Most widely used weights - When, Where, and Why

Weights come in many different designs, and materials, most novice fishermen don't know when to use what weight , most just use what they have at the time, and in many cases it works just fine, but which weight is the best for each fishing application, can a weight design make the difference between success and failure, the answer to this is yes.

Weights are used for three purposes: (1) to throw your bait or lure further, (2) get your bait or lure to the bottom or at least below the surface in float fishing, and (3) hold your bait or stationary in current.

Split shot

1/64- to 1/4-oz
Every fisherman has at least some split shot in his tackle box. It is the easiest weight to attach to a fishing line and is almost a must to use when you only want a very small amount of weight. Many use split shot as a slip weight stop, and it is almost always used when float fishing. Split shot have only one real drawback: they can weaken the fishing line as they are crimped on the line. You need to take this into consideration when setting the drag on your reel. Your line strength can end up less than rated, so always allow for this when using split shot.

Slip Shot^™

1/16 oz to 1 oz
The Slip Shot^™ was fist invented by the Mojo company, and has been knocked off by many manufactures since it's introduction by Mojo. It addressed the problems of weakening the line, that split shot has, and it is available in heavier weights than split shot. The Slip shot can be set to one place on the line like a split shot, or used as a slip weight. The Slip shot is pegged with rubber, and thus does not damage the fishing line. Another advantage of the slip shot is it's small dia. it rarely ever hangs up, except in rocks, which can hang nearly any weight. The slip shot is also used when using soft plastic baits, when pegged up the line, it is called the Mojo Rig, and has won many national bass tournaments. This rig is also very productive when fishing natural baits. The Slip shot weight is very versatile, and can be used in many rigs.

Egg Weights

1/8 oz to 16 oz
Egg weights are the typical slip sinker, although they can be pegged into place, many use a tooth pick to do this. Egg weights can be very heavy, and are used for fishing applications where hanging the weight up on snags is not a problem, as they do tend to hang up very easily. You can rig egg weights on a three way or dropper rig, as a sacrificial weight, by running the line through the weight, then crimping three or more split shot behind the weight, but this has a high failure rate when casting, if a heavy egg weight is used.

Bullet Weights

1/8- to 1-ounce
Bullet weights were designed to replace egg weights when fishing soft plastics with Texas or Carolina rigs, the sharp bullet point was designed to come through cover better than egg weights, although the Slip Shot weight works better than these, these still work quite well. Many natural bait fishermen don't consider using bullet weights, they should consider these weights instead of egg weights, they will greatly reduce the weight hanging up. These weights are slip weights, and can be pegged like an egg weight.

Bell Weights

1/8 oz to 3 oz
Bell weights are second only to egg weights in the number used by bottom, natural bait fishermen. The bell weight can be used either as a slip sinker, or a three way, or dropper rig weight, as the line can be tied to the bell sinkers wire loop, or slide through that loop. bell weights do hang up quite a bit, and are not recommend for fishing where a lot of snags are present.

Bank Weight

1/4 oz to 18 oz
Bank weights have been around for a long time, they are like a bell sinker, but the eye is cast into the lead, thus making them faster, and cheaper to manufacturer, they are used heavily in the 3 oz, to 1 1/2 lb range for off shore reef fishing, with dropper rigs. Occasionally you find these in your local tackle shop, molded by some local fisherman, as this is a popular fishing weight mold that is sold to the public for making their own weights. it does hang easily when not fished straight up, and down, when using it this way, it works quite well, and many cat fisherman use them for straight up and down fishing with a dropper rig, bouncing the weight on the bottom

Pyramid weight

1/2 oz to 8 oz
Pyramid weights are designed where hanging on snags is not a problem at all, sandy bottoms, the shape is to keep the weight from rolling in the current, the square end is for digging into the sand, helping to hold the the weight and bait in place. Never use a pyramid anywhere but where clean sandy water bottoms are present

"Rig Saver" Weight

1/4 oz to 1 oz
The "Rig Saver" weight was originally designed to be used with the Boomerang fishing pro, but it was found to be the most efficient bottom rig weight for all bottom fishing. This is a sacrificial fishing weight, due to it's design it rarely hangs on snags, but when it does, you just loose the lead portion of the weight, not you line nor you hook and bait. due to it's design, it can hold as well as three times it weight in other weight designs, in current. You can make your own Rig savors using a paper clip and a bell sinker, straighten out a paper clip, bend an eye in one end, then insert into the weight, then bend the end over, if the weight snags the paper clips straightens out , you loose you lead but nothing else.

Spark Plug

Yes, you got that right... actual automotive spark plugs for fishing weights. Many old time cat fishermen who fish below dams, where there are nothing but rocks to hang up on, and where every cast will probably result in loosing your weight, use old automotive spark plugs for weights, they get these free from service stations and auto garages, who save them for the fishermen. Just bend down the electrode, and tie on your lighter than you main line, weight leader. these work with three way and dropper rigs best

Good fishing...

Rodney Long
Recoil Rig^™ Inventor
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