I was wanting to fish more for smallmouth this year which typically means smaller baits and spinning rods, and more "finesse" presentations for largemouth. I was wondering what are good all around weights for each of the different presentations that can get me started for alot of different situations. And anyone know how much a standard weightless wacky rig weighs?

Shakey head

Drop shot

Hair jig

Finesse jig

Neko rig

I like my finesse jigs around 3/16-5/16 personally. And a compact trimmed skirt.

The finesse jigs I fish are 1/8 and 1/4 ounce.

I fish from 1/16 to 3/16. Today the 3/32 worked best.

These are my favorites for each technique....

Shaky Head - 1/16oz Owner Shaky Head

Drop shot - 1/8oz Woo Tungsten Closed Eye Cylinder

Hair jig - I get my favorite made at a local fly shop 1/8oz

Finesse jig - Raid Egu Dama Level Heavy Cover 1/8 or 3/16oz with

Neko rig - 1/8oz nail weight

Wacky Rig - a 5in Senko weighs about 3/8oz. I use an 1/8oz Berkley Fusion Weighted Wacky Jig

With all that said, if you are fishing for smallmouth in current, I would not use any of this. A decent current with deep water and those weights won't reach the bottom. If that's the case, I would go 3/16 or 1/4oz.

Overall 3/16 is the best weight for me. In 5 FOW or less I do go down to 1/8.

Allen

Shakey head 1/16 or 3/32 with my favorite shakey head being the Gamakastu Tricky head by a long shot.

DS would be 1/8 tungsten closed eye cylindrical DS weight

Hair jig depends on the amount and type of hair, as well as depth anywhere from 1/16 for smaller ones to 3/16 for larger heavily tied marabou and craft hair jigs.

finesse jig is 3/32 to 5/16 with 1/8 and 3/16 being used often

Nekos for me vary from 1/16 to 5/32 most often. I use lead Damiki weight in 1/16 and 1/8 most often. I use tungsten nails from 3/64 to 5/32 in a ton of different weights. I would suggest getting 3/32 and 5/32 in tungsten nails. Lead nails can be good too. You can break lead nails to dial in the weight and theyre cheap.

Shaky head: 1/16, 1/8 or 1/4 depending on the depth I'm fishing

Drop-Shot - 1/16, 1/8 or 1/4 depending on the depth I'm fishing

Hair Jigs - never fished with them

Finesse Jigs - 1/8 or 1/4

Neko - 1/32 or 1/16 depending on the depth I'm fishing

Whatever I can cast well.

If the bass don't like my 1/4 oz weights, that is their problem not mine. I will go find some bass that appreciate my minimalist terminal tackle. If I can't find any, I prefer to fish crankbaits anyway.

On 2/20/2026 at 8:33 PM, Speedy Turtle said:

I was wanting to fish more for smallmouth this year which typically means smaller baits and spinning rods, and more "finesse" presentations for largemouth. I was wondering what are good all around weights for each of the different presentations that can get me started for alot of different situations. And anyone know how much a standard weightless wacky rig weighs?

Shakey head

Drop shot

Hair jig

Finesse jig

Neko rig

Shaky head 1/8-3/16oz

Drop shot 3/8-1/2oz

Hair Jig not enough experience with it

Finesse Jig 1/8-1/4oz

Neko Rig 1/16-3/32oz

1/8 ounce jig with a nice little trailer. Works great for Smallmouth.

I usually fish 3/16 or 1/4 on DS but you do see some pros say they like to use a heaver weight because it keeps the weight planted when you jiggle it. Looks like most on here don't buy into that. Same with Ned etc.... I always find I gravitate towards the lightest weight that is fishable in the wind/current.