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[Blood_Orange]

I want to phase out lead split shot from my tackle box. Looking online, non-lead split shot seems easy enough to find but the packaging I've seen from several brands advertises a non-toxic blend of "not lead", rather than a specific material like tungsten or tin. This vagueness leads me to wonder:

Are there big differences between brands? Anything I should look for (or look to avoid) on the package? Should I look for brands that advertise being made of a specific material? Any advice on what material works well?

I want weights that can be crimped, removed, and reused. I don't care about shininess of the material, or cost of the weights (within reason). Also, something that I can buy locally is preferred, to avoid Amazon. Thanks!

[RalphH]

 few years ago I looked for it locally. At one well known shop in Richmond I was told there little demand for it so it was not carried. Trying for non-lead wire for weighting flies i couldn't find that either.

[SuperBobby]

A little bit of lead in the river from a few snags here and there are the least of our problems. I personally wouldn't lose any sleep over having to use lead weights.
The demise of our rivers and streams in relationship to a few lead weights left behind is probably less that 0.01% responsible.
I can think of at least a dozen major catastrophic contributors to the devastating loss of our natural salmon and trout streams....and none of them have anything to do with the type of weight attached to my fishing line.

[Blood_Orange]

A little bit of lead in the river from a few snags here and there are the least of our problems. I personally wouldn't lose any sleep over having to use lead weights.
The demise of our rivers and streams in relationship to a few lead weights left behind is probably less that 0.01% responsible.
I can think of at least a dozen major catastrophic contributors to the devastating loss of our natural salmon and trout streams....and none of them have anything to do with the type of weight attached to my fishing line.

Bobby, you don't know my motivations but sure speak as though you do

Thanks for the info, Ralph! Doesn't surprise me there's not much market for it. Canadian Tire has one brand listed online, may just have to go check it out myself in store.

[Rodney]

So I've been exploring a couple of different options to replace lead for float fishing.

These VMC tungsten sliding weights have been good. I use the smaller ones for float fishing in lakes, as well as sliding weights for fishing near the bottom.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Tungsten_Slider_Weights/descpage-VMCTSW.html

Next month, I'm going to start trying out these stainless steel in-line weights.

https://davestanglefree.com/shop/ols/products/10-count-in-line-weights

They should be good. It'd cut down the amount of terminal tackle on my main line (just this instead of a sliding weight, bead, and swivel). The only problem is they don't have weights bigger than 1/2oz available right now. I'd need 3/4oz for my 20g DNE floats.

[someone]

I was looking for some non-lead weights too and got one from canadian tire (sinkers), it does rust but I dont mind that.

[RalphH]

I think most people are aware that lead can be toxic & that the big concern was the death of water fowl that ingested lead birdshot as gizzard stones. Most legislated bans targeted that problem. Personally I have little reason to worry about it as I use it very little. These days most flies are weighted with beads or eyes made from brass or tungsten.Copper is a good substitute at least in smaller diameters. I seldom drift fish and most spinning lures are heavy enough to cast 100 to 150 feet particularly with modern super braids.I am also old enough when it was still common for people to use large steel nuts & spark plugs for weight! FWIW brass, copper and steel are about the same density & pretty close to lead. Tungsten is heavier but pricey. 

As I recall in some previous on line discussion some folks with the knowledge of such stuff pointed out that corroded lead weights, those that have a white powdery surface, may be dangerous to those that handle them as the lead in the salt is more easily ingested than lead in it's pure form. Otherwise lead isn't too much of problem to handle or if lost in the water or stream side except if one is a goose!

[RalphH]

So I've been exploring a couple of different options to replace lead for float fishing.

These VMC tungsten sliding weights have been good. I use the smaller ones for float fishing in lakes, as well as sliding weights for fishing near the bottom.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Tungsten_Slider_Weights/descpage-VMCTSW.html

Next month, I'm going to start trying out these stainless steel in-line weights.

https://davestanglefree.com/shop/ols/products/10-count-in-line-weights

They should be good. It'd cut down the amount of terminal tackle on my main line (just this instead of a sliding weight, bead, and swivel). The only problem is they don't have weights bigger than 1/2oz available right now. I'd need 3/4oz for my 20g DNE floats.

you will do a review of both? I noticed the Dave's Tangle Free says USA only.

[Blood_Orange]

Thank you for all the replies. Those in-line weights look pretty sweet. Did you get them in town, Rod?

Might start with the Canadian Tire ones and go from there.

Ralph, there's a Youtuber who goes by Aquachigger who does river diving and relic hunting. He often finds old spark plugs and other jury-rigged fishing weights while metal detecting underwater looking for civil war bullets. He's worth checking out if you have the time!

[RalphH]

Ralph, there's a Youtuber who goes by Aquachigger who does river diving and relic hunting. He often finds old spark plugs and other jury-rigged fishing weights while metal detecting underwater looking for civil war bullets. He's worth checking out if you have the time!

Oh ok, sounds very interesting!

FWIW of the local tackle dealers I have checked, cabelas lists a good selection of non-lead weight alternatives on line including egg and worm weights. No split shot though...

https://www.cabelas.ca/category/weights/692?pagenumber=1