Fishing Weight Buyer's Guide(1)
Once feeding fish are located, the challenge facing all anglers is getting the intended bait down to the exact depth where the targeted fish are holding.
That's an engineering challenge that can be approached in a number of ways, but almost all of them involve heavy metal. I say heavy metal because lead is quickly becoming a secondary choice because of concerns over toxicity and the fact that newer alloys are heavier with less mass. Since some species of birds are known to feed on the bottom and ingest small items such as lead sinkers, lead is no longer legal to use in some states. Alternatives to lead include bismuth, steel, brass, tin and tungsten.
Although some anglers make the distinction that sinkers being an element of terminal tackle associated with fishing live bait, and weights are tackle used with artificial lures, most anglers use the two terms interchangeably. For the sake of this discussion, I will use the two terms interchangeably, splitting weights, not semantics.
Fishing weights are made by pouring hot metal into molds of various sizes and shapes for different techniques and applications.
Split-Shot Sinkers
Split-shot sinkers are one of the most commonly used sinkers, and most recognizable. They come in a wide variety of sizes and are most handy when purchased and maintained in a box that contains a selection so you can adjust the weight to current and wind conditions as they change throughout the day. The most distinctive aspect of the split shot is the gap that is cut into the weight after it is molded. With the pre-split shot, it is very easy to select the right size and compress it on your line. Innovative clam-shaped split shot makes it easier to remove for a size change. You simply depress the outer edges of the clam lips and the gap opens, ready for reuse.
This style of sinker is used in live-bait presentations, but fly-fishermen also find them very useful for fishing small flies in fast current. Live bait anglers position a split shot a few inches above a hook, far enough not to deter a curious fish, and adjust their bobbers to the right depth. Float fishermen also use a tapered split-shot weight positioned below a float to control the downstream speed of a drifting bait.
Rubber-Core Sinkers
These oval- or football-shaped weights are similar to a split shot with a clever twist. Inside their pre-molded slot, rubber inserts feature center grooves to hold line. You simply place the fishing line in the groove and grasp the tabs of both ends and twist twice in the opposite direction, but remember which way you twisted. To remove the sinker, simply twist it opposite to your application and remove the line. A distinct advantage to the rubber core sinker is that it doesn't have the potential to damage your fishing line as split shot sometimes does when pinched too hard.
Flexibility is a hallmark of rubber-core sinkers. They come in all sizes and can be used in live-bait presentations or as an add-on weight to increase the dive depth of crankbaits. The drawback to rubber core sinkers is a tendency to untwist after numerous casts, and also they tend to snag grass and rocks. However, their advantage is sufficient to warrant their use. Just check them occasionally to make sure they're not untwisting, and use them carefully or choose another type of weight when fishing around heavy cover.
Walking Sinker
This is one of the most popular sinkers for walleye fishermen who use them in Lindy rigging live-bait presentations. They're very similar to a small bank sinker, with a molded eye and slight bend at the end of their widened bottoms. With the heavier, rounded bottom and bend, the weight distribution positions the eye upward and it easily glides over rocks and obstructions when worked carefully.
To create a Lindy rig, slide your line through the eye of the walking sinker with the heavy end pointing toward the tag end of your line. Next, tie on a swivel large enough that it will not pass through the eye of the sinker, then tie on a leader of 2 to 6 feet with a small floating jig, to keep your bait off the bottom, or a simple plain hook. This rig can be fished with minnows, crawlers or a leech. Walking sinkers are also great for using with a worm harness, or you can add spinners to increase eye appeal.
In addition to the advantage of being snag-resistant, a key advantage to the walking sinker is the ability to allow line to pass through the eye when a bite is detected. This is particularly effective when fishing a very light bite. By paying out line, the fish doesn't feel the weight and is less likely to drop the bait before you set the hook.
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Collected By Karen from www.chinatungsten.com
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Disclaimer: The article is only reflecting the opinions of the author. We have no responsibility to prove the originality and authenticity of the content, words and/or pictures. You readers should just take it as reference and check the details by yourselves. And the content is not a suggestion for investment decision. The investor takes his or her own risks if he or she operates accordingly. If you have any dissent about the contents above, please contact the relevant author, or the webmaster. We will try our best to assist the dealing of the related issues. Thanks for your visit and cooperation.
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