When the nation shut down in March in reaction to the coronavirus, many states exempted outdoor exercise. Many got out on the water and bought out fishing bait and tackle, creating a shortage that continues as the disease has shut down factories and distributors, according to industry reports.

Are fishing sinkers still made of lead?

Lead based fishing sinkers are banned in all of US and Canadian National Parks. These bans have motivated the use of various other materials in sinkers. However, sand has a comparably low density to that of lead and makes a poor replacement. Tungsten is now in use, especially among largemouth bass anglers.

Why are fishing rods so hard to find?

“It seems to be the major brands that are hardest to get.” A lot of the tackle, especially fishing rods, are made in China where the virus impacted manufacturing before it caused U.S. shutdowns. “Rods are the No. 1 problem because those were premade and shipped from China in containers,” said Szymczak.

Why is there a whole catfish shortage?

“When supply gets tight either due to low pond inventories or processing shortages, processors shift available product types and volume to long-time customers with high volume and price.”