Choose Lead Free - There are many quality & high performing Lead-free alternatives for anglers today.

Summary courtesy of the Audubon Society:

● Environmentally safe

● Higher sound-producing qualities to call in those fish and up your catch

● Non Toxic materials such as steel, brass, and bismuth are harder than lead and less likely to get hung up on rocks

● Along with lead, fishing tackle containing zinc, nickel, & galvanized steel is also not recommended because all four metals are toxic to wildlife

Currently the best alternatives are sinkers and jig heads made from tungsten, bismuth, ceramic, stainless steel, brass, and tin. 

Along with lead, it is also recommended NOT to use zinc, nickel, and galvanized steel - all four of these metals are toxic when ingested.

These non-toxic options work just as well as lead and won’t poison wildlife or pollute our lakes

 ● Outperforms lead in numerous ways

● Most widely used lead substitute

● Non-toxic metal

● Denser, harder, and more sensitive than lead, helps anglers interpret changes in the bottom and better detect bites

● Components are smaller and more compact than lead tackle of identical weight

● Attractive for anglers who finesse fish, ice fish, or use small jigs for panfish

● The heavy weight can help punch through vegetation better than bass fishing

● Tungsten is easier to see on Fish Finders than traditional lead-based tackle

● Costlier than lead

● Typically require alloying with secondary metals and a much higher temperature to pour, making the manufacturing process more challenging..

• Non toxic, similar in weight to lead. 
• Less expensive than Tungsten
• Relatively low melting temperature – easier to melt down and make various tackle items
• 20% less dense than lead so tackle will be larger than lead counterparts - lighter lures have a more natural appearance and presentation
• Malleable and good for casting small weights. 

• Natural and environmentally safe. 
• Less commonly used but suitable for specific techniques. 

•  Durable, affordable, widely available. 
• Used for decades, mostly for metallic rattles
• Used for heavy spoons for both jigging and trolling – sinkers and jigs can also be found made with these metals
• ● Sounds produced by these metals when contacting the bottom is different from the noise lead makes and can be an effective attractant for fish
•  Brass and glass is a great combo for making noise by putting a glass or plastic bead between a swivel and a sinker