When the weeds started to get really heavy, I went to my local bait & tackle shop for some 3/4 and 1 oz. worm weights. They only had 1/2 oz. in lead. The guy said I should be using tungsten anyway. So, I bought a pack of each totaling around $12. On my second fishing trip I was pulling out of a snag when the rig came free, flew over my shoulder and I heard the weight plop in the water about 50 feet behind me. Drat, my mistake, I guess. Next day different lake, I lose two more, this time on pickerel bites.

So I decided to try a rig using 1' of 7 strand stainless steel leader with my last weight to try and make it pickerel proof. Well after about an hour the leader broke off at the crimp, without even getting a bite. I guess it was like bending a tin can!

So, my questions would be:

  1 Are most of you using the Tungsten weights?

  2 Are there any pickerel proof rigs?

  3 How often do you lose rigs, with any kind of weigh?

I use Power Pro 50# with Palomar  knots, and I try to retie often. Also, these were BPS weights.

PM sent

If you're using tungsten with braid, make sure you're using TruTungsten weights.

I do use tungsten, but I buy them online from an Ebay reseller.

Here's a link to his 10-pack 1/8oz for 5.99 with free shipping

They come with the plstic inserts to keep from abrasing the line, and they're much much cheaper than in the stores!

If you're using tungsten with braid, make sure you're using TruTungsten weights.

Why trutungsten?

I do use tungsten, but I buy them online from an Ebay reseller.

Here's a link to his 10-pack 1/8oz for 5.99 with free shipping

They come with the plstic inserts to keep from abrasing the line, and they're much much cheaper than in the stores!

If you're using tungsten with braid, make sure you're using TruTungsten weights.

Why trutungsten?

Listen to Burley.

Tungsten cuts right through braid.

Tru Tungsten uses a very nice coating to protect your line.

The plastic inserts in cheaper tungsten weights can fall out, allowing the tungsten weight to cut the braid

If you're using tungsten with braid, make sure you're using TruTungsten weights.

Why trutungsten?

Listen to Burley.

Tungsten cuts right through braid.

Tru Tungsten uses a very nice coating to protect your line.

The plastic inserts in cheaper tungsten weights can fall out, allowing the tungsten weight to cut the braid

Inserts=bad

I've tried them all over the last year.  Tru-Tungsten is the only manufacturer who makes a high quality tungsten weight.  I've yet to use a weight with an insert where the insert doesn't slide out after a day of fishing.

Braid+insert=FAIL

If you're using tungsten with braid, make sure you're using TruTungsten weights.

Why trutungsten?

Listen to Burley.

Tungsten cuts right through braid.

Tru Tungsten uses a very nice coating to protect your line.

The plastic inserts in cheaper tungsten weights can fall out, allowing the tungsten weight to cut the braid

Inserts=bad

I've tried them all over the last year. Tru-Tungsten is the only manufacturer who makes a high quality tungsten weight. I've yet to use a weight with an insert where the insert doesn't slide out after a day of fishing.

Braid+insert=FAIL

Oh ok so it's the insert, but not the tungsten? Have you tried the weighs I linked from ebay? The only reason I say this is that I use braid exclusively and have NEVER had these inserts come out, which is why I've never experienced the tungsten cutting my braid.

Give em a shot if you haven't your wallet will thank you.

No thanks, there's no reason to buy anything other than Tru-Tungsten.

If you're using tungsten with braid, make sure you're using TruTungsten weights.

Why trutungsten?

Listen to Burley.

Tungsten cuts right through braid.

Tru Tungsten uses a very nice coating to protect your line.

The plastic inserts in cheaper tungsten weights can fall out, allowing the tungsten weight to cut the braid

Inserts=bad

I've tried them all over the last year.  Tru-Tungsten is the only manufacturer who makes a high quality tungsten weight.  I've yet to use a weight with an insert where the insert doesn't slide out after a day of fishing.

Braid+insert=FAIL

I use tru-tungsten.  To my knowledge they have the highest % of tungsten which equals the greatest benefits that tungsten has to offer.  However if I was losing them constantly to toothy critters I might reconsider.  Simon, seems to have very good luck with his supplier.  If cost is an issue you might consider giving them a shot.  He seems pleased.  

bass fishing is so freaking high tech. Where is it going next? diamond pointed hooks so they never go dull?

I use tru-tungsten.  To my knowledge they have the highest % of tungsten which equals the greatest benefits that tungsten has to offer.  However if I was losing them constantly to toothy critters I might reconsider.  Simon, seems to have very good luck with his supplier.  If cost is an issue you might consider giving them a shot.  He seems pleased.  

Well put Matt, I have been having success with them.  I'll be sure to try trutungsten out later the next time i'm at my local tackleshop.

No thanks, there's no reason to buy anything other than Tru-Tungsten.

Well, _B_u_r_l_e_y_ aside, if anyone else has been looking for affordable Tungsten and has an open mind give the linked ebay page a shot, $6 for 10 vs $6 for 4 is hard to beat if you decide it's a good product.

Tru-Tungstun and Penetrator.  I have purhcased the BPS and kept breaking Yo Zuri Hybrid.  It was the weight.  It wasn't a perfect cylinder.  It was flattened out inside (insert) and outside.   It was not really sliding well and kept chewing up my line.

Thanks for the link Simon...I am always looking for a way to keep fiishing costs down!!!!

ajr

Are you guys using a free sliding weight or are you pegging it? I'm going to try to find some tungsten weights this weekend and I don't want to lose them!!! If I peg them does the brand/ finish matter as much?

What about carolina rigging? Still matter as much?

What about if you aren't using braided line?

I'm trying to shorten my learning curve on the tungsten. I'm on a tight budget and can't afford alot of losses.

Check out Simon's link...for those prices, you can't get hurt. I have started using Tru Tungsten because the weights are smaller than lead weights.

I use tungsten because they are so sensitive I can feel things much better with them than lead. The inserts take that feel away, so if you are using those you are losing the greatest benefit of tungsten.

I have started using steel because the weights are much smaller per weight than lead. IMO

Thats not possible.

I have started using steel because the weights are much smaller per weight than lead. IMO

Steel is less dense than lead, therefore a 1/8 oz. steel weight would be larger than a 1/8 lead weight.

From the Tru Tungsten web site:

"Using tungsten weights with your Texas-rigged worm will give you the bottom contact advantage, and using the Tru-Tungsten® weights when you're flipping will enable you to penetrate thick cover with a weight that is much smaller in size than the lead counterpart."

  And from an article about the new Tru Tungsten jig head...."Tungsten's higher density vs. lead means it can have the same weight with less material. That makes a huge difference when you're trying to make a finesses presentation in skinny water.

So I guess I was right..........    

Steel and tungsten are 2 different metals and lead is somewheres between them as far as density goes so I guess you'd be wrong.

If I'm wrong, so are the makers of Tru Tungsten. Go to their website. Tungsten is denser than lead.

I think you are splitting hairs...I I should have been specific and said "TUNGSTEN" I have heard it refered to as tungsten steel. But I am not a chemist.....sounds like you are. I just fish.......

I think you are splitting hairs...I I should have been specific and said "TUNGSTEN" I have heard it refered to as tungsten steel. But I am not a chemist.....sounds like you are. I just fish.......

More like grasping at straws.  :

Tungsten is denser then lead...but not as dense as you..... ;D