GD Angling Tackle Launches Eco-Friendly Lead-Free Hard Bait Series for Global Markets

2026-07-17 |

Chongqing, China — July 15, 2026 — GD Angling Tackle, a professional fishing lure manufacturer serving OEM/ODM clients across 30+ countries, today announced the launch of its new EcoTung™ lead-free hard bait series, engineered specifically to meet the growing demand for environmentally compliant fishing lures in European and North American markets.

The new series replaces traditional lead internal weights with precision-machined tungsten and brass alternatives, while eliminating phthalates and other restricted substances from all soft components. Every lure in the EcoTung™ line is designed to comply with EU REACH Annex XVII, California Proposition 65, and the expanding list of US state-level lead restrictions.

Responding to a Shifting Regulatory Landscape

"Our OEM clients — particularly brand owners and distributors in the EU, UK, and US West Coast — have been telling us the same thing for the past 18 months: they need lead-free options that don't sacrifice performance," said Roy Zhao, Export Manager at GD Angling Tackle. "The EcoTung™ series is our answer. Tungsten is actually denser than lead, so we can achieve the same or better action in a more compact weight. It's a win for compliance and a win for fishability."

The regulatory tailwinds are clear:

• California's AB 2787 now bans lead fishing weights ≤ 50g
• New York's lead sinker ban is phasing in through 2027
• Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine all enforce lead restrictions on fishing tackle
• The EU is reviewing expanded lead restrictions under REACH, with Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands already implementing national-level bans
• Major retailers including several big-box chains now require lead-free certification for new fishing tackle SKUs

What's in the EcoTung™ Series

The initial EcoTung™ lineup covers five core hard bait categories, each available for OEM customization with your brand's colors, packaging, and specifications:

All EcoTung™ lures are manufactured with:

• Lead-free internal weighting — Tungsten or brass, selected based on the lure's buoyancy and action requirements
• Phthalate-free finishes — All paints, clear coats, and soft plastic components (if applicable) tested to <0.1% phthalate content
• Cadmium-free pigments — All color pigments screened for heavy metal content
• Recyclable packaging options — Cardboard backer cards with minimal plastic, or fully recyclable mono-material PET blisters
• Full compliance documentation — Material composition declarations, third-party lab test reports available for every production batch

Performance Without Compromise

One common concern with lead-free lures is whether alternative weighting materials affect the bait's action. GD Angling Tackle's engineering team spent six months refining the weight placement and buoyancy characteristics of each EcoTung™ model.

"Tungsten is approximately 1.7× denser than lead," explained the GD Angling Tackle production team. "This means we can use a smaller weight to achieve the same mass, which actually gives us more flexibility in weight placement. The result is a lure that suspends more precisely and transfers vibration more efficiently than its lead-weighted equivalent."

Each EcoTung™ lure undergoes the same rigorous quality control process as GD Angling Tackle's standard production line: individual tank-testing for buoyancy verification, hook sharpness inspection, weld strength testing on line ties and hook hangers, and multi-point visual inspection under 10× magnification.

OEM Customization and Availability

The EcoTung™ series is available immediately for OEM orders. Key commercial terms:

• MOQ: Competitive minimum order quantities — contact sales@gdtackle.com for specific per-model MOQs
• Custom colors: Full Pantone matching, foil underlays, UV-reactive finishes, and hand-painted detail work available
• Custom packaging: Your brand's blister card, box, or hang-tag design — with recyclable material options
• Lead time: 25–35 days for custom OEM orders (sample development: 10–15 days)
• Compliance documentation: Material declarations, third-party test reports, and REACH/Prop 65 compliance statements included with every order
• Free samples: Available for qualified buyers — request via the contact form or email

Industry Context: The Lead-Free Transition

The fishing tackle industry is undergoing its most significant materials transition since the shift from wood to plastic lure bodies in the mid-20th century. According to the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), over 20 US states have introduced or passed legislation restricting lead in fishing tackle since 2020. The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) has actively supported the phase-out of lead in fishing weights, citing documented wildlife mortality from lead poisoning in waterfowl — particularly loons and swans that ingest lost fishing weights.

"Brand owners who transition now are gaining first-mover advantage," Zhao added. "Retailers are actively looking for lead-free products to meet their sustainability commitments, and consumers — especially younger anglers — are voting with their wallets. The EcoTung™ series positions our OEM partners at the front of this trend."

About GD Angling Tackle

Chongqing GD Angling Tackle Co., Ltd. is a professional fishing lure manufacturer based in China, specializing in OEM/ODM production of high-quality hard baits including Minnow, Crankbait, Popper, Pencil lures, Jerkbait, VIB, and Lure Boxes. With export experience across 30+ countries in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa, GD Angling Tackle provides end-to-end OEM services from mold development and color matching to packaging design and global logistics support.

Visit https://gdtackle.com to explore the full product catalog or contact sales@gdtackle.com for OEM inquiries, samples, and quotes.

Media Contact:
Roy Zhao — Export Manager
Email: sales@gdtackle.com
Website: https://gdtackle.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/royzhao-gdtackle

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