When fishing in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina through salt and fresh bodies of water, sinkers are widely used by anglers. Sinkers come in many forms, but the two most notable are the bullet sinker and the egg sinker. It is important to know that bullet weights egg sinker are not the same. Both the bullet weight and egg sinker serve a purpose but function in unique ways. Here is what you need to know about the difference between an egg sinker vs. a bullet sinker. 

What Is The Purpose Of The Sinker

A fishing sinker is a weight that is used in combination with a hook or lure by increasing casting distance, holding the bottom, or dropping quickly from the surface. Sinkers sink the bait or lure from the surface to at or near the bottom of the body of water. When fish feed low in the water, column anglers must find ways to present the bait in the zone in which they are feeding. 

The second function is assisting the angler in casting long distances. The weight on the end aids the fisherman in making the lure or bait sail longer and farther through the air. 

The sinker comes in many shapes and sizes. Shape and size determine how the sinker functions. The size and shape vary based on the type of fish and the style of fishing you are participating in. 

How Heavy Should The Sinker Be

Determining how heavy the should sinker should be presents a challenge to anglers. Knowing what specific depth the bait or lure should be in the water is essential. Heavy sinkers are used for deep water fishing or when combating strong currents.

Bottom Fishing

The primary purpose of the sinker is to assist anglers in reaching and holding the bottom to target bottom-feeding fish. 

When determining the amount of lead required to hold bottom, the process becomes trial and error. Take into consideration the depth when determining the amount of weight needed. Secure the weight to the fishing line and drop the rig to the seafloor. When feeling the seabed is a challenge, retrieve and add a heavier weight. 

Suspending Baits

In many circumstances, anglers focus their attention on the middle of the water column instead of the bottom. When fishing mid-range depths, lighter fishing weights are necessary.

Secure light fishing weights above the lure or hook and determine if the weight is heavy enough to achieve the desired depth. Should adjustments be necessary, cut, reduce or add weight, and retie the lure. 

Currents

Mentioning currents is like throwing a curveball into the mix. No matter how deep or shallow currents significantly impact the holding power of fishing weights. 

Whether you are fishing rivers, oceans, tidal creeks, or reservoirs, or other bodies of water, currents flow. 

When water moves swiftly, increase the amount of weight to accomplish the goal of remaining on the bottom without your weight becoming swept away. Deep sea fishing requires the heaviest weights. 

What Are Fishing Sinkers Made Of

There are many types of sinker that were once made solely of lead, but lead-based sinkers are banned in many states due to implications on the environment. 

Today, fishing sinkers are made of steel, bismuth, tungsten, or tin compared to lead. The metal is melted and poured into forms of varying shapes and sizes. Once the metal hardens, the weight is popped free and is ready for use by anglers. 

While protecting the environment is critical, lead weight production has been reduced. Lead alternatives come at a higher cost; therefore, the price for fishing weights has increased substantially. 

Because of the high cost of fishing sinkers or fishing gear in general, avoid dropping lead weights over the side when tying and make your best effort to free snags. Lost fishing gear becomes costly on the wallet. Conversely don’t head out fishing with only one sinker or your day will be cut short.

What To Know About An Egg Sinker

Hence the name, egg sinkers, is shaped similar to eggs. Egg sinker weights are constructed with a hole running from top to bottom through the center where the fishing line passes. To determine how to use egg sinkers the fishing line is passed through, a knot is tied to the eye of the hook or lure. 

Egg sinkers range from ⅛ ounce to 1.5 ounces. Due to the vast range in weight, anglers have the opportunity to select which application best suits their needs. 

The most common use is to reach and hold the bottom when it comes to the purpose of an egg sinker. 

Check out this mixed tackle box of egg sinkers. The ample selection of sizes will allow you to hold bottom no matter the conditions or depths. Egg weights fishing is highly versatile because of the size the and variety of fish they assist anglers to catch.

What To Know About A Bullet Sinker

Again, as the name implies, a bullet sinker is bullet-shaped. The purpose of the bullet fishing weight is to be fished above a soft plastic lure to deflect weeds. The shape assists in reducing the number of weeds accumulating on the weight and hook. Bullet hooks are primarily used by by bass fisherman. 

Anglers work the soft plastic lure by gently lifting the rod. The bullet weight slides along the fishing line, which causes the bait to lift and fall slowly back to the bottom.

Bullet sinkers vary in weight and size but are produced as large as egg sinkers, and they would overpower the motion of the soft plastic. 

Check out the best egg sinker mixed pack available for anglers. This container will have all the sizes you can ask for. 

Comparing An Egg Sinker Vs. A Bullet Sinker

Yes, both the bullet sinker and egg sinker serve the purposes of presenting baits beneath the surface, but the two are substantially different. Egg sinkers are designed in a vast range of sizes to aid anglers in reaching and holding the bottom. Conversely, bullet sinkers assist in fisherman performing a jigging type motion of soft plastics by allowing the bait to rise and fall from the floor below. Despite the differences in the way that they are utilized, they are composed of the same materials. Pick which type best suits your needs.