Weights made of tungsten balls are still dominating the market.
With tungsten's increasing popularity, some environmentalists who have been trying to remove lead from fishing tackle for years may finally get their wish. The consumption of lead fishing equipment has been related to death in certain waterbird species, most notably the common loon, according to the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). However, this has only been demonstrated to impact a limited number of individual birds and not the population's overall health. However, ASA has been actively involved in educating the public and legislators about the limited environmental effects of lead tackle and the detrimental effects that an unjustified ban on such tackle would have on sportfishing firms and fishing participation.
Lead Weights vs. Tungsten Ball Weights
Because of their small size and high sensitivity, tungsten dropshot weights are essential for serious finesse fisherman.
Since lead sinkers are less expensive than tungsten, I usually use them for recreational fishing, but I always use tungsten weights for competition fishing. The main benefit of tungsten weights, in my opinion, is their improved sensitivity. For fishing Texas-rigged soft plastics, I have the most sensitive setup when I combine a tungsten weight with a graphite rod and fluorocarbon line. Because tungsten steel is tougher and denser than lead, it helps you feel the structure and composition of the bottom of your lure. Whether you are fishing on a clay bottom, sand, pebbles, or wood, the tungsten sinker helps you better understand what your bait is doing.
Benefits of Using Weighted Tungsten Balls
The Heavy Metal Tungsten Weights are completely lead-free and resistant to chipping.
I can also find bites more easily when I use a tungsten weight. When I lose contact with the bottom, it usually means a bass has sucked in the lure and I need to set the hook. I can feel the weight bumping into the bottom.
The unique sound that tungsten produces when the weight collides with a hard bottom or piece of cover is another benefit. When a tungsten weight strikes rocks, it makes a loud ticking and clacking noise that sounds like a jig rattle.
Tungsten sinkers are smaller than lead sinkers of the same weight because of its higher density.
A 1/4-ounce lead sinker will have a larger profile than a 1/4-ounce tungsten weight, for instance. You can flip and pitch your lure more precisely and make accurate throws in the wind with the lower size weight.
Therefore, remove the lead from your rig and swap it out with a tungsten weight if you want to improve your chances of catching more bass with Texas-rigged soft plastics.
