Pencil float vs oval shape, which to use?

[The Rooster]

I want to get into crappie fishing this year. I’ve been a long time bass fisherman but now suddenly I have an interest in catching some crappie. I’m looking at floats and bobbers and seeing oval shapes and pencil shapes. They seem to be similar in size overall. What’s the difference? I figure it must be in buoyancy and how easily the float can be pulled under or made to stand up on a bite. I’m talking about the spring type floats that just clip to the line, as well as slip bobbers.

I would also like to ask about the slip bobber sizes as well. What sizes to use with what jig head weight? I found some oval foam floats on Amazon that are measured in 1”, 1-1/4”, 1-1/2” sizes and so on. I already have a lot of ball head jigs I bought many years ago that I can use with them. Sizes of 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 oz. I just don’t know what size slip floats to buy to use with them.

[DWILL]

I like the smallest I can use, depending on how much weight I'm using. The heavier the sinker or jig, the larger the float. This is the same whether I'm using a fixed or slip float. My favorite float is the rod and bobbs 3n1, but I usually just buy the cheapest I can find.

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[DWILL]

Sorry I didn't answer more specifically about sizes and weight. Usually, I'm a trial and error user. That may be why I have some of every size and shape.

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[DockShootinJack]

By adding weight to the float to allow it to sink easier

[Ketchn]

if you are pitching shallow water , trust me on this part , you want the pencil float clip on variety ,
Some major advantages are it detects soft bites WAY better and then ONLY one point where the line touches instead of 2 ....and takes only about 2 seconds longer to rig up than a straight jig only set up ....plus
It works a jig about 10 times better as well with only one contact point slightly under the water ....
I could go on all day long , but to VERY sure once you see me use one ,you will go out and buy some ...
depending on the jig weight you will have to upsize or down size accordingly ....
the float should sit about 65 % under the water when rigged properly ...
The comal brand versions are really cheap and work quite well ...
the spring is tough on the line though after lots of fights , so use decent line and cut the line off above the float and retie about every 20 to 30 fish ...
( if you are on larger fish over 13 inches retie more often )

[Ketchn]

side note , oval if its a slipper float , less line travel thru the float is better if you must use the darn thing

[mickeyjim]

You can see the pencil style bobber better then the oval style. Depending on the depth of your bait, fixed bobbers are harder to cast. I personally use a Thill wobble slip bobber. Casts like a bullet. Depending on the season I use them in 1 ft - 30 ft. As Jack said you can adjust the drop with weights. Trial and error until you find which set up woks for you.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

[Ketchn]

[UpstateSC_Bill]

I guess I must be totally retro. I have always been pretty happy using the old round red and white plastic bombers with the spring loaded clip. You can get them in many sizes to work with whatever jig weight you are using. They can be fished as either a fixed or slip bobber depending on how you set the clip. They have a single point of contact under the bobber. Never had any trouble casting them if they were sized appropriately for the rest of the tackle. Never had any problem detecting a hit. I guess everybody laughs at me fishing with those things when I use a bobber.