I know exactly what you're talking about. I do it myself. It's called "balancing the float", or adding just enough weight so that a minimum amount of float is sticking out of the water. I'm not trying to get a "popping" noise, though. (Note to others: the coke bottle is not used for actual fishing -- just for testing the bobber.) This is common practice all over Europe where float fishing is practically an art form.

I do it a little differently, though. First, I don’t use the red and white bobbers -- too buoyant. For casting on a rod and reel, I use wagglers which are easily adjusted with split shot. On a pole, I use a VERY light pole float. Second, rather than a 2-liter coke bottle, I usually use something with a little more surface area like a small plastic garbage can.

I sincerely congratulate you on figuring this out on your own.

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Clinging to guns and religion since 1963.