Pencil lead or slinkies

[fishbane]

When you guys drift fish do you prefer slinkies or lead ? I have never landed a fish with a corkie but I thought I would try some again in the future.

[Cohodependent]

I have always used hollow core lead. It has always worked for me. I have never had any one tell me what the advantages are to a slinky, if any, so I am also interested in the information.

[fishbane]

I have used both But I found I get less snags with a slinkie. But I have never gotten anything on a corkie either. I thought I would try some pink pearl ones next time.

[chuck 'n' duck]

The advantages of using slinkies for weight are that they are less snag prone than hollow core. This is only if you use a length of slinkie that allows alot of movement (ie don't use the larger shot to make light weights). The hollow core is nice in that it gives that tell tale "tic" on the bottom and it is easy to track a drift. Slinkie weight is a bit more difficult to feel on the river bottom. One disadvantage of slinkies are that they do not get down as quickly as straight hollow core lead. On snaggy drifts I will use slinkies, and on drifts with a more consistent river bottom I prefer hollow core.

CnD

[ 12-27-2001: Message edited by: chuck 'n' duck ]</p>

[Bubzilla]

fishbane,

Try a search in the archives on this subject. There was a thread with several posts just a couple weeks ago.

To answer your question, though, I prefer whatever will catch a fish. Sometimes that's pencil lead, sometimes that's a slinky. The water and conditions should dictate how much and what type of weight you use.

Learn to carry a couple lead options, e.g., 1/4" solid pencil, 3/16" hollow pencil, and several slinkies, e.g., 1/2 oz. to 1 oz. in magnum and regular. Trust me, you'll catch way more fish by being flexible.

Also, learning to rig in various ways helps too. Sometimes a sliding set-up is best. Other times fixed works. On the line with surgical tuging, clipped to the tag on a swivel, set to a snap swivel to slide, you should eventually know them all.

[Fishin Magician]

i run slinkies and like them. I believe that it is all in how you feel the bottom. My dad runs lead and does good also. I prefer slinkies mainly because i run braided lines .

[Hookset]

Have to admit I was slow to give slinkies a try. I've never had a problem catching fish with lead. Then 3 years ago I lost 3 rigs in a row using lead trying to drift fish a favorite hole. I was infuriated to say the least. You have to remember the MOST important cardinal rule, "you can't catch a fish with your line out of the water". Since I was constantly tying rigs and not fishing a change was in order.

The next trip I started using slinkies I made myself. The feel is very different, slinkies don't translate rocks off the river bottom like lead, they provide a softer feel. Still, this can work to your advantage, making it easier to detect soft hits.

I agree with Chuck, in really fast water lead gets down quicker, making lead the ideal choice in that situation. Anything else slinkies can fish equally well and even better once you learn the difference in feel. Takes about one afternoon to get familiar if even that.

The only problem I have with slinkies is, I don't break off as much. I'd use that time to change lures/colors. Now I often have to purposely cut the rig off to change lures. How frustrating! Many times I feel a little guilty if I don't relinquish a drift rig to the river deamons once in awhile.

Now, 90% of my drift fishing I use slinkies. I rig solid using a snap swivel. The line from the reel and leader are tied off at opposite ends of the barrel and the snap is pushed into one end of the slinkie, sometimes I make a small hole for the snap. Sliding slinkies work better with small light weights when I use bait, otherwise I don't like the fraid line that heavier weights create.

Making slinkies is easy, just make a variety of sizes to accomodate different conditions. I use two sizes of shot, .210 and .190 with .190 being the most versatile, the slim profile seems to snag less. Also, don't forget the other cardinal rule when it comes to fishing, keep it simple stuby (K.I.S.S.).

Everyone has their own preference, this just happens to be mine, at least until I or someone else figures something better.

best of luck,

Gregg