Does anyone use a tungsten bead when flipping with 3/4 oz to 1.5 oz weights, particularly in deep milfoil? I typically use beads on lighter Texas rigs to add sound, but I’m curious if that extra noise could help in heavy grass—or if it might actually catch more vegetation.

 

The main reason I’m asking is that I’m running low on 1.5 oz flipping weights. I’m thinking about adding a heavy tungsten bead under a 1.25 oz weight to bring it closer to 1.5 oz without having to buy more 1.5s.

 

What are your thoughts on this approach? Would love to hear any experiences or opinions.

You Snell knot?

I imagine a bead would make the hookset/kick a little wonky.  Otherwise I would say it's not a terrible idea.

I've never done it with tungsten, but I have used a plastic bead with both lead and tungsten punch rigs. My thought process being similar to yours about drawing attention. You'll need a small amount of movement between the components, just enough so they can tap against each other and I add an extra bobber stopper to keep things from moving up the line. 

As for adding weight, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work.

Yes it’ll work, but if it’ll do any good that’s for you to determine. 
 

I did it that way a few times when I ran out of glass beads when fishing certain bait’s horizontally with quick drops and pops. 

But as @papajoe222 mentioned you’ll need more than 1 bobber stop to keep the spacing you’ll need. 

I snell every bottom contact bait so I can’t help you there.  
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

On 7/19/2025 at 8:11 PM, webertime said:

You Snell knot?

I imagine a bead would make the hookset/kick a little wonky.  Otherwise I would say it's not a terrible idea.

I do both but yes I’ll likely snell at 1oz & greater 

No but I use a jethro rubber bead in the same spot and roughly the same since and it works great. I use it because I don't snell now that I use owner's twistlock flipping hooks, and I think the knot needs some protection with a heavy weight and a punching hookset.