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Author Topic: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?  (Read 6011 times)

Long_Cast

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Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« on: March 20, 2017, 10:59:52 AM »

It seems like almost every metal lure, snap swivel, reel out in the market contains lead.

There are some lures such as the Buzz Bomb and Zzinger are made purely of lead!

Is it because the fishing industry believes fishermen are uneducated and lead is actually safe to handle?

I would pay more for lead free products and I think a lot of other fishermen would too.



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typhoon

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2017, 11:16:19 AM »

Lead is cheap. Don't chew on your lures.
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Walleye76

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2017, 02:51:16 PM »

There are tungsten and other non lead alternatives in virtually all fishing products that contain or are made completely of lead but come at a premium so I am assuming they just dont sell as well so the industry never switched over completely from lead.
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Fish or cut bait.

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2017, 03:17:03 PM »

$$$ cost  ease.
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Stratocaster

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2017, 03:52:00 PM »

Partly why I'm fly fishing more now ( I don't use shot or lead core on my fly lines)
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Dogbreath

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2017, 05:58:09 PM »

Lead is cheap. Don't chew on your lures.
^ this
Partly why I'm fly fishing more now ( I don't use shot or lead core on my fly lines)
Oh well La Di Dah!
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clarki

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2017, 09:25:14 PM »

When I was a young lad and my .177 calibre air rifle was my constant companion, I would keep a handful of lead pellets in my mouth while shooting so I could reload faster.

That was 35 years ago. How long does lead poisoning take? :D
« Last Edit: March 21, 2017, 12:07:03 AM by clarki »
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chironomidking

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2017, 08:16:00 AM »

Lead uptake can occur via inhalation and ingestion exposure, while dermal absorption is minimal. However, dermal exposure is still important as it can contribute to ingestion exposure due to transfer from the skin to the mouth via the fingers.

KEEP YOUR FINGERS OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.  Smokers have a higher potential of dermal transfer.

Education and good hygiene habits are important.
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4TheKids

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2017, 07:42:03 PM »

When I was a young lad and my .177 calibre air rifle was my constant companion, I would keep a handful of lead pellets in my mouth while shooting so I could reload faster.

That was 35 years ago. How long does lead poisoning take? :D

Give this a google "does lead effect intelligence"
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Taboo

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2017, 09:18:06 PM »

Give this a google "does lead effect intelligence"

My Dad used to make all our own lead weights when we were kids...he's 77 and can't remember sh*t... ;)

« Last Edit: March 21, 2017, 09:20:42 PM by Taboo »
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clarki

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2017, 11:33:46 PM »

Give this a google "does lead effect intelligence"
Hmmm....while lead does indeed appear to AFFECT my intelligence, it appears to also have the positive side effect of a superior vocabulary. Go figure :)

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firstlight

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2017, 11:41:59 PM »

Clarki that's too funny.
Mine was a .22 caliber pellet though.
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sbc hris

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #12 on: March 22, 2017, 11:31:04 AM »

My Dad used to (and likely still does) pinch his lead shot onto his line with his teeth  :o
I did it myself for many years until I was old enough to realize that it was a very bad idea. I've swallowed more than a few little bits of lead in my early fishing days  :o  :o
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DionJL

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2017, 12:30:52 PM »

Why is lead used?
Cost, density, ductility, and melting temperature. Basically in that order.
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obie1fish

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Re: Why is lead used for so many fishing products?
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2017, 01:47:04 PM »

Side note: Buzz Bombs are made from lead alloy, which is why they aren't malleable (bendable). I'm not sure if contact with the alloy would transfer enough lead, or if leaching would be of harmful consequences in any of the waters where they are fished.

Another side note: some paints still contain lead to give them a brighter colour. Not sure if that's what's used in buzz bombs or any other lure paints.
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