sänken

Sänken are fishing weights attached to a line or leader to sink the bait and control depth. The singular form is sänke, and the plural is sänken. They are used in many kinds of fishing, from freshwater to saltwater, to reach target depths or to counteract currents.

Materials and shapes: Sänken are commonly made of lead, steel, tungsten, or other metals. Shapes include egg, pear, bullet, and round. Weights range from a few grams to several hundred grams, chosen according to line strength, water depth, current, wind, and target species. Some weights are fixed near the hook with a knot or snap; others slide on the line and are stopped by a stopper.

Usage: Anglers attach a sänke to the line, cast, and let the weight pull the bait to depth. In float setups, a sänke may be used with a float to indicate bites or to hold bait at a chosen depth. Heavier weights sink faster and are suitable for strong currents or deep water; lighter weights are used in calm conditions or with light tackle.

Regulations and environment: Lead sänken have raised environmental concerns because of toxicity if ingested by wildlife. Many countries restrict the use of lead sinkers in certain waters; non-toxic alternatives such as tin, steel, tungsten, or composites are increasingly common.

See also: fishing tackle; sinker; angling.