A Tackle Shop Guide to Fishing Sinkers
Choosing the right fishing sinker can be confusing, with a huge range of shapes and weights to consider. The good news is that for Australian conditions, you only need to master a few key styles. This guide will break down the most popular sinker shapes we sell and explain exactly what they're designed for.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"It's fascinating to look at our store sales data for sinkers. By a huge margin, the simple ball sinker is our number one seller, all year round. It's the dependable all-rounder that every angler has in their kit. If you’re after a general-purpose sinker, the ball is it.
That said, it’s choosing a specialised shape like a star or snapper sinker that can often make all the difference. I personally use star sinkers off local spots like Bombo Beach to hold bottom when chasing salmon and whiting in the surf. Offshore from Kiama, I prefer a 4oz snapper lead for fishing the reefs when the current isn’t too strong. It’s using the right sinker for the conditions that can make the difference between holding bottom and getting washed away."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop (Ocean Storm) | 20+ Years Experience
A Guide to Australian Sinker Shapes
The shape of a sinker is not for looks; it's a piece of engineering designed for a specific fishing tecnique. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular models for fishing in Australia.
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Ball Sinkers: As our sales data shows, this is the most common and versatile sinker. Its round shape allows it to roll and move naturally along the bottom, making it a great choice for a running sinker rig in estuaries and rivers.
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Snapper Sinkers: Specifically designed for offshore boat fishing. The tapered, bomb-like shape gets down fast through deep water and current, and its flat bottom helps it resist rolling, making it perfect for paternoster rigs over reefs.
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Star Sinkers: The standard choice for beach fishing. The star shape is designed to bury itself in the sand, providing a solid anchor that holds your bait firmly in place against the pull of waves and side currents.
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Bean & Barrel Sinkers: These elongated shapes are a smart choice for fishing over weedy or snaggy ground. Their shape is less likely to get wedged in rocks or timber compared to a ball sinker.
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Breakaway Sinkers: Designed to provide maximum grip in the surf. A breakaway sinker has a set of metal wires that dig into the sand like an anchor. When a fish bites or you strike, the wires pivot or "break away," allowing for an easy retrieve.
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Split Shot: These are tiny, soft lead weights with a groove that allows you to pinch them onto your line. They are a key component of finesse fishing, used for adding a tiny amount of weight to an unweighted bait or for balancing a float.
Pro-Tips for Sinker Selection
- The Golden Rule of Weight: Always use the lightest sinker you can get away with that still allows your bait to reach and hold the bottom. A lighter sinker provides a more natural presentation and makes it easier to feel bites.
- Protect Your Knot with a Bead: When using a running sinker rig (with a ball or bean), the sinker can slide down and repeatedly hit your knot, causing it to weaken over time. To prevent this, always place a small plastic bead or a piece of silicone tubing on the line between the sinker and your swivel. This acts as a buffer and protects your knot from damage.
- Carry a Range: Conditions change. The 2oz star sinker that held perfectly in the morning might get washed away when the wind picks up. Always carry a range of weights so you can adapt to the conditions on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right sinker weight for my fishing spot?
It all depends on water movement (current and waves) and depth. In a calm estuary, a tiny size 0 ball sinker might be all you need. For fishing a deep offshore reef with strong current, you might need a 16oz snapper sinker. The key is to use just enough weight to get your bait to the bottom and hold it there.
What's the difference between a "running" sinker rig and a "paternoster" rig?
A running rig is where your main line runs through the sinker down to your hook. It's an excellent choice for a natural presentation, as a fish can pick up the bait without feeling the sinker's weight. A paternoster rig is a dropper-style rig where the sinker is tied to the bottom and the hooks are on leaders coming off the main line above it. It's the ideal rig for keeping your baits suspended off the bottom.
What is the best sinker for beach fishing?
For holding bottom in the surf and wash, a Star Sinker is the most popular choice. For maximum grip in very strong currents or big waves, a Breakaway Sinker is the top choice, as its wires dig into the sand like an anchor.
What is the best sinker to use to avoid snagging when rock fishing?
This is a classic rock fishing problem. While no sinker is completely snag-proof, your best choice is an elongated **Bean or Barrel Sinker** rigged as a running sinker. Their streamlined shape is far less likely to get wedged between rocks compared to a ball sinker. Some rock fishos also use a "breakaway" style rig, where the sinker is tied on with a much lighter leader line, so if the sinker gets snagged, only the sinker breaks off, saving the rest of your rig.
Why are most sinkers still made of lead? Are there alternatives?
This is an important question. Lead has been the traditional material for sinkers for a simple reason: its high density. This allows for a small, compact sinker to be made for a given weight, which is better for casting and for a faster sink rate. While non-toxic alternatives like steel, brass, and tungsten exist, they are less dense (meaning a larger sinker for the same weight) and are significantly more expensive to produce. For this reason, lead remains the most common and affordable option for the vast majority of everyday fishing situations.
