Ride the Wild Surf - Fixed Rig Sinkers

By : John Givens, Member

Distance

Short shank sputniks cast further than long shank sputniks

Sputniks are more aerodynamic and outcast pyramids and storm sinkers

Short shank sputniks wobble more than long shank sputniks

Adding hooks and baits significantly reduces distance so a single drop rig and a Carolina rig cast farther than a double drop rig

You can set up to cast with pyramids on the sand, giving you more leverage to cast. You can’t set sputniks on the sand

Side Notes - Distance

A spinner with 15# braid casts just about as far as a baitcasters with 15# mono if the cast is 150 yards or less

Due to the spiraling effect of a spinning reel a baitcaster goes farther into the wind

A 150 yard cast with a double drop rig places you in the top 90% of casters

For maximum distance, try a 3" snood tied to the eye of the sinker

Holding

Sputniks hold better than pyramids

Storm sinkers hold better than pyramids

3 sided pyramids hold better than 4 sided pyramids

Long shank sputniks typically hold better than short shank sputniks, but you can mostly get around this by adjusting the tension on short shanks

With a stronger hold you should get a better read/indication for the bite and a better hookup

Sputniks can imbed into soft sand.  A long shank sputnik allows a better angle to pop out the sinker.  Go 40 yards or so away from the center to free up the sinker

In soft sand and/or strong currents, bring in your rig every·15 minutes so it doesn’t sink into the sand

A 5oz sputnik holds better than an 8oz pyramid

Miscellaneous

Pyramids and storm sinkers are less expensive than sputniks. You can buy long shank sputniks from Amelia Bait and Tackle, RennWorks and the Sinker Guy.  Fellow member Lyndon Godwin manufactures and sells short shank sputniks.

While reeling in Long Shanks tend to tangle less than short shanks.

If you are catching bonnet heads and especially catfish, you will probably need to replace your rigs occasionally 

Sputniks reel in/slide in smoother than pyramids which tend to bounce and can result in a lost fish

You can move pyramids in the surf.  You can't move sputniks without popping the wires.

Moving rigs 5 or so turns of the reel every few minutes allows you to cover more ground and find the fish

While the primary purpose of the sinker ls to hold, you will get the most distance by matching it to your rod and using whatever size loads best