Tungsten Weight Selection

[Puggz]

As a followup to my other thread on tungsten, what weights do you stock in your tackle box?  I typically carry 1/8 and 1/4 worm weights, I have a couple flippin weights but I don't recall what size (i've never used them either). I mostly drop shot for smallies in shallow water (~6ft) all the way down to 40FOW in Lake Erie.  Looks like I can get up to 3/4 oz.  I'm also going to try a Tokyo rig this year so I'll likely use worm weights on that.

 

TIA!

P.

[12poundbass]

I have a healthy inventory of 1/8 to 1/2oz. I have a few 3/4 and 1oz. 

[Jar11591]

1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.5

[MN Fisher]

1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1.5

[padlin]

1/32 up to 3/4 bullet and some odds and ends. Tungsten only on Ma.

[Cbump]

1 hour ago, Jar11591 said:

1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.5

These exactly in black, green, and plan to get some in red. 

[Mbirdsley]

I have about 10-15 each in tungsten 1/16, 1/8, 1/4,3/8 and 1/2. I only have 2 each of the tungsten 3/4 and 1oz.  I bought them for flipping and punching into brush but, I usually use the 3/4 and 1 oz for Carolina rigging.  I prefer to use a jig when punching pads. 
 

im usually pretty good about getting t-rigs back.  Jigs are another story and luckily I make those. 

[Catt]

13 hours ago, Jar11591 said:

1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.5

 

?

[Choporoz]

Variety.  But I go through 1/8 the most by far.

[A kid from Canada]

1/8 and 1/4 worms weights. Drop shot is all lead cause I lose them far too often. 

[scaleface]

The smaller tungsten weights I dont feel offer an advantage over lead . I spend my money on 1/4 to 3/8oz. I dont use larger punching weights , there is not that type of grass here.

[Choporoz]

27 minutes ago, scaleface said:

The smaller tungsten weights I dont feel offer an advantage over lead .

I'd always read this.  But once I tried 1/16, 1/8, 3/16 tungsten, I'd have a hard time going back to lead. Moving smaller tungsten through wood and grass seems to make a difference to me.  And, could be in my head, but I swear that the 'feel' has better definition with tungsten.

[WIGuide]

Tungsten weights I carry 1/8, 1/4, & 3/8 worm weights. Then I have flippin' weights in 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.25, and 1.5 oz. I might even have a 2 oz. in there too. I did try the dropshot weights, but have went back to lead since I didn't feel they offered as much of a benefit. I also carry some tungsten Pro Wacky Weights in 1/32, 1/16th, and 1/8th. 

[Derek1]

I’ve found I can use 3/16 for 90% of my fishing. I keep a couple 1/4 and 3/8’s if I’m gonna throw a bull worm or something. Other then that 3/16’s doesn’t really get bogged down and will stay down. My local Walmart used to carry the strike king four pack of 3/16 for $5.99. 

[Ben77]

1\8 and 3\16 is all I use.

[WRB]

I used lead weights for over 45 years and caught more bass then I recall, still use lead jigs I make.

In the 90’s Painted brass bullet weights with a tempered glass bead, larger then lead but still use it.

Tungsten is smaller then lead and harder then brass but always check the hole for smooth rounded edges with bullet weight, cuts the line.

I use 1 size tungsten bullet weight 3/8 oz., 3/32 nail weight, that’s it. 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 oz are all lead or brass.

Tom

[Hawgfinder]

Tom being in California doesn’t that state have a lead ban? Everything else is from what I read including fresh air ?

[J._Bricker]

43 minutes ago, Hawgfinder said:

Tom being in California doesn’t that state have a lead ban? Everything else is from what I read including fresh air ?

No, California doesn’t have a band on lead fishing weights. Fortunately, we have the Pacific Ocean to thank for the fresh air. But like every other state in our great Union we ALL have our problems, don’t we?

[Susky River Rat]

I do not use tungsten but I range from 1/4-1/2 most the time. I occasionally  go smaller or bigger.

On 5/8/2023 at 4:12 PM, Choporoz said:

And, could be in my head, but I swear that the 'feel' has better definition with tungsten.

I would think with how hard tungsten is that it would provide better feedback. We used diamond grinding wheels to sharpen tungsten for tig welding because of how bad it chews up the stone.

 

 I do have a feeling PA is going to push for no lead here soon. They say eagles are dying from lead poisoning from eating fish and deer.

[Darth-Baiter]

90% w1:8th

 

Easily.   I might bump up if current or tide is fast
 

 

[Bankc]

Tungsten is expensive and lead is still legal around here, so I only use tungsten for larger weights to cut down on size.  So for me, 1/16, 1/8 and 1/4 oz. are lead and 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1 oz. are tungsten.  I also occasionally use 1/4 oz. brass with a glass bead on T-rigs in stained water.  

 

I try not to get too deep into the metaphorical weeds with weight sizes and avoid of a lot of the in-betweens.  I also don't get too caught up with shapes, opting for mostly bullet weights, some pear sinkers in 1/8 and 1/4 and a few split shots in the lighter weights.  I try to keep my inventory down to make things easier to find.

 

I know rate of fall is the usual reason someone chooses a weight, but to be honest, with the wind around here and how I often fish from the bank, I more often than not choose weight based on casting distance needed.  

[Fishingmickey]

On 5/7/2023 at 5:58 PM, Jar11591 said:

1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.5

X3

[Siebert Outdoors]

1/8, 3/16, 1/4 are by far my biggest sellers.   

 

My tackle box has 1/8-1oz in it.

[Pat Brown]

I throw a lot of bulky plastics (8" lizards, large beavers, 10-12" worms) with bigger hooks and I like heavier weights because they are easier to skip and cast accurately and maybe it's in my head but a relatively faster fall seems to get bigger fish to bite and it definitely makes presenting the bait vertically easier.  I have used a lot of 1/2 oz bullet weights in my lakes.

 

I throw 1/8 and 1/4 with senkos and smaller thinner profile baits but I don't throw those nearly as much.

[Functional]

1/8, 1/4, 3/16, 3/8 are primary and then I have a very small assortment of 1/2, 3/4 and 1oz weights.