Many anglers struggle with split shot, simply because they don’t have a good system for using it. These days, the prevalence of tungsten beads for nymphs, coneheads for streamers, etc., has more anglers than ever giving up split shot or not even carrying it. That’s a mistake. Because split shot is a timeless tool that solves all kinds of problems and outperforms other weight solutions pretty often.
READ: Troutbitten | Split Shot vs Weighted Flies
There’s a time and place for split shot, simply because it helps catch more trout. But the time for split shot will never be right if you don’t have a good system for storing it, putting it on and taking it off.
The video below addresses these keys points. You need the right tools, the right shot and the right methods for using all of it. None of this is complicated, but simplicity in fishing is often elusive, until time on the water eventually reveals what is best. Honestly, I believe there’s no better way to carry and use split shot than what I show here.
Take a look at the video, and then find more details in the paragraphs below.
(Be sure to choose 1080HD for the best video resolution.)
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Storage
Let’s start with this. Keep all of your shot in a single container, and keep it in easy reach. Forget the one-shot dispensers or the multi-size, select-a-weight contraptions. This is easier . . .
Photo by Josh Darling
Mine is 2.5 inches in diameter. Anything from 2-3 inches is fine. Nothing taller than 1 inch. A Skoal container is a pretty good solution. And here’s another . . .
Buy Plastic Storage Pucks HERE
The Split Shot
It takes the right shot to make this work. Luckily, the non-toxic split shot variety has the added benefit of holding its place on the line, if you don’t over-crimp it. I’ve gone into all of this in detail before:
READ: Troutbitten | Stop the Split Shot Slide
My favorite split shot is easy to apply and remove. It’s also reusable multiple times.
I like the Orvis shot . . .
Buy Orvis Non-Toxic Removable Shot HERE
I’ve found Loon Black Drops as another good option. The material is a bit stiffer than the Orvis shot, so it’s not as easily crimped to the line. But it stays put just as well. It’s removable, again at the divot.
Both of these shot brands are a bit pricey. But remember, you can remove and reuse each shot many times.
Both the Orivs and the Loon shot hold to the line, apply easily, are quickly removed and can be reused a few times. This shot does not slide when pinched on properly. But it will slide down to the fly if you hang up on the bottom and pull hard.
Non-toxic shot is a little larger than lead per weight. That bothers some anglers enough that they stick with lead shot and deal with the slide. If that’s you, or if you want to ensure that no shot slides ever, read the other article.
The Forceps
Small shot can be hard to put on and take off with crude, blunt tools. So I use hemostats designed for the job.
These are the kinds of jaws needed.
Buy My Favorite Forceps HERE (and support Troutbitten)
The fine tips and grip pattern make these the perfect tool for grabbing one side of the split shot (next to that divot) and grasping the other side with your thumbnail. The shot opens right up by prying it open. I also like the scissor feature of these clamps.
Grab and Go
Easy on, easy off. Because if it isn’t easy, you won’t do it. None of us will.
Keep split shot within easy reach, with all sizes stored together. Use the right shot, the right forceps and the right technique for application and removal, so the process is just a few seconds long. Because a great split-shot system is just another thing that makes for a versatile angler.
Fish hard, friends.
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Enjoy the day.
Domenick Swentosky
T R O U T B I T T E N
domenick@troutbitten.com
I don’t submit suggestions to anything, but thought I passed this one along to you.
You may want to try a used Tic Tac plastic container for split shot. Low profile, can hold in one hand, open with your thumb, dump some in your palm, pick the size, tilt your hand up & they go right back in the box, close the top.
Really easy to carry, low flat profile.
Great in the winter, no fumbling with containers & tops
Thanks Jeff, and I appreciate the suggestion. But your method adds two extra steps to the process. I need to dump them out and then pour them back in, right? How is that easier than opening the lid to the puck I’ve shown and selecting a split shot? For me, those efficiencies matter greatly.
Using a shot can mean the difference between catching fish and not catching them.
Agreed
Thanks for giving some love to a fly fishing accessory that seems to have the support of VHS tapes these days.
Although you’ve talked about this elsewhere (in your egg article, for example), it would be useful if you were to go over some reasons to use split shot rather than just changing bead sizes. In other words, does using shot offer advantages other than versatility?
Hi Alex. VHS tapes. That’s funnyy.
But, YES, I provided a link above to the article that discusses the topic in detail.
Here it is again:
https://troutbitten.com/2017/01/26/split-shot-vs-weighted-flies/
Cheers.
Dom
The problem with that link is that it was staring at me in the face. Being minimally conscious is a worthy goal.
Thanks for the article–why do you prefer the type of shot that you discuss in the article over lead or non-lead removeable shot with the ears (like Water Gremlin)? I have noticed the same preference in other fly anglers but am not sure the reason for it.
Hi Jack,
I mentioned this in the video: the non-toxic stuff doesn’t slide but the lead shot does. That’s a big difference. Also, water gremlin with wings sticks more. Water gremlin without wings is hardly removable.
Lots of good reasons and more information in the article links that I dropped in the article above. (Those are always in orange.)
Cheers.
Dom
Dom – one other option that I found handy are the Blackbird Split shot dispensers. A tube with a cap that has a split opening. I think George Daniel recommended them. It prevents clumsy people (me) from dropping the open container in the water and losing everything! They dispense one at a time and can hold 2 sizes. But the puck is super cheap and easy.
Sometimes the simplest things become the most frustrating when on the water.
Never use your teeth to crimp down shot! Your dentist would cringe!
Ah, but you may have missed the point. There is very little pressure applied beyond what you can do with your fingers. Crimping much at all causes the shot to slide.
Cheers.
Dom
Check out the Shot Slayer Forceps; unique design allows for quick and easy removal of any size split shot using a tiny wedge built into the jaws. Now that’s efficient! Centerpinners who fish cold weather steelhead with floats combined with technical shot patterns have developed some of the best split shot gear available.
Thanks Rick. But I’ve used those forceps, and I wouldn’t recommend them over this system I’ve shown above. We tend to use small shot. And the wedge of those forceps is more difficult to use than the grip and pull with the thumbnail and forceps shown above, especially on sizes 4 and smaller. Clever name for forceps, but not the best tool for the job, in my opinion.
Cheers.
I was a split shot guy back in my winter steelheading gear days. As a DFO angler not entirely familiar with the scale you work at. Looked good to me but I trust your experience more than the YouTube infomercial.