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Old 08-02-2007, 12:29 PM   #4 (permalink)
Perkons
Junior Fisherman
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Smile Lead Free Fishing Sinkers to Make at Home

I'm the one who came up with the sandsinkers. First of all, the URL for the sinker instructions is:

FISHING SINKERS WITHOUT LEAD - SANDSINKERS

For a long time I've been unhappy about how many sinkers I lose when I go fishing from the local jetties here in New Jersey. Also I don't like handling
lead and, being a mom, I get upset when I see kids handling lead sinkers and eating potato chips at the same time.

First I wanted to use rocks but I found that I couldn't get them attached to the line. Then I tried wrapping the rocks in fabric which kind of worked but it's difficult to find rocks of the shape that I wanted.

Soooo... what could go in the fabric other than rocks that would be entirely environmentally friendly? Sand, of course.

I've been experimenting with various shapes and sizes and so far the best ones have been about 7" long and 1" wide for casting far with a heavy line.

I have a bit of arthritis in my shoulder and can't do a l lot of casting with heavy weights, especially in the surf.

Because the ratio of size to weight is not as good as with lead, it's necessary to have a larger weight to get the same distance when casting. Also, the casting stroke is different because the acceleration is slower.

A lead weight goes "zero to 60" almost instantaniously but a sandsinker takes half a second longer. It only takes a few experimental casts to get this right but after that it's fine.

I'm so glad that people are getting into this sandsinker idea.

Some folks have suggested that I patent this but the purpose of a patent is to keep other people from using the idea and I want everyone who finds it useful to make sandsinkers.

Perkons
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