Does anybody make their own lead weights?

Anyone ever done this? BT, most of my best fish were all caught on free lined mackerel tail ( never caught owt on heads!!) over weed beds.
However, cheap home made leads are good as if you do fish in weedy water, it is not the end of the world to lose some, is it?
Common sense precautions are a must if you try this, of course. Eye protection, gloves, and fume dispersal are the main ones to watch.

Years ago I did make my own weight and still have some moulds left but now they are cheap to buy on the internet.

noz wrote:Anyone ever done this? BT, most of my best fish were all caught on free lined mackerel tail ( never caught owt on heads!!) over weed beds.
However,  cheap home made  leads are good as if you do fish in weedy water, it is not the end of the world to lose some, is it?
Common sense precautions are a must if you try this, of course. Eye protection, gloves, and fume dispersal are the main ones to watch.

trouble is mate if your losing leads in very weedy spots you are probably losing baited traces too , not good for the pike ,it would literally be the end of the world for them pal... I make my own but not for pike fishing as most places ban the use of lead weights...don't get me wrong we have all lost traces , but we have to put the pikes welfare first, as I baited trace left in the swim is a death cert for a pike ..

Unless you are using a week link Steve 😊😊 then it's a good chance you will only lose the lead 😉

adie1200 wrote:Unless you are using a week link Steve 😊😊 then it's a good chance you will only lose the lead 😉

very true adie , was not having ago mate , just thought he might be losing everything ie/ traces ........ a weak links is the answer.....

Or just use strong braid and haul the weed and snags out?!

J Robinson wrote:Or just use strong braid and haul the weed and snags out?!

that's the way I go.... 50lb braid or heavier the hooks just bend out , and if I am fishing a very snaggy swim ,I have traces made up that are fine wire trebles / the red type that bend out easier on a snag , say a branch or the bottom, I used to fish mono , but now its always braid for me.

Same here 😊 50lb minimum braid I've not used mono for years apart from feeder fishing and silver's on the float

adie1200 wrote:Same here 😊 50lb minimum braid I've not used mono for years apart from feeder fishing and silver's on the float

me too pal only for summer coarse fishing , when I get the chance that is........

Yep, 50lb braid here too. The only loch that I seriously fish for pike has at all sides a ring of fairly tough lilies. I don't want to risk being snapped off and leaving a trace and bait in the water so only use 50lb braid - as you say, the hooks will bend out first.