Info for Massachusetts fisherfolk

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

Although I knew it was too early for much action from the banks of the local lakes here in western MA, I hit the banks of Onota Lake in mid April and bumped into an environmental officer. After he checked my license, we had a discussion about lead and tungsten sinkers and jigs which are illegal here if they are under one ounce.  I had noticed that the law seems to refer strictly to jigs and sinkers. I was curious so I asked about spinnerbaits and his response was that the officers probably won't say any thing about most painted lures because they are most concerned about the wildlife ingesting sinkers. In fact, he told me he had recently found a dying loon and an autopsy with associated tests found a large quantity of sinkers in it's belly and lead levels in it's blood that were many times the lethal level.

 

A couple of thoughts:

 

First, I am impressed that the state takes the lead problem seriously and actually does the research to justify it's position and resultant laws.

 

Second, I went through my terminal tackle and discovered I had missed several lead weights among my various steel and tungsten weights.  Now I keep a cheap refrigerator magnet handy to check. If a weight sticks to the magnet, I use it; if it doesn't I get rid of it.  Simple and effective and works with painted stuff too. I also decided to locate sellers of tungsten jigs and weights. I'm not thrilled with the cost of tungsten, but better than a citation because I'm using lead.

 

i don't know if this helps anyone - just thought I'd pass it along.

[cadman]

All jigs can be made out of bismuth which is non-lead and a substitute for lead jigs. Although bismuth is not cheap, it is still cheaper than tungsten. Just some more info for guys in Massachusetts.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

CADMAN:  Good point. I also found tin jigs at Dick's Sporting Goods here in Pittsfield. Have not done my magnet check on tin or bismuth. I didn't know there were bismuth jigs. I learn stuff every day. Wonder if I'll ever reach a point where I actually know what I'm doing! Are there laws there in Illinois regarding lead sinkers?

[MassYak85]

I made the switch this year to tungsten too. The law specifically excludes spinnerbaits and buzzbaits from the ban by the way. 

 

Where it gets interesting is it excludes weighted flies...now you tell me what the difference between a weighted fly and a jig (a weighted hook) is. Especially larger flies that begin to mimic baitfish and are essentially no different than a micro swimjig. And also since it excludes spinnerbaits...the only thing that differentiates a spinnerbait from a jig is the wire arm. Can we then not include chatterbaits, which merely have a shorter arm and different blade type? And if those are excluded why then not underspins, which are basically spinnerbaits with a much shorter arm. And if underspins are fine...what about a 3/4 swimjig with a blade split ringed onto it? Is the loon not going to eat it simply because of a tiny willow leaf blade? 

 

All I'm saying is the law needs to be better written or clarified. There's way too much grey area. I get the sinker part, and I think that's where the root of the problem lies for the Loons. But I highly doubt a Loon is able to accidentally ingest a 3/4 oz bass jig. 

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

MASSYAK85: I concur. The environmental officer happened to mention the specific case of a loon but I imagine that any number of waterfowl could be affected and I certainly agree that the law could be clarified, maybe with some kind of "black list" identifying lure types. On the other hand I must admit I am grateful the law doesn't make some blanket statement outlawing any lure incorporating lead components. Seems to me that if they did, we'd be in deep doo-doo until lure manufacturers decided there was enough profit in making alternative products. Several are making various jig types which is a good start, I guess. I wonder how many states have similar laws.  For now, I guess all we can do is eliminate the sinkers and jigs we know are illegal.

 

By the way, my bro-in-law is an avid fly fisherman, but hasn't tied any bugs using lead.  I gotta admit I admire anyone who can cast with a fly rod. I tried a few times, but it got too expensive when my "crack-the-whip" casts launched my flies into orbit, never to be seen again. If you fish for bass with a fly rod, my hat is off to you!

[CavScoutA21]

I agree the law is d**n confusing when it comes to trying to figure out what is legal and what is illegal.  Mass Wildlife is holding a free fishing day here in Brookline on Sunday and I was planning on checking in with the officers to see if I can get some clarification on what baits with blades (ie chatterbaits, underspins, etc) are legal/not legal under this law.

 

I will follow up on here after I talk with them.

 

I do like the kitchen magnet idea Grumpy!

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

CavScoutA21:

 

I would really like to hear hear what you learn! It's a long drive to Brookline from out here in the cheap seats. And it would probably be the only time I go there so I'd have to set up an EZ-Pass ... Sheesh!

[Fishing Rhino]

I have one question for you Grumpy.  Do you pronounce your last name far tay?

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

RHINO: Only in polite company ... or mebbe if I ever fish for bass in France!

[Scott F]

16 hours ago, GrumpyOlPhartte said:

Are there laws there in Illinois regarding lead sinkers?

 

There was some proposed legislation. Our group had a sit down with the woman who was sponsoring the bill. She wanted to protect the loons in Illinois. We had to tell here there are no resident loons in Illinois. She backed down on the bill and instead decided to focus on education concerning the dangers of lead in the environment.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

Scot F: To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen a loon! Lots of other wading birds and I did have a guard duck escort me back and forth while I loaded my kayak for one trip! Thought I was gonna trip over it and break my neck.  Learned to carry a Baggie of Cheerios to use as a distraction. But thanks for the info. 

[MassYak85]

6 hours ago, GrumpyOlPhartte said:

Scot F: To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen a loon! Lots of other wading birds and I did have a guard duck escort me back and forth while I loaded my kayak for one trip! Thought I was gonna trip over it and break my neck.  Learned to carry a Baggie of Cheerios to use as a distraction. But thanks for the info. 

I remember hearing once, and this might be incorrect, that there are less than 100 native loons in mass. I can't remember ever seeing one either. I've seen and heard plenty up in new hampshire though. 

[Fishing Rhino]

Only in polite company?  That let's me out.

 

Reminds me of the story of a fellow who visited the United States.  Upon his return home, he told his friends that the US has some strange customs.

 

When someone sneezes, others say "God bless you."  If someone burps, they say "Excuse Me."  When someone fartays, everyone laughs.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

FISHING RHINO: Ah, you poor member of the great, unwashed masses. First, we with class (albeit low class) refer to said function as an extemporaneous, gaseous, anal expulsion. Second, we don't laugh; we roll on the floor howling while we figure out how to blame it on someone else! (Man, has this thread deteriorated!) I'll be good now!

MassYak85: I'll take your word for it. Having never seen a loon, I wouldn't know the difference between a native loon and an immigrant loon. Did we build a wall to keep them out?  

 

Seriously, a quick question:

 

I also fish fish from a kayak. Poverty, space, and weight considerations caused me to get a little Old Town Trip 10 DLX which I have been modding over the past year. What are you driving?

[deaknh03]

Do loons like the taste of lead better than tin or tungsten?

[MassYak85]

4 hours ago, GrumpyOlPhartte said:

First, we with class (albeit low class) refer to said function as an extemporaneous, gaseous, anal expulsion.

LOL

[Fishing Rhino]

When I was a kid, far tays were also known as drifters, SBDs were the ultimate, silent, but deadly.

[Deeare]

On 5/4/2017 at 9:55 PM, GrumpyOlPhartte said:

In fact, he told me he had recently found a dying loon and an autopsy with associated tests found a large quantity of sinkers in it's belly and lead levels in it's blood that were many times the lethal level.

 

 

 I think the issue is the hooks.   I know a few rangers who laugh at the lead ban.  If a loon has a weight in its stomach so is the hook.   Either way I use tungsten.  

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

Deeare:  You make a lot of sense.  I agree completely. Was merely relaying what the officer said to me. Don't tell the politicos in Boston about the fish hook issue - if they ban fish hooks we are well and properly screwed!  In any case we as fisherfolk can comply and I like to believe it helps. Hmmm. Biodegradable fish hooks? Hey, ya never know. At least I'm thinking the hooks eventually rust; lead doesn't.

[KenP]

I took my metal detector crazy cousin with me to the wachusett res last year. He found at least a pound of old lead sinkers in the first 6" of the ground just walking the shoreline out on greenhalge point. 

I found a dead loon last year on the chu. Didnt think much of it but after catching a nice rainbow trout this spring and seeing it was living with someones junk line wrapped around it I assume the loon found someones broken off bait. 

Theres a ton of junk in the water more then we want to know. I **** you not I hooked a lead spinnerbait on my small swimbait. I have the clip in a video I posted https://youtu.be/hVgElllMGYk

 

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

KenP: out here in the cheap seats, I believe there are a disproportionate number of folks that just don't think. I realize that sometimes lines break and we can't do much, but I am amazed at the numbers of line tangles that people apparently cut off and discard at the fishing site. But, from my personal observations, it doesn't appear to be bass fishermen. Most of the stuff is really cheap, light line.  (Some even comes with bobbers!) Gives me hope for the sport!  I've finally started taking a plastic bag to carry out some of the litter. I should have been doing it much sooner. I'm wondering how much harm is done by the cast-off line.