snapweights or inline sinkers

[tippytom]

We were using 3oz inline sinkers on lake erie on sat and sun with spinner harnesses in eastern basin with some success, but wonder it would be better to keep that much weight further away from the spinner bait (worm harness) with eg snap weight thankyou..

[Lund_Dude]

I prefer to use snap weights and keep the sinker at least 10' from the bait. Does it make a difference? I believe that very often it does. Sometimes, I even run 50' to the sinker if I feel the fish are less than aggressive.

The main reason that I began using snap weights is that I have a "fear" of excess knots in my line. Very rarely do I have a line fail away from knots, providing you keep on top of it and never use knicked or kinked line. Therefore, IMHO knots are where your breakage occurs and the more knots, the more likely you will have a failure.

[tom g]

I use inline sinkers with 4foot leader and it works well I like the convience of it.

[Sunshine]

I'm curious what others think about this. I've been using inline weights when using very big blades. The 50-50 method doesn't work for me because of the added weight of the blade. Been catching just as many fish with the inline weight. It is easier to use and set up but I can also understand the concern of two additional knots.

[BRS1]

I have used both methods and find the Offshore Snapweights to work better with the boards than if I am running right off the boat, the 10-20' in front of the bait works well, but not as well as an Offshore board/50-50 method. We seem to pick up bigger fish with the board vs. the line off the boat with a weight 10-20' in front of the harness.

My .02 worth.

Good luck,

BRS1

[Juls_OH]

Both weights have their places and times....

I haven't read anyone responding to the fact that the two different weights impart different actions to the baits. One will have a slower rise and fall while the other is more drastic. The bigger the waves the more action, obviously, and vise versa.

Here's a simple solution to your question...
Try both presentations and let the fish tell you what they are in the mood for that particular day. No one has the "Magic Answer" for a question like this one. It's better to try different things..you just never know when you will find the right presentation and kick some fishy butt! ;-)

Good luck,
Juls

[rebs]

what is the 50/50 guys are mentioning ?
rebs

[BRS1]

Rebs,

You can get the "bible" called Precision Trolling or go to the Offshore website and request the Offshore newspaper which gives great info on using snap weights and the 50/50 and 20 plus method.

www.offshoretackle.com

The Precision Trolling book is a lot more comprehesive and is very valuable if you fish for walleye. Both have the info you need.

Good luck,

BRS1

[Big Sky]

What speed are you trolling at with 50/50 method and the larger blades? What are the range of weights commonly used with in-line sinkers?