HELP! ADVICE ON TUNGSTEN WEIGHTS 2024
fish4aliving reply :
Hey Guys!
Im getting back in to worm fishing and I wanted to see what size of tungsten weights you guys use the most, what application, and your go to. Im also looking at finesse tungsten weights so drop shot ned rig etc. More advice the better!
Thanks!
roadwarrior reply :
Most common for me is a 1/4 oz bullet weight for most presentations. However, I don't see any advantage for using tungsten on your drop shot rig.
"hamma" reply :
For worm weights I prefer screwlock as they usually slide the bait up the line, in tact, and also, removing a bit of leverage for the fish to "throw" the bait. I have mostly 1/8 oz as alot of my worm fishing is with a smaller 4" to 6" "specialized" or custom worms.
I do also keep other sizes in stock as well. from 1/16 to 1 oz as I do have techniques that call for varied weights. Also, I fish alot of different depths, and many different water clarities, which demand the varied weights for feel, and rate of fall.
My state has a lead ban, which demands a alternative material. I chose tungsten when available as its heavier, and denser than any other. Many jigheads, and specialized weighting needs, are not even available in any alternatives,.. leaving one high and dry when you "need" them. I dont ned rig as of yet, and just started dropshotting. Although there is dropshot weights out there in tungsten, and yes I bought some when I bought my dropshot rod this past spring, as I "need" them to dropshot here. I wouldn't have, if I didnt need to.
Mike L reply :
Your waters and type of plastic you use will dictate how heavy of a weight to use.
For swimming a plastic stick bait I'll use...1/16 to 1/4
Paddletail soft baits... 1/16 to 1/2
Bottom presentations... 1/8 to 1/2
Heavy cover...1/4 to 3/4
Punching matt's...3/4 to 2
Drop shot and Carolina rig are always lead...1/2 to 1
I dont fish the ned rig, too many better options.
Mike
Bluebasser86 reply :
I use 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 most often. I don't use tungsten for dropshot and have never seen any tungsten ned rig heads.
William Rossi reply :
Curious why you would use Tungsten unless state laws prohibit lead or for heavy punching.
If you cant feel a lead weight then you need to rethink your rod and line setup.
WRB reply :
Tungsten is a popular material for bass fishing weights and jigs. Some states have outlawed the use of lead and tungsten is a good alternative.
This problem with tungsten is it's expensive compared to lead. The advantage is it's heavier and harder than lead, weights are about 1/2 the size of lead.
If you shop around for inexpensive tungsten weights be careful of sharp edges.
Brass is a good alternative to lead however weighs less so weights are larger size than lead.
Drop shot weights are designed to pull off, they are expendable, no need to use expensive weights.
Drop shot, cylinder (mojo) and bullet brass weights in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 oz is all that is needed for the majority of bass fishing. Heavier weight for current, deep water over 20' and punching through heavy cover. Fine tuning weights in 1/32 increments for a few finesse presentations like 3/32 oz nail weights can be effective.
Tom
WIGuide reply :
For worms and the like, I'll usually throw 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 oz depending on cover and depth. Sometimes I'll throw a 1/32nd oz weight in front of a senko style bait but I don't go with tungsten for weights that small.
On 12/20/2016 at 11:08 PM, William Rossi said:Curious why you would use Tungsten unless state laws prohibit lead or for heavy punching.
If you cant feel a lead weight then you need to rethink your rod and line setup.
Using Tungsten isn't about feel when punching. Tungsten is almost twice as dense as lead is so the weights of the same weight are roughly 1/2 the size of lead. A weight that's half the size will punch through the vegies easier allowing you to use an even lighter weight at times as well have a more realistic presentation once the bait comes through. A lot of punching can be a reaction bite, but you can also catch quite a few fish yo-yoing the bait as well in which case I don't want a 2" hunk of lead out in front of the bait. The final advantage of using tungsten for punching is that it's harder than lead as well. Lead deforms easily and I'm sure you've seen your weight after a long day of bass fishing and noticed there small teeth marks on it. That's due to the basses teeth digging into the weight as it comes through their mouth on your hookset. Because of that it slows the bait down and not all of your hooksetting power is transferred into the hook. Even if that only means 2 less loss fish a day, to me it's worth it.
TxHawgs reply :
@WIGuide hit the nail on the head w his answer. And like he mentioned when u blow the fishes mouth open with the weight if your using a huge lead weight of an oz or more u could very well miss the hook set altogether. I don't get to do any punching as a co-angler cuz none of the old guys do it or fish slow enough to do it. So I own 1/8th to 1oz in Tungsten. I use 1/8th to 3/8th the most for worm fishing. Currently have a ton of the Strike King stuff cuz I got it really cheap but I don't like it and about to purchase some of the Picasso worm weights. Just started fishing the ned rig and bought their brand name jig heads which are lead. Fishing 4 and 5" Roboworms on a darter/jig head has been very productive on Fork lately so when I made my Keitech order I picked up some of there Tungsten jig heads. Those with my NRX dropshot rod tell me exactly what kind of cover or structure I'm fishing.
Fisher-O-men reply :
Tungsten takes some getting used to. To practice, every time you break off a lead weight, throw a couple bucks in the lake.
William Rossi reply :
On 12/20/2016 at 11:49 PM, WRB said:Tungsten is a popular material for bass fishing weights and jigs. Some states have outlawed the use of lead and tungsten is a good alternative.
This problem with tungsten is it's expensive compared to lead. The advantage is it's heavier and harder than lead, weights are about 1/2 the size of lead.
If you shop around for inexpensive tungsten weights be careful of sharp edges.
Brass is a good alternative to lead however weighs less so weights are larger size than lead.
Drop shot weights are designed to pull off, they are expendable, no need to use expensive weights.
Drop shot, cylinder (mojo) and bullet brass weights in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 oz is all that is needed for the majority of bass fishing. Heavier weight for current, deep water over 20' and punching through heavy cover. Fine tuning weights in 1/32 increments for a few finesse presentations like 3/32 oz nail weights can be effective.
Tom
I said it IS useful for states that dont allow lead.
On 12/21/2016 at 1:20 AM, WIGuide said:For worms and the like, I'll usually throw 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 oz depending on cover and depth. Sometimes I'll throw a 1/32nd oz weight in front of a senko style bait but I don't go with tungsten for weights that small.
Using Tungsten isn't about feel when punching. Tungsten is almost twice as dense as lead is so the weights of the same weight are roughly 1/2 the size of lead. A weight that's half the size will punch through the vegies easier allowing you to use an even lighter weight at times as well have a more realistic presentation once the bait comes through. A lot of punching can be a reaction bite, but you can also catch quite a few fish yo-yoing the bait as well in which case I don't want a 2" hunk of lead out in front of the bait. The final advantage of using tungsten for punching is that it's harder than lead as well. Lead deforms easily and I'm sure you've seen your weight after a long day of bass fishing and noticed there small teeth marks on it. That's due to the basses teeth digging into the weight as it comes through their mouth on your hookset. Because of that it slows the bait down and not all of your hooksetting power is transferred into the hook. Even if that only means 2 less loss fish a day, to me it's worth it.
I said it is useful for punching with heavy weights. I just dont see any other circumstance where it would be an advantage.
Even a 3/8 or 1/2 oz bullet weight is not that big.
No one yet has given a good example of why to use it.
WRB reply :
Rossi you are not the OP, the person whom I was addressing. I will tell you why I use brass n glass bullet and mojo jo weights.
1. The weight is harder, hole through the weight allows the line to slide through with very little drag and it's easier to detect strikes and the hole doesn't deform. Same is true for tungsten.
2. Both brass and tungsten being hard metals transmit clicking sounds when used with tempered glass beads, the sound does attract bass.
3. Size can be a factor in finesse presentation, a 3/16D vs 5/16D 1/8 oz jig head can make a difference using wacky rigged soft plastic on a jig when bass are finicky.
The reasons may sound trivial until you are being out fished or not getting a check when tournament fishing.
Take it or leave it, makes no difference to me!
Tom
fish4aliving reply :
Guys thanks so much for all the info its awesome!!!!
RyneB reply :
I would buy whatever tungsten I could find on sale, then I bough a pack of reins and didn't turn back. It's expensive, but I don't lose that many weights in a year to really hate myself for purchasing. I also fish 3 days a week on a river, so it's not like I'm not putting the weights in harms way. I waste wag more money on lures and plastics that I never use. I figure good line, tungsten weights, and TroKars are just something I have to have. If for anything, CONFIDENCE. Will that lead weight catch less fish? No idea, but I don't want to even have that cross my mind as I'm trying to win a tournament.
the reel ess reply :
I use 3/16 oz. bullet weights almost all the time with BC gear because I'm usually (always) fishing smaller waters with weedy bottoms. If it's windy I'll go to 1/4, but it feels like it's always digging in too deep.
J Francho reply :
I use anything from 1/8 up to 1-1/12 oz. I probably use 1/4 and 3/8 more than anything, unless I'm working heavy weeds. Then it's one ounce or better. I used to use heavier, when I used lead, but with newer, sensitive rods, it doesn't seem as necessary, and I think I like the slower, more delicate presentation better. Hope the fish do, too.
j bab reply :
Pretty much everything has been covered here, all I have to say is don't buy off-brand tungsten, it can cut your line
J Francho reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 4:25 AM, j bab said:don't buy off-brand tungsten, it can cut your line
I agree, and I also avoid unpainted weights. I inspect them before using them as well. I do not like weights with inserts. If you have to put an insert in there to protect against nicks, then I question the quality of the weight itself.
primetime reply :
I only use Tungsten on larger sizes for size since I like the smaller profile but I try to not use any Tungsten unless I protect the line or add inserts or buy the weight with inserts in them. I also make sure I check them to make sure they do not have any sharp edges, I have had Tungsten cut through Braid way to often, Especially the BPS Weights which for some reason always cut my line.
I never buy Tungsten for Dropshots, I am not someone who really cares about the feel difference as I can feel 1/8-1/4 lead just fine, but I use Brass in lighter weights for sound & Flash at times...
I like to put extra stop above the hook and above the weight to keep it from sliding & always add at least a silicone strand from a skirt to hold it tight & protect line..Fluorocarbon holds up much better from nicks.
Some of the really expensive Tungsten that costs $13 per weight without inserts may be good but I have never purchased them since weights are not fun to buy, Ebay has them cheap and Seibert has really good deals on Tungsten Weights in lots of colors...That is probably the best source as he carries 5/16 which is my favorite next to 3/16. Siebert has as good as quality as any I have used & also Jigheads that are smaller.
WRB reply :
The early True Tungsten bullet weights came with a Teflon sleeve line protector, they are now out of business. Aaron Martens has a vedio on how to use shrink sleeve to protect the line from sharp edges. Site sponsor Siebert Outdoors offer tungsten bullet weights in 3 colors and several weights at reasonable price with smooth holes, check his products out!
Tom
CTBassin860 reply :
On 12/20/2016 at 11:08 PM, William Rossi said:Curious why you would use Tungsten unless state laws prohibit lead or for heavy punching.
If you cant feel a lead weight then you need to rethink your rod and line setup.
Smaller size for the same weight and increased sensitivity.Keyword there is increased.Sounds reason enough to use them to me.
Mike L reply :
Maybe I should start another thread on this but it's been mentioned here a few times...For those who use colored weights...Why?
Mike
roadwarrior reply :
Because they look cool! I like all my gear to either match or create an attractive contrast. It's for me, I don't think the fish care at all.
J Francho reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 10:47 PM, Mike L said:Maybe I should start another thread on this but it's been mentioned here a few times...For those who use colored weights...Why?
Mike
Same reason I pick out funky beads when I visit Corning - personal appeal. I like to put them between the weight and the hook, un-pegged. Especially when fishing a ribbon tail worm.
WRB reply :
Look at colored weights this way; the biggest bass in the lake is looking at your worm or jig deciding should it bite or not...will a bright shiny silver weight turn this bass off? Sometimes a flash of color can trigger a strike. Probably need a new thread to discus this.
Tom
junyer357 reply :
I now use tungsten exclusivly by choice. I prefer the smalller size. I normally use anywhere from 1/8 to 1/2 for most things, 3/16 being my goto for most worms. I order mine from siebert and its never let me down, and prices are better.
Yes i can feel the bottom with lead, but with tungsten i can feel it better. Ive never had a problem with tungsten crimping onto or cutting my line if i hit a seawall or rocks with it on my cast compared to lead. Tungsten lasts longer to me. Each lead weight is normally good for 1 or 2 outings at most, before its to beat out of shape or the line tunnel is closed up.
JustinJ reply :
i fish 1/8 the most but i mainly fish shallow ponds and lakes. 6' or less. i also use various other sizes depending on cover and how i'm fishing.
Bassdestroyer reply :
Little 3/16 or sometimes 1/8 in little ponds
1/4 in lakes or any deeper water
That's all I use unless your flipping to cover, then go heavier
fish4aliving reply :
thanks again everyone for the advice!
the reel ess reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 11:00 PM, roadwarrior said:Because they look cool! I like all my gear to either match or create an attractive contrast. It's for me, I don't think the fish care at all.
I have avoided buying painted ones just because I'd have to buy several colors of several weights.
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