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We've all seen the picture. A kid sitting on a rock or riverbank, strawhat and coveralls, fishing with an old pole and bobber. It's just as likely that we've all lived that picture too. The reason is simple enough. Fixed bobbers are easy to use and easy to show a child how to use. Cheap too, when you consider how many get lost and stepped on. But, they have proven their worth over the years by catching fish.
But they have a few drawbacks.
1. They can weaken your line by kinking it where it attaches.
2. If your fishing any deeper than 3-4 feet, when you reel up you'll have to much line out to control and land your fish.
3. It's to hard to cast your line out when there's a 10 foot leader under the float.
Slip bobbering will solve that problem. The float has a hollow tube through it and will slide freely from the hook or bottom weight to the bobber stop. First though we have to pick the right float. You never know what conditions you'll face, where the fish are, shallow, deep, suspended, until you get out there, so you should carry several kinds. There are different styles for still water and moving water. Still waters are reservoirs, canals, lakes, and ponds. Although the wind can whip up some big waves on various bodies of water, they are still considered still water. Rivers, streams, tidal coastal areas, etc. are considered moving water. Bass Pro Shops have a wide selection and expert help.
Equipment:
* Pencil floats have a thin profile. They cast further and have the least wind resistance, so they'll drift slower. Perfect for the light bite because they offer the least resistance to being pulled under.
* Tall oval floats are pushed by the wind more easily and drift faster. They're a good choice for covering large areas of water.
* Pear-shaped or fat round floats are easy to cast and ride the waves well. They are easily affected by the wind, but are harder to pull under.
* There are also lighted floats for night or dim light fishing.
Rod - A 7- 8+ foot spinning rod. It will allow you to cast much farther, easier, and more accurately.
Reel - A good quality spinning reel with a smooth drag.
Line - 4 - 8 pound test mono.
Bait - Worms, leeches, minnows,. Depends on what you're fishing for and the season, etc.
Weights - Split-shots and slip-sinkers, depending on conditions and what your after.
Hooks - #4 - #8. Octopus and circle being the most popular. #4 for minnows, #6 & 8 for leeches and worms. Some use 1/64 to 1/8 oz. jigheads for a different presentation.
Pretied vinyl or thread tie stops and rubber stops - Pretied vinyl stops come rated for different size line, so check for the size you want. They can also be tied by you with 3 overhand knots so that you don't have to take everything apart if you change set-ups.
Beads - Glass or plastic.
Set Up:
1 - Thread your line through the pretied or rubber stop. Slide pretied stops off of the straw and snug down on the line. Trim the tag ends to 1/16" on each side. This allows the stop to flow freely through the rod guides, bail, and wind on the reel without hanging up. The stop should be snug on the line, but be able to move up or down with MODERATE pressure. Remember to wet the line before moving the stop to prevent overheating your main line.
2 - Next, slide a bead on. This will prevent the stop from getting stuck in the float.
3 - Slide on the float.
4 - Tie on your hook or barrel swivel using a palomar or improved clinch knot.
Not to bad, huh? Techniques and some components may vary from species to species, but the basics are the same. To fish the rig bait up, reel up, and cast it out. Let it float to the target you're shooting for. Ideally the bait should be 6 - 12" off the bottom. Once casted out, wait for the bait to sink and the float to go vertical before reeling up any slack line. If you reel up to soon, you may pull the rig away from the location you casted to. The float should only be large enough to hold your bait. Any added split shot weights should be approx. 12 - 18" above the bait. That way it'll be more sensitive to a light or any bite. Stay alert. Any movement, up, down, sideways, should be acted on.
If your lure doesn't go vertical, find out why. Are you to deep and sitting on the bottom? Adjust the stop. Is there enough weight? Add weight. Did the float go vertical and sink? Fish on or to much weight.
If this does not seem like something you want to take the time to do... simply tie a very small piece of rubberband around the line and it will act as a stop.
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