Weights for Bass Lures

Weights, sometimes referred to as add-on weights or sinkers, are the weights required to complete a lure rigging or added to a lure to achieve the desired lure weight. Weights are either fixed to the line, hook, soft plastic, hard body or free-sliding on the fishing line. They come in 1/64oz to 2oz.

Why are WEights Important?

Weights are important to:

To Establish or Increase Lure Fall Rate: Weights when rigged, or added to a lure, to create the desired descend rate.
Lower Lure in Water Column: On a horizontal presentation the heavier weight will keep the lower in the water column or easier to stay on the bottom.
Penetrate Cover: Heavier weights are required to get through matted/floating grass when punch casting.
Cast Distance: Heavier weight lures cast further distance.
Wind: When it is winding heavier weight is required to cast into the wind and in some cases to keep the lure on the bottom due to waves.
Rigging a Lure: Carolina rig, drop shot, neko rig, and in most cases texas rig lures require weights for rigging.

Weight Options

Bullet Weights: [Figure 1] Bullet shaped where the line goes through the middle.
- Common Weights: 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 oz
- Variants:
  - Screw In Bullet Weights: Some bullet weights include a wire that allows you to screw in the soft bait without the need to peg.
  - Magnetic: Bullet Weights: Some bullet weights will magnetically peg themselves to the hook
- Color: Typically black and dark green.

Drop Shot Weights: [Figure 2, 3] Common a cylindrical, ball-shaped or tear shaped they have a clip to tie to the tag end of the lure instead of being tied on so when snagged you only lose the weight and don’t have to retie the lure. Cylindrical is most common and used when fishing wood vertically and rock while ball and tear shaped are for more open water as they provide more feedback as to the bottom composition.
Common Weights:
- Light: 1/16oz, 1/8 oz, 3/16 oz
- Common: 1/4 oz, 3/8 oz, 1/2 oz
- Heavy: 3/4 oz, 1 oz
Variants:
- Swivels: Some have swivels on the line tie which can help reduce twisting of the line.
- Shapes: Generally, the shape chosen is not to get snagged and to best feel the bottom.
  - Pencil: [Figure 2] Also called slim, common for all bottom composition and cover especially rock.
  - Tear Drop: Some consider it better for weeds, gravel and sand.
  - Round / Ball Shaped: Some consider better with gravel or sand and better feel.
  - Rattle: Some weights do have a rattle which creates sound when bouncing slightly on hard bottom or cover.

Carolina Weights: [Figure 4] Weights where the line can go through the middle of the weight. If not pegged, the weight will slide on the line. Shaped to assist in dragging on bottom contact for example carolina rig.
- Variants and Other Names:
  - Egg Sinkers: Also described as bullet shaped.
  - Barrel Weights: Shaped like a barrel with smooth edges.
  - Slider Weights: Can be cylinder shaped.
- Common Weights:
  - Light: 1/8, 1/4 oz
  - Common: 3/8, 1/2 oz
  - Heavy: 3/4 oz, 1 oz

Nail Weights: [Figure 5] Sometimes called neko weights as they are required for the neko rig. Nail weights have a small screw-like weight and are used to add a small amount of weight to a soft bait lure for example a soft jerkbait or soft swimbait.
Variants:
- Larger End – Nail End: Some have a larger end, sometimes referred to as a mushroom head, that some suggest is best for hard bottom to feel the bottom.
Common Weights:
- Light: 1/32, 1/16 oz
- Common: 3/32, 1/8, oz
- Heavy: 3/16 oz

Split Shot Weights: [Figure 5] Weights that can be clamped onto a line and removed.
- Size: Split shots have a sizing system that is correlated to weights and can vary by manufacturers.
- - Common Size/Weights:
    - Light: B (.015oz), BB (.020 oz)
    - Common: 3/O (.025oz), 3/O, (.025oz), 7 (.040oz), 5 (.080oz)
    - Heavy: 4 (.085 oz), 4 (.105oz)

Dot and Strip Add-on Weights: [Figure 6] Add-on weights, sometimes referred to by manufacturer’s name, SuspenStrips and SuspendDots, are weights that are typically added to hard body lure to increase fall rate or depth in horizontal lures.
- Dry Lure: To ensure maximum adhesiveness ensure the lure is dry prior to applying.
- Center of Lure: To ensure the lure’s best action the weights need to be applied carefully to the center of the lure.
Variants:
- Dots: Circular
- Strips: Rectangular
- Wire: Cut wire to the weight and size desired and wrap to the lure.
Common Weights: Generally don’t come with weights.

Additional Considerations

Tungsten: Weights are made of lead or tungsten which is more dense and thus less size and some suggest providing better information when dragging on the bottom.