tungsten beads
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AllenOK
New member
I use some tungsten beads on fly hooks. It's denser than lead, supposed to get down quicker. At least, that's the theory. I haven't caught enough fish on those to figure out if it's worth the expense or not.
I just found this website a few weeks ago:
That's pretty darn cheap. You might be able to find cheaper on fleabay.
I just found this website a few weeks ago:
That's pretty darn cheap. You might be able to find cheaper on fleabay.
AllenOK
New member
Sorry, here's the URL:
http://www.wholesaleflycompany.com/category/tungsten-fly-tying-beads/catId=3955822
http://www.wholesaleflycompany.com/category/tungsten-fly-tying-beads/catId=3955822
Pretty simple to use, just slide them over the hook. Some of them have counter sunk holes and those slip easier past the barb as you try to turn the corner of the bend. Getting them past the barb & bend is the toughest.
Toughest part.......... figuring out what size bead will work with what size hook. You might as well not even try the smaller sizes. First couple packs of tung. beads i bought are useless to me. They are TINY. I have some #12 Mustad 3366 hooks that they don't even come close to getting over the barb. The smaller beads must be meant for #20 barbless hooks or something. I finally bought the biggest ones that Jann's Netcraft stocks...... and found out that the counter sunk hole slides right over the hook eye. Ugh. Have some new bigger jig hooks that i plan to use ordered. They were out of stock of the Ultra Point hooks that i wanted, but oh well. Also found that if you just slightly bend the leg of the jig hook forward, you can slide the bead over the leg bend and right up against the hook eye like the ones i have shown in the other post.
The tung. beads are quite heavy for their size which is why i like them for ice jigs. Same with the pre-painted tungsten jigs. Open water fishing may not be as big a deal because you can't really see where the fish are and know how fast your jig is getting down in front of them. But when you have marks on the flasher and you want to get your jig back down in front of them before them move away, you need a heavy head in a small package. It sucks to watch a light weight little jig float down on the flasher and see the fish mark leave before the jig ever makes it down.
Toughest part.......... figuring out what size bead will work with what size hook. You might as well not even try the smaller sizes. First couple packs of tung. beads i bought are useless to me. They are TINY. I have some #12 Mustad 3366 hooks that they don't even come close to getting over the barb. The smaller beads must be meant for #20 barbless hooks or something. I finally bought the biggest ones that Jann's Netcraft stocks...... and found out that the counter sunk hole slides right over the hook eye. Ugh. Have some new bigger jig hooks that i plan to use ordered. They were out of stock of the Ultra Point hooks that i wanted, but oh well. Also found that if you just slightly bend the leg of the jig hook forward, you can slide the bead over the leg bend and right up against the hook eye like the ones i have shown in the other post.
The tung. beads are quite heavy for their size which is why i like them for ice jigs. Same with the pre-painted tungsten jigs. Open water fishing may not be as big a deal because you can't really see where the fish are and know how fast your jig is getting down in front of them. But when you have marks on the flasher and you want to get your jig back down in front of them before them move away, you need a heavy head in a small package. It sucks to watch a light weight little jig float down on the flasher and see the fish mark leave before the jig ever makes it down.
AllenOK
New member
I went to Netcraft yesterday. The only tungsten beads they had hanging up were the tiny ones, of which I already have some. I should have asked if they had more.
I ended up spending $185. Bought a rotary vise, some tying materials, and some spinner blades.
I ended up spending $185. Bought a rotary vise, some tying materials, and some spinner blades.
AllenOK
New member
Yeah. Been there, done that.
Got my Federal in a few days ago. Usually, this is when I "stock up" on various tying supplies, flies and jigs. I'm still not done with my "shopping". Have to get my bank to change my billing address on my card before I can do any online shopping.
Got my Federal in a few days ago. Usually, this is when I "stock up" on various tying supplies, flies and jigs. I'm still not done with my "shopping". Have to get my bank to change my billing address on my card before I can do any online shopping.
It is fun to go in that store. Pretty much every aisle is nothing but tackle making fun stuff! For those beads, it is much easier to actually see them than it is to guess online. What kind of vise did you end up with?
AllenOK
New member
Odyssey Spider. I've been looking at it for over a year. Once I got used to how the vise grips the hooks, I was good to go. I've already tied a few flies on it, using the rotary function (see the thread about the Krystal Flash Midge Emerger). I have to hold my left hand slightly different, but I knew that going in.
I've got a big jig order coming up soon. Buddy wants a couple hundred. I'm hoping the rotary function helps to speed things along.
I've got a big jig order coming up soon. Buddy wants a couple hundred. I'm hoping the rotary function helps to speed things along.
davidriley
Member
I have been using tungsten beads in gold, silver, copper and black. I prefer the slotted beads which are ( in my opinion) easier to put on the hook.
I bought some jig fly hooks and tied a few up. I use sizes 8 & 10. On the #8 I use mostly 5.5mm (1gram) . 4.5mm (0.58grams), 4mm (0.46grams). On the #10 I use the 4mm.
I fish them with a 6' 6" lure rod with a casting weight of 0 - 5grams. I use 5lb Power Pro braid. So far they have been very successful. They certainly cast out well with a light outfit. My most successful jig fly is a gold beaded (4mm) version of a pheasant tail nymph in size 10. The last time I was out, which was a few months ago I must have had about 40+ perch from my local canal in a short two hour session. Most were in the few ounces range but I did catch one of 1.5lbs.
If you tie with the slotted tungsten beads it is possible to use ordinary hooks tying them so the bulk of the weight of the bead will ensure that the hook swims upside down, which helps to minimise any snagging on the bottom, as well as giving a better hook up.
I buy my beads from this company - http://www.tungsten-beads-plus.com/collections/tungsten-products -
If you look at their website they give some very helpful info on hook sizes and the appropriate bead size. Sorry the measurements will be metric but I am sure if you 'Google about' you will find a conversion chart. Incidentally the beads look a lot cheaper in the USA.
I also tie up small slotted 2mm (0.055gram) tungsten beaded pheasant tail nymphs which I fish using a Tenkara rod. Only just started that but I did catch a small chub (coarse fish species)
David
I bought some jig fly hooks and tied a few up. I use sizes 8 & 10. On the #8 I use mostly 5.5mm (1gram) . 4.5mm (0.58grams), 4mm (0.46grams). On the #10 I use the 4mm.
I fish them with a 6' 6" lure rod with a casting weight of 0 - 5grams. I use 5lb Power Pro braid. So far they have been very successful. They certainly cast out well with a light outfit. My most successful jig fly is a gold beaded (4mm) version of a pheasant tail nymph in size 10. The last time I was out, which was a few months ago I must have had about 40+ perch from my local canal in a short two hour session. Most were in the few ounces range but I did catch one of 1.5lbs.
If you tie with the slotted tungsten beads it is possible to use ordinary hooks tying them so the bulk of the weight of the bead will ensure that the hook swims upside down, which helps to minimise any snagging on the bottom, as well as giving a better hook up.
I buy my beads from this company - http://www.tungsten-beads-plus.com/collections/tungsten-products -
If you look at their website they give some very helpful info on hook sizes and the appropriate bead size. Sorry the measurements will be metric but I am sure if you 'Google about' you will find a conversion chart. Incidentally the beads look a lot cheaper in the USA.
I also tie up small slotted 2mm (0.055gram) tungsten beaded pheasant tail nymphs which I fish using a Tenkara rod. Only just started that but I did catch a small chub (coarse fish species)
David
Fatman
Active member
Thanks for the links all!! I especially liked the looks of the Tungsten Jig Backs!!!!!! Gonna look into them some more.
I've got some 3/32nd metal beads that will slide on and off #4 and #6 sickle hooks.
I've got some 3/32nd metal beads that will slide on and off #4 and #6 sickle hooks.
jackie53
New member
Fatman said:
Really enjoying this thread should be the ticket for our deep clear lakes. Will these beads work on sickle hooks? Thanks
Fatman read your post these beads work on #4 and #6 sickle's.Thanks.
tacklebox2tn
New member
I have been using tungsten beads for about 3 yrs. now. The beads I use are slotted tungsten, either faceted(disco) or smooth.
I had problems getting some beads over the barbs. Not a problem with slotted. I use beads from 2mm up to 6mm. I get the slotted
size 2mm to 4mm from: http://www.riplipsfishing.com/store/tungsten-slotted-disco-beads/
Size up to 5.5mm from: http://store.fishermans-corner.com/search.php?xSearch=Slotted+Tungsten+Beads&submit=Search
Hook sizes from 18 up to 10 for ice fishing.
I had problems getting some beads over the barbs. Not a problem with slotted. I use beads from 2mm up to 6mm. I get the slotted
size 2mm to 4mm from: http://www.riplipsfishing.com/store/tungsten-slotted-disco-beads/
Size up to 5.5mm from: http://store.fishermans-corner.com/search.php?xSearch=Slotted+Tungsten+Beads&submit=Search
Hook sizes from 18 up to 10 for ice fishing.