Massachusetts Goes Lead Free Jan 1, 2012

[tate]

deleted

[bigbassctchr101]

Man, that would suck. I wonder if you can write the waist off on your taxes lol

Most wire baits are made with lead. They do make spinnerbaits and buzzbaits with "hidden weights" with the lead balanced evenly over the shank of the hook and the skirt hides it. It would be tougher to fish a 1ounce spinnerbait everywhere, but this would be a way you could get by with this. Same with jigs, buzzbaits, etc. Just bring your total weighted mass to above 1ounce of lead.

If the paint did make any difference it seems like everyone would just paint their lead so no rule would be broken, so it doesn't sound to me like you could get that lucky...but maybe.

Brass, tungsten, weighted condensed rubbers, have all been used as substitutes. I hope your tackle doesn't become wasted. Maybe a coating can be added to reduce any lead emissions?

[J Francho]

It's pretty clear:

(4) Prohibitions: Except as otherwise provided for in M.G.L. c. 131 and 321 CMR, it shall be unlawful:

(i) to use a lead sinker, lead weight, or lead jig in the inland waters of Massachusetts; provided that this prohibition shall be enforceable beginning January 1, 2012.

That sucks. Keitech makes nice tungsten jigheads. They will cost you though.

[Brandon K.]

I would contact someone. You may be able to use what you have and just not be able to buy anymore in the state. Maybe a dumb question but, are tournament directors going to enforce this?

[Hyrule Bass]

if you do any out-of-state fishing where lead is legal, then you could save your old lead tackle for then.

[Fishing Rhino]

Jackall wacky jig heads. They are made of tungsten. I switched to the Buckeye Flick It jig head because it works as well and is cheaper. Plus, it's football head.

The price difference is not huge, maybe a buck or two for a three pack. So for the stuff we've been using, they should work as well. For the Zoom Fat Alberts and the sluggos, all we'll need is a drop of super glue to keep it in place. I've used it for Flappin Hogs on the Jackall jig head and it holds just fine, maybe better than the barb. I've tried a few, and prefer the Loc Tite Super Glue, primarily for the dispenser, and the larger size compared to Crazy Glue and the others.

Ya, gotta do what ya gotta do.

[Crappiebasser]

Best thing to do is send all that lead to me. I promise to put it to good use

[BriBass]

Wow. Thats crazy, this could change the market big time.. once one state does it ... many will follow i would presume

[Big-O]

Hard to understand... One would think that 1oz would be banned before smaller, must be about water fowl IDEAS. I wonder if there is enough real science proof and firm results to determine this to be necessary or is it the HUGGERS running wild again?

What about the billions of lead wheel weights on our watershed roadsides... seems that the lead content from the bar ditch runnoff should be their target instead. I think they should spend their time and money walking our roadways to retrieve all of the thrown wheel weights that they've helped to litter our roads with!

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[grampa1114]

I just found hawnjigs@yahoo.com perhaps they would like to advertise here.

[OkobojiEagle]

I would first be looking to find convenient out of state fishing. Second, I would be determining which fishing techniques and baits I could fish without any lead... jerkbaits (both soft & hard), crankbaits, top-water baits, heavier salted plastics, plastics with inserted nails, tubes stuffed with larger ball bearings, ect. Third, I would find and support a local organization who is actively protesting the ban.

oe

[J Francho]

These bans are made law based purely on emotion about protecting loons. Once these guys start making presentations to lawmakers and the public, it's all but over: http://www.tufts.edu/vet/loons/

At least in NY, the ban is just one the sale of lead. Using lead is still allowed. A little shout out here for my friends in PA, heh.

[J Francho]

Here's the problem I have....so x number loons died of lead poisoning. Did x decrease after the lead bans? Never does. What's the point? And what percentage of the loon population are we talking about? I mean they found twenty something dead loons. How many loons are there?

People have an emotional link to loons, and the people behind the study link loon health to environmental health. They also sensationalize the lead tackle as dangerous. In it's inert state, it isn't.

[MMan16]

I wouldn't mind the banning of lead if it is proven to help the environment. The problem is there isn't a big selection of other non-lead options. If this ban catches on there could be a big change in the fishing world. I personally try to buy tungsten whenever possible (I like it better). My question on the ban is how does it get enforced? can you use lead that you already possess and just can't purchase it in the state? or banned all together? also is it only in the fishing tackle itself? and last how would you get caught? to the naked eye tungsten and lead look the same especially painted ones. should be interesting to see what comes of this. Were can you read on the banning and its specifics?

[River Rat316]

My thoughts on this are bird populations are higher right now than ever, lead is a natural mineral, all heavy metals have there environmental draw backs, yes even tungsten. If anything should be banned I think it would be like single sinkers under 1oz, if a loon eats a 3/4 FB jig, first off it deserves to die from being stupid, second off if it does die its not from the lead it is more than likely from the hook tearing the crap out of its stomach.

I would drop lead from my lineup in a second, if it was truly hurting the environment, I just think the "proof" is not there and this is more if a knee jerk reaction to passify a group of tree huggers who won't be happy until there is a ban on all fishing and hunting, and as always I am against giving that group an inch!

[The one that got away]

I'm finding it hard to believe a loon can get a 1/2 ounce spinnerbait down its throat. And if it did, I think it's going to die no matter what it's made of.

I've got no problem changing to non-lead on regular sinkers.

Does this law also prevent the sale of lead tackle in MA? I would guess no, under the assumption that an angler could be buying tackle to use out of state. Otherwise, I would assume the tackle industry would have lobbied against this bill. Like someone said earlier, it could really change things for the industry if other states follow suit.

[deaknh03]

I dont think Mass is the first state to ban lead. California comes to mind.

[Timmy Tom]

From what I was told. It applies to the use of lead sinkers and jigs. The law applies to jigheads 1 ounce and smaller. Spinnerbaits and other lures are not banned. Which I am still a little confused and I think many will be confused by the wording of the law. They should make a list of what not to use and types that are legal. But you can call the Mass. Game and Fish to make sure. Well the 2012 Massachusetts regulation book is not yet online. On page 56 there is the law and a picture of jigheads and sinkers that will be banned. I know all the jigs that are banned are not on this picture. But it should give you an idea of what basically will be banned.

TT

[deaknh03]

Washington, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine. All states that have banned the sale and or use of lead sinkers in some form or another. Now add Mass.

[matstone7]

Couple State Definitions:

Lead Jig means any lead-weighted hook which has a mass of less than one ounce.

Lead Sinker or Lead Weight means any sinker or weight made from lead and which has a mass of less than one ounce. The term lead sinker shall not include any other sinkers, weights, fishing lures or fishing tackle including, but not limited to, artificial lures, hooks, weighted flies, and lead-core or other weighted fishing lines.

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/cmr/cmr_400.htm

Sounds to me like anything less than 1oz is included...

[jig]

i dont plan on stopping using my lead jgs so i guess i am officially an outlaw

[jig]

didnt realise this thread was so old but its still bs

[iceintheveins]

It is not solid science, just the tree hugger, enviro marxists gone wild yet again. If I were you guys, I would gather enough signatures on a petition to put the measure to a vote. It would be better if you saved enough money to run an add countering the earth muffins.

[llPa1nll]

Well I was at the Outdoor Show at the DCU Center, just recently. I saw the booth there for the Mass Dept F&G. Here is a quote straight from the Mass F&G site.

What equipment can I use legally when freshwater fishing?

You may use lead sinkers and jigs weighing 1 oz or more. Other examples of hooks and lures which anglers may continue to use include artificial lures such as buzz baits, rooster tails, metals and spoons, spinners and spinner-baits, jerk or stick baits, swim baits, lead-core fishing line, and weighted flies.

I would say that the use of spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and lead jigs over 1oz are still allowed, anything smaller you are not allowed to use. The tackle shops are in fact still allowed to sell lead jigs and sinkers deemed to be illegal by this law. I feel that is a problem if you have an unknowing fisherman purchase lead at the local store and get fined for illegal lures, that doesnt sit to well with me personally. I hope this clears up some confusion.