I don't use plastic baits, only the biodegradable ones from Berkely. Seems to fish just as well, and is about as harmful if it falls off the hook as an apple core.

Plastic gives off some seriously nasty chemicals as it degrades, and it degrades =slooooowly=... decades, or longer. The water here in RI is dirty enough as it is, thanks. How many of you have found used and discarded plastics at your favorite fishing hole? I have. How many of you have had a fish rob your soft bait from your hook? I have.With a plastic worm, that's one hurting fish, as bad as gut-hooking it with a lure With a bio-bait worm, it's a well-fed fish.

I also don't use lead weights - lead alternative weights are cheap enough these days. I don't like the idea of putting a toxic metal into the water I take fish from.

There's a Japanese company that makes bio-degradable line, but it hasn't made it over here, yet. When it does, I'll be spooling up with that.

I don't think this stuff is any business of the government to regulate, but I do think it's good practice in general.

I'm not going to waste too much time with this classless post. Hopefully you've embarassed yourself enough and nothing more needs to be said.