Weighty Solution

[Saberfish]

[black][size 3]While exploring the cob webbed corners of my mind this morning, I remembered a sinker system that I was introduced to by friends many years ago while fishing for salmon on the Salmon River above Ketchum, Idaho.

I share it here, hoping that it, or a modified version of it will help others.

We used it while drifting baits in a river with different currents, where we wanted to fish the bottom, but did not want to hang up or snag on the rocks.

We took soda straws, and you can obtain various sizes, stand them upright in a bed of sand, and pour molten lead into them. This leaves you with a long lead rod. We would smash one end a little flat, then punch or drill a hole into it, where you would tie leader on.
We used a three way swivel, sinker on one end, and bait on the other. Using a set of dikes (side cuts), trim the length of sinker to match your required weight. (also the thin lead rod does not hang up or snag as often as egg or bell sinkers do)

This system can be used for bottom trolling, and even bottom fishing. (I have used it with a
floating Rapala and three way swivel for walleye)

I realize that in the Northwest, they use a similar system with plastic tubing and lead rod, but this works just as well, and is cheaper. The lead can be obtained from scrap yards, and melted in a simple hand held tool used by black powder shooters held over a high heat source, butane torch or Coleman stove.

I hope that you can use this system or a modified version of it.

If you have questions, I'll answer them as well as I can.

Let me know how this system works for you.
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[trollboy8]

That's a good idea, I will give it a try.
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[Majja]

Great idea, any chance you have a couple of pics that your could share?

Thanks Majja
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[TrophyTaker]

Another method of the same idea is to buy a package of nylon camping rope (aka parachute chord) from the camping isle at wally world. They sell these things at the local sporting goods stores (flex o sinkers) but for what you would pay for 3 you can make 30 at home and all different weights.

1.) Cut a section about 4" long off of the spool.
2.)Pull all of the smaller strands out of the middle. (this leaves you an empty nylon sleeve)
3.)Take a lighter and seal off one end.
4.)Take small (non-reusable) slit shot and pinch them all closed.
5.)Drop the split shot into the sleeve then seal off the other end
6.)Now you take a snap swivel and push it through one end of the nylon sleeve.
7.)Using a three way swivel tie a section of leader 2' - 6' onto the weight and another section of leader to you bait/lure

You can also purchase pencil lead and do the same thing but they don't work as well as the flex o sinkers.

Good Luck,
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[Saberfish]

[black][size 3]Good idea, that should work really well.[/size][/black]
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[kastmaster]

I remember reading an article in In-Fisherman mag about a similar system that crappie fishermen use for fishing in submerged trees 30-50 ft. down. They took welding rods, I am not familiar with the sizes that are available out there, flattened one end, punched a hole for a swivel, and attached whatever rig you want to that welding rod. Similar concept as the one you described.
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