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What it is
Trolling and inline weights are the family of sinkers that get a moving lure or bait down to the fish while you drag it behind the boat. Unlike the bottom sinkers covered in the sinkers and weights overview, these are built for motion. There are three main types. Inline (keel) sinkers are torpedo- or keel-shaped weights you tie directly into your line ahead of a leader. The keel shape and the small bead-chain swivels on each end resist the line twist that spinning baits and spoons cause. Snap weights are clip-on weights that attach with a pinch-pad release (the same kind of clip used on planer boards). You snap one onto the line a set distance ahead of the lure, then unclip it as the lure nears the boat, so you can add or subtract depth fast without ever retying. Heavier trolling and diving weights get baits deep when you do not want to run downriggers.
When to reach for it
Reach for these whenever you are trolling and the fish are holding deeper than your lure naturally runs. Keel sinkers are your friend any time a bait wants to spin and twist your line into a mess. Snap weights shine when you are hunting for the right depth, because you can clip on more weight, drop back, and dial in without re-rigging. And when you need to reach fish 20, 30, or more feet down without the cost and bulk of a downrigger, a heavier trolling or diving weight does the job off a sturdy rod. The simple rule to remember: more weight, more line let out, and a slower speed all make your lure run deeper.
How to choose
Match the weight to three things: your target depth, your trolling speed, and how hard your lure pulls. Sizes run from a fraction of an ounce up to several ounces. Start light and add weight until you tick the depth you want. Faster speeds and lures with lots of drag (big spoons, deep-diving plugs, an umbrella rig) push your weight upward in the water, so you will need more of it to stay deep. If you would rather build depth into the line itself, leadcore and trolling line is the other common path, and many anglers combine the two. Whichever you choose, pair it with trolling rods that have the backbone to handle the extra load all day.
Brands worth knowing
A handful of makers cover this whole family.
- Water Gremlin keel sinkers — the everyday inline/keel choice for fighting line twist ahead of a leader.
- bead-chain keel trolling sinkers — extra anti-twist insurance from the swivels on each end, great with spoons and spinners.
- Off Shore Tackle snap weights — the trusted clip-on system for adding and removing depth on the fly.
- Luhr-Jensen Deep Six diving weight — a diving weight that pulls a bait well down on its own when you don’t want a downrigger.
Buy a small range of sizes so you can mix and match to the depth in front of you, and add a snap-weight kit once you’re comfortable and want to fine-tune depth without retying.