Picking Up Lead Weights?

[blckshirt98]

Does anyone else that fishes from the shore have a weird habit of picking up lead weights they find along the shoreline?  I guess it gives me something to do if the fishing is slow, and also I like to think I'm helping the environment by getting rid of the lead.  I have a bucketful of lead at home and now wondering what to do with it.  Some of the lead weights can be re-used but others have had the tie loop rot away/detach and are no longer usable.  Can people that make their own weights at home use the scrap lead or is it too "dirty" and should I just toss it into the trash?

[Kevin22]

I pick up all that I see! and they get melted down into jigs. They can absolutely be melted down and reused. Don't toss them in the trash, being in cali I bet scrap lead goes for a pretty penny. 

[Cgolf]

I have no idea what the rate is, but I asked at the place I recycle my cans and they took lead too. I would guess that othe metal recyclers would also take lead.

[Gundog]

Sinkers, jigs, bullets and a bunch of other things can be made by melting down that lead. I pick up lead everywhere I see it. Tire weights on parking lots are good too. Outside the local Walmart by the tire shop door is where I get most of mine. 

[Bluebasser86]

I always save sinkers I find, especially larger ones. A big bank sinker can make me a few jigs each. 

[Bankbeater]

Always pick up weights when I see them, and a lot of other stuff too.

[Crestliner2008]

Trashing is definitely not the way to go! Take it to a metal scrap yard and I'm sure you'll get a decent return on your time investment.

[camman]

12 hours ago, Gundog said:

Sinkers, jigs, bullets and a bunch of other things can be made by melting down that lead. I pick up lead everywhere I see it. Tire weights on parking lots are good too. Outside the local Walmart by the tire shop door is where I get most of mine. 

My buddy does the same thing, he asks the tire shop people and they usually give him a couple pounds.  The only thing with  tire weights is that the lead is a little dirty

[Bluebasser86]

Most wheel weights aren't good lead anymore. They make decent sinkers, but if you're making anything that has small parts like collars or barbs, they're worthless. Plus, if you paint them and try to bake them at the same temps as good lead it will occasionally melt and slide around the hook on you. 

[Montana Maiden]

I periodically find a bucket of lead at shooting ranges. Best time is Spring after the snow melts. I make my own weights from recycling the old. I score brass I need for reloads as well.

[Avalonjohn44]

I pick up a ton of lead, reuse a lot of it. 

My pond has some joker that loves to just leave his torn up senkos and yamomoto cut tails, on the ground. I gather them all up and use mend-it on them. Has saved me a ton of money.