Lead-free weights for predator fishing
Jigheads and dropshot weights are part of the standard kit for predator anglers. You use them with softbaits and finesse techniques. Tungsten offers an excellent alternative to lead. The material is denser and harder. That allows you to make smaller profiles with the same weight. You feel the bottom better. You often cast farther and more accurately. The depth sounder detects tungsten more easily. Tungsten costs more than lead. Still, it often produces more fish.
Why choose tungsten or steel?
- Higher weight in a smaller size. You can work more precisely.
- Hard material gives better bottom contact.
- Smaller profiles improve the action of softbaits.
- More easily visible on a fishfinder.
- Slightly more expensive, but often pays off in catches.
Brands and products
Greenbass Fishing
Greenbass makes lead-free jigheads, dropshot weights, bullet weights and screw-in weights. Their alloy comes close to lead in weight. The material stays harder, so you maintain optimal bottom contact. The jigheads have good hooks. The packaging contains no plastic.
Capt'n Greenfin
Capt'n Greenfin develops special shapes such as the Dart Jighead for playful lure action. The Elephant Jighead works well for the Ned rig. The alloy prevents your bait from tipping over.
GT Bio
GT Bio designed lead-free shad heads for the Roller Shad. You can also use them on other softbaits with offset hooks. Suitable for sea bass and available in various sizes.
Toppies
Toppies offers a large range of tungsten products in multiple colors. Each product lists the weight, so you can quickly choose at the waterside. Try their Dart Jigheads for unpredictable lure action.
PredatorPro
PredatorPro supplies tungsten in silver and matte green coatings. They sell Ned-heads, cheburashka, bullet and dropshot weights, and screw-in jigheads. All weights indicate the grams.
Lureparts
Lureparts has a wide assortment from cheburashka weights to weighted offset hooks and jigheads. They offer many options for both finesse and power techniques.
Solid Weights
Solid Weights supplies various tungsten sinkers and jigheads. They even make a 50-gram screw-in head for pelagic fishing.
Solid Weights via Predatorfishing
HTO
HTO offers cheburashka, dropshot and nail sinkers, plus flex heads. Available in several weights.
Camo-Tackle
Camo-Tackle has bullet weights, dropshot and cheburashka weights in different coatings.
Reins
Reins supplies dropshot weights, bullet weights and nail sinkers. Choose color and weight to your preference.
Spro and Spro Freestyle
Spro makes micro jigs, dropshot and bullet weights, plus cheburashka and nail sinkers. Handy for various techniques.
BFT Tackle
BFT offers neat tungsten products such as bullet weights, dropshot weights and jigheads.
Tackle Porn
Tackle Porn has various tungsten products, including jigheads and bullet weights.
Rubig Steelangler
Rubig makes steel jigheads. The steel feels hard and gives good bottom contact. They come in different hook sizes.
[Rubig Steelangler]
Keitech
Keitech supplies the Tungsten Super Round Jig. They fit the jig with a sharp Daiichi hook. Available from 1.75 to 7 grams.
Black Flagg
Black Flagg makes Finesse Bullet Weights. Ideal for Texas and Carolina rigs. Available with various coatings.
Lucky John
Lucky John produces the Tungsten Jig Ball. You use this with the Cheburashka rig for extra freedom of movement of your bait.
Zeck
Zeck supplies Heavystone catfish weights. These are heavy concrete weights for catfish fishing. Available as inline or fireball.
Major Fish
Major Fish makes offset jig hooks with a tungsten head. With these you fish weedless and lose less bait.
Iron Claw
Iron Claw produces stainless steel jigheads. The stainless steel feels harder than lead. That gives you better contact with the bottom.
SPRO (stainless steel)
SPRO offers dropshot weights and bullet weights made of stainless steel. The hard material increases bottom feel.
Jenzi
Jenzi makes steel bullet weights. Steel offers a cheaper alternative to tungsten. You feel it immediately in the rod.
Practical tips at the waterside
- Try small weight increments. Adapt to fish behavior and the bottom.
- Compare tungsten and steel for feel and casting distance.
- Pay attention to hook quality. Choose sharp hooks.
- Consider cost per catch.