Lets talk about Bobbers/Floats

I've been searching and googling to find something out and haven't found the answer yet. In my searching I've discovered that there is a lot more to bobbers/floats than something to hang your bait from and tell you when you have a bite.
So, I decided to start this tread in the hopes it may become valuable information worthy of being a sticky.
Bobbers come is several shapes, styles, and sizes. Hopefully understanding the differences will result in eating more fish dinners

What I've been searching for is the answer to this;

I've seen references to using 1/8, 1/4 1/16 oz bobber. What does that mean?
Is it the amount of weight it takes to submerge the bobber or how much weight is needed to make it float properly?

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Originally Posted by Snuffy115

I've seen references to using 1/8, 1/4 1/16 oz bobber. What does that mean?
Is it ... how much weight is needed to make it float properly?

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Yes.

More good info here:

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/panfi...334859-floats/

Thanks disco. good thread.
I like those Gapen floats. I will have to see if I can find some in my area.

This is my idea about the size of the bobber......first of all, I use a slip cork all the time with one of those rubber bobber stoppers and I do not use a swivel...how many of us are looking at the bobber (cork) 100% of the time....have you ever looked away and looked back to see your cork gone.....of course we have....I have found that I can detect a bite on most any size cork.....well, not huge ones...what I want most is a good, quick hookset....if I am not looking at the cork, I want the cork itself to help in that hookset and I feel that a cork that offers some resistance does that...I look at it like this...if your line (with a hook) gets slightly caught on your hand, not penetrating but barely sticking you, then with no resistance or pressure through the line it comes off easily....add pressure to the line and it could penetrate the skin.....I want my cork to offer some resistance to begin a good hookset when they take it and head down.....I have not noticed that my cork affects the bite any at all....now, let me mention that I mainly use a cork with shiners or jigs....and the shiners can move that cork around pretty good....sometimes even laying it down.....that is usually when the shiner is trying to get away from a fish....when you see that, get ready....sometimes you have to ease back on it to check to see if a fish took it....I use a hefty round weight about 6 to 8 inches above the hook...I add 2 weights if I am fishing deep like 10 ft or more to get my shiner down quick....I use a pear shaped cork like 3 for a dollar...

Just another fishermans opinion....worked for me for 65 years.....

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I use the slip bobber more than any other,but I'm venturing into different techniques.I don't really care for the bobbers with springs to hold the line,I worry about line abrasions,can anyone enlighten me on the thill bobbers and perhaps others that use the small elastic bands,and how best to set one up for fishing,thanks.

I prefer slip bobbers for deep presentation but in the spring it's hard to beat the little corks with a lead ring around the base with a top and bottom line clip. I will use this if fishing 3 foot or less below the bobber.


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Originally Posted by jigfisherx

I prefer slip bobbers for deep presentation but in the spring it's hard to beat the little corks with a lead ring around the base with a top and bottom line clip. I will use this if fishing 3 foot or less below the bobber.


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Great for casting as well!


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at my home lake of Thomas hill the crappie guru's all use fixed bobbers as that is what they are used to but I would rather figure out a better way to do slip bobbers. the common one on a straw just doesn't stay put well enough for me, probably operator error.

i bank fish and have a draw down lake i fish in fall and winter, the large cove I fish there is shallow after draw down , 6'-8' maybe. I use a 9'6" rod and a fixed bobber with my jig, im able to cast very long distance and since i have no need to fish deep use the fixed bobber, it works well for me anyway . I imagine i could use the slip bobber but i have tried and had issues with the bobber stop in the eyes of the rod and icing up also.

When I used bobbers , I thought best was one just heavy enough to float bait but pull under with slightest pressure . Sometimes they bite upwards so that the bobber actually rolls over .

The problem with the bobber with the lead ring around the bottom is when you get an up bite the weight doesn't let the bobber ride up and over. I prefer a slip bobber with just enough weight to balance the jig and let it go under easily.

Yeah, I make these by hand for exactly the reasons you ask. PM if you're interested.

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Originally Posted by Yaker

I use the slip bobber more than any other,but I'm venturing into different techniques.I don't really care for the bobbers with springs to hold the line,I worry about line abrasions,can anyone enlighten me on the thill bobbers and perhaps others that use the small elastic bands,and how best to set one up for fishing,thanks.

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I have used all kinds of bobbers, from huge balsa floats with one ounce weights, so I can cast WAY out there in deep water to the Thill mini-shy-bite. My favorite for fishing four feet or less is the Thill, with 2#-4# line. Before you tie on your bait, slide the two bands up the line to the depth you want to fish. Then just slip the bands over each end of the float. After you tie on your bait, you can adjust the depth by sliding the float up or down the line. One benefit of this system is that you put no stress on the line, the way clips do.
My wife and I have fished the Thills many times, catching quite a few more fish than the people around us. Crappie aren't nearly as line-shy as trout, but in clearer water, I think the line size and the small, slender profile of the Thill make a difference.

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Originally Posted by Bigskyfisherman

I have used all kinds of bobbers, from huge balsa floats with one ounce weights, so I can cast WAY out there in deep water to the Thill mini-shy-bite. My favorite for fishing four feet or less is the Thill, with 2#-4# line. Before you tie on your bait, slide the two bands up the line to the depth you want to fish. Then just slip the bands over each end of the float. After you tie on your bait, you can adjust the depth by sliding the float up or down the line. One benefit of this system is that you put no stress on the line, the way clips do.

My wife and I have fished the Thills many times, catching quite a few more fish than the people around us. Crappie aren't nearly as line-shy as trout, but in clearer water, I think the line size and the small, slender profile of the Thill make a difference.

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The mini shy bite is perfect for shallow water. For deeper water, I like the regular shy bite. I fish it a lot with a 12' telescopic pole and catch lots of gills, crappie, trout and catfish.

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

The mini shy bite is perfect for shallow water. For deeper water, I like the regular shy bite. I fish it a lot with a 12' telescopic pole and catch lots of gills, crappie, trout and catfish.

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Are you using a tenkara rod? I'd love to get my hands on one of those someday!

I'm not too into bobbers but I'm partial to the smaller eagle claw tear shaped bobbers and those stick ones that remind me of porcupine quills.

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Originally Posted by Squirminator

Are you using a tenkara rod? I'd love to get my hands on one of those someday!

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No, it's just a $20 Wally Marshall pole.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Squirminator

Are you using a tenkara rod? I'd love to get my hands on one of those someday!

I'm not too into bobbers but I'm partial to the smaller eagle claw tear shaped bobbers and those stick ones that remind me of porcupine quills.

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I use a Tenkara rod,lots of fun,just have to remember the tip is both tough and fragile at the same time.