Split Shot

[Mobasser]

I've always carried one of the " frying pan" split shot weight assortments in my tackle.                     The best I've used are soft lead, and I always get the round plain split shot. I avoid the reusable type. For bottom fishing, the small " ears" on this style hang up on weeds, moss etc.  Besides the well known split shot rig, you can quickly add weight to almost any lure.              And here's a good tip I learned since I joined BR, from WRB. Crimp the split shot on the end of your line. Slide it back and fourth up and down the line up to 10".  This creates a small groove in the soft lead shot. Clip this front portion of line off, then lightly crimp the shot in place where you need it. This helps to not damage your line, or weaken the line by just crimping the shot on. It works well on monofilament lines. I would imagine it works well with braid/ leader setups also.                Do you carry split shot weights? Are there any brands you've tried that you like the best?

 

[scaleface]

9 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

And here's a good tip I learned since I joined BR, from WRB. Crimp the split shot on the end of your line. Slide it back and fourth up and down the line up to 10".  This creates a small groove in the soft lead shot. Clip this front portion of line off, then lightly crimp the shot in place where you need it. This helps to not damage your line, or weaken the line by just crimping the shot on.

Thats why I never use split shots , for fear of damaging my line . Great tip .

[Mike L]

I did years ago and it’s the first rig I taught the kids. Honestly, I never think about it anymore. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[KDW96]

Ive used to add weight to hooks on swimbaits. And to crankbaits to get them alittle deeper. All though ive been using lead wire roll on cranks and jerkbaits. Its quicker with split shot and super glue on hooks.

[OkobojiEagle]

I'll add a small spit shot on the line above a wacky rig...

 

oe

[Finessegenics]

I’ve thrown it before with some success, but what kind of retrieve are you guys using? I was just dragging on bottom. 

[Mobasser]

1 minute ago, Finessegenics said:

I’ve thrown it before with some success, but what kind of retrieve are you guys using? I was just dragging on bottom. 

Very slow reeling with occasional pause works well.

[PaulVE64]

I use gremlin split shot almost everyday i am fishing the river.

 

[Spankey]

I never use the reuseable with the ears on them. They are problems or can be as far as hanging up. I have myself convinced of that. I use "B" size to act like stops for worm weights and egg sinkers, 4's-5's-7's for most split shot fishing, 1's and 2's for light drop shot weights. I use clam shot for drop shot weights also. I can get them slightly heavier. Split as a dropshot weight will save rigs and eliminate any headaches. To me or just my opinion split shots are better for river fishing.

1 hour ago, KDW96 said:

Ive used to add weight to hooks on swimbaits. And to crankbaits to get them alittle deeper. All though ive been using lead wire roll on cranks and jerkbaits. Its quicker with split shot and super glue on hooks.

I've added clam shot to ewg's on a lot off occasions. Works well and you can remove it if you dont wantit on there.

[throttleplate]

i use split shot and my problem is no matter how i crimp it on fluoro or braid it will always slide a few inches after a handfull of casts.

The force applied when casting is enormous and reeling in against weeds.

My wife crimps the heck out of the splits with a pliers and never has a problem to date of a broken line at the split.

[T-Billy]

I don't use 'em anymore. I use a small bullet or mojo style sinker with a rubber toothpick style stopper instead. They stay in place better than the splitshots and come through cover better.

[Mobasser]

Just now, T-Billy said:

I don't use 'em anymore. I use a small bullet or mojo style sinker with a rubber toothpick style stopper instead. They stay in place better than the splitshots and come through cover better.

I've also used the peg it sinker stops with different weights. Agree, these work well.

[Bird]

I only carry 1/8 bullet split shot and really only 2 uses presently.

On a wacky rig when I want to speed up presentation and when a weightless senko lasts long enough to lose it's salt.

I throw a lot of Elaztech ZinkerZ and they will actually float after extended use, even with a 4.0 hook. Lol

[king fisher]

Tie your line the same as you would for a drop shot.  Then instead of a single weight tied to the dropper line, crimp split shot on the dropper.  You can add as many shot as you want, and can shorten the dropper to an inch or so, if you want the weight close to the line.  If the shot gets snagged it simply slides off, and all you have to do is put a new split shot on.  I have used this method  swinging flies for salmon and steal head for many years with great success, I'm sure it will work well for bass too.  

[OkobojiEagle]

I've not been successful using split shot on a drop shot rig.  Using lighter weight shots, the dropper line often fouls on the bait above it when cast.  Using heavier weight shots, the shot often flies off the light line when cast.  Having the weight above the bait as with a wacky rig, I don't have these problems.

 

oe

[king fisher]

11 minutes ago, OkobojiEagle said:

I've not been successful using split shot on a drop shot rig.  Using lighter weight shots, the dropper line often fouls on the bait above it when cast.  Using heavier weight shots, the shot often flies off the light line when cast.  Having the weight above the bait as with a wacky rig, I don't have these problems.

 

oe

I didn't explain very well.  You put the shot on the short piece of line above the bait, not below it like a typical dropshot.   The dropper is short and above the bait just like a normal split shot rig, only you put the shot on a small dropper, instead of on the main line.  You can use a barrel swivel or tie a surgeons knot leaving a tag dropper for the shot.  Same rig as many fly fisherman use for a double steamer fly set up only use split shot instead of the front fly.

[padlin]

MA changed to no lead so I've been working on replacing my weights, picked up one of the "frying pan" style containers of Water Gremlin tin round split shot for this coming season but I haven't tried them yet. I use them when I just want to add a touch of weight, usually just to try out a different weight then if it works I'll change to a bullet/different bullet.

 

I tend lose a lot of split shot as I don't crimp them hard.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

2 hours ago, throttleplate said:

i use split shot and my problem is no matter how i crimp it on fluoro or braid it will always slide a few inches after a handfull of casts.

The force applied when casting is enormous and reeling in against weeds.

My wife crimps the heck out of the splits with a pliers and never has a problem to date of a broken line at the split.

Make an overhand loop where you want the split shot. Then put the split shot on the line and cinch the loop shut around it.  

[garroyo130]

On 3/12/2022 at 8:09 AM, Mobasser said:

Are there any brands you've tried that you like the best?

 

A while back when I bought some fly fishing/tying gear they threw in some split shot. Haven't been able to find the brand anywhere, but its called Plomatic. The lead is super soft and a darker color than the split shot you commonly find in stores. Its good stuff. 

[ChrisD46]

Makes me wonder what other uses split shot would have on today's soft plastics , in conjunction with hooks , etc. ? My specific current interest is adjusting the fall rate of lighter 5" soft stick worms (i.e. Yum Dingers) by placing weight in the center of the Dinger where I can add split shot right at the hook knot , I could cut a small slit in the center of the stick worm bottom and glue a split shot(s) inside , could be small nail weights trimmed to size could also be inserted dead center of a Dinger . Looking for a cheap solution to add weight to the center of a wacky rigged Dinger .

[NYWayfarer]

I have been using rubber coated split shot that I found on Amazon. I find they don’t damage the line as much as traditional split shot weights.

 

THKFISH Fishing Weights Sinkers Split Shot Fishing Weights Removable Rubber Weights

[WRB]

The split shot has been around a very long time used to add weight to live bait like worms and minnows.

Like today’s Ned rig the Split Shot rig used to catch bass in the 60’s and 70’s was a very specific early finesse rig.

Bill Murphy a member of the Pisces bass in San Diego May have been the pioneer using #1 and #4 round lead split shot to stitch DeLong 9” plastic worms. Murphy wasn’t finesse fishing using salt water size Cardinal 6 spinning reel and custom rod. 

Dick Trask is credited for finesse split shot rig using size #4 round split shot with 6 lb mono size 1 light wire worm hook. 

Dick suggested placing the split shot 14” above the hook using boiled soft Mister Twister Phenom 4 1/2 curl tail smoke worms. Dick discovered Flutter Craft 41/2” curl tail worms smoke and cinnamon blue flake that he packaged in French Fry cartons 25 each at local SoCal shops. Dick was eager to discuss his presentation but few anglers in the early 70’s would use 6 lb line. After 5 years of dominating Local bass tournaments, anglers started listening, including Don Iovino being a early convert.

What Trask didn’t disclose that he swam the split shot rig off the bottom.

Tom

 

[Glenn]

On 3/12/2022 at 8:30 AM, T-Billy said:

I don't use 'em anymore. I use a small bullet or mojo style sinker with a rubber toothpick style stopper instead. They stay in place better than the splitshots and come through cover better.

 

^^ This ^^

 

And here's how:

 

 

[Log Catcher]

I haven't carried any split shot sinkers with me for years. I do use some of the cylindrical weights that you peg with a rubber toothpick.

[WRB]

I replaced the split shot rig with the slip shot rig and use a dart head jig to swim a curl tail worm.

R.I.P Dick Trask, you were the split shot man who dominated Western Bass winning 7 fully rigged bass boats.

Tom