Angler FAQ
Common Questions About Sustainable Angling
Straight answers about gear, conservation practices, and how our shop operates.
What makes a lure biodegradable, and does it still catch fish?
Biodegradable lures are made from plant-based polymers and other natural compounds that break down over time instead of leaving microplastics in the water. In our field tests, the best ones perform nearly identically to conventional soft plastics. The trade-off is shelf life — they degrade faster once exposed to air and sunlight, so store them properly and rotate your stock.
How do I practice catch-and-release without harming the fish?
Start with the right gear: use circle hooks or barbless hooks to reduce injury, and wet your hands before handling a fish to protect its slime coat. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible, minimize air exposure to under 30 seconds, and use a dehooking tool if the hook is deep. For saltwater species like redfish or snook, revival time matters — hold the fish upright in the water until it swims off on its own.
Are your tackle boxes really eco-friendly?
Yes. Our tackle boxes are made from recycled ocean plastics and are designed to last for years, so you are not constantly replacing broken gear. The dividers are removable and the boxes are fully recyclable at the end of their life. We also avoid single-use packaging in all our shipments — everything arrives in compostable mailers with paper tape.
How do you choose which products to sell?
Every product goes through a review process. We look at the materials used, the manufacturing footprint, the durability of the item, and whether the company has verifiable environmental commitments. If a product does not hold up in real fishing conditions, it does not make the cut — performance and sustainability have to go together.
What is the members' section, and who can join?
The members' section is a free resource for anyone interested in conservation angling. It includes species identification guides, regional habitat restoration project updates, and detailed catch-and-release best practices. You do not need to purchase anything to join — just create an account and you will get access to the latest field guides and project news.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship across the continental United States and Canada. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on weight and destination. All orders over a certain weight ship in recycled cardboard boxes with minimal void fill. If you are outside our shipping zones, contact us at info@fishingandbiodiversity.com and we will see what we can arrange.