7 Types Of Sinkers (Pros, Cons, & How To Use Them)
- By: Wyatt Parcel
- on
When you tie a sinker onto your rig, how do you choose which type of sinker to use?
Do you just pick whatever the tackle shop had available?
Do you pick out the cheapest sinker?
Or do you choose a specific type of sinker based on the rig you’re using and the species you’re targeting?
There are several different types of weights, and each one has it’s pros and cons.
In this video, you’ll learn everything you need to know about sinkers, including:
- The difference in mobile vs. static sinkers (and when to use each one)
- What type of sinker to use when you’re using live bait vs. cut bait
- How each sinker looks underwater
- And much more
Knowing more about sinkers can help you present your bait in a more effective way, which will help you catch more fish.
Learn everything you need to know about sinkers in the video below.
7 Types Of Sinkers & How To Use Them [VIDEO]
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Mobile Sinkers
Mobile sinkers are those that are designed to roll or slide along the bottom with the current.
There are three main types of mobile sinkers:
- Egg weight
- Coin weight
- Dropper weight
Let’s break these sinkers down.
Egg weight
These are some of the most cheap and common types of sinkers.
They’re great for rigging up live baits because they’re very mobile.
Examples of rigs that use this weight are Carolina rigs or knocker rigs.
Coin weight
Coin sinkers are especially great for fluke or flounder fishing.
The round, flat design helps it slide straight over the bottom and keep the bait or lure down in the strike zone.
Whereas the egg sinker may roll in different directions, the coin weight will mostly move in a straight line.
Dropper sinker
These are great for fishing around structure because they’re designed to get snagged less.
They also slide over the bottom easy (although not as easy as an egg sinker), so they’re great for fishing live or cut bait.
Static Sinker
Static sinkers are designed to keep your bait in place by digging into the bottom.
These are typically better for cut or dead bait because if a live bait gets beaten up by the current and can’t move with it, it may die.
Examples of static sinkers are:
- Tongue sinker
- Pyramid sinker
- Storm sinker
- Sputnik sinker
Tongue sinker
The tongue sinker is great for surf fishing because it’s got a concave face that really digs into the sand and holds it in place, as well as an aerodynamic design that allows you to cast it very far.
However, it is a little bit more expensive than some of the other sinkers on this list.
Pyramid sinker
The pyramid sinker is one of the cheapest static sinkers out there and it’s very aerodynamic, so it casts well.
However, the flat face does not do as well of a job at holding it in place as the concave face of the tongue sinker.
Storm sinker
The storm sinker is similar to the pyramid sinker in that is has a flat face, but the round bottom helps it stick in the sand and quickly dig back in if it’s battered around by the current.
Sputnik sinker
The sputnik sinker is the best sinker for keeping your bait in one place.
The spikes allow it to dig into the sand or bottom very well, and if they get stuck, they can disengage.
Also, it’s torpedo-shaped body casts very far.
However, the cons are that it’s more expensive than any of the other sinkers on here, and the spikes can sometimes get tangled in your line.
Conclusion
Now that you know about the different types of sinkers, you can be more intentional in how you rig your baits.
For example, if you’re fishing cut bait under a bridge and want it to stay in one spot, you’d be better off using one of the static sinkers.
But if you’re fishing live bite in the surf or off a pier, you’ll want to go with one of the mobile sinkers.
Have any questions about these sinkers?
Let us know in the comments below!
And if you know someone who likes to fish live or cut bait on the bottom, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Many, many years ago,we made our own sinkers. We used a dessert spoon or tablespoon as a mold.
Most of our fishing was reef fishing and the shape of the sinker allowed you to change/check bait without a hassle as the sinkers came to the surface and skimmed along the top keeping the hooks off the rocks.
Any tips on avoiding tangling line with prongs from the sputnik sinker? I am restricted to the sputnik due to heavy current in my area so any advice would help. Also the rig I use is the fish finder rig.
Concerning static stinkers, I feel the tongue sinker is the best for the money once it digs in the current just flows over it, alot cheaper than the Sputnik when bought pre made. If you make your own the molds for the tongue sinker mold costs around $140, its machined out a block of aluminum. If you can find a 3 sided pyramid sinker they roll less than the 4 sided pyramids
I agree! The tounge sinker suprised me and is now my go-to static sinker. It holds better then every other sinker except the sputnik (but it’s 1/4th of the price!)