So the trend for a long time is towards tungsten. I started using tungsten a few years ago and like it but I'm not sure I catch anymore fish with it. Who out there is still using lead? Are you using it exclusively or mixing in some tungsten?

 

For lightweight sinkers, I much prefer lead over tungsten.

A lead sinker is wider than a tungsten sinker, which serves as a snag deflector for the bait.

An expensive tungsten sinker will often result in a snag-prone shoulder,

because the diameter of the sinker is smaller than the diameter of the bait (NG!).

 

Roger

I've used lead sinkers untill this year, when I finally broke down and bought some SK tungsten weights. Most of my t rig fishing is 1/8 to 1/4 oz, and I can't really see a huge difference. I'll use some of both from here on.

I use tungsten for the smaller size and it never frays my line. 

I use a mixture of both ?

 

Lead: 1/64, 1/16, 1/8

Tungsten: 3/16-1.25

Up to 3/8oz I use mostly lead. Anything bigger is when I feel like I start to really see the benefits of tungsten.

I have been tall in on tungsten.  From 1/16 to 1 1/2 oz jigs.  IMHO I think I can detect the bottom better.  Also, in the smallest sizes the fish don’t see it.  When I’m using 1/16 or 1/8 I t-rig a worm and it acts like a horizontal wacky rig.  Worm slowly flutters to the ground.

 

 I buy in bulk on eBay.  Only issue I have with fraying is river fishing like on the Tittabawassee and the weight gets Wedged and stuck in rocks. pulling and reefing on it will fray 20 lbs test.  However, I’m giving it hell when doing it. 

2 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

So the trend for a long time is towards tungsten. I started using tungsten a few years ago and like it but I'm not sure I catch anymore fish with it. Who out there is still using lead? Are you using it exclusively or mixing in some tungsten?

I use whatever is cheapest and/or whatever I can find at the time.

I have sooooooooooooooooo many lead weights from 1/8 to 1/2 oz that I use them when I can. I also have tungsten weights, I use those sparingly..

I use both, most of my bullet weights are tungsten now and my weights for drop shot are lead.  I don't have enough confidence in fishing the drop shot right now to justify spending money on tungsten drop shot weights.

Most of my T-rigging is on the lighter side. 1/16, 1/8, 3/16 oz., I have not tried it. Seems like anything I heard talked about was on the heavier side. I might be interested in trying something in a punching style sometime. 

17 minutes ago, FishinBuck07 said:

I use both, most of my bullet weights are tungsten now and my weights for drop shot are lead.  I don't have enough confidence in fishing the drop shot right now to justify spending money on tungsten drop shot weights.

I fish the drop shot quite a bit. I find non removable split shot to work best for me. If you do get hung up, the split shot is sacrificial and no rig damage or loss. At least very minimal. $$$ and cent wise is  a lot cheaper but that is not my main reason for use. #5’s and #4’s primarily. Step up to 3’s if windy. 

All of my lead is gone. In lighter weights 1/8, 3/16 I have steel..cheap and still fairly small. 

 

Above 1/4, I've gone to Tungsten

We can't buy lead in NY, so any that I have is sourced out of state.  I use a mix of lead, tungsten, steel, brass, but mostly tungsten based on availability.

I use 1/4 ounce weights most of the time for Texas rigs . I've been using Tungsten . I think I wasted my money buying lighter tungsten weights but do prefer them 1/4 ounce and up 

38 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I use 1/4 ounce weights most of the time for Texas rigs . I've been using Tungsten . I think I wasted my money buying lighter tungsten weights but do prefer them 1/4 ounce and up 

I don’t like the tiny ones either. Makes more sense to go with steel where the weight matches the diameter of the bait better. 

I use mostly lead all the way to ⅜, and then use tungsten in ½, ¾, 1, and 1½ ounces.

 

I was wondering the other day why there aren't lead weights jacketed in steel to make a more affordable, harder weight while still offering a smaller profile. 

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

I use 1/4 ounce weights most of the time for Texas rigs . I've been using Tungsten . I think I wasted my money buying lighter tungsten weights but do prefer them 1/4 ounce and up 

Same here. I bought 1/8 oz tungsten weights. I think tungsten is better in heavier weights also.

9 hours ago, schplurg said:

I use whatever is cheapest and/or whatever I can find at the time.

I am buying only 1 weight 3/8 in bulk so it will be cheaper and I am using the most in California, so few heavier ones for punching, but honestly only 3/8 tungsten and I think I need every 2 years to replace them, and I am 250 days on water each year. so it will be good if you do the same.

 

I've never used tungsten

5 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I've never used tungsten

I stayed away for years but really like the small size in the 1/4. I can fish a T-Rig all day and not lose one and usually don't have to go get it.  You won't lose as many, maybe not to the point of offsetting the price but seems to make my fishing more hassle free. You also get better feel, even with mono. 

9 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I've never used tungsten

As good as it is, it doesn't equal that much better of an experience or more fish.  It definitely helps with sensitivity, but losing a weight that costs that much on back to back casts, keeps me away from them for the most part.

1 hour ago, Todd2 said:

I stayed away for years but really like the small size in the 1/4. I can fish a T-Rig all day and not lose one and usually don't have to go get it.  You won't lose as many, maybe not to the point of offsetting the price but seems to make my fishing more hassle free. You also get better feel, even with mono. 

It just simply costs too much so I guess I’ll never try it 

I haven't touched a lead bullet weight or flipping weight in years. 

3 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I was wondering the other day why there aren't lead weights jacketed in steel to make a more affordable, harder weight while still offering a smaller profile. 

Im guessing a two stage process would be costlier than tungsten. 

NH is a lead free state and the movement started on my home lake by conservationists with respect to Loons.  Some companies do still ship lead to N.H. but I have “bit the bullett” ? and gone to tungsten and do like it more