Tungsten ball weights continue to take the industry by storm.
Some environmentalists have worked for years to get lead out of fishing tackle, and with tungsten's increased popularity, they may get their wish. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has claimed that death in several waterbird species, particularly the common loon, has been connected to the consumption of lead fishing tackle; however, this has only been found to effect a small number of individual birds, not the population's overall health. The ASA has been actively involved in teaching lawmakers and the general public about the negligible environmental consequences of lead tackle, as well as the harmful effects that an unjustified ban on such tackle would have on fishing participation and sportfishing enterprises.
Tungsten Ball Weights against Lead Weights
Tungsten dropshot weights are tiny and incredibly sensitive, making them an essential tool for serious finesse fisherman.
I typically use lead weights for recreational fishing because the sinkers are less expensive than tungsten, but I always use tungsten weights in tournaments. The most noticeable advantage of tungsten weights is enhanced sensitivity, and when I combine a graphite rod, fluorocarbon line, and a tungsten weight, I have the most sensitive setup for fishing Texas-rigged soft plastics. Tungsten steel is denser than lead, which means it is tougher, making it better for detecting bottom composition and structure with your lure. The tungsten sinker allows you to better understand what your bait is doing whether fishing on wood, rocks, sand, or clay bottoms.
Benefits of Using Tungsten Ball Weights
The Heavy Metal Tungsten Weights are chip-resistant and completely lead-free.
Using a tungsten weight also allows me to identify bites more easily. I can feel the weight hitting against the bottom, and when I lose contact, it usually means a bass has sucked in the lure and I need to set the hook.
Another advantage of tungsten is the distinctive sound it produces when the weight strikes a hard bottom or piece of cover. When a tungsten weight hits a rock, it produces a loud ticking and clacking sound comparable to a jig rattle.
Tungsten sinker sizes are smaller than lead sinkers of the same weight because of their higher density. For example, a 1/4-ounce tungsten weight will have a lower profile than a 1/4-ounce lead sinker. The smaller size weight allows you to make more accurate casts in the wind and be more precise when flipping and pitching your lure.
If you want to boost your chances of catching more bass using Texas-rigged soft plastics, remove the lead from your rig and replace it with a tungsten weight.





