Just got done with a tourney today and we were on the fish. I eventually caught a limit and did ok, but I think I could have yanked in some of the big ones my non boater caught, if I would have downsized my weight earlier. We were flipping and pitching the same lure, except mine was 1/2 oz and his was 3/8 oz. As soon as I downsized to a 3/8 weight on my t-rig and on my jig, I started sticking them good. What factors do most of you consider when determining weight size? I usually determine size of weight simply on water depth, just something I overlooked today for a while.

Water depth is a big factor. Question though: Was the fish hitting the lure on the fall? Fall rate is a big factor for me from shallow to deep.

They hit it whenever the bait was moving regardless if it was on the fall, bouncing it, crawling it, etc.

Water depth is a big factor. Question though: Was the fish hitting the lure on the fall? Fall rate is a big factor for me from shallow to deep.

X2  

Usually I won't use a half ounce weight unless I'm fishing deeper than 10 or 15 ft or if I want to maintain bottem contact.  There are a few other exceptions, but I tend to try to go as light as I can given the situation and then get heavier if I need to.  This isn't counting all kinds of techniques like popping or punching, but for most applications, I start out with a 1/4oz and then move up to 3/8 or 1/2 if need be.

Water depth is a big factor. Question though: Was the fish hitting the lure on the fall? Fall rate is a big factor for me from shallow to deep.

X3

I fish from the bank about 1/2 the time. Wind is more of a concern to me than water depth. I will throw as light as the wind will let me.

As a rule of thumb I (personally) try and use the lightest weight possible for the size of lure I'm fishing.  I haven't noticed a size difference (minus the head size) between most 1/4 through 1/2 oz jigs.  So, if I can use a 1/4 oz I will.  If I'm fishing worms (senkos) fairly shallow I like to throw them weightless.

In determining the weight, the first thing I look at is what am I fishing.  Submerged cover that is deep will use a larger weight than vegetation that is shallow.  If the fish are holding to cover on the bottom then I will use a heavier weight.  Next I look at wind.  I need to be able to "stay in contact" with the lure (whether it's a worm or a jig).  When fishing worms and such in shallow water I like to fish them weightless.  On a windy day, this is too big of a headache to deal with.

Now all that can be negated by the fish's mood on the given day.  Do they want a faster fall or a slower fall?  That can be changed by trailer/skirt size or by going up or down on weight size.

Just my unprofessional opinion.