toothpicks ruining bullet weights

[Ikaika]

Texas rigging lizards has become one of my favorite tactics this spring, but I'm getting frustrated by the fact that the toothpicks I use to peg my sinkers get stuck in there and render my weights useless.  How do you all deal with this problem?

[Gatorbassman]

this is what I do.

Before you put the toothpics in your tacklebox cut a little bit of the sharp tip off. Not to much or you won't be able to stick it in the sinker. Go ahead and stick it into the back of the sinker and when you are ready to remove it just take another toothpick out of you box and poke it down the front of the sinker and it should pop out.

[LrgMouthCatcha]

Another option is switching to a product by Gambler that I've heard good things about.  The bullet weight is Florida style and has a rubber core that holds the sinker in position - advoids pegging.  Just a thought, good luck!!

[Nick_Barr]

A good way to peg your sinker without ruining anything is to when your done tying your knot, take the tag end and tie it to the line just above your bullet weight. It makes a perfect stopper without sacrificing line strength and usefulness.

[Rattlinrogue]

A good way to peg your sinker without ruining anything is to when your done tying your knot, take the tag end and tie it to the line just above your bullet weight. It makes a perfect stopper without sacrificing line strength and usefulness.

Good suggestion! You are a bass whizzkid!

[Hamlet]

Just take a paperclip and poke the toothpick out of there.

[Ikaika]

Paperclip...good thinking.

How do the Gambler weights work?  If it has a rubber core that keeps it from slipping, how do you get the line through in the first place?

[Rattletrap]

Paperclip...good thinking.

How do the Gambler weights work? If it has a rubber core that keeps it from slipping, how do you get the line through in the first place?

Included with each pack of Florida Weights is a line puller that threads through the core of the weight and pulls your line through so you can tie on your hook. Slip the weight down on the worm for a Texas-rig, or slide it up a couple of feet for a Carolina-rig.

[Garnet]

I like using the slip float rubbers a small metal bead then my worm wieght and some times a glass bead. Its a lot of stuff but I can make small adjustments quick.

Garnet

[dink]

I double up a piece of line and thread both tag ends into the head of the  weight, leaving a small loop at the top.  Then, I put a silicone strand from a spinnerbait skirt halfway through the loop.  Next, I pull the tag ends of line through the weight as they pull the silicone strand through also.  Finally, I trim the excess skirt material.  This also works with rubber bands for weights with larger holes.

[FlyRod]

Just take a paperclip and poke the toothpick out of there.

Right on, Cuz! However, I now use the rubber pegs (See: "PEG-IT" ) available at many tackle stores except for certain tungsten bullets which have openings too large to grip the rubber peg. For those, I use ROUND toothpicks and, after snugging them, clip them leaving about 1/16th inch protruding from the nose of the weight. Thus, I can grip the the stub and pull the weight out, using the clippers or a pair of pliers, perhaps even thumb and forefinger. Likewise, I leave a smidge of the rubber peg protruding for the same ease of removal.

Note: Since wooden toothpicks can damage your line, 'cept for braid, ALWAYS moisten the 'pick with saliva or worm scent before insertion and snugging. (I still carry a paperclip, just in case.)

To peg, or not to peg? That is the question.  

I hereby aver that pegging, in all but the rarest of instances, will reduce hangups, allow for greater sensitivity, and maybe even cure the heartbreak of psoriasis.

FlyRod

[Guest avid]

Down here Florida way, pegging sinkers is almost a must.

Those Gambler Florida weights with the rubberized core can be a real pain in the butt. The principal sounds great but they need to work on the details.

That rubberized inner core is tougher than it looks. Getting the little metal jobbie throught it to thread the line can be a real chore. I have several of the metal threaders that are all bent to hell because they would give before the rubber stuff did. Also much of the rubber stuff comes out after a few uses. This can improve problem #1 and make it easier to thread on the sinker, but it looses some of pegging ability. I have a couple of these sinkers that barely peg at all, they slide nearly as easily as if they were regular slip sinkers.

I know this is going to sound funny but I still use em. I use the rattle kind. They are not the loudest but they add a little sound and vibration.

Gambler needs to

1. make the threader longer and stronger (The threader barely makes it through the 1.5 oz sinker)

2. make the rubber core a little softer, yet more permanant.

#1 should be easy enough. #2 may be a little harder to do, but if #1 was fixed that would be a major improvement.

I have written them with my comments. I'll let you know what they say.

[senile1]

I've always used a paperclip to push the toothpick out of the sinker.  I'm going to have to check out these sinkers with the rubberized core.  Also, I like the idea of tying the tag end above the sinker (why didn't I think of that?).

[DePoy79]

ake a rbber band, and ct it so you have about 1 inch of it, then just tie it on the line, and it can slide up and down the line, but only with pressure. meaning it wont slide when your working it, just if you want to readjust it.

[gatrboy53]

toothpicks not only get stuck but they DO weaken your line.i do what depoy does.i tie a double over hand knot in a rubberband and clip it off close and slide it down on top of weight.it works good.it also lets the weight slide while fighting a fish.i also use the gambler rattlin fl.rig but as stated it can be a pain and after awhile the rubber core wears out

[Curado]

I just take a needle and push it out.

[rebel909]

try the bullshot weight by water gremlin.  shaped like a bullet weight, but you can put it on or take it off like a split shot and it stays in place.

[volpster31]

IVE SWITCHED OVER TO THE XPS BULLET LOCK WEIGHTS

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=58026&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=10&hvarSubCode=3&hvarTarget=browse

 VERY EASY TO USE & NO HASSLES

[Cajun1977]

i use the rubberband method

[phisher_d]

try the bullshot weight by water gremlin. shaped like a bullet weight, but you can put it on or take it off like a split shot and it stays in place.

ditto.  bullshots are awesome!  8-)

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=37410&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

[Ikaika]

Did I just read on there that you get 90 of those things for $4.99?  Pretty sweet deal, too bad they're lead though...no more of that for me.

[Garnet]

I used all the methods talked about. Last year in Florida a guide showed me the bobber stop deal and I'm sold. Noticed on FLW Live video clips Larry Nixon on tjigs using a bobber stop. That makes me sold sold sold.

Garnet