Bobber stop troubles.....which do you like?!

[CrappiePappy]

I've tried most of them, except the strings, and find that the rubber ball types work "OK" ... and the dogbone & ladder style plastics stay put the best, but deteriorate faster than the rubber ones.

The biggest factor I've noticed is having a rod tip eye that is large enough to allow unfettered movement of the "stop", in either direction. Micro guides and small rod tips do not allow for this degree of movement.

I've mostly used the rubber ball type stops, and they will get pulled down the line when reeling in a fish under pressure. You "can" bypass that effect, if you can see the rubber ball approaching the rod tip & give a momentary bit of slack as it enters the rod tip eye. Problem with that is, you may give the fish a momentary bit of slack & lose it in the process.

One thing that "may" help, when using the rubber ball type stops, is to purchase them in accordance with the line size you intend to use ... and use the ones that are for line sizes smaller than what you're actually using. You must also check all the rubber balls, and make sure that they are on the wire loop "whole", and not partially cut from having been put on the wire loops (during mfg). Also understand that they can & will degrade over time, whether on the shelf or in your tackle box ... whether from heat, UV exposure, or simply age. The plastic dogbone & ladder shaped stops will also degrade & become brittle with age.

Personally, I just don't bother using them anymore. I'll use a clip-on float in situations where I'm only fishing a little deeper than the length of the rod I'm using. And when that's not an option, I simply tightline with a long rod that has a sensitive tip (or cast/slow retrieve).

... cp

[shipahoy41]

I tie my own out of string and use smaller string and less raps

use this knot it's super easy to tie Bobber Stopper Knot | How to tie a bobber stopper or float stopper knot

Short Grub, I have done this with dental floss and it does give you a smaller knot. Having said that, I am still a fan of the smallest rubber stop I can find. I use six pound Stren line but I use the rubber bobber stop made for two pound line. You do not need to "Violently" cast it to make it go far. A slip float and a 1/8 jig is all you need down here in the south.

[Crestliner08]

I've been using the string type for many, many years. I cut the tag ends pretty close. Reason being is that if you let them long, they tend to fray and cause tangles in your line when casting. As has been said, wet the knot thoroughly before tightening up. And I use two needle nose pliers to cinch it tight before trimming the tag ends. Rarely do I have problems with it loosening up and it's very durable as I change the depth setting quite frequently at times.

[wasilvers]

I rarely use this method, but have rigged it a few times. Mostly don't like it because casting can get messed up with the bobber stop. I use the string ones, tighten really good and they stay put. The stay almost too good, because I can hardly move them when I want to. I do trim the ends down to about 1/32 to limit tangles.

Seems like one in 10 casts are less smooth than they should be. But that doesn't matter when the fish are biting

[Eager Beaver]

I use to use a slip bobber quite a bit when I was fishing for Walleye! Now I only use it over a tree pile if someone is having a hard time snagging up. I tie my own bobber stops now. When I was fishing a harness I would have to cut the line and retie the harnesses after I put a new bobber stop back on. Now I can put a bobber stop on without having to cut the line and then retie the jig or whatever I am fishing with. I use my wife's crochet thread for my string and have it spooled on a thread thimble. I use a straw to tie them with. I tie them as I need them now. As far as having trouble with the end guide, if I have a problem with the bobber stop going through it, I will change the end guide to a larger one. I have 2 rod set up for slip bobber fishing. EB

[flfisherman]

I use dental foss,,just wrap it around the line several times and tie 2 or 3 knots and trim off extra..it stays in place pretty good,I readjust maybe 3 times in a 5 hour trip...easy to find and cheap....

[GreenEYESfromOHIO]

Well after reading all the comments it seems the majority use the "string type" bobber stops like my first picture showed. I also noticed that a few of you who are using the string version mentioned a small detail that I neglected to do while trying the string version bobber stops......moisten the string thoroughly before cinching it down!!! In my trials of the string version I did not moisten the string AT ALL! Just never crossed my mind, guess who feels stupid lol....So with that being said....just tonight I bought new line to spool my reel as it was getting very low and also purchased a new package of Thill string bobber stops! Many of you said you use and like the Thill bobber stops so I bought some! Tomorrow's my day off and the weather looks to be sunny and around 80 degree's....I'm hitting the lake! I setup with a double rig jig 18" apart with a slip bobber and the Thill string bobber stop set at approximately 6 feet. I am a bank fisherman 99% of the time so we'll see what gives.....I'll report back! Thanks ya'll

-GEO

[GreenEYESfromOHIO]

Well as promised I'm reporting back! Like I said previously I rigged up last night so when I woke up I headed out to the lake. Fished for a couple hours and I must say.....the Thill string bobber stop worked AMAZING! I actually used the Thill string bobber stops when I first tried the "string version" and was seriously disappointed like I said in my first post. Man, do I take back all the negative things I said about them! I took the advice of several of you who stated you thoroughly moistened the string bobber stop before cinching it down and that was KEY! Made dozens of cast and the bobber stop didn't move a bit! Stayed exactly where I initially put it, didn't have to re-adjust once!...it didn't fray or come loose and just worked amazing like I said! Not only was I extremely pleased with this I was doubly pleased when after these dozens of cast I had absolutely ZERO problems with the bobber stop hanging up on the eyes/guides of my rod like I had so many problems with the rubber bobber stops. While casting and reeling in line the Thill string bobber stop slid through the guides with ease and with absolutely no disruptions! I was in fact so pleased that after today I will no longer buy any other bobber stops then the Thill string bobber stops! It worked flawlessly and loved it! Thank you all for your input and advice, this is why I wanted to be apart of the family here! Thill string bobber stops for the win!!!

-GEO

[fiveeyes]

nice folks here 'eh

[shipahoy41]

Good report GreenEYES.