Recreational Fishing Industry Renews Its Pledge to Help Anglers Keep Our Fish and Waterways Clean and Healthy

In an effort to keep our fisheries and lakes, rivers and streams clean and free of used soft plastics and other litter, the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), through its Keep America Fishing angler advocacy program, created the Pledge to Pitch It campaign. Established in 2015, the awareness initiative aimed to educate anglers everywhere about the importance of proper soft plastic lure disposal and recycling. For example, ASA partnered with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife in promoting the program. The agency provides information on its website along with pamphlets and other materials at boat ramps and marinas throughout the state.

This year, ASA, along with member supporters, professional anglers and others, are redoubling the Pitch It campaign with an extra focus on retention techniques that help those soft baits stay in place longer and out of our nation’s waterways. And when no longer useful, placing them in a receptacle for proper disposal once the day’s fishing is over or saving them for recycling into new soft lures.

“As stewards of the environment, it’s incumbent upon anglers to properly dispose of litter, especially fishing gear like soft plastic lures,” said Mike Leonard, ASA’s vice president of Government Affairs. “With the help of many leaders in the industry, we’ve provided a wide array of educational materials on the Pitch It website for resource agencies, businesses, professional anglers and anyone else in the recreational fishing community to use to help spread the word about keeping our fishing spots free of litter.”

Techniques for keeping the bait firmly attached and out of the water aren’t complicated. Using retention tools like O-rings, a superglue and other techniques, as well as tying strong knots and using fresh line free of abrasions, all help to ensure nothing is left behind. Keeping the boat clean by corralling used baits and line means they stay in the boat when taking off at speed.

“My company, a proud ASA member, is honored to support Keep America Fishing’s Pitch It angler education campaign,” said Wired2fish CEO Todd Hammill. “As anglers and stewards of our nation’s waterways, it’s of paramount importance that we lead by example and educate our audiences on how they can help to keep our lakes, rivers and streams free of fishing baits, line and trash. It is the responsibility of all anglers to leave our resources better than we found them. Join us and Pledge to Pitch It!”

“The best way to care for a fishery is to leave it cleaner than before you fish it,” said B.A.S.S. Elite Series angler and Missile Baits Owner John Crews. “I always keep and discard my plastics and any line or lures I may snag while fishing.”

“All of us at Daiwa believe that the future starts today,” said Cary Graves, vice president of Sales for Daiwa Corporation. “Nothing is more important than taking care of our fishing environment and setting good examples for fisheries conservation. If we all get involved, the Pitch It campaign will reap big benefits for our sport. It will show our commitment to maintaining fisheries by keeping used baits, line and general waste out of the water ways. Let’s keep them clean for future anglers!”

“As a hard-core angler and avid outdoorsman, it’s important for me to help do my part to keep the environment clean and provide clean waters for the next generation,” noted Mike Iaconelli, Professional Angler and Founder of The Bass University. “Join me in doing this by keeping your old soft baits and fishing line out of the water and “Pitch It” into the trash or collection tubes. Thanks, and never give up!”

Pledging to help keep our nation’s waterways clean and healthy is just one way for anglers to show their support for fisheries conservation and habitat restoration. Through Keep America Fishing, anglers can stay informed about issues that impact recreational fishing and take action when needed.