I know there have been tons of "Tungsten vs. Lead" threads but I couldn't really find a whole lot on using lead to punch, if this has been discussed before please point me in the right direction.

I got a rod I can use for punching now and after school I'm probably gonna pick up some hooks and weights to try out, I only have 25$ to spend so I can't really afford 6-8$ weights... I'm mainly worried because the lake I normally fish has a lot of chain pickerel and I feel I would lose the expensive tungsten weights in just a few trips...

How many of y'all actually use lead to punch thick grass and pad mats? Seems like tungsten is about 50% smaller than lead, but can I still get away with using huge 1oz or 1-1/2oz lead weights to get through the mat?

My jika punch rigs use lead.

I recently got some 1 ounce tungsten. Since I'm getting a lil more serious about punching. Bit I've een messing with lead no issue what so ever. It works fine. I've also used the steel weights. The only difference is size

Yes you can totally use the huge lead weights to punch mats. They will work fine.

Now, wheather the large profile will make a difference to the fish, the less polished weight slips through the cover as well, or the unfinished inside of the weight frays your braid. ....well. ... that's up for debate.

I prefer tungsten.

You could elimanate the polish problems by using steel. But they'd still be huge comparitively.

Y'all do understand lead weights are not that bigger than tungsten. My 1/2 to 3/4 oz lead weights are smaller in diameter just longer.

I punch matted grass with 3/4 to 1.5 oz Oldham's EyeMax Jig; don't let any one tell you a jig is not effective in grass. It is they just don't know how to fish one!

I use plutonium weights. They're very small.

Around here ( yes we have BPS, cabelas, DSG)

You can't find the heavier lead bullet's(1oz) and up.. Used to be able to find large brass.. Not now, it's tungsten or pour your own I guess..

To answer your direct question: you sure can use lead to punch.. I prefer tung. your using braid so, I don't believe break offs in soft vegetation is likely, but at any-rate lead will work!

I use plutonium weights. They're very small.

 

Good Idea J ~

 

Does that suit get hot ?

 

 

A-Jay

 

^^LOL, maybe JF is working on the Iran nuke deal as well.. Maybe

If by hot you mean sexy, then yes.

The biggest lead bullet weights they had were only 1/2oz so I just bought two 3/4oz tungsten weights and some hooks, that's the biggest size bullet weight they had....

For size comparison left to right. 3/4 ounce steel, 1 ounce lead, and then a 1 ounce tungsten flipping weight. They all work fine just different sizes

I prefer tungsten, but if you can't afford it or can't see spending the money on them, lead is fine. Looking to jika rig fish this year and that will probably be lead.

I use lead and it works fine.

For size comparison left to right. 3/4 ounce steel, 1 ounce lead, and then a 1 ounce tungsten flipping weight. They all work fine just different sizes

That's 1 oz lead egg sinker which are shorter & fatter than a bullet weight.

My point I've used lead & I used tungsten with the same results. When I need 3/4-1.5 oz I go with a jig or tungsten.

That's 1 oz lead egg sinker which are shorter & fatter than a bullet weight.

My point I've used lead & I used tungsten with the same results. When I need 3/4-1.5 oz I go with a jig or tungsten.

Oh I know it is. I was just throwing rough sizes out there for anyone who cared is al

I do and it works perfectly fine. The tungsten for punching really dosent mean anything to me. If I'm not focused on making bottom contact and feeling around then I'm not worried about the sensitivity side. But as far as its total mass that it's taking up I don't think that 1 mm difference is going to be the difference in me catching that fish or not. It's not going to say oh that hole looks a little to large to be something natural better not bite that craw fish.

All I ever use is lead.

To be honest, I'd only use lead or steel, but lead sales are banned for smaller sizes here. Sometimes I like the bigger steel when I don't need a lot of weight - it's size matches better with a big bait.

Is lead a problem if it brakes off and is now sitting in the lake? 

11 hours ago, Mottel said:

Is lead a problem if it brakes off and is now sitting in the lake? 

Sitting on the bottom, no.  In the stomach of a waterfowl, yes. 

12 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

Sitting on the bottom, no.  In the stomach of a waterfowl, yes. 

But doesn’t it emit lead and toxic chemicals into the water if it’s sitting on the bottom?

I always have liked tungsten better for punching but I started loosing to many and went back to lead.  They are just too expensive. 

On ‎7‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 10:01 PM, Mottel said:

Is lead a problem if it brakes off and is now sitting in the lake? 

Lead is not harmless but, it is not the boogey man that is has been made out to be. with common sense precautions it is not dangerous.   Yes if high levels of lead enter the body it can mess you up and be fatal.  However, it takes certain sets of circumstances for this to happen. Lead becomes dangerous once it oxidizes. lead paint for example is nothing but, oxidized lead.   Lead in most cases ( I wont say never) will not oxidize in water and break down. It is a natural element found in the earth. 

 

The only way non oxidized lead is dangerous is if you eat it ( if you were casting sinkers and don't wash your hands before drinking or eating).  if you had a open wound it could possibly get into the wound if you are really carless and do not wash after words. The issues with the birds is mainly comes from lead shot from shot guns.  the shot will hide in the water weeds and ducks ingest it while rooting around and eating lake weeds.  Most sinkers will just get sucked up in the mud never to be seen again.

14 hours ago, Mottel said:

But doesn’t it emit lead and toxic chemicals into the water if it’s sitting on the bottom?

Lead is not water soluble.

 

Tom