Why Tungsten?!?! Clam Drop series??

[Chris Granrud]

I have been asked to share this response here on the Ice Team forum as it pertains to my personal reasoning for utilizing Tungsten chasing Crappies. To bring some clarity to my response; I was questioned on the Tungsten movement. Here is MY reasons for choosing to lace up Tungsten. Possibly some of this may be of help in the learning curve for you and help you also put more giants on the ice this season. For me......That's what it is all about.

"I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one Pat. everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course and get's to choose what he or she laces up as they head out onto the ice. Here is my take in further detail. First off Tungsten weighs about 30% more than lead; Double the weight is off base. We are well known for landing more large Crappies in a given season than most. Last year we ice over 40 slabs exceeding 15 inches with a few over 16 inches. Trust me we take sticking big "Ri-Donk-Ulous" slabs pretty serious. Here are some truths as it pertains to fishing panfish if your a guy that likes to work a string of holes. Getting to the fish versus NOT getting to the fish means MORE fish caught. This is really not a point anyone can argue. If your held up in the slush or unable to gain the attention of a feeding Crappie as it cruises an open basin you will NOT catch that fish. As you have mentioned tournament fisherman have realized this as have we. It is commonplace to hear anglers talk to the fish as they frantically strip line on the drop "COME ON STAY. STAY....STAY". Of course these anglers are banking on their ability to get in front of the fish before It leaves the circle of trust. I also can't agree with your cadence piece. For us we work a presentation for crappies predominately simulating a bug hatch and rise. A bug presentation is a vibrate or quick and short pound of the bottom and then slow and steady rise through the water column. Weight of a jig has zero influence on this presentation. Anglers need to realize that you want your focus on the trailer IMHO as it pertains to fishing panfish. The trailer can be plastic or live bait. The jig is the delivery system for the trailer. I teach our anglers to focus on the action of the trailer as that is what the panfish wants to eat. Now of course you want the jig In question to best match the color and profile you intend to achieve. I am a firm believer that I would MUCH rather fish a bigger plastic with a smaller jig. I want very little focus on the hook. This is the danger zone and pressured fish know this....Again MY OPINION from our experiences. As per cost?? Hey can't argue the cost of everything is going up. Still the cost of a jig is likely the least of my concerns considering the overall costs of my fishing equipment. If I feel a $3.00 jig will put more fish on the ice than a $2.00 jig......I'm IN!! I only wish my summer tackle were as cheap. Lord knows I rarely lose ice tackle in comparison to my daily donations to the fish gods of the open water arena. Each angler can and will decide what best fits their needs, but for us this is a no brainer. Ability to fish a smaller profile jig faster not only puts us in the face of more fish, but helps us trigger more strikes."

[monstermoose78]

Well put Chris

[Valleye]

So Chris, what your saying is Tungsten is a good thing? LOL!

Excellent Information!!!!

[Chris Granrud]

Thanks guys! Hope some of the info was of value. I know most of you clearly comprehend the advantages already. If you haven't yet...Boy are you going to love this stuff!!

[Dylan8351]

It's hard to beat tungsten. Much of the fishing I do is all about catching numbers before they move. Speed is the name of my game!

[Coryy]

I have to agree with you Chris.

I am currently writing an article about the advantages of using Tungsten over Lead and you should see it in the January Midwest outdoors as well as the Illinois Outdoor news.

One of the other great advantages of the new "drop" series is that Clam has taken all of the competitor jigs and has developed the drop series to allow actions that are totally different than those that are out there. This means that the fish are going to see something totally different than anything they have ever seen.

I know that when tungsten first came out I was leery of jumping on the proverbial bandwagon, but after tying my first one on I was sold.

One other point that I would make is that not only they are 30% heavier, but they are 70% denser thus you can downsize on those tough bite days and the density allows you to adjust your gain on your Vexilar to tune out all those smaller fish and still see your jig.

Cory

[fishwater]

The other big plus of heavier/denser jigs is the motion the fish imparts on your bait/jig translates to a greater momentum through your line to the tip of your rod. Tungsten makes every nudge of the jig a bit easier to detect by feel or sight.

[clayton08]

Couldnt of said it any better. Getting to the fish is the main object of the game thats why I fish tungstens and glad to start to see a bigger variety of them.

[TrapMan13]

Agreed! Couldn't have put it better myself.

[palisade1kid]

When fishing plastics a heavier jig can impart more action on the plastic/trailer. Light pounding will really make those tails snap.