Introduction
In the previous article, we talked about the basics of fishing beans—what they are, where the name comes from, materials used, and key indicators. Today, we’re diving deeper into the specific types, models, traits, and how to pick the right ones for your fishing setup. Trust me, choosing the wrong fishing bean can turn a great day of fishing into a frustrating mess (I’ve been there!).
Types, Models, and Traits of Fishing Beans
Cylindrical Fishing Beans
Cylindrical fishing beans are the most popular in Taiwan-style fishing. Their shape is uniform from top to bottom, so when tightened on the line, the force is evenly distributed. This means better friction and stability—no more random sliding mid-fishing!
A standard Taiwan fishing line setup uses 7 cylindrical beans: 2 above and 2 below the float seat, 2 above the lead sinker seat, and 1 below. Here’s what each does:
- The first bean above the float seat and the second below mark positions for adjusting the float and finding the bottom.
- The two above the lead sinker seat prevent it from moving—super useful for techniques like “flying lead” where you need to shift the sinker.
Model and line size guide (approximate):
- Large (L): Fits 4#-7# lines, size 7.5mm x 2.1mm
- Medium (M): Fits 2.5#-5# lines, size 7mm x 1.9mm
- Small (S): Fits 1#-3# lines, size 6.5mm x 1.5mm
- Extra Small (SS): Fits 0.5#-1.5# lines, size 6mm x 1.3mm
Olive-Shaped Fishing Beans
Olive-shaped beans are losing popularity these days. Their pointed ends mean force is concentrated, so they slide easily and can even scratch your line when you adjust them. Most anglers now use them only to lock the connection between the rod and line.
Model and line size guide (approximate):
- Large (L): Fits 4#-7# lines, size 5.5mm x 3mm
- Medium (M): Fits 2.5#-5# lines, size 4.2mm x 2.5mm
- Small (S): Fits 1#-3# lines, size 4mm x 1.9mm
Water Drop-Shaped Fishing Beans
Water drop beans are similar in length to cylindrical ones but have a narrow end. They’re designed to reduce water resistance (thanks to fluid dynamics!), but honestly, I haven’t noticed a huge difference in casual fishing. Maybe competitive anglers swear by them, but for most of us, cylindrical works just fine.
Model and line size guide (approximate):
- Large (L): Fits 2.6#-7# lines
- Medium (M): Fits 1.6#-2.5# lines
- Small (S): Fits 0.8#-1.5# lines
- Extra Small (SS): Fits 0.2#-0.7# lines
Selection and Purchase Tips
With so many cheap, low-quality fishing beans on the market, it’s crucial to know what to look for. A bad bean can move your float, scratch your line, or even break—total mood killer.
1. Check Packaging, Labels, and Appearance
Start with the packaging. Good products care about first impressions—if the plastic bag feels flimsy, the beans inside are probably low-quality. Next, look for labels: the most important one is the recommended line size. No label? Skip it—you’ll have no idea if it fits your line.
Inspect the beans themselves. Bad ones often have defects: extra rubber edges, uneven shapes, or messy mold lines. Quality beans from reputable brands look clean and uniform.
2. Examine the Wire Wrapping
How the beans are wrapped on the wire can tell you a lot. Cheap beans use a twisted wire that easily comes loose—sharp wire ends can prick your fingers (ouch!). Better ones are wrapped neatly and secured in a plastic clip or box. If you make your own lines, this is a big red flag for quality.
3. Check Concentricity
Concentricity means the hole through the bean is straight and centered. Bad beans might have off-center holes, which messes up stability and fluid dynamics. Just look through the hole—if it’s crooked, don’t buy it.
4. Test Elasticity
Finally, give the bean a gentle pull. Good beans should stretch and bounce back without breaking or losing shape. If it cracks, peels, or stays stretched, it’s old or low-quality rubber—avoid it.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—everything you need to know about fishing bean types and how to pick them. Next time, we’ll talk about swivels (another essential tackle item). If you have questions or want to share your own fishing bean horror stories, drop a comment below. Happy fishing!
