Surf casting leads
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A good deal depends on the surf-current conditions. If there is not a great deal of current then you can get away with a 5-8 oz.bank sinker or even a competition sinker although competition sinkers are pretty pricey, especially if Sharks are around, they do not last long.
For maximum distance I built a home-made mold (similar a Namex sinker) for a sinker that depending on how full I fill the mold can weigh between 6-10 ounces. I originally started making these for anchor sinkers for Pin-Fishing the OBX back in 1989.
You stick 4 16 penny nails in before you pour it. We called it the "Death Nail" as it was dangerous to bystanders and the operator during a cast with a heaver. It casts like a dream compared to factory nail sinkers, if you happen to bounce one around by not clearing the railing everyone is ducking for cover....
The sinker looks like a US Civil War era Minnie ball with a pointed end and flat rear and it is 1.125" in diameter.
Minnie ball sinker will fly way better than a four sided pyramid, a frog tongue and will hold just as good as a four sided pyramid.
If I had to choose between a four sided pyramid and a frog tongue it would be a pyramid every time, I do not like Frog Tongues at all, they do not fly well for me.
I do not like Sputniks or three sided pyramids.
There is a Namex mold that is made in England I have thought about getting but it is expensive, it would mold prettier sinkers than my home-made ones.
Wow...now thats what i call a response, thank you.
As a brit who up till a couple of years ago had only fished in the usa while on vacation. This is so informative.
I know the namix sinkers, its pretty much all that i used while in the uk in sizes 4-5-6ozs.
I may be bringing some back with me from my next trip home,they really are that good but fishing in the uk is so different to here, mostly its aimed at long range with small(compared to here) neat compact baits.
I am still learning the ropes here hence what may be regarded as pointless questions by a lot of guys but hey...thats how we learn aint it .
In the surf FROGTOUNGE X2 with Orest. Frogtongues really do not hold well on a pier because of the angle.
I have some " storm sinkers" I've never been able to get to HOLD. I tend to use four sided in the surf because that's what I have the most of, on hand. I now (pour)cast all my sinkers, for the most part.
On Piers, combined this time of year have a few variables which are wind, swell and current. Typically I like using a four sided eight pyramid sinker if it won't hold I go three sided eight pyramid. (Drum Fishing) Yesterday for example between the wind , current and the swell three sided tens still drifted south. I have a few twelves but if I have to fish them it's really not fishable conditions, and my butt needs to be in the truck.
Looking at aerodynamics, in my opinion
Frog tongues fly very well slice through the air nicely
Four side fly better than three side.
I hope that is not too confusing or analytical.
I have some " storm sinkers" I've never been able to get to HOLD. I tend to use four sided in the surf because that's what I have the most of, on hand. I now (pour)cast all my sinkers, for the most part.
On Piers, combined this time of year have a few variables which are wind, swell and current. Typically I like using a four sided eight pyramid sinker if it won't hold I go three sided eight pyramid. (Drum Fishing) Yesterday for example between the wind , current and the swell three sided tens still drifted south. I have a few twelves but if I have to fish them it's really not fishable conditions, and my butt needs to be in the truck.
Looking at aerodynamics, in my opinion
Frog tongues fly very well slice through the air nicely
Four side fly better than three side.
I hope that is not too confusing or analytical.
Again, a great reply packed with explanations and more for me to digest.
On the frog tongues, surely they will tumble through the air as opposed to a dynamic, say, breakaway sinker or the tourney shaped bullet type sinkers ?
and not being clipped down and with the bait flapping about , surely must restrict distance ?
Or maybe the bait dragging behind will help to stabilise the sinker ?
On the frog tongues, surely they will tumble through the air as opposed to a dynamic, say, breakaway sinker or the tourney shaped bullet type sinkers ?
and not being clipped down and with the bait flapping about , surely must restrict distance ?
Or maybe the bait dragging behind will help to stabilise the sinker ?
Sounds a lot like swinging a Mace on the pier . . . LOL !
Did it fly point-first, during the cast ? Pics >
Tight Lines !
Tell ya what.. When I get a few minutes I will take some pictures of different sinkers and post them for you...Usually the sinker preceeds the bait In flight.. On a Drum rig.. If the Bite leader is a bit long, or the bait has an irregular shape. The bait and sinker tend to have a helicopter effect and slows the whole thing down thus decreasing the distance.
I am not the best caster but I usually fish 4 sided pyramids. First off they seem to be the cheapest when purchased in bulk from eBay. Second, if/when fishing the congo line and you are trying to get yours to roll like everyone else to prevent tangles and not be "that guy" I go with the theory of "when in Rome". Third is that I am partial to them. I have tried FT sinkers and not had good luck with them holding. I am not an old salt and probably was doing something wrong but IMO I like the good ol' 4 sided in all sizes from 3/4oz -10oz.
Now for practice casting I prefer a FT simply because it fits in a tennis ball well and that prevents it from auguring into the earth.
I have never needed to fish a sputnik. I have not done any pining and if it is kicking so hard on the ocean I need a sputnik I am going to the sound or inlets
Now for practice casting I prefer a FT simply because it fits in a tennis ball well and that prevents it from auguring into the earth.
I have never needed to fish a sputnik. I have not done any pining and if it is kicking so hard on the ocean I need a sputnik I am going to the sound or inlets
Left to right 8 ounce storm sinker, 175 gram competition sinker, 8 ounce competition sinker
A variation of the "Death Nail" sinker Garbo mentioned used for an anchor line for pin rigging , this one uses 16 penny galvanized finishing nails
I've kept these since the 80s.... I'm sure they bring back some memories for Garbo and a few others
"MY" current design of the above mentioned Anchor used in pin rigging
One can trim and form the tines how they wish
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Didn't know there was minimum number of words that I had to use to defend my choice of sinker on what you stated "on a good day weatherwise on the beach".
I think that the BRITISH in him, kinda like some folks from Aassachusetts
It's just the way they talk sometimes! They mean well, but a bit short
If i offended you , then i am sorry, it was not my intention to do so
Minimum number of words ??
Defend ???
Thank you for the input, every bit of information is welcome and will not go to waste.
Thanks again
Thanks for the defence lol
I guess you could be right on the brit thing.
Altho we speak the same language there is a whole bunch of differences and meanings.
My wife is always correcting me and i am always apologising for any offence taken and at times it works the other way round.
But hey, your right, nothing meant by it and on here we are all fishermen talking to fishermen.
These are interesting pictures, very informing again.
I guess the grip wire ones are the same as the early ones i remember.
The tourney sinker in the uk would be the middle one of that pic, with the pointed nose but we do use the round nose ones, we call them pear leads.
The pyramids are used mainly for close in fishing for Sole during the summer.
I never personally used them but many friends did tho i never knew there was 3 and 4 sided ones.
The storm sinker i have seen over here but never in the uk.
I guess its as its name states, a rough sea sinker.
The bottom pic of the anchor is similar to the uk fixed nose grip where the wires come out of the end of the sinker and used when the tide pull is real strong.
The middle pic has nainly been preceeded by the advent of the Breakaway lead where the wires break out when a fish swims off with the bait ao the angler retrieves the line.
They are cery versatile and can be set very sensative all the way to not breaking out at all.
Tail lengths (from the lead to the loop) varies,the longer the tail the better it grips.
DaBig2Na,
I really like that "Death Nail" sinker . . . Looks like it would fly great !
A couple of questions . ..
On your version, are the wires flexible, in order to help get it loose for retrieval ?
Versus the "Death Nail", how do casting distance and holding power compare ?
Thanks,
Tight Lines !
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