How Fishing Relates to the Environment - Mono

By Ian

Just yesterday, I was fishing Centennial Park. I begun by casting a crayfish soft plastic lure near the rock pile at the end of the lake. Just as I was bouncing the bait along, the bait slowed in the water. It wasn't a bass when I reeled the lure in. It was tangle of used mono filament fishing line.

I have noticed, over the years, huge tangles of mono exist in any town lake. Usually a few rusted hooks, lead sinkers, and old soft plastic lures are in them. Clearly, they are a hazard. Mono doesn't degrade easily. Its  not biodegradable, and nearly invisible.  It stays in the water, possibly entangling birds and fishes. Animals can possibly ingest it. Since mono fishing lines and soft plastic baits are cheap, fisherman are quick to cut their lines, or they leave their used or damaged fishing line in the water. Out of sight, out of mind, right? I rarely see a fisherman with a lure retriever. It's common to collect $5 worth of equipment from a tangle of mono fishing line.

Put your used fishing line at collectors around Howard County Lakes. They are water tubes that you can coil out your line and put them in. Better yet, you can help make fishing sustainable and recycle the line by mailing it to Berkley Fishing. They will melt the line down into material for fishing lures, tackle boxes, spools, and other non fishing line materials as part of their conservation program. At least, you should take some of your damaged line home to dispose, or buy a lure retriever if you tangle your lures into weeds. Also, make sure your knots are strong and test them. Rig your soft plastic worms weedless next time you fish (Texas Rig) and buy jigheads and other lures with a weed guard. Spread the word!

https://mrrp.tamu.edu

Tight lines,

​Ian