Made a trip to my local Walmart and to Dicks Sporting Goods. There were still shortages on split shots, sinkers, panfish hooks, and floats. Also panfish rod/reel combos were sold out. Spoke with managers at both stores who stated that the supply chain was affected due to the Coved 19 Virus. Also there was a demand on fishing tackle throughout the summer with more people fishing. Expect shortages to continue during the fall.

Went to Walmart today in Cibolo, to pick up a bucket of "Bait of Champions" and moseyed over to the hooks and split shot isle. Low and behold, first time in 5 months, they were fully stocked. Even though I didn't need any (I follow Chuck's advice about alway keeping several months supply in reserve) I just had to pick up a few bags of each. Maybe the drought is starting to come to an end.

I was at my local Academy and their split shots were sold out. They did have a ample amount of panfish hooks. Size 6,8,&10. Short and long shafts available. Also good supply of Cricket Hooks. As for combos not all that many.

Academy tackle dept. manager informed me that due to government restrictions on lead mining is impacting lead weights as well as ammunition.
Haven't heard any news official, been kinda isolated in the covid "basement".
Y'all have any news like this?

I have not heard any news about led mining having an impact on sinkers or fishing weights. I have been told by various employees that the major cause of the tackle shortages was due to the summer high demand and the supply chains due to the coved virus.

[quote=banker-always fishing]

Originally Posted by psalty

Academy tackle dept. manager informed me that due to government restrictions on lead mining is impacting lead weights as well as ammunition.
Haven't heard any news official, been kinda isolated in the covid "basement".
Y'all have any news like this?

I have not heard any news about led mining having an impact on sinkers or fishing weights. I have been told by various employees that the major cause of the tackle shortages was due to the summer high demand and the supply chains due to the coved virus.

I hear you, like I said that was new "News" to me from a source at a Academy. With all the environmental concerns about lead (especially from California warnings about lab test) and the AOC tribe manifestos'; it wouldn't be a complete surprise. I'm still trying to maintain some positivity. In the mean time , I am picking up split shots when available. [i][/i]

I order almost everything on-line from Tackle Direct, Bass Pro & Amazon...Have not seen a shortage of anything all summer. Shipping is free with a $50 order & don't have to spend the money on gas to get to the store or wear a face mask !

Me too Steve. I order online and have not had a problem. The trick with me is to order a little extra and not wait until I run out. The only thing that I have had to order with some lead time is the tungsten drop shot weights. I ordered 50 of them the last time. It took about 3 weeks to get my order but Im good for awhile. With a little planning and you should be good on supplies.

Was at Walmart today and they had a nice supply of sinkers and weights. Picked up several packs. They also had plenty of panfish hooks. Sizes 6,8, and 10's.

Congrats, my friend. Maybe things are looking up ?

I sure hope so!

Yeah, same here. Very little of the standard type walmarty quality stuff. But what's weird is that the meager amount of terminal tackle that they are putting up seems to be more diverse, specialized and higher quality. I guess that's been easier to get than the regular cheapo stuff, I'm seeing high quality weighted wacky hooks and drop shot hooks
, also noted some bobby garland crappie stuff.

On a side note, as far as shortages ( for different reasons) you may have noticed these massive ammo shortages these days, I was in a high end outfitter/hunting type place the other day. They had a big pile of Blazer Brass 9mm 50 rnd boxes of range ammo in stock. $50.00 a box!!! Glad I have my supply. A friend of mine has been selling his surplus of fmj .380 for a dollar a round.

You can hardly find ammo in stock any where other than shotgun shells.

I still see a shortage of Rod/Reel Combos. Ammo is another story. There is hardly any!