James RickardEco Weights are environmentally friendly
July 15th 2008 00:25
If an American writes about an Australian company, does that mean he’s a shameless whore?
I’ll let you know!
I’ll let you know!
As the health hazards of lead become known, developed countries have removed it from most products. Despite this, the fishing industry has yet to find a suitable replacement for lead other than substitutes like tungsten, bismuth and brass.
South Bend's Eco Weights, manufactured by an Australian company, may be a solution to the problem. South Bend is now offering worm-, egg- and bell-shaped sinkers made from highly pressurized iron oxide.
Purists may not like the split look of the Eco Weight. Try as I might, I culd NOT get it to break! On the right is the usual lead sinker.
Happily, Eco Weights pass the strictest test in the U.S. — California's Proposition 65, the no-lead law. As a result, Eco Weights aren't required to carry a warning label like most fishing tackle found in the U.S.
Before you run out to save the environment, I will say that Eco Weights are priced "slightly higher" than lead weights. Despite this, I didn’t see that much of a difference at the store I was shopping. I don’t know if this was a mistake by the store or the way things are but, I decided to strike while the iron was hot.
Also on the down side, I’d better point out that there is presently no split shot equivalent in Eco Weights but a solution to that problem is being worked on. As the horrors of lead exposure are discovered, there will be no retreat from lead bans throughout the world. It's this emphasis on "green" that has investors willing to dig deep in their wallets and I feel certain that the split shot problem will become a thing of the past.
Before you run out to save the environment, I will say that Eco Weights are priced "slightly higher" than lead weights. Despite this, I didn’t see that much of a difference at the store I was shopping. I don’t know if this was a mistake by the store or the way things are but, I decided to strike while the iron was hot.
Also on the down side, I’d better point out that there is presently no split shot equivalent in Eco Weights but a solution to that problem is being worked on. As the horrors of lead exposure are discovered, there will be no retreat from lead bans throughout the world. It's this emphasis on "green" that has investors willing to dig deep in their wallets and I feel certain that the split shot problem will become a thing of the past.
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
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Comment by D. Armenta
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Bravo for the eco-weights..have you tried splitting them with a cold chisel? How pliable are they?
I saw another cool innovation down here in the Fla. Keys a few years back: golf balls that degrade into fish food. Glad to see the industry is paying attention to the state of ecology.
Comment by Louie
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Comment by James Rickard
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Comment by James Rickard
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In answer to your question--they're not very pliable at all. You know how you can crease lead with your thumb nail? You can't do that with Eco Weights. Their hardness lies somewhere between lead and stainless steel.
A cold chisel is about all I DIDN'T try! I tried my hands and then a knife blade and then a screwdriver!
JUst for the record, I remember the sinkers in the pic were .4 oz. lead and .3 for Eco Weights. I was only using a postal scale and it didn't carry the numbers into hundredths!
Comment by tlcorbin
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You're right about them being late BUT I think they may have it right. Tungsten weights are super expensive, tin weights are just too light, and everything else gets pretty big and clunky. Eco Weights have a pretty goo size/weight ratio. If they would just get it together on split shot. I THINK (totally my idea) the big problem right now, if the other weights are any indication, is that they need the pliability that lead offers but compressed iron is too brittle to equal that.
Comment by Fobzy
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But I'm going to take my sons, when they come along. Perhaps they'll teach ME a thing or two.
Watching my line, in several directions.
Comment by James Rickard
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I'm getting greener as time wears on. Between this blog and Dr. Hal Schram on Versus, I can't escape it. Like the Dr. says, "What's good for the environment is good for fishing."
Comment by katyzzz
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Still lookin' (fishin' ) for that man to take me, well, them's the breaks.
Comment by James Rickard
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I thought multi-tasking was a female thing!
Comment by katyzzz
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But have you done a post on getting the fish off the hook, (note: not letting, getting)
I know you men are very good at letting yourselves off the hook.
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Comment by Green Tackle
There's also a biodegradable fishing line called Bioline. By using, for example, Bioline fishing line, Eco Weights, and biodegradable bait such as FoodSource or Gulp!... you can have a completely biodegradable, environmentally friendly rig!