Steel vs. Tungsten

[vaparrothead]

Looking at getting away from lead weights; steel seems a cheap alternative but all the "rage" is tungsten weights.  What are you guys opinions on steel vs. tungsten weights.

[Red]

I have never used steel, but I am more than happy to pay the extra $$$ for tungston.  I really like the feel from them, more sensitivity in my opinion.  They are pricey though.

[NorcalBassin]

Steel is quite a bit bigger than lead and tungsten, so that's the biggest negative if you're using t-rigs or drop shot. However, that extra size may not matter much with c-rigs or if you're in muddy water. I am more than happy to pay a little extra for the tungsten since it is smaller than lead and more sensitive. Shop around because you may find some pretty good deals on tungsten. However, being able to get steel cheap at Wal Mart can be tough to pass up.

I've been using "Bulk" tungsten bullet weights and have been pleased with price and performance.

http://www.***.com/Bulk_Tungsten_Bullet_Weights/descpage-BULKTWT.html

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Check out one of the newer site sponsors. Eco Pro Tungsten. The prices are really good for what you're getting. The paint isn't the greatest on them, but for the price I can live with it.

http://ecoprotungsten.com/cart/

[Scorcher214]

I will eventually make the switch to tungsten, hopefully next year. The only reason would be the size difference, because i mainly fish in clear water, and the smaller the better. I will probably buy from bulk tungsten or that eco tungsten site.

[islandbass]

I will not go down the W road anytime soon. Its cost exceeds what I am willing to pay for weight. If the ban on lead goes through I don't anticipate W getting cheaper by any means.

[RyneB]

I was hesitant to use tungsten because of the price. I ended up using a gift card to purchase some. I have to say it has paid off more than i ever thought. I have much more feel with the bait, and due to its smaller size, i have far less hang ups. They have already paid for themselves and more.

[.ghoti.]

I've been using Ultra Steel weights for several years. Started using them because I got tired of buying all new weights every year. Seemed like every lead weight I picked out of my terminal tackle box had the end pinched shut. Steel solved that problem.

I've never noticed the larger size having any adverse effects. I do get a better feel, compared to lead. About the same as tungsten. I've bought a few tungsten weights just to see if they're all that.

I'll stick with the steel weights, and spend the extra cash on something more significant than a weight.

[roadwarrior]

Check out one of the newer site sponsors. Eco Pro Tungsten. The prices are really good for what you're getting. The paint isn't the greatest on them, but for the price I can live with it.

http://ecoprotungsten.com/cart/

I bought 1/4 & 1/2 oz Eco Pro Tungsten (black) and have

been very impressed. I have never considered the weight

to be much of a factor, but these weights have surprised

me. Give tungsten a try and you may be surprised, too!

8-)

[b.Lee]

I like Tungsten. All I have to say.

[vaparrothead]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.  Slight difference of opinion on which is better but Tungsten seems to be winning out. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Ask yourself, truthfully, how many weights do you typically lose during the season?

I know I don't lose many, so the initial cost of tungsten is negligible when looked at long-term. If you are fishing from a boat and not under the time constraints of a tournament, there is really no reason to not retrieve most (if not all) of your hang ups.

Tungsten for me.

[grimlin]

I prefer tungsten over steel.

But i lose a bunch due to hangup from shore.I still like my lead weights.  :-/

[fishfordollars]

Tungsten, just a better feel for me.

[promax200]

Tungsten.  It's really nice to use a flipping weight that's not the size of a small orange.

[wisconsin heat]

steel will work great for carolina rigging, because with steel, you get almost as much sensitivity, and its louder, other than that youll be better off with tungsten.

[islandbass]

Ask yourself, truthfully, how many weights do you typically lose during the season?

I know I don't lose many, so the initial cost of tungsten is negligible when looked at long-term. If you are fishing from a boat and not under the time constraints of a tournament, there is really no reason to not retrieve most (if not all) of your hang ups.

Tungsten for me.

Consider yourself lucky.  I can lose 5-7 weights in a 15 minute time span as a shorebound angler when fishing the rip rap.  It is just too costly even for me to use drop shot specific weights, let alone W when fishing rip rap. And you're right. If I paid the W price, you bet I'd do what it takes to recover them.  ;D

So what I do now is use pencil lead (comes in a coil) and my special river pliers that can cut, flatten, and pop a hole for the line.  With it, I can also cut it to any length I want.  A coil of lead costs about $4 and I can easily make well over 40 weights.  A typical pack of 10 ds weights is about $3.99.  So for about the same amount of money, I can have about 4 times as many weights.