All About Sinkers Part 2
By Eric Knudsen
Here again, we'll be discussing more of the most commonly used types of sinkers, including their typical applications and the sizes most frequently used by anglers.
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Later, we're going to revisit the issue of lead as a potentially toxic material to wildlife, along with some of the current laws regarding the use and sale of lead shot.
As mentioned throughout this article, responsible anglers everywhere should take a good look at this issue, and consider using sinkers made from alternative materials, specifically materials other than lead. The reason for concern, is the long-standing pro-blem of potential lead toxicity, which has been proved harmful to fish and waterfowl. It's up to conservation-minded anglers everywhere, to help spread the word about the problem of lead toxicity to wildlife. These efforts can go a long way in helping educate others, especially young anglers, while giving support to our aquatic resources.
In Part 1, we discussed several different types of sinker weights. Now, let's take a look at some more commonly used sinkers:
Bell Sinkers
Bell sinkers are basically used as bottom-fishing weights, though they can also be used as a slip-weight on certain rigs. The “bell” shape is really more of a rounded cone shape, with a slightly-flattened bottom. This style of weight can be used as part of a three-way rig too, in conjunction with a three-way swivel.
Bell sinkers feature a wire-through-weight, which is affixed to a swivel eye on top, for a quick and easy installation to the main line. This swivel feature keeps the main line from twisting --- and, as most anglers know all-too-well, line-twist can create a host of frustrat-ing problems. These sinkers are available in a wide range of sizes, with 1/4 oz. and 1/2 oz. weights being the most commonly-used sizes.
Bullet Weights
As the name implies, bullet weights are shaped very much like real ammunition. And when used in tandem with soft-plastics, like worms, they really are like ammunition for taking big, bucket-mouth bass.
But the real beauty of these weights is in their simplicity. Just slip a 1/4 oz. bullet weight up the terminal end of your line, and follow this with a large, razor-sharp, wide-gap circle hook made for bass, like an “Owner” or a “Gamakatsu” brand. Top the rig off with one of the hot, new 4, 5, or 6-inch soft-plastic worms, made by Zoom, Yum, Senko, Yamamoto, or Case Plastics.
Rig these soft-plastics in “weedless” fashion, with the hook point barely tucked into the worm. These bullet weights can be adapted to Texas-style and Carolina-style rigs too, using an ever-so-slight modification. “Creature bait”-type soft-plastics will work well with bullets, as well, like “Salamanders”, “Crazy Craws” --- or any of the wild-looking creature features on today's market.
Cast this rig into cover, and --- using a methodical retrieve --- s-l-o-w-l-y drag it, or “crawl” it back in towards you. This bullet weight & plastic worm combo makes a deadly presentation for lunker Largemouth Bass!
Bullet weights can also be “pegged”, to keep them from slipping and wandering up your main line. To “peg” your bullet sinker, simply stuff a piece of wooden toothpick into the top end of the weight, so that it secures the weight into a stationary position. Trim off any excess toothpick with a pair of clippers. Be careful not to nick your line!
“Drop-Shot” Weights
It seems that just a few years ago, “drop-shotting” for Smallmouth Bass was all the rage. In fact, bass tournament pros were taking top prizes all over the country, by utilizing one of several variations of the drop-shot rig.
Drop-shotting is still a very popular technique --- for good reason. It's one of the most effective rigging methods you can use. Plus, it's versatile; you can vary this rig in a number of ways, according to the depth you're fishing, and you can also tie multiple tag lines (dropper lines) to the main line, which allows the use of two or three baits at once.
This “multiple-dropper” technique is great for seeking-out fish that are staged at different levels in the water column. It's a favorite tactic used by savvy crappie anglers, who utilize jigs and/or live minnows on the droppers, set at various levels. This method is very effective, because it allows the angler to fish two levels at once.
The basic drop-shot set-up features a lure, a soft-plastic bait, or other natural bait tied directly onto a main line, with a special drop-shot weight clipped onto the line beneath, about 16 to 20 inches under the bait. A real drop-shot weight looks like a miniature canon ball, with a sort of wishbone-shaped clip protruding from the top of it. The clip of the weight is fastened to the very end of the terminal line, and will release itself if it becomes snagged or hung-up on cover.
Drop-shot weights are a relatively new product, in comparison to other types of sinkers, and may be sold in limited locations and in just a few different sizes. As stated earlier, whenever a sinker is to be used as disposable unit, it should not be made from lead. Where drop-shot weights are sold, they will usually be made from tung-sten steel, bismuth, or other alloy metal. These alternative, lead-free metals are non-toxic to fish, birds, and other wildlife.
Therefore, since these alternative-type drop-shot sinkers are widely available, there's no reason for anglers to use the old-style lead weights when drop-shotting. Not to mention, it's illegal in some states to sell them in the first place.
Now, we're going to revisit an important topic mentioned earlier; the sale and use of lead sinkers, and some new laws that have recently passed through legislation.
Getting The Lead Out --- Government Steps In
This newsworthy subject is one that a lot of anglers have heard about : the issue of using lead weights versus using sinkers made from alternative materials .... and, how the problem of lead toxicity (to wildlife) is being addressed through the legislation, by way of some new environmental laws.
The time has finally arrived ; the time to put some “teeth” into laws that protect wildlife, and give protection to fish and waterfowl, to help keep them from ingesting lead fishing weights. The lead in these fishing weights can be toxic to these creatures, and can ultimately result in fatalities. Though fish have been known to ingest these small lead weights, waterfowl are the ones most likely to swallow them. A fair number of conclusive studies have been already shown that this is a very real problem.
In a number of states, the sale of certain sizes of lead sinkers has been banned. In New York State, for example, a new law (NYS / EL- S 11-0308) effectively started on May 7, 2004, states that: “No person shall sell at retail, or offer for retail sale, lead fishing sinkers weighing one half-ounce or less”. This law further states that “Each day of sale or offering for sale shall constitute a separate violation of this section”. This particular section/group of law, penned by the New York State D.E.C., goes on to describe additional details of the basic provisions, as it (basically) applies to retail fishing tackle stores.
The main tackle items affected by the state-wide ban, are split-shot sinkers, other types of loose sinker weights, and small jig heads. It's important to note that anglers may have lead weights of these sizes in their possession --- and, they may also use these sizes of lead weights, but they cannot legally buy these particular sizes of weights, mainly be-cause retail tackle stores cannot legally sell them. And that's one of the keypoints of this issue.
Now, if your state is not one of those already on the list, it may be in the near future. Be sure to consult your state's “Freshwater Fishing Regulations Handbook”, available wherever freshwater fishing licenses are issued.
You'll want to check out the “special regulations” section of the handbook, to find out if and how your area has been affected by this new environmental issue.
As you've learned here, it's important to understand exactly what types and sizes of lead weights you can and cannot buy. Moreover, it's equally important to know that tackle shops in your area are actually complying with any such applicable laws. The fact is, you probably don't want to spend a lot of time at a tackle shop whose owners are not abiding the law. Would you?
The time has come for us, as conservation-minded anglers, who care about the future and health of our wildlife. It's time for us, as concerned anglers and sportsmen to step up to the plate, do the right thing, and hopefully loose some weight in the process .... lead weight, that is.
____________________________________________________________
Eric Knudsen is a freelance writer and an avid angler, living in Upstate New York.
Now, we're going to revisit an important topic mentioned earlier; the sale and use of lead sinkers, and some new laws that have recently passed through legislation.
Getting The Lead Out --- Government Steps In
This newsworthy subject is one that a lot of anglers have heard about : the issue of using lead weights versus using sinkers made from alternative materials .... and, how the problem of lead toxicity (to wildlife) is being addressed through the legislation, by way of some new environmental laws.
The time has finally arrived ; the time to put some “teeth” into laws that protect wildlife, and give protection to fish and waterfowl, to help keep them from ingesting lead fishing weights. The lead in these fishing weights can be toxic to these creatures, and can ultimately result in fatalities. Though fish have been known to ingest these small lead weights, waterfowl are the ones most likely to swallow them. A fair number of conclusive studies have been already shown that this is a very real problem.
In a number of states, the sale of certain sizes of lead sinkers has been banned. In New York State, for example, a new law (NYS / EL- S 11-0308) effectively started on May 7, 2004, states that: “No person shall sell at retail, or offer for retail sale, lead fishing sinkers weighing one half-ounce or less”. This law further states that “Each day of sale or offering for sale shall constitute a separate violation of this section”. This particular section/group of law, penned by the New York State D.E.C., goes on to describe additional details of the basic provisions, as it (basically) applies to retail fishing tackle stores.
The main tackle items affected by the state-wide ban, are split-shot sinkers, other types of loose sinker weights, and small jig heads. It's important to note that anglers may have lead weights of these sizes in their possession --- and, they may also use these sizes of lead weights, but they cannot legally buy these particular sizes of weights, mainly be-cause retail tackle stores cannot legally sell them. And that's one of the keypoints of this issue.
Now, if your state is not one of those already on the list, it may be in the near future. Be sure to consult your state's “Freshwater Fishing Regulations Handbook”, available wherever freshwater fishing licenses are issued.
You'll want to check out the “special regulations” section of the handbook, to find out if and how your area has been affected by this new environmental issue.
As you've learned here, it's important to understand exactly what types and sizes of lead weights you can and cannot buy. Moreover, it's equally important to know that tackle shops in your area are actually complying with any such applicable laws. The fact is, you probably don't want to spend a lot of time at a tackle shop whose owners are not abiding the law. Would you?
The time has come for us, as conservation-minded anglers, who care about the future and health of our wildlife. It's time for us, as concerned anglers and sportsmen to step up to the plate, do the right thing, and hopefully loose some weight in the process .... lead weight, that is.
____________________________________________________________
Eric Knudsen is a freelance writer and an avid angler, living in Upstate New York.
