Sinker Weight Selector
Stop guessing at the terminal end. Enter the current, depth, and rig to get a sinker weight that reaches and holds bottom — rounded to a size that's actually in your tackle box.
Reach bottom, then stay there
The right sinker is the one that gets your bait to the fish and keeps it in the strike zone without anchoring you so hard you can't feel a bite. Too little weight and the current walks your rig out of the spot; too much and you lose sensitivity and cast like a brick. Matching weight to conditions is one of the quiet skills that separates a slow day from a good one.
Fishing a leader below the weight? Size it with the Leader Length Calculator, and match your main line to the fish with the Fishing Line Strength Selector.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know how heavy a sinker to use?
Use the lightest weight that still holds bottom and keeps you in contact with your rig. Current is the biggest factor — moving water sweeps a light sinker downstream, so you need more mass to stay put — with depth adding a little more so the bait gets down quickly. This tool combines the two and scales by your rig type, then rounds to the nearest common sinker size.
Why does the rig change the weight so much?
Because each rig has a different job. A finesse drop-shot only needs enough weight to tick bottom and telegraph bites, while a pyramid sinker in the surf has to dig into sand and hold against waves and wash. The selector applies a rig factor — from about half the base weight for a drop-shot up to double for surf casting — on top of the current and depth figure.
What if my rig still drags along the bottom?
Step up one size, or switch to a lower-profile, denser tungsten weight that holds better for its mass. Dragging usually means the current or wave action is stronger than the weight can resist. Conversely, if you can't feel the sinker touch down or your line keeps bowing, you're probably too light — add weight until you regain bottom contact.
Are these exact figures?
No — they're a practical starting point. Real holding power also depends on your line diameter (thin braid cuts current better than thick mono), sinker shape, bottom composition, and how much line you have out. Use the recommendation to load your tackle box sensibly, then fine-tune on the water.
A practical estimate for choosing sinker weight, not an exact figure. Bottom type, line diameter, and sinker shape all affect how well a weight holds.