What to do with old lead sinkers

I went crabbing over in HMB yesterday and while I was letting my traps soak I went over to a spot I like for picking up lead. In about 2 hours I picked up 146# of old lead sinkers. Initially I had been thinking about melting them down into dive weights but now I'm wondering if a metal salvage place will buy them from me. Problem is lots of the weights are covered in coral (maybe some CLR to fix that). If I could get $.80 on the pound this could be a profitable and environmentally friendly way to spend my downtime while my traps soak. There are thousands of pounds of lead just sitting on the bottom near popular fishing spots. Any thoughts?

I don't know how much bait fishing you do but my inlaws melt em down and remold pyramid sinkers.

Lead right now is $1.11 a pound. I doubt you will get $.80 out of dirty lead from a metal salvage place. IMHO

if you can get them melted into bricks you can probably sell them for better than $.80/lb..of course that would take some work and effort.

Dive weights sound like a great idea to me. Sell them to your friends. Way to go with the clean up.

I'd say dive weights. If you can melt them in to usual sizes/shapes, it's generally not a problem to sell them for $1.50-2/lb.
BTW, was that you that Allen ran in to yesterday? Out with 2 other guys? Also, if you wouldn't mind sharing, would love to do some lead picking too while crabbing, but I understand the need to keep some spots to yourself

I was by myself but there were two other guys out there and I do tend to chat with people. And as i was coming in someone was leaving on a trimaran kayak sailing rig. Its quite possible it was me out there. And no I'm not too worried about running out of lead sinkers to clean up so I'm happy to share the spot. There is a spot on the southwest corner of the jetty where the bottom is kind of rocky, fishing weights tend to snag and break free all over the place and I don't think anyone has made a serious effort to clean them up since the jetty has been there. The water is about 10-15' deep so its easy freediving if your looking for something to do while the crabs get trapped. The next spot I'd liked to go salvaging at is the Pacifica pier, but there are a lot of problems with diving that location.

Man, that whole idea totally freaks me out. When I think about snagged weights breaking off I start seeing leaders with big hooks sinking into my arm or leg... Ack! You must have cojones like a burro.

Are you talking about just beyond the breakers where the jetty hits the surfers beach area?

The saltwater corrodes the brass loops that the line ties off to and and all that is left is the lead. Very few hooks and line gets left behind.

No, southern most point on the jetty west of the beach. The rock wall makes a 90 degree turn. Right on that corner.

The corner looking out towards mavericks

I could use some lead for my new molds

No, southern most point on the jetty west of the beach. The rock wall makes a 90 degree turn. Right on that corner.

OK, gotcha. Forgot about that jetty.

Nice mold