Picking The Right Sinker

The fine are of selecting the right sinker to get your lure into the fish's strike zone takes time on the water to learning just a few basics to get a hookup just about every time.

Sinkers, almost always made of lead, are designed to get your lure or bait right in front of them so your lure/bait can draw the strike. Often, this process involves a simple matter getting your offering to the bottom of the lake or stream and keeping it there. Floats are also designed to get your bait or lure to where the fish are by keeping your bait or lure from sinking to the bottom.

When using sinkers, sometimes just a split shot or two does the trick. At other times (for example, when fishing in a moving current), you need much more lead.

Fish are not very particular about which sinker you use. All they care about is the food they think that you are offering them. Your choice of sinker really depends on relatively few factors:

• Is there any current? (The less current, the less weight you need.)
• What type of bottom are you fishing? (Is the bottom covered with rock, sand, weeds, or timber?)
• What do you want your bait or lure to do? (If the bait or lure has to cover a large amount of water, you need one kind of rig. If not, you use another.)
• In sinkers, shape is important. As shown in below, a number of sinker choices are available.

Following are the most common types of sinker:

• Pyramid sinkers get to the bottom fast and dig into sand or mud.
• Egg sinkers, or diamond sinkers, move over rocks and rubble a little easier than other shapes.
• Bank sinkers and dipseys work well as fishfinders.
• Split shot and twist-on sinkers are quick to get on and off and work well when you need a little extra weight.

With a little trial and error you will begin to figure out which combinations work best for you and your fishing style.