“Weight” and “Sinker” usually refer to a piece of metal, connected to the fishing line, that is used to sink a bait or lure into the water. Weights and sinkers come in many shapes and sizes and have a variety of uses. Weights and sinkers both are considered critical elements in the fishing repertoire. Let’s face it, it is vital that you get your bait, lure, or fly down to where the fish are, as quickly and efficiently as possible, and weights and sinkers are the keys to that success.
In the case of bass fishing, sinkers are relatively lightweight and small. It’s best to use the lightest weight to suit the depth you’re fishing, and the presentation you are using.
Most sinkers are made from lead but because of bans in a few places, non-toxic substitutes, like brass, steel, tin, and tungsten are being used too.
Types of Sinkers
Bass fishing sinkers come as fixed or free-sliding. The one you would use depends on fishing conditions, the species you want to catch, the depth to be fished, and current and wave action, the rigging you are using, etc. This is where having a guide can really help. They not only understand the local areas and the styles of rigs, types of water, etc. but they can teach you various techniques that you can then recreate at your leisure.
Fixed
Fixed weights attach directly to a fishing line by being pinched, twisted, or tied. They move as the bait or lure moves, or when a fish takes the bait or lure.
Fixed sinkers include –
- split shot – small pinch-on spheres (the most prominent fixed sinker)
- rubber core sinkers
- clinch-on sinkers
Fixed sinkers like torpedos, bead chain, keel, and planning models are used in trolling but they are not frequently used in bass fishing, since not many bass anglers troll.
Long story short for every situation there seems to be a specialized weight or sinker for the job.
Free-Sliding
Slip or Free-sliding sinkers ride along the line. They allow the line to move when a fish takes the bait without moving the sinker. This means less resistance than a fixed sinker. Sliding sinkers include ball, egg or barrel, cone or bullet versions.
Applications
Bass fishing sinkers are often known by a specific application or as associated with certain freshwater fishing rigs.
Texas rig, with a soft-plastic worm (the hook is buried in the worm body, making it snag-less) and a sliding weight on the line ahead of the worm. The weight is cone- or bullet-shaped and known as a “worm weight.”
Carolina rigs with cylindrical sliding weights – a bottom- and cover-probing setup for bass fishing. The weight slides on the mainline ahead of a swivel and a following leader attached to a lure.
Bottom-walking weights are fixed to the mainline and sport a leader running to a following lure or bait.
A drop shot rig with a drop weight may be used for a vertical presentation. It is fixed to the mainline below a suspended lure.
A piece of clamp-on lead or small lead weights may be used to add weight to a hook used with plastic worms.
If you are looking for the best fishing boat trips, fishing guides, or charters for fishing in California, Texas, Carolina, or any other location, check out www.Dupeafish.com.
Author: Christian Bacasa
Dupe a Fish, LLC.
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