While tungsten-made tackle isn’t new, we are learning more about ways to use it effectively.
When the material first came out, it was primarily used as a sinker for Texas and Carolina rigs.
We’re now seeing it used in jigheads and other lure applications.
The attributes of tungsten are beneficial to the angler. Tungsten offers a smaller profile compared to lead of equal weight, is easier to keep on the bottom and it’s harder, so it gives you a better feel of the bottom. Bites are transmitted faster and stronger to the rod.
The smaller sinker size makes it ideal for punching through mats because it penetrates so much better. And if you throw tungsten wobble-style jigheads like the Strike King Swing Football Head, you’d never throw lead again. It makes that much difference.
Also, if I’m fishing deeper than 3 feet, I prefer a tungsten bladed jig like the Strike King Tungsten Thunder Cricket over the standard version.
There are a couple of reasons for that. I can feel it so much better and fish it deeper at the same rate of speed. I’ve found that the 1/2-ounce version fishes more like the 3/4- or 1-ounce version in lead. The head size is so much smaller so it reaches those depths quicker.
As a result, I can stay in contact with the bait so much better. When it touches a blade of grass I know it, and if I get a bite it telegraphs to the rod faster.
Similarly, drop-shot rigs with tungsten sinkers fall faster, and when they come across gravel areas, you feel it so much better. It allows you to visualize what you are fishing.
Drawbacks? Well, of course, tungsten is more pricey than lead. Also, if you flip baits into cover with tungsten sinkers, you have to be careful with the hook set because the material is so much harder. We’ve all seen teeth marks on our lead sinkers when fishing soft plastics. Lead is softer and more forgiving. The hookups are better.
I’ve learned tungsten sinkers have a tendency to knock the fish’s mouth open, and you can jerk the bait away with a hard hook set.
So, when fishing tungsten sinkers, I know I have to be a little slower on the hook set, especially when using low stretch line. It took me awhile to learn that.
You also need a rod with a slower action, just as you do when flipping with braid. When you combine braid with tungsten, the hook set needs to be more of a pulling hook set rather than a hard jerk.
We’re beginning to see some skirted jigs with tungsten heads, like the Strike King Compact Tungsten Casting Jig.
Unfortunately, the head shapes on jigs have been limited up to this point. Lead can be molded into any shape you want, but because of the density of the tungsten, it’s difficult to mold the hard material into a variety of shapes. But you can bet manufacturers will eventually find a way.
Sure, tungsten rigs are more expensive than lead, but we’ve learned they provide outstanding benefits for the angler who is looking for that edge.
And in bass fishing, it’s the little things that can make a difference.
