Normally I try to avoid anything that might make my readers feel like they have to choose sides. But this time, I have decided to throw down the gauntlet. If I lose followers because of it, then so be it. I feel like if we don't do something, we're going to lose what is quite possibly the most important fish in the Chesapeake Bay, which in turn will affect fishing all along the entire east coast.

Most kayak anglers I know are into conservation and stewardship just as much as they are with fishing. The news at night tells us about agencies prohibiting the use of lead splitshot and other small lead weights. Sometimes you just have to ask yourself, why use lead?

A couple years ago, Micah Carrick asked himself that same question.