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As an EU-wide ban on the manufacture and sale of lead in fishing tackle moves closer – albeit at an almost excruciatingly slow pace – one of Europe’s top carp fishing brands has unveiled its first-ever line up of non-toxic alternatives.
UK-based RidgeMonkey has introduced Zead, the first in a line-up of zinc weights in readiness for the new season. Loz East, the company’s Marketing Manager, has told Angling International: “A ban on lead in fishing tackle is imminent because of its harm to the environment. The Zead range is eco-friendly, environmentally-stable and performs identically to conventional leads on the market.
“Zinc was chosen following extensive research and testing during which it proved to be the least toxic and most environmentally responsible option. Given the potential impact on the angling industry, it was essential that we selected the most suitable material. Initially, we trialled iron, however we found that the coating was compromised as the metal rusted rapidly.
“This not only defeated the intended purpose but also risked more harm to the environment. In contrast, when it is exposed to the water, zinc naturally oxidises and forms a protective layer, helping preserve the integrity of the product and minimising environment impact. Although zinc is slightly less dense – resulting in a marginally larger profile – we found Zead to be equally aerodynamic with no noticeable difference in casting or overall performance.”
Zead currently comes in four shapes: Square Pear, Distance, Flat Pear and Gripper. “Further down the line there will be more patterns and shapes,” said East. “We have a number of exciting developments planned and work is already underway on the next phase that will include an online version alongside further innovations within what will be a growing lead-free product offering.”
The message is clear – lead is dead
Simon Pomeroy – owner of environmentally-friendly fishing weights supplier Pallatrax and a long-time campaigner for the abolition of lead products in fishing – has welcomed the move by RidgeMonkey to go non-toxic. “Lead is dead,” he says.
Says Pomeroy: “For over 20 years, I have campaigned for a non-toxic, lead-free angling industry. For much of that time, I’ve been treated as a pariah. Pushing a commonsense narrative to protect the delicate environments we fish in alongside human health considerations often felt like a lonely, uphill battle. However, as we see proactive legislation sweeping across the European Union, that single-handed fight finally feels worth it. The momentum is shifting, and the message is clear: lead is dead.
“In the UK, we have just witnessed a massive leap forward. RidgeMonkey, arguably one of the most influential carp brands in the country, has taken the definitive stand to go non-toxic. When a brand of this stature makes such a bold move, it sends a shockwave through the market. The term ‘non-toxic’ itself provides the only clue we should need – lead is highly toxic, plain and simple. Any brand that fails to follow RidgeMonkey’s example now risks not just criticism, but justifiable vilification.
“It is frankly staggering that despite a mountain of evidence, many of the UK’s major brands and governing bodies – including the Environment Agency, the Angling Trust and the Angling Trades Association – have remained dismissive. As anglers, and as an industry, we claim to be the guardians of our waters. We are the first line of defence for our sport, yet by ignoring the facts, we are jeopardising its very future. We don’t need more platitudes; we need action. RidgeMonkey has stepped up to the plate, putting the environment ahead of profit margins and ease of manufacture. Now, the rest of the industry must do the same.
“What many critics fail to acknowledge is that the legislative landscape has changed because the science has changed. The drive to remove lead isn’t just about water and substrate quality; it’s about the proven health risks associated with home-smelting, particularly to children. While this will inevitably impact the ‘cottage industry’ of home-poured weights, it also clears the path for genuine innovation.
‘A fishing weight is a tool – a means to cast a rig and hold position. It is absurd that for decades, our ‘go-to’ material has been a known highly poisonous toxin. Anglers and fishery owners are finally fighting back, demanding better from the trade. The UK industry can no longer lag behind its European counterparts. It is time to wake up, do the right thing, and leave lead in the past.
‘Last, but by no means least, and what is a real game changer, is that fishing venues are now being educated to the ills of lead, especially lead lost into the substrate where so many fragile life forms live and breed. Nothing can live on lead due to its toxicity and fisheries are rightly concerned of the damage being caused to the food sources that are the foundations of healthy waterways. My belief, alongside legislation, is that we will now also see fisheries being far more proactive and insisting only non-toxic options are used.”
