Okay, a bit of a long post but I’m looking for some feedback on using weights in trolling for Walleye and trout.  I’m interested in your experience and preferences and why.  There are three weighting systems that I’m thinking about and wondering about the pros, cons and perhaps most appropriate uses of each.  I’m discounting weighting with three-way swivels because, having tried that, I’ve found it to be too finicky and apt to tangle when working so close to the water in a canoe.

Snap weights.  I have a set of the guppy weights from Off-shore Tackle.  I’ve always had a bit of difficulty utilizing them as snap weights because it is hard to keep the snaps from slipping on braided line like the Suffix 832 that I prefer.  Wrapping the line around the snap does work but makes it that much more difficult to remove when I’m reeling in with a fish on the line.  That being said, snap-weights have the advantage of easy off, easy on and you can move them further or closer to the lure depending on conditions and desired action.

In-line weights.  The Off-shore Tackle guppy weights are designed to be used as in-line as well as snap weights.  My understanding is that the main difference between in-line and snap weights is that in-lines are more subject to erratic action if the water is rough or surging since the lure typically runs so much closer to the weight.  In the past I’ve just use duo-lock snaps to connect my line to the weight and another duo-lock running from the weight to the lure.  It occurs to me that I would be better off using snap swivels instead.  Would I then also use a snap swivel to connect the line from the weight to the lure?  That would make 3 snap swivels for the rig.

The third weighting system I’m considering is the Wing-it system.    (You need to Login or Register
This seems very effective because it is so versatile.  Using the same sliding connector (which I can attach or remove without retying my line) I can use bottom bouncers or slip sinkers of any weight I choose (also without having to retie.)  While, in the end, I may not bother with bottom bouncers at all, the one thing I don’t understand is the practical difference between a sliding slip sinker such as these Wing-its, an in-line weight or for that matter, a snap weight set the same distance back from the lure.  The in-line is a little more streamlined and perhaps a little less likely to snag but would it be that much different? 

The reason I’m asking about this is because all these weights can start to add up.  If I could use one system that would work in different ways maybe I could save some weight and space in my tackle bag.  But also, if there are significant differences, when best to apply one over the other?

Thanks for indulging me.