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If you’re serious about finesse fishing, switching to tungsten fishing weights might be the smartest upgrade you can make this season. I recently tested the FiTU Finesse Stick TG on my drop shot rig, and here’s what I discovered when I swapped out my old lead sinkers for this compact, eco-friendly tungsten weight.
🕵️♂️ Uncovering the Underwater Story
Let’s get one thing straight: a drop‑shot weight won’t catch fish for you. But the FiTU Finesse Stick TG helps you read what’s happening beneath the surface in ways that standard lead just can’t match. It’s like having sonar on the end of your line!
During my sessions, the tungsten stick weight gave me ultra-clear feedback on the bottom, whether I was dragging over gravel, tapping rocks, or feeling subtle changes when a fish mouthed the bait. That sharper sensitivity turned tentative pickups into hook‑ups I might have missed with a bulky lead weight.
⚡ Why Fishing Tungsten Beats Lead for Finesse Fishing
1️⃣ Smaller, Sleeker Profile
Tungsten is about 1.7 times denser than lead. That means a tungsten drop‑shot weight is nearly half the size of a lead one – perfect for a discreet, natural presentation. Less bulk means fewer snags too, especially around rocks and weed beds.
2️⃣ Extreme Sensitivity & Bottom Feel
Soft lead dampens vibrations. Tungsten transmits them directly up your line. I could instantly tell if my rig was ticking over sand, mud, or stone – critical for finesse fishing where subtle clues mean everything.
3️⃣ Audible ‘Click’ That Can Attracts Fish
When tungsten hits hard structure, it creates a crisp ‘tick’ sound that lead simply doesn’t produce. This sound can trigger curiosity bites, especially useful for wary perch, zander, or bass holding tight to structure. When arriving at a venue I’ll sometimes ‘ring the dinner bell’ and basically bounce the weight off a hard bottom – this can often draw in curious fish.
4️⃣ Eco-Friendly & Legal Where Lead Is Banned
Lead is toxic to birds and fish, and many UK waters now restrict or ban it. FiTU’s tungsten is fully non-toxic and inert, meaning it won’t harm wildlife if lost. Their Clean River Pledge gives extra peace of mind that you’re fishing responsibly.
5️⃣ Tougher & Longer-Lasting
Tungsten is harder than lead, so these weights don’t dent or chip easily. FiTU’s finish stays smooth and lasts much longer. Also rather than having a quick-snap clip a drop shot weight usually comes with, this has a simple swivel to tie your leader on. Whilst this prevents quick and easy length adjustment of the drop shot rig (something I doubt many of us actually do) it snags up much less and that benefit for me far outweighs the rig adjustment benefit as you tend not to lose them as easily.
✅ FiTU Finesse Stick TG + Drop‑Shot = A Perfect Match
Here’s how this setup worked for me:
- Compact weight = stealthy, precise presentation.
- Hard feedback = I felt subtle twitches, contact breaks, or light bites sooner.
- Audible contact = useful sound cues for me and extra attraction for fish.
- No guilt = environmentally safe and fully legal on any water.
- Reliable build = no annoying dents, paint chips or premature wear.
- Swivel ring > Snap clip = means you snag less and lose less.
The result? More feedback, smarter adjustments, more fish on the bank.
📊 FiTU Finesse Stick TG vs Lead: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Tungsten (FiTU Finesse Stick TG) | Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Compact, half the bulk | Bulky and obvious |
| Sensitivity | Ultra-sharp feedback | Muffled signals |
| Sound | Clear tick/click | Dull thud |
| Environmental impact | Non-toxic, lead-free | Can be toxic |
| Durability | Hard, polished, long-lasting | Soft, dents easily |
| Price | Higher upfront cost | Cheap but basic |
🔄 Versatility: More Than Just a Drop‑Shot Weight
Another big plus with the FiTU Finesse Stick TG is its versatility. It’s not just limited to drop‑shotting presentations. This stick‑style tungsten weight is also perfectly designed for Free Rig, Jika Rig, and any other finesse rigs where a slim, streamlined weight is ideal. Whether you’re targeting perch, zander, or bass in tight snags or clear water, the stick profile slips through weed and cover with minimal resistance. That means fewer hang-ups, smoother retrieves, and more time with your bait in the strike zone.
Having a single high-quality tungsten stick weight that works across multiple rig styles makes the FiTU Finesse Stick TG even better value for money—and keeps your tackle box lighter too.
🎣 My Personal Experience with the FiTU Finesse Stick TG
I noticed the quality of the FiTU Finesse Stick TG weights instantly. I’ve used tungsten fishing weights before, but honestly, they never really felt worth the extra money until now. The finish and durability of these weights are on another level. I use the FiTU Finesse Stick primarily for drop‑shotting, and while some might argue that feeling the river bed isn’t crucial on a drop‑shot rig (since you’re often fishing off the bottom), I disagree. Like with most rigs, when you allow your lure (and hook) hit the deck, especially in weedy rivers and drains there’s always a risk of snagging. Knowing exactly what I’m fishing over helps me avoid losing gear and wasting time. For me, that sharper ‘sonar reading’ you get from a tungsten weight makes a real difference, giving me the confidence to work my bait where the fish might be hiding.
🏆 Final Verdict: Is Fishing Tungsten Worth It?
If you care about reading the underwater world accurately, presenting your bait naturally, and fishing more responsibly, then tungsten fishing weights, like the FiTU Finesse Stick TG are absolutely worth it. You won’t catch fish just because you spent more on your weights. But you will catch more fish because you’ll feel more, react faster, and fish smarter.
📌 Where to Buy
You can find the FiTU Finesse Stick TG at reputable tackle shops online or direct from FiTU. It’s a premium weight, but in my opinion, one of the best upgrades you can make to finesse rigs like the drop‑shot.
