Hello,

Long time paddler, just getting into fishing BWCA/Quetico. Looking for non-lead jigs. Which metal recommended?

I like tungsten but it is expensive compared to lead. We will just continue using lead until they come up with something as good and as cheap.

Tungsten!

It gives you a better feel than lead, another advantage is a 1/4 oz. jig head that is tungsten is smaller than a lead jig head. Sometimes this can give ya the edge. I was just down in Truman lake and the crappies were in 30-40 feet of water suspended at 20 feet. I used a 1/4 oz. tungsten jig and could deliver a more finesse presentation but still get down into the target range, tungsten out produced lead almost 10 to 1. There are times where this is not the case but it has advantages occasionally.

It is definitely more expensive and less color options.
For example a 3 pack of tungsten jigs is $7.99, while a quality jig like VMC or Northland lead head is about $4 per 4-5 jigs. Not break the bank difference but can add up.

My favorite Tungsten jig is Clam Drop Tg Tungsten

timatkn: "Tungsten!

My favorite Tungsten jig is Clam Drop Tg Tungsten "

Nice!

I don't lose that many jig heads unless I am drifting a river. Then you can really start to add things up. Usually (90%??) in a lake you can just paddle over and get the thing.

Does that seem like an environmentally responsible thing to do or is it much ado about nothing? I am definitely open minded on the subject but lack clarity.

Thanks to all, I'm going Tungsten!

MT I think split shot are a greater environmental threat, but the alternative typically tin is hard to find. I picked Tungsten for jigs, simply because I like to catch more fish. There are certainty times where a bigger lead head jig would be better, but for deeper water especially if you need to finesse and fish want a smaller presentation then you can’t beat Tungsten. That is why it is so popular for ice fishing.

T

timatkn: "MT I think split shot are a greater environmental threat, but the alternative typically tin is hard to find. I picked Tungsten for jigs, simply because I like to catch more fish. There are certainty times where a bigger lead head jig would be better, but for deeper water especially if you need to finesse and fish want a smaller presentation then you can’t beat Tungsten. That is why it is so popular for ice fishing.


T"

Gotcha........come to think of it I have some bullet weights for rubber worms in Tungsten. I marveled at how heavy they were for their size.

Tungsten definitely shines when you need to go small but also need heavy enough weight to deal with wind or depth. I fish lead jigs pretty extensively because I do a lot of fishing on the river which is full of snags. If I fished with tungsten each trip out would cost me an extra $20. On the river the larger profile of the lead jigs probably also helps the fish find the bait when water clarity is really poor.

As far as an environmental impact like said previously I think the small weights are the bigger issue. Birds picking them up is supposedly a big deal. I'm guessing if they pick up a jig head the hook from a lead jig or tungsten jig is going to cause equal harm to the bird long before it dies of lead poisoning.