How much weight is too much weight?

[Troutastic]

I've been doing a decent bit of winter fishing around these parts as of late, and its been primarily on a really tough, high-traffic tailwater fishery nearby. I'm catching a few fish on each outing via indicator methods, but I haven't been having as much luck as I've hoped. I'm convinced it has a lot to do with extremely weary fish not being convinced on my drift. The water right now is low and gin clear.

I've been experimenting a lot with different weight setups, but I'm confined somewhat to split shots and sink putty versus weighted nymphs because I'm fishing #20-26 micros. I'm also convinced these fish are weary of flashy beads as well, as I've had much more luck with duller nymphs with little flash. When in question of getting my rig down and deep, I tend to stay more on the conservative side with less weight. Generally speaking I've been using a #6 or #8 split and a tuck cast to get to the bottom. I'm convinced the slightest of hangup from excess weight along the bottom turns these fish off to my offering.

My question to you is how much weight is too much weight? I know it takes time to get a feel for how much weight you need in different kinds of water, but with these fish as spooky as they are, are there any certain indicators I should be paying more attention to when deciding what size splits to apply? Or maybe change my setup altogether with the weight in different positions, or even lose the indicator? Right now I have it set up with a split 12-16" in front of my point fly, and then my trailer fly off the back of that one.

[Magnet]

So your trailer fly is approx 30 inches from 1 4 or 6 shot? I might try a stop knot mid way between the two flies and try another small shot there.

[Troutastic]

Is it possible my trailer is riding too high?

[Magnet]

Dats what I be thinkin.

[DHise]

Utilize enough weight so you are ticking the bottom here and there. I usually use more weight than most. I am a firm believer that you need to be close to the bottom where the nymphs and larvae spend their time. This is especially important this time of the year when Mr. Trouts metabolism is slow and they (usually) arent moving real far to eat their offerings. If it takes more energy to get to the food than what is gained, they generally wont go after it.

I use weighted nymphs and weight above them plus shot in between as suggested. Sometimes I even pepper my leader with small shot similar to how center pin fisherman rig their leaders.

[Magnet]

Thanks DHise.you got me thinking that I could use a tad more weight in certain situations too. Troutastic might find that he can add shot to occasionally tick the "B" and still maintain the wispy action he seeks for his micro nymphs.

[Adam]

do you guys like using that putty? I typically just use the bb's...

[Mantis]

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[Magnet]

If you're high, you'll wiz right by!

[DHise]

;D