PETA person basically fired me from my last job. Just for knowing that I like fishing.

Bob I belong to PETA People Eating Tastey Animals.

Actually it was lead alloy "Birdshot" which was banned for waterfowl hunting. Also, lead is very stable and like many metals form a protective barrier against breakdown. When ingested, like small shot, the stomach acids can be gradually dissolved and get into the system. I have read that there was a ban proposed in one northern state on certain sizes of sinkers because loons injest pebbles of that size.

All are good points. True tungsten weights work great but at a higher cost. DOES LEAD REALLY CAUSE PROBLEMS WHEN USED IN FISHING OR IS IT JUST AN EXAGGERATION. Like Harry said "Whats next after lead?" Give in on one thing and it helps the tree huggers cause and makes it easier for the next thing to ban. I am no expert on lead so i am not saying that either way whats best for the planet or our fisheries. the only thing I know for sure is that these groups such as PETA are hazardous to our passion for fishing and the outdoors.

Brian

It appears most lead warnings in fish consumption center around bottom feeding species downstream from certain types of mines and some industrial areas and dumps. So far the warnings merely recommend cutting back on monthly consumption. I have not been able to find some science proving lead tackle has contaminated fish in general.

What I am finding is PETA and their meatless cousin groups will use any remote possibility as ammunition against the fishing/hunting sports. What is very interesting is the fact some fisheries have bass confused over their sexuality, victims of human female hormones being flushed down millions of toilets. The stuff makes i through water treatment intact. Why don't the groups holler for a ban on such medicines that are obviously affecting wildlife?

Jim

Why do they have to ban lead?  It is really only a problem if some dope is dumping lead weights into the water.   There are some people that do that! 

unfortunatly these groups will jump all over any issue involving fishing or hunting no matter how small the threat and they have big time money backing them. thats why it is so important to always act responsibly when your out fishing and never assume that your rights to continue will always be there.
Brian

Also, its not just about the fish and birds, people suffer from the use of lead, too. Over years of fishing, people can develop major health problems from exposure to lead. This is even more serious with people who make their own lead lures, because then the lead gets into the air and into their lungs if the ventilation isn't good. I do like NewYork's idea that only lead sinkers 1/2 oz. or less should be banned, I think that that is the best of both worlds. This is good because people can still make their own lures bigger than 1/2 oz, and no bird is gonna eat a lead sinkermuch bigger than 1/2 oz. I'm no big tree hugger, but if we dont take care of our resources, they won't be there in the future.

y isent smoking elegal?? because if it was it would ruin the economy,but what about all the POLLUTION if smoking isent baned because of all the pollution it cause why should led tackle be banned

Apparently the threat is gone again

Even so, anyone handling lead producing tackle should wear protective devices. I am persuaded lead exposure and contamination has been dramatically reduced in the USA, but world-wide there's a huge problem beyond any fixing. Mining and distribution of lead couldn't be stopped world-wide, but at least here we have the problem somewhat contained.

Here' a reply I got back after submitting the NAFC petition at Click Here

"Dear Jim:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the production and use of lead shot and lead fishing sinkers.
Asyou may know, the American Bird Conservancy, Center for Biological Diversity, Association of Avian Veterinarians, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, and Project Gutpile recently submitted a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting that they take action under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) to prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and commerce of lead shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers. The EPA is required by law to review all petitions submitted under the TSCA and to respond to them in 90 days or less. The consideration of this petition is by no means an indication that the Agency or the Administration is considering banning lead shot or sinkers. Following its review, the EPA rejected the petition to prohibit lead shot and bullets on jurisdictional grounds. The regulation of lead sinkers does not encounter these jurisdictional issues and, as required by law, the review of this section of the petition is ongoing.
I appreciate hearing your concerns regarding a potential ban on lead fishing tackle. As a fisherman, I know that lead is often the most cost effective option for sinkers. Rest assured, I will monitor the EPA's review of the lead sinker petition, and I will remember your thoughts if a nation ban on the production and use of lead sinkers is considered in the Senate. Sen (AR) Blanche Lincoln" 9/27/2010

Do yourself a favor and and don't eat after touching lead weights without washing your hands.

Read a report this morning that the EPA has denied the pettition to ban lead in fishing tackle. If true, this is good news for all of us! Tom

Tom if you have the time go to wafish.com they have the full report posted on ther about the lead ban Good reading. Finely someone on our side.

Harry

Ya, after thinking about it for a while, I kinda think that a lead ban would be more harmful to fishing that keeping lead. I never really thought about the whole aspect of hobby tackle makers or the whole smoking point that ralphrox brought up, but now come to think of it I guess I've changed my mind about the whole issue. It really hit me hard when I saw on the fish and game regs in my state that starting in 2011 lead weights under 1/2 oz. will be banned. I guess it's different when it actually affects you.

With the threat of a ban no longer a problem a thought came to mind. If they were to outlaw lead, how would anyone ever enforce a ban? I'm sure that the mass producers could be regulated but I see no way of policing the hobbyists. Tom