DROP SHOT WEIGHTS

[flippin and pitchin]

Has anyone used hollow core pencil lead as a drop shot weight ?  Did you experience line twist ?  It works for steelhead fishing.  Should work for drop shots ?

[jacobhookem]

Never used it my self but i have a friend who seems to like it. Personally i use a normal drop shot style weight for instance bosstin lead free fishing weights makes a really good drop shot weight.

[flippin and pitchin]

Bosstin weights.  man..at  six bucks for four weights I'll go bankrupt.  Thanks anyway

[islandbass]

Has anyone used hollow core pencil lead as a drop shot weight ? Did you experience line twist ? It works for steelhead fishing. Should work for drop shots ?

Wow! This is exactly what I use. You'll get as much line twist as you would with a regular drop shot weight.  In other words, I have used it without any problems.

I started doing this because it was starting to get too costly for "real" drop shot weights. $3 for about 10 weights and I could get a pound of pencil lead for about the same price.  There is no rocket science necessary to do the math.

If line twist is a real issue for you, you can employ my solution... Finally, we have good reason to use a snap swivel!

1) Tie your hook to your line as you normally would.

2) Tie on the snap swivel to the end of your line.

Since you mention steelhead fishing, I am going to assume that you have the pliers that flatten pencil lead thin enough to punch a hole in them with those same special pliers.

3) Cut your piece of pencil lead, flatten one end, and pole a hole through the flattened area.

4) Attach the lead to the snap and you're done.

The greatest benefit I have learned using pencil lead is that I can adjust my weight to suit the conditions. I also place the hole close to the end so that I can "break off" the lead with a decent tug.

Because I fish rip rap most of the time I drop shot, I usually get snagged and lose the lead well before line twist ever has a chance to be an issue. I also allow the line to "rest" after a few casts to relieve any twist too. I do not go out of my way to use a snap swivel. I tie direct for the reasons given.

Pencil  lead works great. Just get the right pliers. A local shop selling steelhead stuff should have those pliers and they can vary in price from about $7 to just under $20.

[Hammer 4]

Lunker and Mojo make these ds weights, they have a swivel built in..just run the line through the eyelet and tug...done...makes life easy when ds'n..

[NBR]

I just use split shot. The bottom one is not squeezed to tight and those above with even an even lighter crimp. Works well for me.

[Tucson]

I just use split shot. The bottom one is not squeezed to tight and those above with even an even lighter crimp. Works well for me.

My method too.  I tie a figure 8 knot at the end of the line to keep it a little more secure.

[Fishes in trees]

I messed around with drop shot fishing quite a bit last season.  Mixed results.  I had better results going heavier - 20 lb fluorocarbon & half ounce weights, flippin stick compared to a lighter rig with 6 or 8 lb fluorocarbon and 3/16 or 1/4 ounce weights.

I'm looking for 3/4 or 1 ounce drop shot weights.  I want to get a bulky, floppy plastic bait 12 to 20 feet down RIGHT NOW, rather than waiting for a lighter weight to hit the bottom.  I had better luck with the longer dropshot weights compared to the round or oval ones.

This is America.  Somebody, somewhere is making what I want.  I'm pretty sure I'll find it by next season or else I'll rig something.

[BassnMan Mike]

Just like others I have tried the expensive drop shot weights as well as other setups but over time I've gone back to a trick Dick Trask turned me onto back in 2000.

Tie your hook as normal leaving your desired tag end length then take a mojo pencil weight, slide it onto your line, take a pair of pliers and squeeze it shut in the middle of the weight. This will allow you to pull it free if it gets stuck in a rock. It seemed like this setup didnt get hung up as bad as other weight systems.

Fast forward to about 2-3 years back, I saw someone on TV, I dont remember who, using the same setup only he bent the weight to almost an "L" and said it was even less prone to hang up. I tried it and sure enough it works. It also seems to come through the water straighter with even less line twist.

[skunked_again]

I just use split shot. The bottom one is not squeezed to tight and those above with even an even lighter crimp. Works well for me.

same here.

[Munkin]

I like using the brass eye sinkers from Wal-Mart myself.

Allen

[flippin and pitchin]

That show was with Hank Parker.  I saw that segment as well.  Okay, rolled pencil lead it is boys. I 'll run it with and without a barrel swivel and let you know.  You can use brass eye ball sinkers at 1 ounce or more for that heavy stuff.  That's what I use for sea bass and Lings at Neah Bay (WA). Thanks all.

[Jig Man]

I use the Bakudan drop shot weights. 5/8 oz is the largest cavity in my mold. I normally use 1/8 and 1/4 oz the way I fish it.