Tungsten Weights: Worth the Cost?

[Ryan]

Ever since last season, I have heard a lot of good things about the Tru-Tungsten weights.  Ounce for ounce they are smaller, denser, and create more sound.  They also seem to be popular with a lot of the pros.  Unfortunately, they are also much, much more expensive then the traditional lead weights.  My question is has anyone tried them and do you think that the benefits justify their high costs? 

-Ryan

[Cheetam]

I like tungsten.  Tungsten lets you get a "feel" for what you are dragging your bait over, weather it's a soft bottom, sand, rock, wood etc. (which is great for finding those "transition" areas fish seem to love).  They are also environmentally friendly when compared to lead.  I bought some of the BPS-branded tungesten weights last year after losing all of my 3/4 and 1 oz weights, and they were cheaper than other brands (but still more expensive than lead).

[fowlmouth]

I have noticed I am more careful with the tungsten weights. I pick em up off the floor and put them away, after I cut one off I'll put it back in the tacklebox; with lead I would've thrwon em out. The higher price makes me take care of them and I think I lost 2 all last season, so if you reuse them they're well worth the money.
     I also like the noise, but I broke a lot of beads last year because the tungsten is harder than lead.

[matt]

I'm stilly "iffy" on the price myself,but like somebody mentioned the feel seems to be a little better.This is one of the situations where if i do have a little extra money to spend i'll get the tungstens.

[HellaBass]

If catching more fish makes them worth it, then yes

Tungsten is very hard on Glass beads, so look at the Force Beads, used them all of last year and never cracked a single bead when paired with Tungsten.

[McCarter]

Tungsten weights rock.  the sensitivity is unmatched  by any other material.  lead is soft and absorbs a lot of the feel of the bottom.  tungsten is much more dense and alot harder which helps to translate what is going on under your weight all the way back to your rod.

they are expensive, but the benefits far outweigh the additional cost.

You can actually bed fish without seeing the bed.  i did it last year on Kent lake a lot.  i went to a flat where i knew bass were spawning and just fan casted and slowly drug my weight and craw over the sand til i felt the small gravel of the bed.  i would let my bait sit, maybe give it a couple shakes and keep and eye on my line.  withing a few seconds, the line would jump or move and i would set the hook on a nice fat bass.  cant do that with lead.  Plus, the smaller profile of the tungsten weights gives your baits a more natural look.

Try em out.  if you want to save a buck on a 4 pack, try the XPS tungsten weights.  They only come in the silver color ( I prefer black, but thats just me ) but they are less expensive than the others.

But if you really want to get technical, the tru tunsten weights have a bunch of different colors that will match up to just about any bait you are throwing.  Its worth the extra $0.90 a pack to get the colored ones in my opinion.

Because they are so expensive, i find myself using 12 lb flouro instead of 8 lb.  Nothing like a little extra insurance.

McCarter himself

[blakstr1]

It's simple to me, better feel, and smaller profile...'nuff said

[Berkley]

Anybody try any of the Tru-Tunsten jigs yet??

[Ryan]

Thanks for all of the replies, guys.   I was already thinking that I would probably try them out this season, but after hearing all of these positive reviews, I will certainly be purchasing some.

Thanks Again. 
-Ryan

[10-10 Bass Busters]

I Love them!!!  Can't beat the size the feel and the colors. Now they have come out with a flipping weight that looks great can't wait to try it out.  I get most of my tackle from [REMOVED - see No Links Policy List] on line.  I usually wait until I need a big order or have a couple of my buddies order some stuff, because if you spend $50 or more the shipping is free.  They have great prices on their tackle.  They still don't have the flipping weights yet but they have the worm weights and all there jigs, buzz baits, and spinnerbaits that tru tungsten makes.  I'll have to pick up the flipping weight at cabelas or bass pro.  Good luck with them.

[Duke]

I bought some flipping weights this winter - haven't used them yet but am excited to. Here's a website that sells them:

www.honeycreektackle.com

[Cy]

I know I am saying the same thing everyone else is but I feel the need to comment.

I switched to Tungsten 2 years ago and I won't fish anything else!  Every buddy of mine I have had try them will never go back.  The difference in feel is incredible, especially on Fluorocarbon line or some thing low stretch.

With out a doubt worth the extra money.

Cy