Hook, Line & Responsibility: The Eco Angler's Guide

By Odyssey Innovation | Marine Plastic Pollution Experts

You don't have to be an environmentalist to care about what ends up in the sea.

If you fish — or know someone who does — this guide is for you. Because the truth is, some of the most damaging plastic in our oceans doesn't come from factories or supermarkets. It comes from fishing gear. Lost lines, snagged lures, discarded weights. Small things, with enormous consequences.

The good news? Small changes make a massive difference. And most of them will actually save you money.

The Numbers That Should Stop You in Your Tracks

• Fishing gear makes up 10% of all plastic in our oceans
• 100,000 sea creatures are killed or injured every year through entanglement
• A single piece of monofilament fishing line takes 600 years to break down

This isn't abstract. This is happening right now, on every coastline in the UK and beyond. And every angler — from weekend hobbyists to seasoned pros — has a role to play.

Your Line Is Your Biggest Risk

Most gear loss starts with the line. Here's how to keep it in your hands and out of the sea:

Choose the right weight. A thinner line with a solid hold rating will often outperform a heavier one — and give you a far more sensitive fishing experience. Don't go heavier than you need to.

Check it before every session. Run the first few metres through your fingers. Feel for kinks, fraying, or weak spots — especially after a hard fight or a snag. If it feels compromised, replace it.

Store it properly. Heat and UV light degrade monofilament fast. Keep your line in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight — it'll last significantly longer.

Don't spool it. Overfilling your reel causes the line to cut into itself, creating weak points you won't see until it's too late — and your gear is at the bottom of the sea.

Recycle it. At the start of each season, if your line is cloudy or frayed — replace it. And don't bin it. Take it to your local angling store or recycling centre. Many now have dedicated fishing line recycling points — and we operate a number of them ourselves.

The Tackle Swap That Pays for Itself

Lead weights are one of the most environmentally damaging items in any tackle box — and one of the easiest to replace.

Switch to:

• Natural stone sinkers
• Brass weights
• Tungsten fishing weights
• Silver tungsten bead balls

They perform just as well. They don't leach toxins into the water. And they won't cost you the earth — literally or financially.

For lures, consider a lure retriever (also called an "otter") — a simple device costing just a few pounds that retrieves snagged lures before they become permanent ocean residents. If you've ever lost an expensive lure to a snag, you'll wish you'd bought one sooner.

Sustainable Tackle: The Full Kit

The responsible angler's toolkit now includes options that didn't exist a decade ago:

• Weedless lures & hooks — dramatically reduce snag risk in weedy or rocky ground
• Weedless barbed treble hooks — for mixed and rough ground fishing
• Paternoster rig — classic, effective, and snag-resistant
• Rotten bottom weak link release clip — releases your sinker when snagged, saving the rest of your rig
• Monomaster waste line gadget — collects used monofilament for responsible disposal
• Lure moulds — make your own lures from sustainable materials at home

Know Where You're Fishing

Before you cast, ask three questions:

1. Is it rocky, sandy, or both?
2. How deep is it?
3. What's the topography of the seabed?

In seaweed-heavy areas, use longline or tear-shaped weights that pass through algae cleanly. In rocky zones, use flat-shaped running sinkers to minimise snag risk. On sandy bottoms, plain leads work well — they settle into natural indentations and hold fish effectively.

Matching your rig to your environment is the single most effective way to avoid gear loss — and keep plastic out of the sea.

Five Things You Can Do After Reading This

1. Check your line — today, before your next session
2. Swap your lead weights for stone, brass, or tungsten alternatives
3. Buy a lure retriever — it'll pay for itself on the first outing
4. Recycle your old line at your local angling store
5. Share this guide with every angler you know

Because the sea doesn't care who lost the line. But we do.

This guide was developed with expert input from Benjamin Bassett (Ben Bassett Fishing) and Stuart McLanaghan (Fish 21), as part of the EU Interreg Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP) Project.

Odyssey Innovation builds products from recovered marine plastic — because the best thing you can do with ocean plastic is turn it into something that lasts. Explore our full range →