Sinkers are the most basic of fishing tackle. If they sink, they work. But the science of sinking is not that straightforward. Like all fishing tackle, they are constantly evolving into a variety of shapes and sizes designed for specific functions. This expanding choice makes the task of picking the best sinker for each application more difficult, but the upside is that if you take advantage of that choice, you'll catch more fish.

The basic role of a sinker is to hold your baits in a specific position. Your choice of sinker style will always relate to this task but is also influenced by what bait and rig you're using, the scenario, fish species and prevailing conditions.

Some shapes and sizes allow baits to waft around in the current, others anchor bait exactly where you want it. Sinkers can be used to make precision adjustments to float or lure rigs and some are used to move baits below the surface, but not all the way to the bottom.

What you can do with these simple tools is limited only by your imagination. Think about the depth at which the target fish are feeding, how much movement you need to allow your bait and then choose the lightest weight that is practical to achieve that presentation.