I'm just wondering if there is a quick way to figure what size weight you should throw with x y z bait. For the moment, I'll texas rig some sort of flippin bait and watch to see if the weight has enough pull to make the tail/paddle/pincher flutter on the fall. If it does I know I can use that weight and heavier. 

 

I'd like to find a way to quickly judge in the store so I don't have to spend a fortune on every size weight. Thanks fellow anglers.

I use weights according to water depth mostly. Fish activity also comes in to play. sometimes they prefer a quick decent with alot of bottom disturbance. Other times a very slow fall works and the bait never reaches the bottom.

Cover is a factor in weight size as well. What are you trying to get the bait through? A 1/4 Oz is going to get snagged in moderate to heavy cover.

I recommend getting 1/4 Oz all the way up to 1 oz. I generally use a 1/2 oz. If I feel the lure is too slow or fast, I will adjust accordingly. The fish will tell you what they want if you let them.

Good luck!

At the price of tungsten weights I wish there was a simple formula to determine what weight for any particular bottom bouncing bait. There is not. As with many things fishing the answer is it depends. I use from 1/8 -1.5 oz depending on (in no particular order):

1. The size of the bait (a bulkier bait will require more weight to get a given rate of fall [ROF])

2. Depth of the water (deeper water will sometimes require heavier-although this is not always the case)

3. Clarity of the water (clearer water will generally require a little faster ROF)

4. Wind (stronger winds will often require more weight to keep contact with your bait)

5. Type of cover and where in the cover the fish are holding (sometimes when fishing grass a lighter weight will keep the bait higher in the grass and work well; other times a heavier weight is needed to punch down into the grass)

6. Mood of the fish (this is the most important of the bunch in my opinion. Sometimes a bait worked quickly near the bottom will work well; other times slowly, while maintaining contact with the bottom is necessary. Sometimes a bait pitched to cover and very slowly falling through the strike zone will kill; other times a fast ROF will work best.)

 

I have had days where the the difference in catching or not is very small. Last year we had a day where 3/16 oz T-rigged beavers pitched to cover worked well. 1/4 or heavier caught little. 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, and 1/2 are what I use most. Good luck.

I kinda figured as much. Well, I guess I'll be stocking up on tungstens at bps Friday. At least they are on sale!