Tungsten or lead?

[Bill Kowalski]

I fish braid on my spinners and have a FC leader for my Texas rig presentation.  I've noticed micro dentations on my leader from my slip sinker.  Fearing a loss of a fish do to line breakage, I'm thinking of changing my set up.  I'm using an old school slip lead weight.  I was thinking putting a bobber stopper on it to stop the wear, but that of course changes the technique.   Would switching to a tungsten weight be easier on my leader besides its other benefits?  Or do I just feel my leader every so often or a catch?

[Diggy]

They do make lead and steel weights that are smooth edged or coated, so you won't experience line damage. Tackle Warehouse has a bunch with descriptions about not causing line damage that are inexpensive.  Maybe you had a bad batch, bad weight or you can try another brand.

[jbsoonerfan]

I only use tungsten, but I peg all my weights.

[hwright38]

Tungsten, if anything, would cause more damage to your line everything else being equal. Now, I have never had my line damaged by my weights, so you may just be using some funky shapes or, like another poster said, a bad batch.

I only use tungsten now, and I don't recommend it. Way too expensive, but like many other things, once you taste the high life you just can't go back to the cheap stuff.

[Bill Kowalski]

Pegging does solve this issue.  Sounds like I should just change out my weight and be careful.   Suppose I should pony up for tungsten,  but I have lead ready to go that's caught bass just fine. I'm not on the tournament trail and just a weekend warrior.  I'll upgrade in the future when needed. 

Thanks for input!

[NittyGrittyBoy]

How often can you fish before you feel indentions? Etc..

 

I would recommend just keep fishing like you are and take a minute and retie. In my mind that's the simplest and cheapest route. Knots are free ?

[Glenn]

I use tungsten with a bobber stopper.  I find I just don't go through weights like I used to with lead.  And the bobber stopper prevents issues that pegging causes.

 

Might seem expensive up front, but given I can use the same tungsten weight for a few seasons (yes, years), it's actually cheaper than having to replace lead sinkers several times a year as they get all banged up and warped.

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

Just watch your line and retie when needed. I only use tungsten for punching or when I'm using a weight 1/2oz or bigger. 

[Mike L]

My money is on a burr along the edges of the lead. 

When I used it I learned the hard way to inspect every one and used a hook point to smooth it out 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[CrankFate]

I don’t use tungsten. It’s way too expensive and I go through way too many rigs fishing rocks patrolled by cruisers. You get less bottom feel and less sensitivity with tungsten (at least I do). Steel or copper weights are way cheaper and you will notice a drastic increase in sensitivity.

[Jcj90]

Tungsten! You’ll never go back to lead. Super compact and sensitive. I fish me pegged and unpegged never had an issue with line fray.I like the vmc ones

[Fishes in trees]

Totally agree with the previous post. - once you go tungsten you won't go back.  I use the bobber stops rather than the rubber pegs or tooth picks.   Often I will set the bobber stop a foot or so above the weight.  Some days this little bit of separation between the bait and the weight is the ticket other days it doesn't seem to matter.

[LionHeart]

Not sure if switching to tungsten will solve your problem.  Are you sure the bullet weight is doing this, and not rocks, etc?

 

If it is, just use a hook point to smooth out the edges of the lead.  I switched to tungsten about a year ago.  It isn't life changing sensitivity IMO, but it is quite a bit smaller, and I seem to get snagged less, so to me it is worth it.

 

Tungsten is more expensive, no way around that, but if you shop around, you can find bullet weights for a buck each.

[iabass8]

9 hours ago, CrankFate said:

I don’t use tungsten. It’s way too expensive and I go through way too many rigs fishing rocks patrolled by cruisers. You get less bottom feel and less sensitivity with tungsten (at least I do). Steel or copper weights are way cheaper and you will notice a drastic increase in sensitivity.

Tungsten is denser and transmits vibrations and feel far more than lead/brass. Switching to tunsten drastically increases what you feel in the water and what you're dragging through. That's the entire reason about switching to tungsten......and it's smaller. If you're feeling the opposite, you're alone on that one. 

 

OP, use a weight with an insert and you'll be fine. 

[Stephen B]

3 hours ago, LionHeart said:

 I switched to tungsten about a year ago.  It isn't life changing sensitivity IMO, but it is quite a bit smaller, and I seem to get snagged less, so to me it is worth it.

Agreed. I don't think the sensitivity alone is lifechanging either. Increase? Slightly. Spot on with my take on tungsten.                             

[greentrout]

19 hours ago, Glenn said:

I use tungsten with a bobber stopper.  I find I just don't go through weights like I used to with lead.  And the bobber stopper prevents issues that pegging causes.

 

Might seem expensive up front, but given I can use the same tungsten weight for a few seasons (yes, years), it's actually cheaper than having to replace lead sinkers several times a year as they get all banged up and warped.

 

 

 

[CrankFate]

5 hours ago, iabass8 said:

Tungsten is denser and transmits vibrations and feel far more than lead/brass. Switching to tunsten drastically increases what you feel in the water and what you're dragging through. That's the entire reason about switching to tungsten......and it's smaller. If you're feeling the opposite, you're alone on that one. 

 

OP, use a weight with an insert and you'll be fine. 

Maybe, but the way I'd describe it is like the feel of a magnesium reel compared to reels made of harder metals. I like the softer feel in the magnesium reels, but lose a lot compared to steel and copper weights. The cheap copper weights are very hard (if theyre really even copper) and are very, very sensitive. Lead I'm not sure, I know its softer, but maybe its just so long using it. I still get better feel with it. Tungsten feels like a plastic like feel to me, like it somehow absorbs impact, that's the only way to describe it.