When to change lure weight??

[Fishin247365]

Just got done with a tourney today and we were on the fish. I eventually caught a limit and did ok, but I think I could have yanked in some of the big ones my non boater caught, if I would have downsized my weight earlier. We were flipping and pitching the same lure, except mine was 1/2 oz and his was 3/8 oz. As soon as I downsized to a 3/8 weight on my t-rig and on my jig, I started sticking them good. What factors do most of you consider when determining weight size? I usually determine size of weight simply on water depth, just something I overlooked today for a while.

[CJ]

Water depth is a big factor. Question though: Was the fish hitting the lure on the fall? Fall rate is a big factor for me from shallow to deep.

[Fishin247365]

They hit it whenever the bait was moving regardless if it was on the fall, bouncing it, crawling it, etc.

[Catt]

Water depth is a big factor. Question though: Was the fish hitting the lure on the fall? Fall rate is a big factor for me from shallow to deep.

X2  

[Brian_Reeves]

Usually I won't use a half ounce weight unless I'm fishing deeper than 10 or 15 ft or if I want to maintain bottem contact.  There are a few other exceptions, but I tend to try to go as light as I can given the situation and then get heavier if I need to.  This isn't counting all kinds of techniques like popping or punching, but for most applications, I start out with a 1/4oz and then move up to 3/8 or 1/2 if need be.

[fishfordollars]

Water depth is a big factor. Question though: Was the fish hitting the lure on the fall? Fall rate is a big factor for me from shallow to deep.

X3

[Bankbeater]

I fish from the bank about 1/2 the time. Wind is more of a concern to me than water depth. I will throw as light as the wind will let me.

[tyrius.]

As a rule of thumb I (personally) try and use the lightest weight possible for the size of lure I'm fishing.  I haven't noticed a size difference (minus the head size) between most 1/4 through 1/2 oz jigs.  So, if I can use a 1/4 oz I will.  If I'm fishing worms (senkos) fairly shallow I like to throw them weightless.

In determining the weight, the first thing I look at is what am I fishing.  Submerged cover that is deep will use a larger weight than vegetation that is shallow.  If the fish are holding to cover on the bottom then I will use a heavier weight.  Next I look at wind.  I need to be able to "stay in contact" with the lure (whether it's a worm or a jig).  When fishing worms and such in shallow water I like to fish them weightless.  On a windy day, this is too big of a headache to deal with.

Now all that can be negated by the fish's mood on the given day.  Do they want a faster fall or a slower fall?  That can be changed by trailer/skirt size or by going up or down on weight size.

Just my unprofessional opinion.