Thread: How NOT to tie up a slip float rig :)

A small thin set of pointed scissors would have cut the tube and made things a little easier

Temps around 1pm today were hovering around 40 degrees and very sunny, little breeze .
Hmmm , I grab my 7’ 13 Fishing Defy Silver paired with a Shimano Sienna 500 and took off to the town pond with visions of shivering , eager biting bluegills .
When I got there , I was surprised by a pond 80-90% covered in ice .
Something that belongs up North , not around here .
Only a few times have I seen ponds freeze over .
With the aeration system in the pond , the areas around the bubbles was open.
With my freshly rigged up slip float and fly I cut loose with a cast hoping to make it to the open area on the right of the picture below .
To my amazement, I landed next to the bubbles .
I wiggled my float a few times and it drifted toward the ice . I gave my rod a sweep and started winding to get my float rig on the ice .
It didn’t work . It somehow hooked the edge of the ice .
I worked for fifteen minutes trying to free it , then finally , knowing my leader was 3# test and my main line was 4# test , if it broke , I’d at least have my float back .
Nope ! Broke at the swivel ! Float wound up about half way to me on top of the ice .
I got to looking around and there are three of those aerators, one close to the bridge . So I tied on a small jig and jigged the open area on both sides of the bridge , but nothing wanted to take my offering .
I was at the pond for a little over an hour and shallow areas on the sunny side of the pond were beginning to thaw .
Getting down to 25 tonight , I hope it continues to thaw today as it’s supposed to hit 47 tomorrow, and sunny .
Maybe I can find my float tomorrow .

That would have been my kind of luck. Hopefully, you'll get it back.

Slip cork set ups bum me out , Half the time the cork rides the line back to ya and or don't slip at all .
And .....
VERY rarely a better option than a fixed float in most cases anyway

Originally Posted by Ketchn

Slip cork set ups bum me out , Half the time the cork rides the line back to ya and or don't slip at all .
And .....
VERY rarely a better option than a fixed float in most cases anyway

Thanks for the info , I’ve never used a slip float much .
Bummed me out losing it on the first cast .
The secret to keeping the line from wrapping the float with a snap on float is to use a jig heavy enough to lead the weighted snap on float during the cast .
But I like a super light jig or even just a fly , and it likes to wrap around the float in mid air. Wind doesn’t help .

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Thanks for the info , I’ve never used a slip float much .
Bummed me out losing it on the first cast .
The secret to keeping the line from wrapping the float with a snap on float is to use a jig heavy enough to lead the weighted snap on float during the cast .
But I like a super light jig or even just a fly , and it likes to wrap around the float in mid air. Wind doesn’t help .

sometimes when I want the added weight I double up the jigs , sure will fly like a bird if done right

About the only time I use a slip float set I is when I fish structures with minnows and that doesn’t happen often anymore.

I'm not sure if you've had a chance to try this, but I have found that tying up a slip float rig is not as hard as it looks.


I've got arthritic fingers, so I know how difficult it can be to tie knots that require fine motor skills. But if you follow these steps, you'll be able to tie up your rig with ease:


1. Find yourself some good lighting


2. Make sure your hands are free from lotion and other slippery substances (you don't want to drop your bobber stop!)


3. Tie a simple knot in the line at the end of your rod where it will attach to the swivel (this will make things easier later on)


4. Buy yourself some bright colors for your bobbers and floats (this will help you find them when they get lost in the grass)


5. The key to tying these kinds of rigs is patience! Don't rush through the process—it's better to take a few extra minutes than lose all of your gear!


I think what helped me was that I took my time and wasn't too worried about making it perfect. It's definitely not a matter of one right way—you can experiment with different sizes of beads, different-shaped bobbers, different types of line and weights... the list goes on.


I'll be honest: I don't know if this will help you catch more fish, but I do know that it's fun!