Use Hatteras sinkers anytime you need to cast far and get a solid hold in rough water. These “storm sinkers” fall between frog tongue sinkers and pyramid weights in overall holding ability. The same is probably true for casting distance. This makes them ideal for surf fishing in heavy current.
What Are Hatteras Sinkers
This style of sinker, more appropriately named storm sinkers, are a sort of modified pyramid weight. The line tie end looks just like a pyramid weight, but the bottom half has a cylindrical/cone shape ending in a sort of ball.
Although I don’t know for sure, I can only assume that storm sinkers got their “Hatteras” nickname based on the fact that these are popular in North Carolina. Lots of guys over there often throw these in the heavy Atlantic surf.
Different brands can have slightly different shapes, but the one pictured above is a good representation of what a Hatteras sinker actually is. That particular sinker is a “Do-It” storm sinker, which is discussed further below.
Do-It Storm Sinkers
Do-It storm sinkers are created from molds sold by the Do-It Mold company. They seem to be the most common storm sinker mold on the market. This particular design has ridges to get a more secure hold in the sand.
Because this is the most widely available mold, you’ll run across this particular design all over the place. It seems like everyone and their brother must pour Do-It sinkers.
Hilts Sinker
Another semi-common sub type of a storm sinker is the Hilts sinker. This version of a Hatteras weight has a larger more pronounced ball end, as well as a wider pyramid end. Although I have no experience using this particular variant of storm sinker, supposedly they cast further and hold better.
The larger pyramid section of a Hilts sinker is said to provide a better hold, and the pronounced ball end shifts weight to the end of the sinker allowing better flight.
The Hilts design is poured from a mold currently sold by hiltsmolds.com for around $50. I did not see many options for this style weight available online, so you’ll probably have to search them out locally if you’d like to give them a try.
When To Use Hatteras Sinkers
I typically use Hatteras style weights on fish finder rigs in heavy current situations. When a pyramid weight won’t quite hold, try a Hatteras sinker, or even a frog tongue sinker before graduating up to a pricier sputnik weight. Due to their cost and potential line tangles, lately I’ve tried to avoid Sputniks, except in the roughest of conditions.
Although I don’t always follow this pattern exactly, this is my thinking of how to decide to use which style of surf weight. If I can’t get a 6 ounce pyramid to stick, I move to a Hatteras weight. When a 6 ounce Hatteras won’t hold, I move to a frog tongue. If an 8 ounce tongue weight won’t hold, I move to a Sputnik. Anytime an 8 ounce Sputnik won’t hold, I’m going to the house.
Advantages Of Storm Sinkers
- Casts far
- Better hold than pyramid weights
- Easier to retrieve than wedge sinkers
- Similarly priced to other common surf fishing leads
- Readily available
Casts Far
They have slightly better aerodynamics than pyramid sinkers so they tend to cast a little further. Supposedly the Hilts version flies even further than “normal” storm sinkers.
Good Holding Ability
They tend to hold better than pyramid sinkers.
Easy To Retrieve
Storm sinkers are easier to retrieve than both tongue weights and Sputniks.
Affordable
They are only slightly more expensive than the same size of other weights. Therefore, price should not be a factor when selecting this over other common options.
Prices from TackleDirect.com (08/02/2020)
| Style | Cost |
|---|---|
| 6 oz. Pyramid Weight | $1.99 |
| 6 oz. Storm (Hatteras) Sinker | $2.10 |
| 6 oz. Frog Tongue Sinker | $2.20 |
| 6 oz. Sputnik Sinker | $6.00 |
Good Availability
I find that this style of sinker is generally readily available. They are not hard at all to find.
Disadvantages Of Hatteras Weights
I don’t really view that there are many disadvantages to using a storm sinker. Maybe that’s why they’re so popular in certain regions of the country. They cost about the same as a pyramid weight, they fly well, and they hold well. I guess if you’re molding your own sinkers, they might be a little more difficult to make. I strongly suspect that pyramids have just been around longer, and storms have just never caught up to their popularity, YET.
How To Use Them
Use Hatteras sinkers on any of your stationary bottom fishing rigs. I would most commonly use them on a fish finder or carolina rig to soak bait for bull reds and sharks. You can use them however you normally use a pyramid weight. Simply substitute one of these to get improved casting distance and better holding ability.
Alternatives
3 Sided Pyramid Leads
Pyramid weights are a staple of surf fishing. Many times, they’re all you need, particularly in some of the calmer waters of the gulf. Pyramids are cheap, and they hold well on sandy bottoms in light current. What storm sinkers provide is a similar hold, but with a lighter sinker. Either one is a good choice.
4 Sided Pyramid Leads
4 sided pyramids are pretty much the same as 3 sides ones, except they do tend to tumble a little more in current. The vertical face catches slightly more current than the angled face of a 3 sided sinker, and thus is more likely to move.
Wedge Sinkers
Wedge sinkers, aka frog tongue weights, are similar in performance to Hatteras sinkers, but they do hold better. The disadvantages of wedge sinkers are that they cost a little more, and the mouth of the weight fights you as you reel it in. They’re also not as widely available as storm sinkers. Of all the options, wedge sinkers are going to give you the best hold without dealing with tangles from a Sputnik.
Sputnik Weights
Sputniks, unquestionably, hold much better than storm sinkers, but often times they are overkill. You don’t necessarily need to use Sputniks, except in the most extreme conditions, or if you don’t have a rod that can’t otherwise cast the size weight you need. When they’re called for, Sputniks really shine. It should be noted that Sputniks are by far the most expensive option, and they are the most prone to tangle with your line.
Making Your Own
With little research, you’ll find that molds are readily available for pouring your own storm sinkers. “Do-It” storm sinkers molds can be found online for $35-$45. Cabelas has one for $45, as an example.
Because the Do-It mold is so readily available, it seems like everyone and their brother pours them. Therefore, this is the most common option you’ll run across when purchasing this style of lead online.
How Do They Hold Compared To Other Options
Below is the hold rating for each style of surf sinker as officially assigned by me 😉
| Grade | Style |
|---|---|
| A+ | Sputnik (Breakaway, Hurricane, Spider Weight) |
| A | Frog tongue (tongue sinker, wedge sinker) |
| A- | Hatteras sinker (storm sinker) |
| B+ | 3 Sided Pyramid |
| B | 4 sided Pyramid |
As you can see, the Hatteras falls quite nicely right in the middle of the pack.
Conclusion
Lots of surf fishermen have never tried anything other than a pyramid weight. If that’s you, live a little! You might find you enjoy using some of the other options out there, if you just give them a shot.
Storm weights fall into a nice middle ground among all surf weights on the market. I’m a middle child, so I can confirm that the middle is a great place to be!
See Ya,
Augustus Clay
If you found this article helpful, you might also enjoy my write up of the venerable frog tongue sinker here – When To Use A Frog Tongue Weight
