Function
Fishing weights differ from fishing sinkers. Weights are used to fish artificial lures, such as plastic worms, near the bottom and through cover, while sinkers are added to a line to keep live bait on the bottom of a body of water.
Types
Bullet-shaped fishing weights, known as worm weights, allow a plastic worm to make its way through vegetation. Other types are tube weights, flipping weights, Carolina rig weights, nail weights and finesse weights.
Materials
These weights were traditionally made from lead, but environmental concerns about the use of lead have resulted in fishing weights composed of tungsten, brass, bismuth, steel and tin.
Benefits
Some fishing weights come in various colors, which allow the angler to match a weight with a particular-colored bait to make the presentation appear much more natural.
Features
Tube and worm fishing weights can come equipped with minute rattles which produce enough noise when being reeled in to attract a curious fish, especially when employed in darker waters.
