T-Rig Weight

[GaBankFisher]

I've always heard that you should go with the lightest weight possible. Is this because the lighter weight allows the lure to fall slower, a larger weight will spook the fish, or something else?

Sometimes I go up to 1/2oz. Is that too heavy for water from 1-10 feet deep? I usually fish a large lake with braid (no leader).

Appreciate your thoughts.

[YakenMax]

The lighter the slower, but if you need to punch through weeds use heavy weights. Linders angling edge tv show once showed a rig called the punchin largemouth. Look up great rig. Weight also depends on water current will get to the bottom or just get pulled back

[YakenMax]

This is the rig

[sarcazmo]

All depends on what I'm fishing.  I'm i'm cruising up the shore fishing brush piles and laydowns pretty shallow I'll usually use 3/16.  I might add a little more or less but almost never go over 1/4 oz.

 

If I'm fishing deeper structure 15-20 feet of water  I'll go up to 1/2oz or a little more.

[GaBankFisher]

Yeah...I'm bank bound so my dilemma is, do I:

1) go with the lighter weight, like most recommend. If I do this, I can't cast as far.

2) use a heavier weight (1/2oz) and violate the conventional wisdom, but gain casting distance.

I guess I could fish closer first with the lighter weight then take the minute or so to change weights to hit the spots a little further away.

[GaBankFisher]

This is the rig

That's a great-looking rig. Thanks.

[sarcazmo]

You should be able to cast pretty far with a basic t-rig set up.

 

If you'd like more distance have you thought about a carolina rig?  Usually use heavier weights but because you use a long leader it doesnt really mess with the action so much.  I especially like to use slightly buoyant plastics for this and it'll help you feel bottom contours.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

3/16.... or just some clinch weights I paint them w/e color

[Bluebasser86]

Sometimes the fast fall with a heavier weight will get more strikes than a slow fall. I use a 1/4 or 3/8 for a majority of my T-rigs.

[GaBankFisher]

Thanks fellas!

[ww2farmer]

My "system" YMMV.

 

Shallow water ( 5 feet or less) 1/8,1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 oz in. wood/hard cover or colder water, 3/8-1 oz in grass depending on the thickness of the grass, bulk of the bait, and "what the fish are telling me". The warmer, and clearer the water, the faster I want it to fall, and just the opposite in dirty and/or cold water.

 

Mid depths (5-15 feet) 1/4 -1 oz..........many factors determine what size I am going to use. Generally 3/8's 1/2, and 3/4's get used the most in this range.

 

Deep- as heavy as it takes to get it there, and maintain feel. On a calm day it maybe 3/8's, or in the wind it maybe 1oz.

 

Not all baits are going to fall the same with the same weight on them, and line size plays a role in it too. A t -rigged senko or straight tailed worm with a 1/4 oz sinker pegged to it's nose on 12 or 15 lb line will rocket to the bottom as fast as a bulky bait with lots of flapping stuff on a big sinker, to give you an example, and t-rigged plastics will generally fall faster than a jig of similar weights.

[HeavyDluxe]

1/4 and 1/8 from the bank all last year... 1/4oz gets down in most of the vegetation here (VT) easy.

[JigMe]

1/8 if I am fishing shallow with little or no vegetations, or 1/2-1oz for punching grass.

[SwampLife]

95 percent of the time im using 1/8.. I just recently bought tungsten and man there's a difference that I really like

[MCS]

95 percent of the time im using 1/8.. I just recently bought tungsten and man there's a difference that I really like

Same here, 1/8 oz seems to be good

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I use the smallest weight possible unless punching through weeds, or if the wind is strong. I fish weightless t-rigs whenever conditions permit.

 

When fishing with a weighted t-rig I like to put a bobber stop on the line above the weight.