Brainstorm for my floats

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...alsaFloats.jpg

They are on the way. I got 50 of them for like $20. Some of you have seen my ones I made:

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...eadFloats1.jpg

I need some brain storming on different things to try in order to get s swivel secured to the bottom end of these. In the picture I use nylon sleeves over a dowel with the barrel swivel pushed into it. Problem is I don't have any other sizes of the barrel swivels that have the nice tube shape barrel on them. There are lots of sizes of nylon so that isn't the issue but there might be a problem securing the swivel in the nylon, or maybe just in the bottom end of the tube. I don't want to damage the integrity of the tube by drilling it or otherwise deforming it.

Any suggestions before I get started, hopefully on Monday? It doesn't have to be a swivel but I want a completely clean loop down there, no edges like you find on hook eyes and such.

You might try a product called heat shrink tubing. When heated it shrinks to about half it's original size. It's available at most auto parts stores or maybe even Wally World in the auto section.

one thing to keep in mind if you heat shrink on float tubes. I had a project going once where I was using shrink tube to install a glass bead in the top of slip floats. I found that I had to put a large needle in the tube because the heat would cause the stem to shrink right along with the tube.
You might try heating the stem on a junk float to see if it will shrink on it's own without the shrink tube. That would secure the swivel securely. Illinoisgiller

Epoxy in the end and one of these


Attachment 29695

The eyes have sharp spots on them that could cut line and cause the float to stick otherwise I would use them. A swivel prevents the float from getting twisted up to which helps prevent break offs. I supposed I could use shrink tubing over the end to cover the part that could cut the line. Will have to see if I can make one work the way I want it to.

I am not sure shrink tubing will work well though but I have not tried it yet. I have noticed with other things that it tends to wear out and stretch some over time which could lead to the swivel slipping out on a cast. More options though which is good.

Attachment 29702

Attachment 29703


Drill a hole in the end and use one of these !!

Or drill a hole through the end and not use anything.

Or slide a bead up the end ,line the hole up in the bead ,drill a hole through the bead and super glue the bead in place

What exactly are you trying to get them to do with the modifications. A slip bobber doesn't get any easier!!!

Fatman

I want a quick change ability with as little play as possible. I fish in so many different condition for for so many species here that I can go from using a 1/64 on a super small float to using a 1/4 ounce on a really big one. I just want to have a full arsenal for changing conditions and not have to retie, ever if possible.

I just know that I have lost a lot of floats using light gear because of even the smallest sharp point on anything. And when casting time after time floating rivers I need to prevent line fray as much as possible. I suppose that for crappie and such it is not as important but when dealing with 20# steelhead using the same floats as I do for crappie and trout I need all the advantage I can possibly get to prevent a lost fish.

Versatility more than anything and to be honest, I hate throw the middle slip floats. They never work right for me, line gets caught and doesn't sink right or the cork gets cuts in it catching the line and everything else. And braided line has a tendency to ruin even the best floats I have ever used store bought.

Maybe I am making it too complicate but when I fish for 20+ species with the same floats I need them to be easy to use and fast to change. If there was a quick change option that I could put right on the line I would use that but haven't found such a device yet. For now, I put the swivel on the float and either put on a sliding snap on my line or fix it in place with the swivel on my line already.

The lure eyes wouldn't knick your line anymore than a hook eye would. I'd go that route and some epoxy. If you're worried, bury it in another 1/16" where the curled part will be covered with epoxy and can't cut anything.

Man the only thing I can think of is use ifish's idea with the eyelets and on your main line make a loop and attach a duo lock snap to connect it to the eye. Might be even the clicking sound would help attract the fish.

Just an idea now that I understand what your doin.

Fatman

If you're worried about burs or whatever else on the eyelets you could find a Dremel bit of some sort to clean them out and smooth down the surface. I have huge kit for mine and I have several types that would work. Another idea roll up a piece of emery cloth and run it through or even super glue it to some spring steel wire or something if the eyelets are too small to get a rolled up piece through it.

It looks like that is the only choice short of shoving swivels in the end so I will do both and see which works better.

I am thinking about using a quick change clevis on my line for changing them out but no one has one locally so I have to rely on finding the right size and style online.

Have you looked at something like this yet?

Removable Slip Bobbers

or

Cabela's -- Betts® Mr. Crappie® Twist-On Twist-Off Bobbers

Like you I find myself in a variety of conditions over the course of a day on the water. I might not even need to change the size of my jig but more or less weight and a different style/size of float is called for.

I've used the floats above for several years now off and on. I do not recall who exactly makes them. I know Betts is listed on the Mr. Crappie floats but I think another company makes the red/white ones. But I will have to look the next time I'm at the tackle shop to be sure and get back to you on it. I've got them in several sizes in both pear and cigar shapes. I have also seen them weighted but didn't buy those.

One thing I have done to all my floats the last several years is paint them to make them easier to see. I first take a float and mask off the areas I don't want painted and give it a light coat or two of the cheapest flat white spray paint I can find. After that I hit it with a couple coats of either flat Fluorescent red or green spray paint depending on if I want a bobber for full sun or for use in shade/low light. The standard hot yellow/orange combo on many floats hurts my eyes, especially in full sun. Those 2 flat colors do not bother my eyes and are easy to see.

The upside to all that messing around is that the bobber is now weighted ever so slightly and is much more sensitive. I can get away with using less weight than if I hadn't painted it. It will often also ride a bit lower in the water. While that does push some of the bright color underwater sometimes, it also alters the resistance the fish has to overcome to get the float down. Rather than pulling past the widest part to sink the bobber. It is now under the surface tension of the water. The fish bumps the hook with his snout and the bobber will jiggle.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...h/Image2-1.jpg

One word of caution. Normal spray paint will melt a foam bobber if you are not real careful. I have painted a bunch, some worked and others melted....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fish_4_all

I want a quick change ability with as little play as possible. I fish in so many different condition for for so many species here that I can go from using a 1/64 on a super small float to using a 1/4 ounce on a really big one. I just want to have a full arsenal for changing conditions and not have to retie, ever if possible.

Maybe I am making it too complicate but when I fish for 20+ species with the same floats I need them to be easy to use and fast to change. For now, I put the swivel on the float and either put on a sliding snap on my line or fix it in place with the swivel on my line already.

---

I just take a heated needle and make a hole at the bottom of the tube on the floats. Tie a #12 snap swivel on your line. Leave along tag end to attach your jig on. Attach your float to the snap swivel and fish it "Waggler" style. Easy to change size of floats or fish without a float without rigging everything again. A side benefit is that you do not lose as many floats either.