That what my wife uses. The gotta be good.
i float fish alot and typically convert folks from the traditional forms of float ketchn to the way i do it . I ONLY use a fixed / pinch on float until i am presenting the bait deeper than around 7 to 8 foot deep . much past that it gets rather difficult to cast unless you use a really long rod and i dont own anything over 8 foot . and its time to pitch it or vertical jig it anyway .
mind you i almost never use minnows and this dont apply to the minnow folks ....
the sensitivity when the float is directly connected to the line offers a much quicker recognition of a crappie bite and is also much better on the hook set as well . many folks will argue this point and some of the very best crappie fishermen out there will tell you a slip float is the way to go . i can show you much better than i can tell you and have converted many a REALLY good crappie fisherman in this area .
i promised i would show what i use and that is why i posted this thread .
below are the floats i carry and i use them in different situations for different reasons , sometimes i want to go with a cheap set up because i know i cant get the ones i lose back . sometimes i use the balsa to get longer casts and typically fish them in more open waters .
and you must match your jig weight to the float ......and yes it matters ....no more than 1/2 of the float or slightly less should be above the water line ...to much buoyancy is not good !
disclaimer time : none of the manufactures of these floats have ever given me a single free item ...
just so you know i am NOT advertising ......
this is the real deal .....and the wood one is a bass pro brand ...the others are Thill and Comal
there is truly a method to my madness AND its called i dont like fishing .....if ya get my drift ......
as always have a great day
p.s. note no weighted floats in the mix either ...NOT good ....
sum kawl me tha outlaw ketchn whalesDave and Lynn LIKED above post
That what my wife uses. The gotta be good.
Member BS Pro-Staff and Billbob Pro-Staff
Proud Member of Team Geezer... authorized by: billbob and "G"
Thanks for the nice article! Makes me feel good that I'm doing something right, I'm right with you. I'm a take it easy, one rod crappie fisherman. I have a great G. Loomis 7' Ultra Light setup and I love watching that bobber for the slightest little tick. I'm 73 and find now days I do better concentrating on one rod then trying to handle 2 or 3 rods at one time. Less tangles and more fish!!!
metalcutterr LIKED above post
Well ill be 81 in about 10 days and can still do 2 of some things at the same time.
It could be chew gum and walk, with gum that won't stick to my teeth, if it was a short walk.
Ive done almost no bobber fishing other than for tarpon. But I am anticipating doing some so I have been buying bobbers. But after reading this I'm going to throw most of them away and start over.
I'm assuming that since your obviously using jigs, you would be missing strikes without closly
monitoring the line and setting the hook quickly. Which is the reason you've decided on using just one rod.
But my question would be, wouldn't a dead stick rod with a bobber and minnow or other bait combination work in conjunction with the hand held rod?
In the keys while on the reef freelining for yellowtails, holding the rod is imperative for success.
But we always had a dead stick rod with a bait sitting on or near the bottom.
It would work very well and use to do it a lot! But now days I always seem to get messed up before long. On very calm, slow days I may end up with two out there until something starts to happen. Would you believe on a calm 70 degree day, I have been observed with my anchor pins set in a shady cove, with no rod in the water, leaning back and meditating about my next move. Catch and release days eliminates filleting after a long hard day!!!
I'm with you on the style of float you chose. I'm not much on the Comal version cuz they're light and i like to stay back a bit. The Thill are a bit more money and are built to a specific weight of jig. Once you figure that out any brand will get the job done. What I like about this style of float is the ability to detect a lift bite, when they gently take the jig on the rise and there is no thump to be transmitted to the line or the float. What happens is that with the weight of the jig removed the float lays over on it's side, set the hook. Best version around and the Balsa is easy to cast with just enough weight to make the rod behave and not overdo it.
Creativity is just intelligence fooling around
I fish mostly bobbers and one spot I fish demands I cast long distance. When the wind is creating nice wave action on this particular lake it sometimes is hard to detect the bite on these long casts,. So when I discovered the rocket bobber it worked wonders in this spot. I have a collection of all kinds of bobbers I carry, ( fish all from bank ) and the rocket bobber is the most expensive . I enjoy bobber fishing so I can relate to this article.
Philippians 4; 13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.