Thread: Best slip bobbers for Shellcrackers

I think floats are great when catching suspended fish but why use one if you are on the bottom? I just dont understand it. I caught all of these on the bottom without a float.

Originally Posted by Southern Young Gun

I think floats are great when catching suspended fish but why use one if you are on the bottom?

You get better bite detection and virtually zero gut-hooking.

Originally Posted by Southern Young Gun

I caught all of these on the bottom without a float.

If I remember correctly, you caught those during the spawn. When the fish are spawning, every method works!

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

You get better bite detection and virtually zero gut-hooking.




If I remember correctly, you caught those during the spawn. When the fish are spawning, every method works!

Thats the only time I fish for them.....go two or three times a year and fill the freezer.

If you use a slip float with no stop, how does the fish pull the float down? Won't the fish just pull the line through? Thanks

The difference is that the fish can feel the resistance of the rod tip, whereas with a slip bobber lying on its side on the surface, the fish doesn't feel it at all as it takes line. I doubt many guys would outfish me with a tightline.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM sounds like we need a little tournament on one of your managed ponds with a cash wager. Invite the youngun down and pay for his trip if he out fishes you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOOK

Originally Posted by tnpondmanager

The difference is that the fish can feel the resistance of the rod tip, whereas with a slip bobber lying on its side on the surface, the fish doesn't feel it at all as it takes line. I doubt many guys would outfish me with a tightline.

This is simply not true in most cases. when I tightline for shellcrackers on hard bottoms or shell beds i have a 8-10" leader. The only part of the line that is tight is the line going to the swivel. The 8-10" of the leader is left slack with the hook and bait attached. The fish picks up the hook with bait the exact same way that a fish does with your float setup. The rod tip doesnt move until the hook is already in the mouth of the fish and is moving with it. It is the same as a float, you look at the float for an indication, i look at the rod tip or go by feel, and I dont have to fiddle with adjusting a cork to the exact depth. I AM NOT against floats at all, i use them all the time. Just not while bottom fishing.

Originally Posted by tnpondmanager

The difference is that the fish can feel the resistance of the rod tip, whereas with a slip bobber lying on its side on the surface, the fish doesn't feel it at all as it takes line. I doubt many guys would outfish me with a tightline.

i beg the differ