Tungsten?

[hooah212002]

Sorry if this has been discussed, but I didn't immediately see anything in search directly discussing this.

To put it short: is it worth it for someone on somewhat of a budget to get a few tungsten weights? Or is it another thing that is nice if you can afford it, but doesn't make a big enough difference for a weekend warrior who can't outfit themselves with a whole slew of em (and is prone to losing bait/lures)?

I ask because I am in the process of learning how to use plastic baits effectively and if tungsten is the way to go, so be it.

[smbrule]

I use lead in weights up to 1/4 oz. For 5/16 oz and up I prefer tungsten in order to keep the weight from being too large in diameter.

[riskkid 2]

Folks have beeen using lead weights for years and catching fish. That having been said I like the smaller profile of a tungsten weight but I'm not sure it increases my catch rate. I think if I were in your shoes I'd be just fine with lead. You can always upgrade to tungsten later when your budget gets a little bigger.

[LunkerLust]

I like the smaller size of the tungsten weights, but I think the prices are much too high.

However, if I thought that I would never lose any, I would use them for everything.

I do use some, but only in lakes with few snags and no pickerel.

[Dave P]

If you can get a few cheap, try them and see if you like it. I am slowly changing all my lead out.

[BassCats]

Unless you have the budget for it or are going to start tournament fishing for a living I suggest staying with lead.

[hooah212002]

Thanks for the advice all.

[bknap]

i agree with basscats he hit it right on. i have both and i use lead the most.

[Bluebasser86]

I have a few tungsten in large weights for punching thick weeds but that is the only application I feel you truly need a tungsten weight for the smaller profile.

[SissySticks]

I believe in frugality. I have fished with both. I still catch more fish on my little lead slider heads and gopher heads than on a tungsten bullet with offset hook. So, I guess I'd say you don't really need it. Save your money for gas to get you to the lake more often.

[Captain Obvious]

I will use tungsten for C-rigs for the feel. But anything under 3/4 is lead

Capt.O

[.ghoti.]

For me, tungsten brings nothing to the table but a high price. I can buy 20 Ultra Steel weights for the price of one tungsten weight.

Spend your money on something more important. Like a larger selection of plastics.

[topdog5050]

Nice topic..........Ill keep using lead.

[clayton86]

I recently switched over to all tungsten for bullet weights. I found a good deal at DSG last fall that had true tungsten weights for .99 a pack so I cleaned house. I just bought a decent lot of them also off eBay for 20bucks for like 50 weights I think it was.

[mikey5string]

I was once one of those guys who believed that tungsten was a waste of money, then I tried some. The smaller profile and increased sensitivity is worth the price. Were not talking a whole lot of $ here. Maybe a few bucks each. IMO they are a must have for c-rigging.

[Mumpy]

I've been using the small tungsten weights for my mojo rigs since I can't seem to find mojo sinkers in that size. Caught 6 Bass last weekend using them this way, I think I'll give them a try with a C Rig and see if I can feel the bottom better.

[Fishing Rhino]

Massachusetts has banned the use of lead. I am using Jackall Wacky Jig Heads for most of my fishing, weighted wacky worms, shaky head, and even rigging grubs on them.

I tried the Jackall hooks a few years ago, and liked them. But they were expensive. After trying several lead head versions similar to the Jackall, I settled on the Buckeye Flick It jig heads. They are a football jig head, and I prefer them to the Jackall. They are not noticably bigger in the sizes I use, 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8 ounce weights. The weed guard is better on the Jackall, but as far as fishability I give the nod to the Buckeye jig head. I fish a lot of rocky bottom, and they do not hang up as much, plus the Jackall has the eye on top of the weight where the Buckeye's eye is on the front, so it get less vegetation snagged on the head. But, I can live with either of them.

I also use the Jackall rather than the usual barbed jig heads for fishing grubs, etc. I find that using a drop of super glue to secure the grub to the weight is more effective holding the body of the grub in place. Here's a pic of the bait. I rig four inch SK finesse worms the same way so that I can glue the nose of the worm to the weight. Note where the Jackall's tying eye is located. It's easy to see how it can grab strands of vegetation.

[Hooligan]

Tungsten is a pretty major increase in feel, there's no doubt about it. That's in comparison to lead mind you. I can feel a lot more with tungsten in terms of bottom composition, weed cover, and what my bait is doing.

Is it worth it? I feel it is, but I'm not everyone, and many will disagree. I'm ok with that, too. What it is not, unfortunately, is as environmentally friendly as companies would like to have us believe. Pollution from the mining and refining, smelting, and production of tungsten are pretty massive. Considering the energy it takes to melt it, (It's the second highest melting point of any element- only carbon is higher) it's not an efficient process. If you picture it like this- the amount of heat it takes to boil tungsten is roughly equivalent to the temperature of the sun's surface. That's a tremendous amount of energy; you see where this is going...

[K_Mac]

Most of my fishing this year has been done using tungsten weights, in sizes from 1/8 -3/4. Whether or not it makes sense is open for debate. I was skeptical at first, but I like the increased feel of the bottom it gives me. It may cost me an extra $25 for the year compared to lead. With gas, energy, food, etc, going up I may not be able to afford it in the future, but for the cost of a few gallons of gas it is worth the extra to me.