SEXY SHOT

In American few anglers outside the bass set pay as much attention to sinker, or for that matter, hook selection, as they should. This is too bad, as decent sinkers can make a big difference. This time we'll look at split shot, the lightest and most adjustable option. Dipsey, worm hook and other shot will get their turn later.

PLUMBISM NOTE: Lead sinkers are in ill odor in much of Europe. Split shot and sinkers waterfowl can eat can cause plumbism, or lead poisoning. This is the reason duck hunters now shoot steel, bithmuth and other exotic shot. Waterfowl can also pick up split shot from shallow water.

I've switched to more ecosensitive shot in my shallow water trout and panfish expeditions -- of course, it costs more. A number of firms sell this kind of thing. I've favored Water Gremlin shot for years because they have those nice little ears that let you pinch shot on and remove it easily.

Gremlin Green has all kinds of information and you can find the shot in a number of locations.

"Sinkerwise" think of modern architecture -- "less is more" -- use only the mininum amount of weight to get you down. Shot offer great adustments for the right kind of "tick bottom" drift along a river and to set a float or bobber at exactly the right level so you can seem the most cautious bite.

TEN SHOT SPECIFICS

1. Shot clamped to the heads of flies make instant deep water access easy. Clamp a shot to the eash bend of a treble hook on a spinner or spoon and your casting distance radically increases.

2. Shot work as float stops -- thread the float on between lightly pinched mini shot and you can easily move it.

3. Shot offer "no snag" river fishing. Stick a shot on the end or your line -- run your hook or hooks off above it as droppers. Double over a separate piece of lighter line and crimp the shot you need to the doubled section. Tip: you can make these ahead of time. Then add another shot on your main line above the double line section. Snug the two main line shot and slide the double line shot up so they're tight. Then, when you hang up on bottom as you must to do well simply pull and the doubled line will pull the bottom shot off. Add another terminal shot and another weighted double line section and you're back in business ASAP.

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