Slip vs fixed float for winter bite

[biskitboy]

Merry Christmas all,
just getting started float fishing. Most guys I see using fixed floats when fishing this winter around 8-12 ft. Is there an advantage to this as opposed to using slip float . Will I need to get a longer pole or will a slip float work at that depth? Don't have much experience with slip float so all help appreciated. If there are some threads that I need to check out please let me know.
Thanks

[deathb4disco]

I fish a fixed float about 99% of the time, but I'm using 12-14' rods for casting. The advantage of the slip float is you can fish deeper than your rod length and easily cast the rig with a 5-8' rod.

[kycreek]

Slip floats for me unless I'm fishing real shallow

[CrappiePappy]

Merry Christmas all,
just getting started float fishing. Most guys I see using fixed floats when fishing this winter around 8-12 ft. Is there an advantage to this as opposed to using slip float . Will I need to get a longer pole or will a slip float work at that depth? Don't have much experience with slip float so all help appreciated. If there are some threads that I need to check out please let me know.
Thanks

IF there's any advantage to using a fixed float over a slip float, when fishing those depths ... it's likely from not having to use a bobber stopper. That's especially true when your rod has micro guides.

A slip float will fish inches deep to however deep the bottom is where you're fishing ... for the simple reason that it slides down to your weight when you're ready to cast, then the weight pulls the line thru the float until the bobber stopper comes in contact with the top of the float -- however deep you set that stopper. Another big factor is ease of casting, since the float & rig are close to each other .... whereas a fixed bobber/float can be several feet away from your rig (jig or hook/sinker) and can be cumbersome to cast with ease or any degree of accuracy -- even with a longer rod.

If you intend to change depths very often, the string stops and the rubber "football" shaped stops are probably the easiest to deal with, and they're likely to pass thru your guides easier than the hard plastic styles. The string stops will last the longest, with or without use, as the rubber and plastic ones will deteriorate with time.

[NIMROD]

I verticle jig with out floats glad these guys can help .

[glasseyes]

I use fixed float in winter mostly because of the float stop but also I make some really long casts in one of the spots I fish ( I'm a bank fisherman) and i use some really light jigs, 1/64 and 1/32 , these tend not to glide through float at long distance, wind and waves etc. so with the fixed float I know where I'm at . I mostly use a weighted float and it works fine. 9'6" rod and fixed float 6' to 8' deep works ok for me.

[deathb4disco]

... i use some really light jigs, 1/64 and 1/32 , these tend not to glide through float at long distance, wind and waves etc. so with the fixed float I know where I'm at . I mostly use a weighted float ...

Try using an unweighted float and add some bigger split shot above your jig. (This is called a "bulk plus dropper" pattern.)

The bigger shot will pull the line through better, and you will still get the slower drop from the light jig.

[glasseyes]

Try using an unweighted float and add some bigger split shot above your jig. (This is called a "bulk plus dropper" pattern.)

The bigger shot will pull the line through better, and you will still get the slower drop from the light jig.

Yes I've tried that in the past and doesn't work so well when crappie bite is lite and also on the bite coming from under some times you don't see it at all.
To remedy this I use the rocket bobber , it works only with 1/64th and 1/32 nd weighted jigs but works like a charm, can cast it a mile and the slightest hit on jig pops the bobber up.

[deathb4disco]

Yes I've tried that in the past and doesn't work so well when crappie bite is lite and also on the bite coming from under some times you don't see it at all.
To remedy this I use the rocket bobber , it works only with 1/64th and 1/32 nd weighted jigs but works like a charm, can cast it a mile and the slightest hit on jig pops the bobber up.

I prefer the waggler, but whatever "floats" your boat ...

[funbun]

Yeah, give me wagglers any day. They shoot like an arrow when casting.