How Much Weight to Use on Lures?

George Cawthorn · Post by **George Cawthorn** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:15 pm

Hello to all ProStaffers from sunny California!

Hey guys, this is something for your opinion. I have often discussed this with my buddies and have never been able come up with a solid answer.

When using weights on plastic worms, is it best to use as little as you can get away with or as much as you can get away with?

Thanks......... geobass

Roboworm99 · Post by **Roboworm99** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:00 pm

Im not a ProStaffer but I will chime in anyways

General rule is light as possible...deeper depths, wind, current generally dictate a heavier weight as you want to have contact with your baits.

Fishing in thick weeds or flipping you will need to go to a heavier weight to punch through the weeds and mats.

Another tactic I use that works very well at times for me is, using a heavier weight to bang off of rocks or to stir up the bottom. Sometimes those bass, will strike or notice the commotion from the heavier weight stirring up the bottom when fishing crawdad imitations.

When using lighter weights on mud bottoms, turning that slip sinker backwards will give you the same effect of stirring up some mud or debris.

Just my thoughts and experience of fishing plastics for over 30 years.

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:10 pm

Good question Geo... I hear people debate about this topic all the time. My personal approach has always been to use as little weight as the conditions will allow. Keeping in mind that you specifically asked "when using plastic worms".

When it comes to other lures and techniques... both Robo and Nunz gave some goods feedback.

Robo even when into some other techniques where a heavier weight can actually be used to penatrate cover, or to create noise, or bottom distrubances (like a fleeing crayfish).

I'll throw another scenario out there... rate of fall! There are times when bass (especially smallmouth) prefer a faster falling bait. Sometimes they want it really fast. For example while spoon fishing during summer months, a heavy 1 oz jigging spoon will that is rocketing towards the bottom will trigger strikes when other slow falling presentations produce "squadouche" (That's means "nothing" in Amer-italian)

I'd get into the importance that heavier weights can play when drop-shotting, but the mostly apply when fishing from a boat.

BC

ukey28 · Post by **ukey28** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 3:22 am

I thought "Squadouche" was a five man clean up team. I think its a NASCAR term. But I do AGREE with Brendan. Rate of fall matters more than most people give it credit for especially in shallow water. It can trigger strikes when correct and trigger a flee response when its wrong. I'd rate it higher than color or shape when determining lure selection.

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 3:03 pm

No Frank, your thinking of "Quadouche" which is a four-man clean up team...

You might as well call a "ménage à trois" a "framage à trois"... which means a "cheese threeway"!