The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I bought this stuff years ago thinking it was the answer to all the problems associated with non toxic split shot but it doesn't grip well and sometimes falls off on the cast and it even gets weaker if used more than once. I am sure with a bit more thought going into the hinge design, it could be vastly improved. Mind you, a ledger stop with a blob of tungsten putty round it is a good alternative for a telltale.

Wal.

I was reading up on alternatives to lead shot a couple of nights ago and came across Preston Stotz. There are some good reviews of them on the Angling Direct website and no mention of nipping and damaging line, something that has crazed me since moving over from the good old soft stuff. Shall pop in there over the weekend and give them a try.

Stotz are okay but they are a right bugger to get off... especially the smaller sizes

Stainless steel bar cut to 2, 3 ,4 and 5 gram lengths works for me.......

Stotz - under 6 are lead. 6 and above are good. Anchor oval shot also works.
So a mixture of both when trotting as I usually need to move the bottom shots - the 8s - about.

No longer use shots next to the float when waggler fishing - just a loaded float and waggler adapters.

I've made full use of olivettes as I got fed up of large shot pinging off a tight line, also Fox do a range of weights to attach to bolt hook lengths they also work well as they can be changed more easily than some olivettes.

I've got some Preston split shot ,they are very soft ,I've got some Dinsmore shot that are black,I assume chemically treated but very hard to open and close ,hopeless.Reelmaker.