One of the most useful things that I use during fishing and important to have in your tacklebox are splitshot sinkers.
Today I am checking out the WWFIOO Split Shot Fishing Weights Sinkers (5 sizes) which is $8 and features various sizes (6).
So, how would you use a splitshot sinker. I’ll give a few examples.
EXAMPLE 1: Carp Spring Rigs
My favorite carp spring rig (Blacktail Kumho Carp Spring Rig with Size 4 hooks). As you use it more and more, the chance of the line pulling the top rope up and pulling the bottom hooks all the way to the bottom of the carp spring.
So, how to prevent this from happening? Using a split shot fishing weight sinker would help. You can use the smallest BB size, put the three strings from the hooks on the opening of the split shot sinker and get a pair of pliers to press on it and that’s it. So easy! This will prevent the string from further going up. I put another BB split shot sinker on the top to prevent any pulling due to the weight of the spring rig.
EXAMPLE 2: Split Shot Rigs
There are different split shot rigs where people would put several big to small split sinkers to add weight to a line and some do a split shot rig where you have your main line to leader line to hook and another leader line (ala dropper line) that will have a few split shot sinkers. There is a drop shot but check your state/county laws because any weights under a hook may be illegal.
EXAMPLE 3: Bobber fishing
Have your mainline to a bobber and then with a foot to 18 inches of line (main line or leader line), put one of the larger split shot sinkers on the center of that leader line. Again, please check your state’s fishing laws on how close a weight can be to a hook.
So, I do use split shot sinker weights quite a bit.
But there are a few important things to note:
1. These are made of lead – For humans – In the state of California, California Proposition 65 has warnings that lead can lead to cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. – It is recommended that if you touch a lead tackle, wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling it and never put your hands after handling lead (without washing your hands with soap and water) in your mouth and do not put a lead weight in your mouth. NEVER BITE on these sinkers, use pliers. Some companies have moved towards using Tungsten and Steel.
2. There is an effort to use lead-free alternatives but do know that certain fish will eat lead especially tackle that have fallen in the ocean. And birds especially aquatic birds such as loons eat fish and the lead stay in their bodies and can lead to fatalities.
So, it is very important to know this and before you go out to a fishing spot, make sure that those fishing areas have any specific mandates. So, read up on the regulations as many states have banned the use of small lead sinkers and jigs, specifically if they way less than one ounce.
I still use lead weights, but I also started to use more steel and tungsten (which I feel is becoming even more expensive) weights. But my heavily regulated state does not ban them and tackleshops and major department stores that have fishing aisles have not banned them. In Japan, they are still allowed with some lakes and marshes prohibiting them (ie, Lake Akan in Hokkaido).
But I do recommend for beginners to learn how to do knots, know how to use rotating swivels, choosing the right fishing line and taking precautions to prevent losing any lead weights in the water and when handling them, wash your hands with soap and water!
Overall, I do feel that split shot fishing weight sinkers are very useful. They have many uses but make sure you use your pliers to make sure that it can be removed. They work great! But they are made of lead and you need to do your due diligence of whether or not they are for you and if it’s legal in your fishing areas.
