Tungsten vs lead. 2025
_509_outdoors reply :
Lately I’ve been looking at getting some tungsten, but is it really worth it?
Pros: smaller, heavy, more feel.
Cons: much more expensive.
That is just some of the info I’ve been given on tungsten. What are your thoughts about the debate?
scaleface reply :
I havent used tungsten because of the expense . I was hoping they would come down at some time .
CroakHunter reply :
I'll never use lead again. Check prices of tungsten here. Omfishingsinkers.com
riverbasser reply :
I've started using it more lately mainly because I don't lose my weights that often so they last me long enough to justify the cost for now. If I fished more rocky lakes/rivers I probably would feel differently
Log Catcher reply :
I mostly use lead but i do have some tungsten weights. I get upset when a tungsten weight gets hung up and I end up losing it due to the cost of them. I am a little unsure about tungsten weights and which ones to use due to hearing and seeing so many reviews about them causing line damage and people losing fish. For what it is worth I always peg my weight.
Choporoz reply :
I haven't made the full-on conversion that @CroakHunter has, but I am a big fan. It doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Get some and give them a try. TW has had Reins on sale recently - keep an eye open. And, Sieberts' prices are quite reasonable. (Haven't tried omfishingsinkers yet.)
The difference in feel is remarkable, especially on rock or other hard surfaces...lead feels just sort of mushy after having used tungsten
Jlsfishing reply :
I agree it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Tungsten does have more feel and is more dense so it makes a different sound when banging around rocks and wood. I strictly use tungsten but it all goes back to a confidence thing for me. I prefer the feel of the tungsten but to each his own. Nothing at all wrong with using lead.
All about da bass reply :
Tungsten tungsten tungsten only use tungsten!!!!!!!!! Use what you like, but I love how sensitive it is. It's actually not that expensive either.
blckshirt98 reply :
If you can afford the expense of tungsten, go with tungsten. If money were no object I'd go all tungsten. More compact/more dense for a better feel of the bottom. Also with lead being banned in more places, it's probably the best of the lead-alternatives.
omfishingsinkers.com is the real deal, though I've gotten maybe 1-2 bad ones so far out of a batch of 100 I bought where the line clip pulled out of the weight itself when trying to work a snagged weight free.
One thing about tungsten weights I've read is that the high melting point of tungsten and equipment required makes it impossible for the enthusiast to make their own weights. When buying tungsten weights you're probably buying a re-packaged/re-branded tungsten weight bought in bulk from an overseas manufacturer.
dgkasper58 reply :
On 5/22/2018 at 9:40 PM, CroakHunter said:I'll never use lead again. Check prices of tungsten here. Omfishingsinkers.com
This is cheap....
Is it real tungsten?
J Francho reply :
On 5/23/2018 at 1:30 AM, dgkasper58 said:Is it real tungsten?
Yes.
cgolf reply :
Due to cost of jig heads and weights and the waters I fish the most, I can't afford to switch. I will have days where I lose a bunch of baits due to rocks on the bottom of the river, but the problem is without maintaining contact with the bottom I won't catch anything. Lake fishing I could probably get away with it, but the river would be a money pit.
All Day Fishing reply :
I recently went to Tungsten, once I use up my lead I will never go back. Its more sensitive, and more dense so the size of the weight is much smaller then lead even though they weigh the same! Its amazing stuff.
Dtrombly reply :
Tungsten hands down. The size comparison with tungsten vs lead is why I'll never go back to lead.. the added sensitivity is just a bonus.
blckshirt98 reply :
On 5/23/2018 at 1:30 AM, dgkasper58 said:This is cheap....
Is it real tungsten?
omfishing sinkers are the real deal. Takes a while to ship, but it's arguably the best deal around for low quantities of weights.
For large quantities of weights you can always go to alibaba and negotiate a price for a bulk order. You need a minimum quantity of around 100-200 sinkers, but you can get them for well under $1 each depending on size.
greentrout reply :
Like the Siebert's with a more rounded end with the bore technology to protect the line. Do a lot of fishing on Rip-rap. That helps to avoid hang ups...
Just made a purchase...
Troy85 reply :
I've recently switched to tungsten. While they are more expensive than lead, where I fish is mostly just soft bottom and grass, so its pretty rare to lose weights. I like the added sensitivity of tungsten and of course the smaller size.
Catt reply :
Either!
The number of fish caught doesn't go up with tungsten.
I can feel lead just fine
Sometimes I don't want a quiet entry... sometimes I wanna cause a little commotion!
I throw both! ????
Comfortably Numb reply :
How sensitive does it need to be? I use sub $100 rods with braid and a short flouro leader. I can feel the fish breathe on the bait. I can feel every tap on rock or wood. Oh and if you are fishing rocks, the smaller size snags easier in the cracks.
Now punching big weights is another story.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I use both. Come fish some zebra mussel covered docks or trees with tungsten bullet weights and see if you don't wish if you had some lead with you 
I like tungsten for flipping in grass or when I'm using larger size weights and the size difference is really noticeable.
bhoff reply :
I really only use tungsten when fishing thick grass or heavy cover and need the extra weight. Only start using it at one ounce and above, otherwise, its lead for me
eyedabassman reply :
I like tungsten alot but I am going back to lead just for the cost! I am on Table Rock and with all the rock and wood in this is lake I can’t afford it anymore! If I was still guiding up north in Wisconsin I would still be a tungsten guy, no way near as many hang ups! Love it just getting too expensive!
DogBone_384 reply :
It’s a non-issue in MA. Lead under 1 oz. is illegal.
justbassintime reply :
On 5/22/2018 at 9:31 PM, _509_outdoors said:Lately I’ve been looking at getting some tungsten, but is it really worth it?
Pros: smaller, heavy, more feel.
Cons: much more expensive.
That is just some of the info I’ve been given on tungsten. What are your thoughts about the debate?
Best way I can describe it. Tungsten is like making love unprotected. Lead is like wearing a condom. This is the only way I have figured out how to explain this to people. Once you go to tungsten you won’t go back. I tried
haggard reply :
On 5/22/2018 at 9:31 PM, _509_outdoors said:Lately I’ve been looking at getting some tungsten, but is it really worth it?
Pros: smaller, heavy, more feel.
Cons: much more expensive.
That is just some of the info I’ve been given on tungsten. What are your thoughts about the debate?
I use only tungsten, mainly to avoid adding toxic lead to the lake if I lose a lure. Home lake here is clear and clean and supports loons and bald eagles.
greentrout reply :
Use Bullet Weights most of the time. Caught a few bass using 'em. Like the tungsten for smaller profile and a little better sensitivity on hard surfaces.
good fishing...
Quarry Man reply :
I am all about tungsten, the only time i don't like them is when i am skipping docks that have pontoon boats. tungsten is extremely hard and is loud when i make a bad cast and it hits aluminum pontoon boats. It is also annoying when the weights hit the boat which is also loud.
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