Split shot is a small weight that are used to control how a fishing lines and bait sink into the water. Using too light of a split shot will cause the bait to remain too high in the water column, while using too heavier of a split shot will cause the bait to sink too fast and potentialy get in the way of the fish. The weight of the split shot that you use should be chosen according to the weight of the fishing line that is being used and the strength of the water current.
Split shot come in many different sizes. Small split shot is used for lines that weigh less than 4 pound. The smaller size of split shot is necessary so that it does not overpower the delicate nature of the lighter fishing line.
How to Use Split Shot
For larger fishing lines and deeper water, such as water that is 20 feet or deeper, larger split shots such as BB shots are used. Using the wrong sized split shot for the fishing line will lead to a poor drift. A poor drift can occur if the split shot is too light for the bait to allow for it to float, or if the split shot is too heavy for the bait to sink properly.
Split shot has a seam that allows for the weight of the split shot to be attached to the fishing leader. The fisherman should pinch the split shot onto the fishing line at a 90 degree angle. Pinching the split shot too hard onto the fishing line can damage the fishing line over time.
After pinching the split shot to the fishing line, perform a gentle tug on the fishing line to ensure it is secure attached to the fishing line. The placement of split shot is just as important as the size of the split shot. For shallow waters, one small split shot can be placed 6 inches from the bait.
For moderate currents, two smaller split shots can be placed 12 or 18 inches apart from each other on the fishing leader. For fishing with a float or a bobber, split shot weights can be clustered together just beneath the float to properly balance the fishing rig. There are different types of split shot that is needed for different types of fish.
For example, trout will require small split shot, such as micro shots or No. 6 shots. Panfish will require very small split shot if the water is clear, but if the area that you are fishing for bass then larger split shot such as BB shots will be required to help the bait sink through the water. Walleye will require No. 3 to AAA split shot.
Split shot sizes A shots will be required for carp or steelhead on 10-pound line as these fish live in deeper or faster water. Therefore, the type of fish that you are trying to catch will dictate the type of split shot that is used. The depth of the water and the flow of the water will dictate which split shot to use.
Split shot for water that is under 10 feet deep will be micro split shot or No. 5 split shot. For water of mid-depth and with a current, No. 4 or No. 2 split shot will be used so that the bait will make contact with the bottom of the water without getting snagged on the bottom. For deep water or for areas with fast currents, larger split shot will be used for depths of 20 to 35 feet.
Additionally, the diameter of the fishing line will play into the split shot because the thicker the line the more split shot will be required for the bait to sink. The material of the split shot can change the way that the split shot will function in the water. Round split shot will allow the bait to drift through the water while oval split shot will allow the bait to stay close to weeds.
Tungsten split shot will sink faster than lead split shot of the same size due to the greater weight of tungsten. Additionally, you can replace lead split shot with non-toxic split shot such as tin or steel, though regulations may exist for the areas that you are fishing. Finally, there are guidelines that can be followed when the use of split shot.
The smallest split shot can be used to start so that the bait will touch the bottom of the water, and then more split shot can be added if the bait does not sink enough. Two split shots may work better then one large split shot. Additionally, you should check the security of the split shot after every cast and an angler should carry a variety of split shot sizes.