Sinker preference

[ketch69]

OK. Should I use standard four sided pyramids or storm sinkers. I pour lots of lead already big jigs for Stripers and Halibut guys so why not pour my own sinkers to surf fish with. Gonna buy a couple Hilts Molds to get the job done. Maybe 4 sided pyramids up to 4oz and storms in larger sizes?


DEAN

[ncnat]

I think the storms hold a little better. Not a whole lot of experience with either since 95% of my fishing is from a boat. I would pick one type to simplify things if your pouring your own.

[Sandcrab]

I've found that the Offshore Angler (BPS) surf sinkers unique design utilizes copper wire to help dig in on sandy bottoms. I can use lighter sinkers as they hold like crazy - I use 6 oz when I would normally use an 8 oz. Only con is that they hold so well they take a lot of tugging to get them in...

Sandcrab

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_46438_151005006_151000000_151005000_151-5-6

[scsurfcaster]

I like 3 sided pyramids the best with 4 sided second. If I were buying molds Id try to find 3 sided.

[GreenFord]

pyramids for normal surf (5 to 6 oz) and bank sinkers when I tend to drag a bait in. The bank sink have the weight to keep it steady and slide in goos and smooth as a drag a cut bait.

[Shooter]

You are getting ready to get 2,000 different answers,,,, everyone loves something a little different and will swear theirs holds best and for them it works and makes them feel better so don't try and change their mind.

For me, I use pyramids and keep stepping up in weight till I find what holds and if 12 doesn't hold I start :beer:

[lucky strike]

Hilts storm sinkers for normal surf and Breakaway sinkers for mod to rough surf- IMO these are the 2 best and I've tried most of them. Collins storm comes close to hilts but I give hilts the edge. Nothing beats the Breakaway long tail for casting and holding.

[Orest]

and also like the sputniks and storms sinkers.

[DennyR]

As Shooter said, there are thousands of opinions about sinkers. I posted a question similar to yours and based on the replys bought the Hilts Storm sinker molds. They have a triangular top instead of a square top like the Do-Its. It seems to me the 120 degree corners will hold better and resist rolling more than 90 degree corners. I also belive based on the shape of a storm sinker, it will be less likely to slide across a firm bottom than a relatively flat sided pyramid. In my own very unscientific experience, the storm sinkers seem to cast better than the pyramids. This spring I tried storms and pyramids side by side in the same surf conditions. The storms definitely held better. It seemed like a 3 ounce storm sinker would out hold a 4 ounce pyramid, or at least hold fully as well. Van Campen Heilner & Frank Stick in their 1920 book "Call of the Surf" said the same thing, and commented that even then the storms were hard to find. The sputniks and Breakaways are great, but I find them hard to stow and carry. Because storm sinkers are somewhat hard to find in the size and weights I need, I started casting my own. I found the Hilts molds to be very well constructed and I expect to use them for a long time to come. Now, only 1,999 more opinions to go :rolleyes:

[GoBow]

I'm partial to frog's tongue sinkers...

[Newsjeff]

You are getting ready to get 2,000 different answers,,,, everyone loves something a little different and will swear theirs holds best and for them it works and makes them feel better so don't try and change their mind.

For me, I use pyramids and keep stepping up in weight till I find what holds and if 12 doesn't hold I start :beer:
The old man has it right fer a change.

Pyramids for me. If 12oz don't hold, I drink Shooter's beer.

I've fished with storms, pyramids and frog tounges side by side. I found the pyramids hold the best.

[Rockfish1]

3 sided pyramids first then either frog tongue or storm which ever I grab first... if I need more then 8oz I then turn to 12 oz, normally Coors Lite's... :D

fishing's supposed to be fun not work... :cool:

[Swabie]

Ckeck out the flat sinker, like an egg sinker but flat. Current has know effect on them.

[SmoothLures]

I like storms but don't fish in the huge currents y'all get up there. Rarely need more than 5 oz, if I do I'm on a pier, where bank sinkers usually hold fine...