When it comes to fly fishing, getting your flies to the right depth can make all the difference between a slow day and a successful one. That’s where split shot comes in. These small, versatile weights help you control the depth and drift of your flies, making them a fundamental tool for any angler—especially when nymphing. 

But was is split shot? When do I use it? Do I really need split shot? Like many others, I had many questions when I first started figuring out split shot and by answering some FAQs, we can speed up the learning curve. 

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about split shot, from the different types and sizes to when and how to use them effectively.

What is Split Shot?

Split shot is a small, round weight made of metal, typically lead or a non-toxic material like tin. It has a slit in the middle that allows it to be easily clamped onto your fishing line. 

In fishing terms, split shot is additional weight for your flies and is a fundamental tool in fly fishing. It helps to get your flies deeper in the water column where fish are feeding. The amount of split shot you add will help determine where in the water column your flies drift.

Also known as “shot” or simply “weight”, split shot proves to be vital in many fishing situations, especially when nymphing. It allows your flies to get to the desired depths of the water column when the current is fast or the water is deep. Fishing flies without split shot is an effective method in slow, shallow currents, but it is frequently necessary in many other scenarios.

Split shot also comes in a variety of types, each suited for each angler’s preferences.

• Round Split Shot:
  • These are little round pieces of metal that are easy to attach and remove. They are available at nearly every fly shop.
• Removable Split Shot
  • Designed with small tabs on the side that allow for very easy removal. These are more common on larger sized split shot.
    • If anyone has fished worms on a bobber with a spinning rod, you’ve seen these before.
• Soft Split Shot:
  • More of a niche product, these are malleable pieces of metal that can be molded to the angler’s preference. These add some flexibility to create unique sizes and style, but can be difficult to remove when not needed. 

When to Use Split Shot

Use split shot when you need to get your flies down quickly and keep them in the strike zone. This is especially important in fast-moving water or deep pools where currents can carry unweighted flies away from feeding fish. 

Whether you’re nymphing, fishing with streamers, or even dealing with windy conditions, split shot provides the control needed to ensure your presentation is both natural and effective.

Unfortunately, it’s never as simple as “you have to use split shot when…” but it would be fair to say that split shot is a fundamental tool to help get your flies down to the desired depth. Let’s walk through a scenario where shot would be useful:

You see a stretch of water about 3 feet deep that is moving swiftly, faster than a walking pace. Fish have got to be hanging out in there and you decide to throw a small zebra midge. You tie it on under an indicator (with about 5 feet of separation) and let it drift, but don’t see any movement of your bobber, meaning you’re not allowing the fly to reach the bottom. Now it’s time to add shot- you throw some on above your fly and make the same cast and BOOM! Fish on.

That situation happens more than you think. Same flies, same drift, but more weight turns a fishless hole into a day-maker. Split shot can be a game changer!

What Size Split Shot?

Split shot comes in various sizes, typically measured by a system that frankly, can be confusing. Here’s a simple guideline for common sizes and some cases to use each:

• #8 (.06g)
  • Shallow water, slow currents, delicate presentations
• #6 (.10g)
  • Smaller streams, lighter nymphing situations.
• #4 (.20g)
  • Medium depth runs, moderate currents.
• #1 (.30g)
  • Deeper runs, good all-around size.
• BB (.36g)
  • Faster water, deeper pockets.
• AB (.40g)
  • Heavy currents, deep pools.
• AAA (.80g)
  • Strong currents, large rivers.

Split shot is often sold in packs with a variety of sizes, but I found that I use BB and AB the most. These medium sized split shots work well for my fishing spots- they get my flies down to the depths I need without overloading the rod or creating unnatural presentations.

How to Choose the Right Sized Split Shot 

The size you choose depends on water conditions, the type of fly you’re fishing, and how deep you need your presentation to be. The best piece of advice I can give when deciding what size shot to use is to start small and add as you see fit. This approach helps maintain a natural presentation, reduces snags, and allows you to fine-tune your drift. 

If you add too much weight right away, your fly can sink too quickly, making it look unnatural and unappetizing to the fish. A more gradual sink mimics the real thing. Too much weight can also cause your rig to drag and snag along the bottom.

By starting with a lighter weight (say 1 piece of #4), you can observe your drift and adjust accordingly. If you’re fly isn’t reaching the bottom, add either another small piece of shot or replace it with a larger size. Keep adding in small increments until your fly is ticking bottom. If you begin to hit the bottom too often and are constantly snagging, remove the weight- you’ve gone too far!

It’s better to start with not enough weight than too much- you won’t spook any fish with a delicate presentation but can send them scurrying with plummeting flies.  By starting with small shot and adding more as you see fit, you stay in control of your drift and improve your chances of getting to the right depths and getting fish to bite.

How Far Should a Split Shot Be from a Fly?

The distance between your split shot and fly depends on your fishing setup and target species. For nymphing, a common rule of thumb is to place the weight about 6-12 inches above the fly, erring on the 8-12 inch range. 

This distance keeps the fly close to the bottom while minimizing snags. It also is far enough away that it doesn’t pose a distraction from your fly.

Do You Need Split Shot for Nymphing?

Yes, split shot is often needed for nymphing. But do you absolutely need it all the time? Not necessarily.

The goal of nymphing is to drift your fly naturally at or near the bottom, where nymphs and other aquatic insects are typically found. Without added weight, your flies may not reach this critical depth, especially in faster currents.

By placing weight on your leader, you can control the depth and speed of your drift, making your nymphing rig much more effective.

Here’s a quick overview of when you’ll need split shot for nymphing and some situations where you can leave it in the bag. As always in fishing- it depends on the situation!

When You Need Split Shot for Nymphing

As a general rule, you’ll need split shot for nymphing when your nymphs are not reaching the right depth. Some common situations where I like to add shot:

• Fishing Deep Water: If the fish you’re targeting are holding near the bottom in deep water (deeper than ~5 feet I say), I’m throwing on some weight. This will get the flies down quickly.
• Fast Currents: In faster currents (faster than walking pace), unweighted flies can get washed by the water and drift too high. Adding shot will help break through the surface turbulence and reach where the fish are holding. 
• Unweighted Flies: Many small nymphs (like Zebra Midges or Pheasant Tails) simply do not have enough room to have properly sized bead heads to help them sink. That’s where weight comes in. I like adding split shot to small, unweighted nymphs to help them get down to where the fish will munch on them.

When You Don’t Need Split Shot for Nymphing

If your nymphs are reaching the bottom without any added weight, then split shot is not necessary and could even be detrimental. In an ideal scenario, we don’t use any shot that could potentially spook fish or cause unnatural drifts. Here’s a few situations where you probably can leave the weight in your bag:

• Fishing Shallow Water: Sometimes you’ll see fish hanging out in the skinny stuff, in some cases less than 1 foot of water. Leave the shot in the bag- you won’t wan’t any unnecessary weight to your flies. In skinny water, basically the entire depth is the strike zone so just focus on a drag free drift!
• Fishing Slow Water: In cases where you are targeting near stagnant water, the most natural presentation you can give is an unweighted nymph. Be patient here, while the flies may sink more slowly, once they reach the bottom they’ll have the most free-drifting presentation possible. 
• Fishing Heavy Nymphs: Many nymphs (especially larger ones) have built in tungsten beads or lead wraps that help the flies sink without the need for additional weight. These heavier flies sink quickly and have a very natural presentation. When using these flies, keep the shot in the bag to avoid any unnecessary weight that could disrupt your drift.
• Snaggy Bottoms: Depending on where you’re fishing, there could be rocks, logs, vegetation, or any debris that makes heavy nymphing impossible. This is a time where you’ll have to fish as light as you can, or even switch to a steamer or dry fly.

As we’ve said before, a good approach is to start without split shot and add weight only if your flies aren’t getting deep enough. Observe how your rig drifts—if your nymphs aren’t reaching the bottom or getting into the strike zone, add a small split shot and adjust as needed. If you’re reaching bottom, you’re good to go!

Do You Use Split Shot with Streamers?

I typically avoid using split shot with streamers as they affect your casting and can change how your streamer swims. 

When you add weight to streamer rigs, you typically use larger sizes (like AB) since smaller ones have no real effect. Heavy shot combined with heavier flies makes casting clunky- the weight feels like it jumbles the line and overloads the rod.

The split shot can also take away from the action of the fly by dragging it down creating inconsistent action to the flies. This can be effective at times, though in general I want to impart action to the fly with my rod and strips vs with weight.

So I typically leave the split shot in the bag when fishing streamers- if I want my streamer down deeper I either tie them with internal weights or use a faster sinking line. However, there are times that using added weight with streamers can be effective.

When to Use Split Shot with Streamers

• Dead Drifting Streamers: Similar to nymphing, adding weight to dead drifted streamers can help them reach the bottom much faster.
• Fishing on a Floating Line: If you’re using a floating line vs a sinking line, split shot can help your fly get down deeper, though it may impact the action of the fly. I don’t do this a ton, but is certainly an option when necessary!

Conclusion

Mastering the use of split shot is a game-changer for fly anglers looking to improve their success on the water. While it may take some trial and error to find the right weight and placement for different conditions, understanding when and how to use split shot will help you keep your flies in the strike zone longer. 

Whether you’re nymphing in fast currents or adjusting your depth for a better drift, a little extra weight can make all the difference in turning a good day of fishing into a great one.

So start pinching on some shot!