Depends on how you're fishing. If you're dragging bait then I fully recommend using something like the Larry Muse dragon rig. After messing with these on Wheeler Lake I can assure you that they drag smother and get hung up much less than bank or pencil sinkers.
I tried the ones like Larry uses. I ended up dumping the shot back into my bags to reload the shot into shells again. While they are smooth, I like to be able to feel the bottom and know what i am trolling over. I want the sinker to drag and yank the bait. It helps make the rattle I use rattle. Been making my own version of the Demon Dragons for over 3 years. Ordered right from China for $0.75 each
Yes, because they work and if you are doing any sort of dragging they are head and shoulders better than a weight, even a pencil lead.
I make them with soft plastic hose, lead rod and a snap swivel. I still have some that are 20 years old and have literally hundreds of dragging miles on them; if that's not an indication of how rarely they hang up and are lost, I don't know what is.
I tryed some Driftin Stik's i bought from Warrior Cat Tackle yesterday in a spot I was constantly getting myself snagging in and I was amazed at how good they were at not getting me snagged, sure was alot more fun to be fishing than retying.
I use several different kinds that work well...now saying that i know of nothing that will drag threw an under-water Sherwood Forrest:::bruised:.......... when it's that heavy cover we spot lock the I-pilot and dab up and down....
I made up four of the Larry Muse style this summer, I love them for fishing the Ohio. I throw two out the back of the boat and for the most part forget them until I get a "take down", I use them in conjunction with two suspended rigs in the front of the boat which require a lot more adjustment as the depth changes. So far if one did get snagged simply giving it some slack followed by a few quick jerks dislodged it. I am sure it isn't an indication of anything other than fishing luck but when fishing both I have caught about the same number of fish dragging as suspended but the bigger fish have came off the suspended rigs.
When I am fishing a spot that I know will result in a snag 90% to 100% of the time, I use the rock sinkers with the intention of getting them snagged inorder to hold the bait in position.
I think I made mine 32" long with 4oz of #6 shot shell shot in the tube. That is my recollection anyway, I typed in "Dragon Tail" weights and found a U-tube video of Steve Douglas interviewing Larry Muse in a motel parking lot during the Monsters On The Ohio catfish tournament, they gave detailed instruction along with diagrams on how Mr. Muse built them and I shamelessly copied them exactly. So far I have not found a down side to using them.
...found a U-tube video of Steve Douglas interviewing Larry Muse in a motel parking lot during the Monsters On The Ohio catfish tournament, they gave detailed instruction along with diagrams on how Mr. Muse built them..
When I am fishing a spot that I know will result in a snag 90% to 100% of the time, I use the rock sinkers with the intention of getting them snagged inorder to hold the bait in position.
Rocks work great for snag filled spots and saves on wasting lead.
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