Tungsten Vs. Lead

[STPC]

The last time I checked, an ounce of feathers weighed the same as an ounce of steel.  So what is the difference b/w using a 1 oz. lead weight and a 1 oz. tungsten weight other than the size?

 

It seems like all I hear about in the weights department are tungsten weights.  My only question is:  what makes them so great?

[rippin-lips]

Tungsten is more dense than lead so it transmits vibration better. Also the smaller size is an advantage because it tends to hang up less over a larger lead weight.

[NathanW]

tried it. loved it. threw out all my lead. no regrets.

[Raul]

Weight size is smaller, also, if it matters, and it matters a lot in certain conditions, tungsten has much better acoustic properties than lead.

[WRB]

Tungsten is a very hard metal like heat treated carbon steel and heavier than lead by volume. The big issue was the ban on lead that caused the use of alternate heavy metals for bullets and fishing weights. The lead ban was or has been defused in most states for fishing weights.

Lead being a soft metal sharp edges doesn't harm fishing line, tungsten will if any sharp edge touches the line it will cut it and is a problem for sliding bullet type weights.

The down side with tungsten is sharp edges and high cost. The up side is smaller size and creates louder clicks hitting rocks, slides easier on the line with nylon liner tube and less friction than lead.

Brass weights have similar up side qualities except larger size than lead, lower price than tungsten and makes a good alternative for sliding bullet weights in the 3/16 to 3/8 oz sizes.

Tom

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Harder, denser material.

An ounce of feathers may weigh the same as an ounce of steel, but how much bigger is that ounce of feathers as opposed to the steel.

The difference is noticed more and more as the weight increases.

IMO the pros outweigh the cons in the lead versus tungsten debate.

[WIGuide]

Tungsten is more dense and harder than lead. This will cut your size of weight roughly in half. The smaller size in most cases will help to alleviate a lot of hang ups as well as give your bait a more realistic presentation. Given it's properties it transmits sound and vibration better than lead and the added vibration transition will allow you to have a better feel of the bottom. Also, because it's harder, it won't deform like lead. Believe it or not, because lead is such a soft metal, a basses "teeth" or Velcro-like ridge can actually dig into lead when you set the hook reducing your hook setting power. Tungsten's  hardness and decreased size will not allow this to happen and effectively the weight slides right through letting you transfer all the energy to the hook set. Above all else, even though using lead weights hasn't been proven to be detrimental to waters, but there's something that tells me that dumping a substance that is known to cause birth defects among other things into our waters can't be a good thing. Tungsten although more expensive is a more environmentally friendly material. 

 

There have been reports of people having issues with the insert free weights cutting line, but these are due to poorly made weights. If you're in the market, check out Eco Pro Tungsten. Not only will you have zero issues with them, they also make some very innovative products that you won't find anywhere else!

[FrankW]

I like tungsten but find that for me lead is better for fishing Pads with light weights. I like a bait and weight with a large frontal area for pad fishing. With a small weight and a worm it tends to get caught in the slit in the top of the pad far more often and a bigger bait and weight. I fish a tube with a 1/4oz lead weight and find that it works better than the smaller tungsten 1/4oz weight. Drop down to 1/8oz and the lead weight definitely works better for me than tungsten.

Frank