How far should the sinker be from the hook?

Question

I do freshwater fishing, mainly in lakes. I usually tie the sinker about 8 inches from the hook.

Answer 1

I think that is too close.   I would put the sinker or split shot about 16 to 18 inches above the hook.    For some fish, several feet is best.   Sturgeon or salmon for instance.

Answer 2

about 2-3 feet

Answer 3

JOHN R has my vote here, I do the same thing when I'm fishing for just about anything. Except in fast water then I put just enough weight on to get the bait down to the fish.

When I'm fishing plastic worms I sometimes use a small splitshot at the tip of the hook to get a good drop action when I'm fishing it w/ no worm sinker... small b or bb size...

For small live fish I wouldn't use hardly any weight - it could kill them pulling them down quickly. If you do put one on for small fish I'd put it 18 to 24 inches away and not that heavy so it's a gradual decline for them - fish them with a bobber too so they don't go straight to the bottom.

Answer 4

Bobby said it. That is very good bobby! NOW GO TO h**l BOBBY FOR STEALING MY ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

You didn't say what you were fishing for or what bait you are using.

I would never tie a weight on either, try a little egg sinker and slip the line thru it tie on a small swivel.  To the swivel tie on a leader of light mono, length depends on what your using for bait and where your fishing, then your hook.

Spome applications have you tie the weight on the end of the line and then tie a loop about 16-24" above it and add your hook then,

The point is that you want to feel a bite and thefish should not feel the weight.  You'll get more bites and more fish.

At times I do not use any weight just freeline a bait so it can swim.

Answer 6

8 inches is fine but if you try small live fish let them free spool

Answer 7

the theory of trace depend on the fish species u target.It means that if that fish species in general is 8 inches then the trace should be 8 to 16inches.Maximum 16 inches,double the general length is the most u can afford to feel its bites cos anything longer u cant feel anything if the conditions r rough n if the fish bites lightly.Longer the trace to target bigger sized fish cos they could be more willing to take it.They cant see your lead/shots n also shots create some electrical pulses plus chemicals when its in tha water.For salt water its effect of chemical n electrical reaction when submerged r more intense.That's why big game just wont take it.

Answer 8

Depends on the type of rig, and what fish you're going for. But 11-15 inches between the sinker and the hook is the most common for freshwater fishing, and I've definitely never seen one with less than 9". I'd go more than 8" if I were you. The greater the distance between the weight and the sinker, the less likely it will spook the fish or pull the hook out of it's mouth. A good rule of thumb for any rig is to keep as much space between such components as you can, but not so much that it becomes difficult to cast, presents a danger to bystanders getting hooked, or that the leaders get tangled easily. When casting from shore, I personally prefer 10" leaders if using a small to medium sized spinning rod (6' or less) and 15" leaders if using bigger rods (9' or so). If fishing from a boat where you don't have to cast far, some rigs for certain kinds of fish require several feet of line between the sinker and the hook.