One thing that irritates me greatly is seeing an angler discard used fishing items or other trash into the lake. Discarding drink bottles and candy wrappers are bad enough but when I see an angler tossing used plastic baits or used fishing line into the lake it really upsets me. They discard the very tools they use to catch fish and in doing so create enormous problems for the very sport they enjoy.

It not only gives all anglers a bad rap but it can cause problems to the lake, to the lake’s fish and can damage expensive boating equipment that anglers rely on to enjoy their sport. I can’t tell you the number of times that I have had to remove my trolling motor prop and unwind used line that some selfish angler discarded into the water.

A few years ago some used line that was stupidly discarded into the lake by an unthinking angler got wrapped around my gasoline motor’s prop and damaged the seals in my lower unit. I had to pay for a very expensive repair to my motor and I am sure I am only one of many anglers and boaters who have had to deal with these problems.

Many marinas now have special containers where used line can be discarded and most have trash containers for discarding other trash. At a minimum take along a trash container anytime you go fishing and discard all used items into that container and then empty that container into a trash receptacle at the end of you fishing trip.

Every year we have lake cleanups on area lakes and many of the items collected from lake shorelines were discarded by anglers fishing from the bank or were items that washed ashore when discarded by anglers who were fishing from their boats.

If you are an angler targeting largemouth bass, you would never consider going out on the lake for a day of fishing without a bunch of plastic lures. A study in 2009 by the University of Wisconsin estimated that 12,000 tons of plastic baits end up at the bottom of lakes, rivers and streams in the United States every year. Used plastic baits that are discarded into our lakes, rivers and streams are a huge problem.

At least one state Maine recently attempted unsuccessfully to pass a law in 2014 eliminating the use of plastic baits in that state due to the problems created by the discarding of plastic baits into that state’s water. Fortunately anglers and the fishing industry opposed the legislation and the state decided not to ban plastic lures.

The attempt may resurface in the Maine legislature in 2015 and attempts could spread nationwide unless anglers do their part to properly discard used plastic baits. Plastic baits are biodegradable but it takes considerable time for that to occur. Those discarded plastic baits that are discarded into the lake can damage the environment and can harm fish that might swallow them.

An angler advocacy group, Keep America Fishing (KAF) was founded to address the issue of anglers discarding anything into the water. KAF recognized the need to create a campaign to deal with all types of trash littering our nation’s waterways. They developed a national campaign labeled “Pitch It” and has selected professional angler Kevin VanDam as their spokesman.

“There is no reason for throwing anything in the water that isn’t going to break down immediately”, said VanDam. “A crusty sandwich is one thing, but old plastics, fishing line or any tackle should be carried to shore at the end of the day. We have to lead by example.”

“Our industry has stepped up to take the initiative to tackle this problem head-on and demonstrate that recreational anglers are, as always, the best stewards of our nation’s waterways,” said Liz Ogilvie, KAF Director.

Anglers can do their part by going to www.pledgetopitchit.org and pledging to dispose of used baits and other used fishing items into a trash or a recycling container instead of throwing those items into the water.

I signed the interactive pledge and ask all anglers who read this column to go to the website and sign that pledge. Let us do our part as anglers to keep our lakes, rivers and stream clear of discarded fishing items.

I have also started speaking up when I see someone discard anything into the water and I would encourage you to do the same thing. We can and should make a difference. Good fishing and see you next week.