Trolling Weights

I’ve tried a veriety of different weights for trolling. Generally weights between 1 and 3 oz seem to get me to the bottom for most of my fishing. It’s time to restock. But what I am wondering is what people find to be the best.
General drop weights (any special orientation or kind) or bottom bouncers.

I always use pencil weights. They snag up much less than the bells.

I used to use pencil weights, but couldn’t find any over 3 oz so I began pouring my own. I put the point down to avoid snags and have good success. Now I have them up to 8oz.

Do you get the straight ones with the wire on each end. Loop on one end?

I had some I bought froom hastings outdoors, like Mikes, once that were just a straight piece of led.

Where do you get yours?

I usually just get mine form Four Season’s. Mike’s look good too.

That is one nice looking sinker
I have also found, using enough wieght to keep my line around a 45 degree angle, helps to avoid snags!

I picked up a few weights like the one pictured above. I also got some of the pencil weights and tried them out this past week. I can’t see myself ever going back to the bell sinkers. The pencil weights and the weights like above are great and do not snag up much at all

I use tubes of lead held in a piece of rubber tubing when I troll three-ways. I buy the long tubes of lead, and cut off enough to hold my bait down. If the lead snags, it simply pulls out of the rubber tubing, which is tied to the dropper. It is not easy to find rolls of lead for this, but Fleet Farm in Winona and Rochester carry them. If you can’t get lead tubing, tie your bell sinker to the dropper line with light line, so if the sinker does snag you break the sinker off, but not the whole rig.

A rule of thumb is to use one ounce of weight for every ten feet of water in which you are trolling. One ounce for ten feet, two ounces in twenty feet, and so on.

Thanks guys.

Evert’s has a great selection too!

Hey didn’t know that.
I’ll get some there tomorrow.
yep playing hooky from work. Just couldn’t resist.

I have used the weights that Mike Finke IDA Pro Staff (see post) has poured and sold me. They work great and he had the heavy weights to get down in the fast current and without a lot of snagging. You may want to contact him via email and inquire about what he has available.