Tungsten or Not to Tungsten? 2024

NavyVet reply :

I have used nothing but black painted lead worm wights for T-rigging my whole life. I have refused to pay the cost of tungsten. I recently considered trying tungsten to see what the "deal or advantages" of them are if any.

Would someone please explain to me why should I should use tungsten instead of lead? Is it size of sinker compared to weight? Any and all opinions and explanations would be welcome. Somebody convince me. What is better about tungsten over lead to justify the cost?

I usually T-rig with pegged worm weight

J Francho reply :

Tungsten has a higher density, so it's roughly 1/3 the size. It's also much harder than lead. You can't melt and pour it, so it must be manufactured. In places where lead is banned, it's a good substitute.

Troy85 reply :

I prefer tungsten for 2 reasons.

1. Size to weight ratio. The tungsten weight is smaller, this really comes into play with the larger punching weights.

2. Tungsten is more sensitive than lead.

Junger reply :

Personally, I can't tell a difference in sensitivity between lead and tungsten. My bottom contact rod is an Orochi EMTF with SniperFC and I can feel hits on slack line using both types of weights.

sully420 reply :

1/2 oz or higher I use tungsten unless I'm Carolina rigging or drop shotting. I use lead for those 2 rigs and any thing under 1/2oz. I use it strictly for the smaller size

Choporoz reply :

May be in my head, but to me, tungsten does feel different. I am a believer that the harder metal makes 'different' contact with wood and rocks and is more 'sensitive'....not sure that sensitive is the right word, but I do think it 'transmits' the contact up to my hands much better. I'm sold and don't plan to go back any time soon. In fact, I recently used lead exclusively for much of a day just to sort of test my opinion, and I'm still certain that tungsten is better...for me.

Stephen B reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 1:12 AM, Junger said:

Personally, I can't tell a difference in sensitivity between lead and tungsten. My bottom contact rod is an Orochi EMTF with SniperFC and I can feel hits on slack line using both types of weights.

You hit the nail on the head! Everyone always preaches the increase in sensitivity but I fish nothing but high end rods and it's almost undetectable to me in most scenarios. Tungsten is great and I appreciate the decrease in size (I buy it for that only) but there isn't a significant difference to me.

Woody_California reply :

I find Tungsten to be advantageous due to the smaller size to weight ratio. Here's how I think of it:

If while setting the hook on lets say a weighted Texas rig, the weight has to come through the lips. I find that a smaller sized Tungsten weight opens the fishes mouth less than a larger equivalent weight made of led therefore increasing your chances of a good hook set.

For dropshot applications I still prefer the led due to $ savings.

A-Jay reply :

I have & fish both Lead & Tungsten however if there is a choice in an application, I prefer tungsten.

For me & my fishing this is how & why:

Tungsten is smaller & denser than lead and it seems to transmit any contact to my hands better than lead (especially hard cover) So when I need to penetrate cover, tungsten gets the nod.

When I want / need to really 'feel' the both on a presentation where there is a choice - tungsten gets the nod.

btw - The very first time I fish a rig with a tungsten bullet weight on a hard bottom - the bottom contact transmission up my line , through the rod and to my hands was SO Intense, I was setting the hook 5 times a cast - and they were NOT Strikes - just the bait clicking along the bottom - I'd equate it to the same sensitivity different between Mono & braid.

I eventually figured it out.

Now when I need some weight on a rig but I'm not looking to or even want any cover penetration, (like soft / muck or weeds bottoms, I use lead; usually light(er) less than 3/8 or so).

Drop shot Neko rigs are about 50/50 lead & tungsten and almost always depends on bottom composition & or the presence of zebra mussels ( on the later that's lead right there - all day every day).

YMMV

A-Jay

OnthePotomac reply :

I like tungsten because they retain the color no matter how much you beat them up. I use mostly 3/16 when I do use it and keep green pumpkin, black and junebug on hand , although I am sure the fish don't care if it is not color coordinated with the bait, but it looks spiffy.

Angry John reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 3:16 AM, OnthePotomac said:

I like tungsten because they retain the color no matter how much you beat them up. I use mostly 3/16 when I do use it and keep green pumpkin, black and junebug on hand , although I am sure the fish don't care if it is not color coordinated with the bait, but it looks spiffy.

My swing head jigs are nice and silver.

fishwizzard reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 1:12 AM, Junger said:

Personally, I can't tell a difference in sensitivity between lead and tungsten. My bottom contact rod is an Orochi EMTF with SniperFC and I can feel hits on slack line using both types of weights.

What convinced me was dragging a weight across my gravel driveway, tungsten gives far far more feedback. Underwater on a rock bottom the difference is less, but the few times I tried a side by side it was noticeable.

I also realized that I rarely loose a worm weight and only loose DS weights when fishing riprap or heavy current, so it’s not a huge expense.

GReb reply :

My peronal rule: Tungsten pinned. Lead not pinned.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

I can't tell any difference in sensitivity myself. I use them mainly because of the more compact size to weight ratio. When you're flipping with a 2oz weight or more, tungsten is kind of a must.

NHBull reply :

Lead is illegal, and while not lightly to get caught, it’s a small price to be paid to follow the law.

Additionally, when setting the hook, pulling a smaller object through the mouth to ensure a better hookset is easier

new2BC4bass reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 5:19 AM, NHBull said:

Lead is illegal, and while not lightly to get caught, it’s a small price to be paid to follow the law.

Additionally, when setting the hook, pulling a smaller object through the mouth to ensure a better hookset is easier

I've never heard of it being illegal in Pennsylvania. I just tried searching for this and couldn't find any mention of weights...period. I used to read the Yellow Forum (an air rifle community) and California was trying to ban lead for hunting. I can believe that state would have such a law. Actually I could believe any law being possible in that state.

I have never seen a Game Warden look at the type of weights being used to fish. Check for licenses, catch...yes...but never terminal tackle.

NHBull reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 7:25 AM, new2BC4bass said:

I've never heard of it being illegal in Pennsylvania. I just tried searching for this and couldn't find any mention of weights...period. I used to read the Yellow Forum (an air rifle community) and California was trying to ban lead for hunting. I can believe that state would have such a law. Actually I could believe any law being possible in that state.

I have never seen a Game Warden look at the type of weights being used to fish. Check for licenses, catch...yes...but never terminal tackle.

Can’t speak to PA, but I know NH, ME and Vt are, that said it is still easier to set the hook on a weighted TRIG bass with a smaller weight

CrankFate reply :

After donating way too many rigs to the rocks, I’m now using copper bullet weights from China. With an orange bead between the weight and hook, you can even catch a fish with no worm, craw, grub, etc.

i don’t know if they are really copper, but you can get 5 or 6 for the price of one tungsten on AliExpress from china. They just take 2-4 weeks to arrive.

FishTank reply :

I tend to use both. I swore at one time I would never use tungsten again but I picked up a pack of 3/16 oz for $3 in clearance bin at Dicks. I was back then back to using them again. I tend to use lead for areas where I either have never fished or I feel that there is a high chance I will get hung up and loose a rig.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I use lead for the most part, but I like tungsten when I flipping heavy cover or in grass or with anything heavier than 3/8oz.

DogBone_384 reply :

It’s illegal in Mass to use lead weight under 1 oz.

That’s why I use Tungsten.

BaitFinesse reply :

There are also tungsten alloy weights that blend the dense (and expensive) tungsten with other cheaper less dense metals to make a material that is very similar to lead in density. What you end up with is a non lead sinker that is the same weight and size of a lead sinker at a much lower cost than a pure tungsten sinker. Something to consider for the guys and gals using expensive tungsten sinkers in lead banned states.

OnthePotomac reply :

I am lost on the comment above whether pegging a slip sinker depends on if it is lead, or tungsten when pegging a slip sinker is based on the environment into which you are throwing your bait, i.e., heavy grass, brush a pegged sinker, clear bottom unpegged. Just never heard pegging in terms of what a slip sinker is made of,

Gundog reply :

Unless I can get a good deal on tungsten, I use lead for 1/2 oz or under just because I have too many lead bullet weights to begin with. Over 1/2 oz I use tungsten because of the size to weight ratio. A 3/4 oz bullet weight in lead is gonna be big and defeats the purpose of throwing a heavy weight into lilypads, weeds or northern milfoil. I those cases you want a smaller, streamlined bait and weight.

LionHeart reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 3:16 AM, OnthePotomac said:

I like tungsten because they retain the color no matter how much you beat them up. I use mostly 3/16 when I do use it and keep green pumpkin, black and junebug on hand , although I am sure the fish don't care if it is not color coordinated with the bait, but it looks spiffy.

Have not had this experience. Every tungsten weight I've used loses its paint after being fished for couple of hours (if I Don't get snagged and lose it first).

I will usually touch them up or color completely with some of the Mrs.'s nail polish

Choporoz reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 10:25 PM, OnthePotomac said:

I am lost on the comment above whether pegging a slip sinker depends on if it is lead, or tungsten when pegging a slip sinker is based on the environment into which you are throwing your bait, i.e., heavy grass, brush a pegged sinker, clear bottom unpegged. Just never heard pegging in terms of what a slip sinker is made of,

Hope I am not misinterpreting @GReb....but, I took it to mean the dependency is reversed from your interpretation: IF pegged, use tungsten; IF sliding, use lead....makes some sense, since the contact 'transmission' up the line appears to be more direct when pegged, so tungsten might be better. When sliding, some of the rock/wood/bottom contact energy is absorbed by the weight moving along the line and lost before it gets to my hands, so lead may be good enough much of the time.

GReb reply :

On 9/13/2018 at 12:09 AM, Choporoz said:

Hope I am not misinterpreting @GReb....but, I took it to mean the dependency is reversed from your interpretation: IF pegged, use tungsten; IF sliding, use lead....makes some sense, since the contact 'transmission' up the line appears to be more direct when pegged, so tungsten might be better. When sliding, some of the rock/wood/bottom contact energy is absorbed by the weight moving along the line and lost before it gets to my hands, so lead may be good enough much of the time.

Correct. Also has to do with just physical size. If you are punching, a tungsten weight will be much smaller than its lead counterpart. So you have less obstruction and more penetration.

NavyVet reply :

Thanks for all the opinions and information thus far. Another question. There seems to be a significant price difference depending on which brand of tungsten you want to buy. Is brand that important? It would seem to me that tungsten is tungsten no matter which brand you plan on buying, or am I missing something?

BaitFinesse reply :

On 9/13/2018 at 3:25 AM, NavyVet said:

Thanks for all the opinions and information thus far. Another question. There seems to be a significant price difference depending on which brand of tungsten you want to buy. Is brand that important? It would seem to me that tungsten is tungsten no matter which brand you plan on buying, or am I missing something?

The tungsten alloy weights with lower concentrations of tungsten are cheaper than the tungsten alloy weights that have tungsten in higher concentrations. The lower concentration tungsten weights have a similar density and size to that of a lead weight. The low tungsten content weights are cheaper than high tungsten content weights due to them being an alloy of tungsten and cheaper metals. Tungsten weights with a lot of tungsten are much more dense and smaller than lead weights and low tungsten content weight due to very high percentages of tungsten in their composition.

As a rule of thumb if you want a lead replacement that is the same size and weight as lead then the cheaper low tungsten content weight are a good choice. If you want a weight that is much smaller than a lead weight of the same weight then the more expensive high tungsten content weights are what you want. Most of the tungsten weights I have seen for sale in stores in the US have been weights with high tungsten content as that seems to be what the market wants. I have only seen the low tungsten alloy lead like weights on Aliexpress and in the Jackal Spade jig. So be careful if you see cheap tungsten weights on eBay. It's not a scam or anything It is just that some tungsten alloy weights are cheaper, less dense and are marketed as lead alternatives.

Choporoz reply :

Additionally, beware of the some cheaper stuff. If QC is poor, the weights can have sharp edges that will shear your line. Inserts used to be almost mandatory, but if the edges are polished, you may be ok. Read reviews on brands/vendors and maybe buy real small quantity first to test for yourself.

fishwizzard reply :

I have been buying all my tungsten weights from omfishingsinkers, they are the cheapest I have ever found. I don’t really like the hooks they use in their jigs, but the weights themselves have allways been perfect. I spot check a few out if each order for burrs or any flaws but have never found any.

Further North reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 1:06 AM, Troy1985s said:

Tungsten is more sensitive than lead.

I agree. Every time I yell at it, it cries.

Kidding!

Just so i'm actually adding to the topic, the weights I use most often are steel...which is the opposite direction from Tungsten. Mine are unpainted.

sully420 reply :

On 9/12/2018 at 3:09 AM, A-Jay said:

I have & fish both Lead & Tungsten however if there is a choice in an application, I prefer tungsten.

For me & my fishing this is how & why:

Tungsten is smaller & denser than lead and it seems to transmit any contact to my hands better than lead (especially hard cover) So when I need to penetrate cover, tungsten gets the nod.

When I want / need to really 'feel' the both on a presentation where there is a choice - tungsten gets the nod.

btw - The very first time I fish a rig with a tungsten bullet weight on a hard bottom - the bottom contact transmission up my line , through the rod and to my hands was SO Intense, I was setting the hook 5 times a cast - and they were NOT Strikes - just the bait clicking along the bottom - I'd equate it to the same sensitivity different between Mono & braid.

I eventually figured it out.

Now when I need some weight on a rig but I'm not looking to or even want any cover penetration, (like soft / muck or weeds bottoms, I use lead; usually light(er) less than 3/8 or so).

Drop shot Neko rigs are about 50/50 lead & tungsten and almost always depends on bottom composition & or the presence of zebra mussels ( on the later that's lead right there - all day every day).

YMMV

A-Jay

I agree 100%. I fish low to mid priced rods and I can definitely feel cover better. Bite detection dosen't seem to matter between the two. The price keeps lead in my box. I probably lost 30 bucks of tungsten this season to toothy giants.

Further North reply :

On 9/13/2018 at 9:50 AM, sully420 said:

I probably lost 30 bucks of tungsten this season to toothy giants.

That's why I use tieable wire leaders...

GReb reply :

On 9/13/2018 at 4:06 AM, fishwizzard said:

I have been buying all my tungsten weights from omfishingsinkers, they are the cheapest I have ever found. I don’t really like the hooks they use in their jigs, but the weights themselves have allways been perfect. I spot check a few out if each order for burrs or any flaws but have never found any.

Wow that is a good price. Gonna have to place an order with them

3606

Tungsten or Not to Tungsten? 2024

related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic