Split shot

There is no knot involved. Lay the line in the slot, squeeze it shut, and the weight stays put. That makes it the most beginner-friendly weight there is, and the fastest to adjust when you need a bait deeper or shallower.

Pinched about a foot above the hook, a single shot sinks a worm without killing its natural drift. Add a second one if there is current or wind, and slide them closer to the hook for a faster, more vertical fall.

Lead shot is being phased out in some places over waterfowl toxicity, and tin and bismuth versions are now common. They are slightly larger for the same weight and softer to pinch.

Removable shot has small ears on one side that let you open it again with a fingernail, which is worth the extra cost because it means you can change weight without cutting and retying. Repeatedly pinching and reopening any shot does weaken the line at that point, so move the shot to fresh line rather than reusing the same spot.