Except for a few years between the mandating of steel and the advent of Bismuth, I've used this 1928-vintage 12-gauge 3-inch Super-Fox since I was 17, in 1963. Since I've owned it, it has been to the bottom twice. However, both times were in fresh water. That is probably how it has survived so well is that in the 43 years I've had it, I've probably only used it near salt water half a dozen times.