anglerwithin.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
The crazy looking Sputnik weight might be off-putting to you, if you’ve not been around surf fishing very long. But, I can assure you that they are not just a marketing gimmick.
The weird design of this weight serves a specific, and very useful purpose. These sinkers are quite helpful to any fisherman needing to pin a bait on the bottom when there is significant current.
I’ll explain exactly what a sputnik sinker is, and why you might want to add them to your arsenal.
What Are Sputnik Sinkers
Sputnik sinkers are a particular sub-style of lead fishing sinker. I consider them to be a specific type of a broader category of sinkers called spider weights.
What makes Sputnik weights unique are the protruding wires that closely resemble the world’s first satellite – “Sputnik” (pictured below). The wire arms of a Sputnik weight release, and fold down with pressure.
The advantage of the retracting arms is that it’s far easier to reel the weight in, than if the wires were in a fixed position.
When You Need Sputnik Sinkers
- When heavy current requires a pyramid lead heavier than 6-8 ounces
- Any time there is heavy current when you are casting large baits from shore
- Only when you are not fishing in a crowd of people – to avoid injury
- Don’t use them where you expect to have lots of breakoffs
- When you are fishing with a rod that isn’t rated for the size of pyramid weight that you need
Where spider weights really shine, is when casting big baits from shore. A larger bait catches more current and is more likely to move along the bottom in rough conditions.
A heavier pyramid sinker isn’t always the best option, since you are already tossing a heavy bait. If you add a really heavy sinker, the payload becomes almost uncastable. The fix is to use a spider weight. They have much greater holding power at a lower weight than pyramid sinkers do.
Lots of people cast pyramid sinkers up to 8 ounces. When the conditions require something heavier than 8 ounces, that’s when they go to a spider weight.
Substituting Sputniks For Pyramids
My own preference is to use pyramid sinkers up to 6 ounces. If the current won’t allow me to get away with a 6 ounce lead, that’s when I pull out the spider weights. And, my preferred spider weight is the Sputnik.
I really like the 5 ounce size of Sputnik weights. That’s generally an ideal weight in order to get great casting distance with my particular rods. It’s also heavy enough to hold a big bait on the bottom in heavy current. I use these frequently when fishing for bull reds or sharks from the beach.
Conventional wisdom says that a 4 ounce Sputnik replaces a 6 ounce pyramid, and a 6 ounce Sputnik replaces an 8 ounce pyramid weight. So, you can see, as the need for heavier weights increases, the desire for moving to a spider weight increases – for most people anyway.
Pro’s And Con’s Of A Sputnik Weight
As with anything, there are both pro’s and con’s with using spider sinkers.
Although Sputnik sinkers allow you to get more holding power with a lighter weight, there are downsides. I listed all the positives and negatives of using them below.
Pro’s
Allow you to cast further, since you are not overloading your rod
Allows you to get enough hold with a lighter, more castable weight
Doesn’t get stuck very often since the arms fold away
Allows the use of a lower rated rod due to the lower weight needed
Con’s
Will occasionally get tangled with your leader during the cast
Much more expensive than pyramid weights
More dangers; You can get stuck by the wire arms
More difficult to store – very bulky
More dangerous with a thrashing fish; Watch out for those wire arms!
Collects more grass and debris upon retrieval
Alternatives To A Sputnik Weight
- Basic spider weights
- Gemini Breakaway Sinkers
- Breakaway Super Sinkers
- Frog Tongue Sinkers
A few other spider weight options are traditional lead weights with wires sticking out, Gemini Breakaway sinkers, and Breakaway Super Sinkers.
There are also Frog Tongue sinkers, which are not at all like Sputniks, but accomplish a similar task. These will also be discussed below.
Generic (“Traditional”) Spider Weights
I have used these generic spider weights, like the one pictured below, and they always seem to perform very well. They can be a real bear to reel in though. Just bend the outside attached wires into a grappling hook shape before casting it out.
Gemini Breakout Sinkers
The Gemini Breakout Sinkers are sort of a fancy version of a Sputnik. They claim that the arms get pressed harder into the sand, and that they hold better than other break-out sinkers. I have not personally used these, but they do look interesting.
Breakaway Super Sinkers
Breakaway Super Sinkers (in the image below) also look interesting. The manufacturer claims that they cast farther, and hold better.
Frog Tongue Sinkers
Another option, which I find interesting, but have also not tried yet, are frog tongue sinkers. These are, as you imagine, shaped like a tongue. They have sort of a v-shaped gouge in them where you connect the line.
Frog tongue sinkers seem to have a pretty good reputation. They grip the sand better than a pyramid sinker, but not as good as a spider weight. So, they fall into a middle ground, so to speak.
I’m not sure that you would find every option listed above available locally. So, all of the images above, are also links to Amazon, just in case you are interested in giving them a try. You should be able to find Sputnik weights in local stores. If you can’t find them locally, they are also available on Amazon here, or you can find them online at most sporting goods retailers, such as bass pro shops.
.
Conclusion
Sputnik sinkers are my preferred choice when casting heavy baits from shore. Any time I need to chunk more than a 6 ounce lead, these are what I use. Remember to carry several styles and weights of sinkers with you, as you never know what the conditions will dictate. That way, you will always be prepared.
Good luck!
Augustus Clay
Sputnik’s are ideal for casting heavy baits for sharks. I have an article about that here! Catch Sharks From The Beach By Casting Baits
