Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: BigFisher on October 09, 2010, 01:24:21 PM

Title: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: BigFisher on October 09, 2010, 01:24:21 PM: Anyone have an cost effective ways to fish with a 12-20oz weight? I believe the bar fishing lead weights go for 4-6 bucks at tackle shops, and I was thinking theres got to be a cheaper way. I was thinking maybe wrapping up a rock in cloth and threading a clip swivel through it? This would probably work in slower flow, but in faster flow the rock would have to be more jagged. Just want to see if you guys got any ideas.
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: Bently on October 09, 2010, 01:48:19 PM: I've used big 2" nuts [nuts and bolts] before, got them from a shipyard, they worked good, they have to be big ones though, or you might need a couple. I've also used the old style trip and slide weights we used to use for trolling in the chuck, they already have an eye/split-ring on top, again, you might need 2, depending on size. Low tide searching produces some too, just ask Chris ;D ;D
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: ChromeBar on October 09, 2010, 02:07:31 PM: Try railroad spikes
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: Bently on October 09, 2010, 02:13:04 PM: Steel flat bar with a hole drilled will work too.
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: Banny on October 09, 2010, 03:11:53 PM: railroad spikes with a hole drilled in them, may need a couple but they work
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: BigFisher on October 09, 2010, 03:26:39 PM: How hard is it to drill through a spike?
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: Bently on October 09, 2010, 03:52:24 PM: I imagine it's a tough chore, depending on your tool accessibility
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: NiceFish on October 09, 2010, 04:41:50 PM: ive use rail spikes as weights, just use a good metal bit and you should be okay to drill a hole
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: leadbelly on October 09, 2010, 06:15:12 PM: my very first sturg was caught using a bobcat lug nut for a weight
after that and before I started salvaging them I used to use any hunk of metal and put a loop on it using thin gauge wire.
Worked for shore fishing in slow to moderate currents.I tried making some from molds bu it was allot of work.
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: Dogbreath on October 09, 2010, 09:55:49 PM: Quote from: ChromeBar on October 09, 2010, 02:07:31 PM
Try railroad spikes

Old, old trick-still works but those spikes are quite as common as they once were-welded rails and all that.
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: ChromeBar on October 10, 2010, 11:14:51 AM: Ya they are getting hard to find ... i still find lots walking the tracks on the Thompson.
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: joska on October 10, 2010, 12:44:24 PM: i found many at braid and brunette... they changed to bolts rather than spikes...
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: movinonca on October 11, 2010, 09:16:55 AM: When i was a kid i used to go down to the tire shops and get as many Lead weights as they had and use a tire iron for a cast (mold) put a cotter pin in the end when the lead is soft and you have your weight. For big ones just use bigger socket holes....ie: bearing wrenches etc....
Title: Re: Alternatives for 12-20 oz weights.
Post by: Dogbreath on October 11, 2010, 05:32:42 PM: Sometime Guys who advertise on Craigslist and the like selling downrigger balls have smaller units for sale not nearly as expensive as stores.