Power Bassin' with Finesse (cont.) Wendlandt's view is far from universal, however. Near thick vegetation or in darker water, in particular, other anglers have found that sinkers of harder metals like brass, tungsten, or Bullet Weight's Ultra Steel 2000 create more sound, which attracts more bites. Another favorite is the Carolina Quake from Top Brass Tackle, a hollow brass weight from 1/2- to 1-ounce weight with a rattle chamber inside. Tennessee River bass guide Jimmy Mason rigs a pair of 3/8-ounce Excalibur TG Tungsten sinkers, with the flat sides touching to create extra clatter as it's pulled along. "Drives those big smallmouths crazy," he says. Thliveros has been using tungsten weights from Tru-Tungsten. These colored weights produce sound, while the density of the metal also means they're barely more than half the size of equivalent lead sinkers. "These dense weights transmit changes in bottom type better than any other weight," he says, "making it easier to find key spots." The Penetrator Weights Company has produced a new line of tungsten weights with a "slickery coating," according to company president Sam Aversa. The coating on these weights helps the sinker slide through grass, whether you're flipping mats or dragging the edge of a grassbed. For extra sound production, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle offers the Carolina Mag Weights (1/2 to 1 ounce). These pre-rigs have an integrated magnetic system that separates the weight from the beads and ticker as the rig lies still, and they click back together on each pull. Shape: Since Lindy teamed with legendary sinker-tinkerer Ron Lindner to produce Lindy's Rattlin' No-Snagg Sinker, Carolina-rigging around rocks has not been the same. Now, you can drag a riprap wall and rarely hang up. This banana-shaped weight consists of a balsa and lead-antimony body encased in a rubberized coating, with a stainless-steel line tie. The weight's shape and unique balance keep it pivoting back and forth to pass through the nastiest wood and rock snags. Larry Glavinich of Mojo Weights designed the Rock Hopper, a version of his popular cylindrical Mojo but turned lengthwise to move vertically through cover. The line passes through one end of the elongated lead sinker, leaving the lower part to dance through rocky terrain with few hangs. Standard Mojo weights and other cylindrical sinkers, like Top Brass's Pro Jo Weights, work well for down-sized Carolina rigs. Their elongated shape helps them slide through grass or over rocks without too many hang-ups. Magnum Weight Systems offers a versatile sinker composed of a brass cylinder with 6 BBs that can be removed to adjust the weight. Three sizes are available, 1/8 to 1 ounce. For easy rigging, they include a swivel at one end and an eye at the other. Carolina rigging represents a mindset as much as a way to rig a worm. That's why humming or belting out a tune can help you focus and get into the appropriate rhythm. Your tackle become tools to probe the bass' mansion, telegraphing information about its kitchen, living room, sometimes its bedroom. Understanding structure and fish positioning, combined with precision-casting and a dose of patience, implement summer's deadliest tactic. COMPANY CONTACTS Bass Pro Shops, basspro.com; Berkley, berkley-fishing.com; Bullet Weights, 308-382-7436; Creme Lure Co., 903-561-0522; Excalibur, excaliburlures.com; Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, 218-829-1714; Little Action Mac, 847-587-9270; Magnum Weight Systems, 936-348-2883; Mojo Lures, 800-474-6656; Penetrator Weights, 352-481-3306; Spike-It, 912-842-2653; Thunder Bullets, 763-420-4191; Top Brass Tackle, 662-323-1559; Tru-Tungsten, 724-349-2260; YUM, yumbaits.com.

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