SANTEC - DL DIAMOND SINKER FISHING LEAD

Santec DL Diamond Sinker Fishing Lead

The Santec DL is a diamond-profile lead for bottom fishing where depth, current or casting distance defeats a plain ball. The diamond form tapers to a point at each end and carries its bulk in the middle, so it enters nose-first and drops on a straighter line than a round sinker of the same weight. The flat faces also give it edges: on hard sand or gravel they bite instead of rolling, holding a bait where it was cast rather than letting it drift downtide. Supplied in three sizes — DL-780 (750g), DL-1020 (1010g) and DL-1380 (1350g) — with weight rising with the code number.

Key Features

• Diamond (four-faced, double-tapered) lead body
• Streamlined nose for a fast, straight descent in deep or moving water
• Flat faces and edges resist rolling on hard bottom
• Three sizes: DL-780 (750g), DL-1020 (1010g), DL-1380 (1350g)

How To Rig It

• Running (sliding) rig — Thread the sinker on the main line, add a bead, tie to a swivel, then run a leader to the hook. The fish takes line through the sinker before it feels weight. Best over clean sand and gravel.
• Fixed bottom rig — Hang it off the bottom eye of a paternoster so it plants and the baited snoods stand above it. Use this to hold a bait in one exact spot.
• Choosing the size — DL-780 for shallow to mid-depth water and light flow. DL-1020 for deeper water or a running tide where the light one starts sliding. DL-1380 for deep water, strong current or long casts into wind. Go up a size the moment the lead moves; a drifting sinker is fishing nothing.
• Bottom type — Edges hold well on hard sand and gravel. Over soft mud it beds in, so lift and reposition every few minutes. In rock and coral, tie the lead on a lighter break-off line so only the lead is lost.

Bottom Fishing By Region

• Southeast Asia — Jetty, breakwater and mangrove-channel bottom fishing for barramundi (siakap), mangrove jack, grouper and catfish (ikan duri); heavier sizes for deep river mouths on a running tide.
• North America — Carolina rigs for bass over sand and gravel, surf fishing for striped bass, redfish and pompano, and river catfish rigs in current.
• Japan & East Asia — Nage-zuri (投げ釣り) surfcasting for kisu and karei, and dou-tsuki (胴突き仕掛け) dropper rigs from boat and pier for kasago and mebaru.
• Australia, Middle East & Europe — Beach rigs for whiting, mulloway and tailor; Gulf pier rigs for grouper and emperor; European boat and wreck rigs where tidal flow demands a heavy lead.

Specifications

Lead body, sold by Santec DL size code.

Recommended Pairing

• DL-780 (750g): light to medium bottom and estuary outfits, 15–30 lb main line, 20–40 lb leader
• DL-1020 (1010g): medium surf and boat bottom outfits, 30–50 lb braid, 40–60 lb leader
• DL-1380 (1350g): heavy surf and strong-current outfits, 50 lb braid and up with a shock leader
• Add a crane or oyako swivel above the leader so the sinker cannot chafe the knot