PRODUCT REVIEW: BAKUDAN WEIGHTS

Drop-shotting has rapidly become one of the favorite finesse tactics used in fishing today. If you have never tried this rig, you are missing out. It is very simple, yet extremely productive Those of you who are up on drop-shotting know what I am talking about. If you haven’t tried it you may want to go to the previous articles section for more info. I have been using this rig for some time now and have tried most everything out there on the market. Today I want to focus on the weight. I have tied on just about every style of weight in my tackle box from split-shot to bell sinkers and they will all work. In fact you could probably tie on a rock if you had to. But far and away the best weight out there is the Bakudan, which in Japanese means "The Bomb". The weight got its name because the shape is that of a cherry bomb.

 First of all, a good number of people using the dropshot are tournament anglers and time is crucial. While others are tying on their weights, I am slipping on the Bakudan. It has a tight V-shaped strand of small piano wire that you simply pull the line up into and you are done. They will not come off, even if you are casting your rig. It also makes adjusting your height from the weight to the hook a lot easier because you don’t have to break off and re-tie. Just pull the line to the open part of the "V" and you are free. Another thing I like about the Bakudan is when it gets stuck between the rocks, or in the brush, I can break it off without losing my hook and tag line. When pressure is applied, the "V" will cut the line right at the weight, more times than not, which keeps the rig in tact. In fact I have caught fish after I knew I was snagged. Lost the weight, but not the fish. The last feature that will make life easier for the drop-shot fisherman is the swiveling action. If you have drop-shotted, you have experienced line-twist. The built-in swivel will eliminate most of the line-twist.

Bakudan weights come in 1/16 oz. to 3/8 oz. sizes. I strongly recommend that you use the lightest possible in your application, but you should carry the larger ones, too, for those windy days or deep water outings. Look for Bakudan weights at your local tackle shop or call Bakudan Lures at (989) 798-1732 for more information.

KIP POLLAY - FISHING EDITOR