It can teach you a lot about where you are fishing if bank fishing. One of the ponds I frequent got bush hogged the other day. They cut from the trail down to the tree and bush line. It kicked all kinda stuff up. It’s a pressured neighborhood pond. 
 

while fishing this morning. I picked up some trash but started finding Al kind of lures and soft plastics in the grass that the tractor slung around. I learned a lot about what’s being thrown in this pond by the packages I found and the lures and the soft plastic colors. It can be a big help in a pressured fishery. 
 

I found more watermelon, green pumpkin and black and blue stick baits than you can shake a stick at lol. I got enough to melt down and make my own haha. Found spinner baits, beetle spins. Also found a whopper plopper that needs new hooks. That was cool. 

Greetings All,

@Joedodge Sage advise to help identify what is being utilized by others. It is unfortunate that so much rubbish is discarded. I parallel you in seeing what is in the environment as a hint, guiding, possible solutions to use. 

Typically, I'm also with you in salvaging what you can an utilize it rather than simply trashing things. It is also an effort to help make the situation better by not having so much crap left behind. 

Personally, I've salvaged so many bits and pieces to fill many large bags, and boxes. Stuff that can't be used simply goes into the nearest bin. 

Regarding some of the salvaged lures, those have given me an opportunity to try stuff I wouldn't typically invest in. A good example of this was a plopper style, surface churning, lure. It was fun to try it out! Even better when it is a no cost option!

 

Wishing continued success on your angling adventures! Be well, Cheers!