Tungsten VS Lead Shakey Head

[tje0705]

Hey guys. I was wondering if you guys think tungsten shakey head are worth the money or is lead the way to go. I went to a lake this past weekend with a lot of spotted bass and caught a ton of fish on a shakey head. It’s the first time I’ve ever really had any success with a shakey head and now I’m hooked. I was using 1/8 oz Trokar Pro-v head jig which is tungsten. The only down side to them is they are pretty pricey. So what do you guys think is tungsten the way to go or would lead be the better option. Thanks guys. 

[CroakHunter]

Tungsten would be my choice if I threw a shakey head a lot. Check out omfishingsinkers.com for cheap tungsten/tungsten jig heads. 

[AggieBassin10]

Honestly most people seem to suggest Tungsten which has its advantages (loader on rock, more compact, etc.). And I'll be honest I genuinely like using tungsten. But unless fishing is your job and every little bit helps, you could probably just buy lead and never notice a difference. I've fished both in the same day and the tungsten didn't make a noticeable difference. But I'm not a pro and I'm also not a micromanager. To me if it's more economical and it works to the same extent, then it's good for me 

[Munkin]

3 hours ago, AggieBassin10 said:

Honestly most people seem to suggest Tungsten which has its advantages (loader on rock, more compact, etc.). And I'll be honest I genuinely like using tungsten. But unless fishing is your job and every little bit helps, you could probably just buy lead and never notice a difference. I've fished both in the same day and the tungsten didn't make a noticeable difference. But I'm not a pro and I'm also not a micromanager. To me if it's more economical and it works to the same extent, then it's good for me 

 

I feel the same way! On really clear lakes around here I like the compact size of tungsten which I think helps. The cost doesn't bother me as for the situations I use it in I only lose about 5 sinkers a year which doesn't amount to much in the overall cost of bass fishing.

 

Allen

[Bluebasser86]

I'll just go ahead and light my wallet on fire, it'll be easier on me than losing all the shakyheads I lose to zebra mussels. 

 

I pour my own shakyheads for pennies, so I'll stick with lead. 

[Catt]

I'm told tungsten will increase "sensitivity"?

 

What is does is transmit more vibration as long as it contacts something solid.

 

For weights under 1/4 oz I don't feel an advantage!

[TOXIC]

Depends on the application.  Yes, Tungsten does transmit more feedback and to me, it's not always a good thing.  If used dropshotting for example, I feel too much and it's easier to confuse a rock tap with a bite.  When I shakeyhead, I use the Spotsticker style and the reduced size of a tungsten head in that style would not allow the bait to stand up as well.  Also, if in a bunch of rocks, smaller head size can get hung up more easily.  All reasons why I prefer lead 75% of the time.  

[camman]

I’m like above in clear water I’m using Tungsten...if I’m around a lot of rocks/wood or in murky water I’m using lead.  I find a quality and sharp hook is more important.

[SDoolittle]

If you are using a decent M/XF "sissy stick" spinning rod and quality line, the difference in sensitivity between lead and tungsten is minimal. With that said, my all time favorite shakey head was the Tru-Tungsten Ikey Head. I liked it not for the added sensitivity of tungsten, but for it's compact size and it's fine wire, EWG hook. When Tru-Tungsten went out of business, I bought Tackle Warehouse's entire inventory of 1/8 oz Ikey Heads. I have about a half dozen of them left, and they're reserved for special occasions. These days, I primarily use lead.

[Comfortably Numb]

I think the whole Tungsten thing is BS unless flipping heavy weights.

 

If you cant feel everything your lead weight is hitting then you are using the wrong rod, line etc.

 

And fish wont care how big the head is. Who knows, they might even prefer a larger head. If anything the smaller heads get caught in crevasses easier.

 

Now if your state disallows lead, then that is another story

[flatcreek]

I'll use a tungsten shakeyhead if somebody gives me one..

[Brad in Texas]

I like and use both depending on circumstances.

 

Good point about tungten vs. lead being a very minor issue compared to proper tackle: rod, line, etc.

 

But, I don't get the comments that smaller sized tungstens get hung up more than the same weight (so, by default, larger sized) in lead. Again, this could be circumstantial, that the lakes I fish here in Texas have much different characteristics. Usually, something "small" can move through obstacles, say a crevice between two rocks, where something larger would get lodged.

 

At least as bullet weights go for T-Rigs, I have way less hang ups with tiny Tungstens than I do with the larger lead types. I'm not as certain with shakey heads but I do think lead would likely give one a larger "base" for the hook to stand up more vertically . . . if that is what you are looking to do. The Megastrike owner posts here as I recall and he makes a vey substantial base so the hooks stand straight up. Maybe he will chime in.   Brad

[Comfortably Numb]

Yeah I was thinking Rip Rap.