I'm rigging up some drop rigs. This is cast out from a small pier, 20-30 ft. deep, still water. Target is channels mostly 12-18 inches. This is a simple drop rig. Weight on the end, About a 6" drop 18-20 inches up. Bait is a chunk of chicken thigh on a 5/0 circle, or maybe Danny King's/CJ's on a #6 treble. Casting out about 30-35 yards. What weight would you use? I have generic egg sinkers, 3/4, 1, 1 1/2 oz. Thoughts?

Totally just me, but if Im casting. I want my bait to stay right where I put it. With a float, on the bait (Santee style) I'll use a 3 oz, unless it's rough water, or heavy current, then I'll bump it up. If it's just a bait and a weight, I'll generally use a 1.5 or a 2, in relatively calm waters. But, like i said, that's just my setup that I like. Me personally, only time i use an egg style sinker is suspended drifting, or straight down off a pier or boat.

On a lake, I use 1 or 2 oz bell sinkers fixed with a barrel swivel for easy changing for higher weights if I need.

Go with a weight that fits the rod you are using. Typically, I use the smallest weight that will allow me to hold the line tight without moving the weight. I use 1 oz most of the time.

This is my usual setup for catfishing and has worked from California to North Carolina and South Dakota to Texas for me. Of course this is just my take and your mileage may vary since these are at best general guides only and nothing is carved in stone. I agree with the above replies except I see 4 factors.

1. Size of rod in length.
2. Action of the rod.
3. Conditions

And last but most important.....

4. What weights do you actually have in your tackle box? I have learned to restock my tackle box after being called a cave man for using a rock one time when I ran out. With that said

On still lakes to slow creeks I use:

1. 7.5' or less medium to medium heavy rods I use 1 to 1.5 oz egg sinkers.

2. 8' or better heavy rods I use 2 to 2.5 oz. bank sinkers for the same conditions.

(Bump both of them up by 1 oz and change them to pyramid type weights in faster water or surf type conditions.)

Hope this helps.