First I don't want this thread to turn into an environmental debate or just telling everyone to suck it up and shell out the dough for tungsten.
Seeing that some states are banning some or all lead, are started to try and figure out what would happen here. Looking at the most common replacement, tungsten, I quickly determined for most of my fishing, snaggy rivers where you lose a lot of jigs over the year, tungsten at say a minimum of about a buck a jig would get pricey quick. Folks that walleye fish rivers like the Mississippi could go through a ton of jigs in one trip. Being one with a modest fishing budget, I would definately have to change how I fish rivers if this ever went through with tungsten as the only mainstream alternative.
This is got me to thinking about the bigger picture of our hobby, all the kids, and adults, that may not be as fortunate as us in life that may become priced out and don't take up fishing as a pastime if this ban took place. I would like to figure out how we could get companies to make stuff like weights, ball head jigs, shakey heads, bass jigs, spinner baits, and many others in cheaper non
Lead materials. Eagle claw has started selling steel sinkers at Walmart and I have picked some up to try. While not as cheap as lead, they are still pretty reasonable.
I sent an email out without a response and then figured that might not be the best way, as I am sure they get emails complaining about the use of lead. Any ideas? I think the time might be right and if some major companies got behind this and marketed it heavily, they may be able to make this work. Or maybe I am wrong and everyone will stick with lead until they are told they can no longer use it. I know I would have a difficult time giving up my slider jigs, but they would be legal some places due to the size of the hook.
Cheers
cgolf