Hey Nightprowler, I use slipfloat and bobber stop rigs every day with my clients. I have often replaced my tip eyes to help with this issue. Unless your tip eye is super small, all you should have to do is point your rod tip down (effectively making the line go straight) and the stopper will fall through the tip. We have used many different rods looking for the best "Slipfloat Rig" around. So, far the best has been the Richard William Signature Series Crappie Wizard rods from BnM. They eyes on this rod are more like that of a spinning rod and the tip eye seems to be just large enough that with just a little jiggle and the stopper will pass on through.