More often than not, when it comes to split shot sinkers, finding them in Tungsten is not that easy. You can find them in lead or steel but tungsten, not as much. The same when it comes to beads, as they are more often made in plastic.
But there is the Avaluri Slotted Tungsten Fly Tying Beads which are available in 13 Sizes, 5 Colors.
I am reviewing the Avaluri 3.3mm Slotted Tungsten Fly Tying Beads (Mix Color).
While called tying beads, they are a hybrid of a bead with the hole in the center and also split ala split shot sinkers.
With that being said, I got the 3.3mm, the only problem with that is if you suffer from farsightedness (hyperopia) ie. distant is clear, close objects are blurry. In this case, while you may be able to get a lightweight fluoro or mono line on this 3.3mm bead, the split shot sinker itself, it’s going to be tough, especially when you clamp on it to tighten it on a line.
With that being said, when it comes to splitshot sinkers, while sets are fine, determining sizes online are not easy as different countries regions have different sizes. For example, I ordered the 3.3mm which is 1/8 appropriate for a #10-#12 hook size (which are very small). So, these are tiny. I don’t want to use the word “BB” as certain makers call small sized splitshot sinkers as BB’s and these are much smaller than those.
As a set, I like them because they come in a variety of colors and they are tungsten, which is great to avoid the not-so-safe lead version but because they are Tungsten, you’ll be paying a premium on them.
The best advice I can give is use a tweezer to hold it in place, then feed it through the bead hole or place the line with your other line. Once that is done, while still holding everything in place, take your pliers and squeeze. This will add a little to the weight or if you want to prevent any lines moving up, ie. like a bobber stopper.
But overall, it’s a very good product. But because of me being farsighted and my big fingers, I’ll need something a bit bigger.
