Collection: Dredge Weights

For 400 to 600 ft in moderate current, start with a 3 to 5 lb deep drop weight. If the boat is drifting fast or you are pushing 700+ ft, go 6 to 10 lb so you stay vertical. Our deep drop guide has a depth to weight chart.

Most crews run 16 to 64 oz cigar weights. Short lines and slower speeds use 16 to 32 oz, high speed wahoo spreads use 48 to 64 oz. Grab high speed trolling weights or rigged trolling sinkers.

Bank sinkers track well in current and on rough bottom. Pyramid sinkers dig into sand or surf to hold position. Egg sinkers slide on the line and are great for live bait or lighter current.

Use a bridle so the weight rides above the leader and tracks straight. Our bridle weights pair with a planer bridle and a ball bearing snap. This setup is standard for trolling and dredge spreads.

Yes. Rinse with fresh water and let them dry so salt does not corrode snaps, swivels, and crimps. For trolling weights, check hardware after each trip and swap any rusty clips.

Pyramid sinkers in the 2 to 6 oz range hold in the wash and keep bait in place. Bank sinkers slide better in calmer water. Match weight to rod rating and current, and start with pyramids for heavy surf.

Several states restrict lead tackle. New Hampshire and Maine ban lead sinkers under 1 oz near freshwater. Massachusetts and New York have similar size restrictions. Vermont bans lead tackle under 1 oz. Washington restricts lead near certain waterways. Saltwater-only anglers are less affected right now, but regulations are expanding. Check your state fish and wildlife agency for current rules, and consider switching to non-toxic weights where required.

Start with enough to hold vertical — if your line angles more than 30 degrees off the boat, go heavier. As a baseline: 1 to 4 oz for inshore flats and light current, 4 to 8 oz for nearshore reefs and moderate drift, 1 to 3 lb for offshore bottom fishing at 100 to 300 ft, and 3 to 10 lb for deep drops past 400 ft. Faster drift always means heavier weight. Use a bank sinker for rocky bottom and a pyramid sinker for sand.

The weight itself works fine — lead is lead. But the hardware matters. Freshwater sinkers often use light-gauge brass or zinc-plated snaps that corrode fast in salt. For saltwater, use sinkers with stainless steel hardware or bare lead that you rig with your own stainless snaps and swivels. Rinse everything with fresh water after each trip to extend the life of your terminal tackle.

Egg sinkers are the go-to for live bait. They slide freely on the line so the fish feels minimal resistance when it picks up the bait. Thread the egg sinker on your main line, tie a barrel swivel below it as a stop, and run a 2 to 3 ft fluorocarbon leader to your hook. This Carolina-style rig works for redfish, snook, flounder, and most inshore species. For deeper water or stronger current, a bank sinker on a knocker rig puts the weight right at the hook for better bottom contact.