Ever Used A Split Shot Sinker To Get More Distance And Depth On A Rooster Tail?

[ibobpeb]

I went fishing for white bass over the weekend and the bass were only hitting on rooster tails. Problem was I only had 1/8th ounce rooster tails, and it was near impossible to cast on a baitcaster with the wind that day being 15 mph. WB fish were also holding at the 4 to 5 feet deep water column and 1/8th wasn't going to get there. So, I put on a 3/8th ounce split shot sinker 18 inches above the rooster tail and sure enough I filled up the cooler!  

 

Ever try something different and it worked really well for you?

[georgeyew]

I don't use a split shot, but I do sometimes use a small sinker weight attached to my snap to make my inline spinner dive deeper.

[Raul]

Nope, I never do that, if I need more distance and/ or depth I just tie a bigger one.

[wisconsin heat]

I've used split shots 18" or so above inline spinners when trout fishing. It makes casting a little unpredictable at times, and the sinker might turn off a few fish. But if the spinner isn't running at the correct depth you may not get any bites at all! 

I probably wouldn't add a split shot ahead of other baits, but with inline spinners, I want to keep the small profile so I can't just bump up the lure size. Split shot might not be perfect, but it is an easy adjustment to make that often helps when fish are deeper.

[Darren.]

I went fishing for white bass over the weekend and the bass were only hitting on rooster tails. Problem was I only had 1/8th ounce rooster tails, and it was near impossible to cast on a baitcaster with the wind that day being 15 mph. WB fish were also holding at the 4 to 5 feet deep water column and 1/8th wasn't going to get there. So, I put on a 3/8th ounce split shot sinker 18 inches above the rooster tail and sure enough I filled up the cooler!  

 

Ever try something different and it worked really well for you?

 

Yes! Absolutely! I bought up a mess of Gremlin

BullShot weights on clearance at a local Dick's 

Sporting Goods that I use for this very purpose.

 

High winds, I'll crimp on a weight - maybe up 

15-25" from the hook for a splitshot presentation.

 

Has been quite successful for me.

[iceintheveins]

Yep I sure do, especially when trout fishing or smallmouth fishing. Doesn't hurt the action at all, the only problem is sometimes your rig will tangle up.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't do myself but I see something similar nearly every day.  Crappie jigs are widely used off the jettie, quite common to add an egg weight above a swivel for distance and depth.

[Bankbeater]

I have, but in some of the lakes I fish the weight tends to pick up alot of weeds.

[Montanaro]

Yes for trout fishing.

[smalljaw67]

Trout fishing with a Joe's Flies spinner. They are super light and don't cast far with my ultra light but a BB split shot just in front of the spinner is all it takes.

[scaleface]

Good job on making the lure do what you want it to do .  Next you will have a small box full of terminal tackle and making changes often .

[TheSmilingSwordsman]

Yes. When I fish really small streams for trout I often use a Panther Martin size 2 spinner.

I will add a small splitshot for a couple reasons. They are killer when fishing these small streams but sometimes the water is moving too fast for me to keep then down in the current. The splitshot helps keep the lure down. I have done this for my son when he is using a inline spinner while fishing for bass. Also, the added weight aids in both casting distance, like you said, and accuracy. An incredibly light lure is hard for me to control.

I have not found the weight to hurt the action of an inline spinner.

[I.rar]

Haven't fished a rooster tail but have with small floating rapalas. I've slayed the pan fish in NC doing that.