IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Jigging => Topic started by: PACKERBACKER on Jan 16, 2006, 02:04 PM
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Did anyone catch the ice fishing show on Outdoor Channel on Sat? There were some guys using spring bobbers for Crappie and it was really amazing. The crappies were biting so light that the only way to tell if they were biting was to watch the spring bobber move UP not down. It looks like they actually bump the bait UP as they hit. Very interesting. If you're a crappie fisher, you may want to try a spring bobber to "see" more bites.
packerbacker
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I always have some spring bobbers with me.If you catch crappies going up with the bait because of a slack line it is time to put one on.
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I have spring bobbers on all of my jigging poles. I've had perch hit light enough that only the spring bobber moves. It really is a critical item to have on your jigging pole.
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I also use spring bobbers on all my Jigging rods . There are many advantages to useing them.
1) You can use a reel to enjoy fighting the fish.
2) You can detect light biters,(as was the case on Honeoye last week)
3) no messin with an in line bobber.
4) Great for deeper water.
5) = MORE FISH!!! ;D
Good luck useing you new bobbers once you get used to them you will never go back to any other way. ;)
The"FishinFoool" :tipup:
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I hat spring bobber but I loved that rod that had that spring bobber built right into it. I'm going to get me a couple of those rods for sure.
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They sure do have their advantages. I keep 4 different rods on me at all times and 2 of them have springs on them. Those new St. Croix's with the springs built in are awesome. They are a little pricey, but what the heck, you get what you pay for.
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i already got thos rods lol well ill tell u a secret when a crappie hits and u miss him raise ur rod about 3 feet then let it down very slowly :tipup:and watch ur line that fish will hit it on the way down ;D b/c crappi whont hit a bait when it is below him b/c there to stuck up to go down and get it so try it it will increase ur catch
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WHAT ABOUT FREEZE-UPS ANY PROBLEMS?
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i already got thos rods lol well ill tell u a secret when a crappie hits and u miss him raise ur rod about 3 feet then let it down very slowly :tipup:and watch ur line that fish will hit it on the way down ;D b/c crappi whont hit a bait when it is below him b/c there to stuck up to go down and get it so try it it will increase ur catch
crappie won't hit a bait when its below him because they look up...not down...has something to do with the placement of their eyes...
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I've used spring bobbers in the past and don't anymore. I feel with the new jigging poles out (my favorite is the HT iceblue 18) you don't need any type of bobber. They are so sensitive you can see the rod tip move up on a lift hit. Also, spring bobbers tend to freeze up and I think take away from hooksetting quickness/power.
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OK, I got to ask. What the heck is a "spring bobber"? How is it different from a "traditional bobber" or an "ice fishing bobber"?
Thanks.
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first-you get your chainsaw out of the shed-then you head to sodus and cut a 8x8ft hole-get the 4x4 out of the truck-tie on a one inch diameter x 40ft long piece of neopreme rope-hook a 1964 vw spring onto a tractor trailer innertube-grab the first seagull you see stealing your shantybuddys perch-tie it on and jig jig jig---tight lines
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OK, I got to ask. What the heck is a "spring bobber"? How is it different from a "traditional bobber" or an "ice fishing bobber"?
Thanks NOT REALLY A BOBBER. SHOULD BE CALLED A STRIKE DETECTOR. IT'S A SMALL PIECE OF SPRING STEEL WITH A EYELET ON THE END. YOU ATTACH IT TO THE END OF YOUR ROD AND THREAD THE LINE THRU THE EYELET. IT HELPS TO DETECT LIGHT BITES.
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theozon, thanks for the right info on spring strike indicators. edbone, you spend way toooooooooooo much time by yourself. tell it like it is.
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I really like spring bobber in a house, with a vexlar to make sure I get back to the same depth. I have tried about 6 different types, due to freeze up and such and I really like the Frabil Panfish Popper springs. When you are outside and it is cold, you really can't beat and Ice Buster bobber though.
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ive used spring bobbers exclusively in the past and the freezing up really p's a guy off keep a cpl rods handy to try and fight this occurance cuz you need to keep your bait in the water. I now use the camera dont need any indicator other than watching the fish inhale your favorite jig.
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I love spring bobbers and could not imagine fishing without them. I prefer the one's made from piano wire and have a plastic bead on the end. They do not freeze up like the flat ones do. They're hard to find but worth the extra search.
Ranger :tipup:
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first-you get your chainsaw out of the shed-then you head to sodus and cut a 8x8ft hole-get the 4x4 out of the truck-tie on a one inch diameter x 40ft long piece of neopreme rope-hook a 1964 vw spring onto a tractor trailer innertube-grab the first seagull you see stealing your shantybuddys perch-tie it on and jig jig jig---tight lines
Ok I'll do it but where do you get the one inch diameter x 40ft long piece of neopreme rope?
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OK, I got to ask. What the heck is a "spring bobber"? How is it different from a "traditional bobber" or an "ice fishing bobber"?
Thanks.
click this link http://hickorytech.net/~jbusby/equipment.html#Ice_Fishing_Bobbers_Spring_Bobbers_ (http://hickorytech.net/~jbusby/equipment.html#Ice_Fishing_Bobbers_Spring_Bobbers_)
There is a whole bunch about bobbers, spring and others there.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/triton181998/Picture002.jpg)
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click this link http://hickorytech.net/~jbusby/equipment.html#Ice_Fishing_Bobbers_Spring_Bobbers_ (http://hickorytech.net/~jbusby/equipment.html#Ice_Fishing_Bobbers_Spring_Bobbers_)
There is a whole bunch about bobbers, spring and others there.
It's okay to use them during all seasons not just SPRING !!
;D :D ;D :D ;D :D :D :D
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Spring bobbers are junk. Maybe if someone fishes with the old stiff wooden junk rods of the past they might help. Or maybe if someone can't seem to pay attention to their line they could help. But all they do for me is freeze up and put more slack in my rig preventing good hook setting.
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If you use them you'll get more fish at the end of the day Sunburn. Some days you can tight line as good as you can get them with the spring, but day in and day out the spring will get you more fish.
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I have a couple of the flat steel sb's, and they came with shrink tubing to mount them. The tubing wasn't working very well (I've used the stuff on wiring before, so I know how it works) is there any other way to attach that type of spring bobber, or should I get some better quality shrink tubing? thanks for any info!
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I have tried tape, electrical etc, but I didn't like it. My latest method is using a piece of sewing thread wrapped around like the done for putting guides on a rod. I used a careful smear of crazy glue. In another thread, someone used clear nail polish. I think that would be better.
I have only used the flat spring type bobbers as shown in the image towards the beginning of this thread posted by jigginstick.
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Thanks, I thought about wrapping it before. That sounds like the most reliable connection.
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I am new to ice fishing (a few years). I bought the Frabill rods with the spring bobbers on them (Poppers?). I hated them and ended up removing the springs and using ice busters. Then I got turned onto some custom rods and custom built springs sized for the rods. O my gosh were they the bomb. Those rods and a vex and I was loving life. I did very well panfishing with them. If you were outside of a shanty and it was very cold, they did freeze up occasionally. Look up thorne bros on google and check out there stuff. Expensive, but worth the money in my opinion.
Interesting story for those that hate them.
4 of us go out fishing for crappies. 2 of us are new to ice fishing, but love the spring bobber setup. The 3rd was an experienced ice fisherman, but loved the ice buster bobbers. 4th was not experienced, and just thought that setup was a waste of money. End results. 2 new guys with the custom setup both limit out in 1 1/2 hours. Experienced limited out in like 4 hours (missed alot of hits with the icebuster). 4th never did limit out.
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Also check out the St.Croix "Legend" ice rods....these have the spring bobber built in. They work great for picking up the subtle biters.
Chad
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fish307 carries one modle that works great.
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You can also buy the spring bobbers from St. Croix and attach it yourself. I did these myself and put them onto my Genz Rods. A cheap way out instead of spending $50.00 from St.Croix to get their spring bobbers.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/icenutter/bobber.jpg)
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Icenutter - When you order the slip bobbers from St Croix (just assuming that is where you got them) do you get the rod tip with them or just the spring? If not how did you mount them?
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Just the springs. You will have to get a size 8 single foot eyelet and a rubber gromet at Lowes or hardware store that will fit into the eylet and have a hole small enough for the spring. Rap the eylet to the rod with bowstring serving or fly tying thread and apply some epoxy. The eylet was .99 cents and the gromit was another $1.00. I learned this trick from my other buddies, so I will have to give them the credit, but it is a very slick alternative to buying the Legend rods.
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I'll have to try that. I think I saw that somewhere else on this forum but can't remember if I really did or not :cookoo: Thanks for the info :tipup:
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Russ: I might be a little dense but what purpose does the coil spring serve? Is it only to hold the actual wire. It seems to me like the wire tip would do all the bending from a bite. Thanks. dave from somerset
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Dave the coil acts like a tensioner. You can slide the coil back toward the reel to make the spring stiffer or slide it forward to make it looser. The bobber will bend on the coil. They make 3 or 4 different springs, but you can fine tune the spring for each lure you are using. It is a pretty slick set-up.
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So, Ive never used those spring bobbers before,,,,but after reading this Im going to have to give them a whirl. Great info. This truly is an amazing website.....
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Dave the coil acts like a tensioner. You can slide the coil back toward the reel to make the spring stiffer or slide it forward to make it looser. The bobber will bend on the coil. They make 3 or 4 different springs, but you can fine tune the spring for each lure you are using. It is a pretty slick set-up.
Russ: Thanks for the comeback and now the lightbulb in my head is working. I have several quides laying around and will rig something up like your photo. Seems like a nice compact way to use the spring tip.
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I love spring bobbers. Have a home made rod that my pop's buddy made me and he put the spring on it. Never used one until then, but I haven't fished any other way since. After looking on the St. Croix Web site, I think I'm inclined to purchase one. They look slick, and the price isn't that bad considering what I've seen for other rods. (I love St. Croix rods anyway).
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I love em. I attach them with electrical tape, but I dont stick them out the end. I find they get damaged a lot easier that way. I put it towards the end of the rod; the line goes through the second to last eyelet then through the spring, then through the last one. I find coil springs are a lot more sensitive than the flat metal ones.
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I have a legend with a light spring on it. It gives new meaning to the word "sensitive".
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If you look up "sensitive" in the websters you will see a marmish rod, but for those who like to have a rod and reel in hand, the Legend is the next best thing,
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Let me rephrase my last post......
If you fart in the rod's general direction through your coveralls, you will detect movement in the spring tip. ;D
We will see how it performs in unsteady hands :-\
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Skip the spring bobbers use a HT 18" or 24" Ice Blue rod. You do not have to spend a ton of money. Another good rod is the HT Polar Gold, PLG-25UL.
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Skip the spring bobbers use a HT 18" or 24" Ice Blue rod. You do not have to spend a ton of money. Another good rod is the HT Polar Gold, PLG-25UL.
I have a ton of rods, including a 24'' med Ice Blue. I wanted a St Croix springtip, and I am not as handy as Icenutter so I bought a legend. ;D
When you look at the price of a tank of gas, or the amount of intrest I pay on my one year old mortgage, $50 isn't that much for something of good quality that I will enjoy.
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It's what I prefer, everyone has their own preference. I have the same bills plus a college tuition payment. I fish with a IB-24 UL, good luck with your St.Croix
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It's what I prefer, everyone has their own preference. I have the same bills plus a college tuition payment. I fish with a IB-24 UL, good luck with your St.Croix
Have you fished with a spring tip on any of your rods?
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Occasionaly with a HT jigger pole, with the same jig and bait as a actively jigging.
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Forgot to mention 3lb. 2oz. crappie 18.5", 1/13/06 without a springbobber rod.
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Forgot to mention 3lb. 2oz. crappie 18.5", 1/13/06 without a springbobber rod.
Good for you, whats your point?
I have caught fish without a spring bobber too. As a mater of fact, this will be by first year using one. The opinion of most members on this site is overwhelmingly in favor of them for panfishing, that helped with my decision to buy one. I did my research, and made my decision. If you think I am stupid for it, good for you. If it makes you feel any better, I bought a Shimano reel to put on it ($79.95). If buying quality gear makes me stupid, then put me on the short bus. :P
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I'm sorry if my comments offended you or any members of this forum. My intent was never to insult or aggravate anyone. I simply stated what works for me and don't feel the need to use springbobber equipment. My choice of equipment is my own personal preference.
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I apologise for the aggressive responce, and welcome to Ice Shanty. There is plenty of room for all opinions here :)
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I like using spring bobber most of the time. I have a pole with one and without but most of the time I use the springbobber with small jigs and no spring bobber with the bigger jigs.
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I'm sorry if my comments offended you or any members of this forum. My intent was never to insult or aggravate anyone. I simply stated what works for me and don't feel the need to use springbobber equipment. My choice of equipment is my own personal preference.
Ah yes. It's here again. Maybe you weren't here last year, but it's easy to tell when we are in dire need of ice. Relax and enjoy yourself. When we have hard water things will mellow out. Lack of ice doesn't affect me because I'm grouchy all the time. Lots of knowledge on here if you give it a chance. :D ;)
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I fish a lot for perch and always use a wire strike indicator. The only hint that a perch is biting is the slightest up or down movement of the wire. Usually I jig one rod and stare at the indicator cause when I lift up slightly and the wire stays where it was I set the hook . You dont really feel the perch, you just see the bend in the wire, and the only reason it bends is if a fish has the hook in its mouth!
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I bought the panfish poppers last year and really liked them, but I had to designate rods just to spring bobbers, cause they can be a pain to remove and replace all of the time. I will still use nothing but a spring bobber when I can get into at or above freezing conditions. With a good fish finder, you can not beat them in my opinion.
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I only use wire indicators with a large diameter eye. Minimum 3/8" 1/2" is better. This way the icing prob isnt too bad. Those spring bobbers with the tiny opening are useless. In fact I started making my own last year cause I couldnt find the ones I like.
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hey do you remember where abouts in Lowe's the size 8 single foot eyelet and a rubber grommet were, I hate asking someone for help at these stores. you do get the size 8 single foot eyelet at Lowe`s right
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springbobbers work great for smelting and for whitefish too.
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hey do you remember where abouts in Lowe's the size 8 single foot eyelet and a rubber grommet were, I hate asking someone for help at these stores. you do get the size 8 single foot eyelet at Lowe`s right
I don't believe you can get the size 8 single foot eyelet at Lowes - only the grommet. You will have to get the eyelet from a rod building supply site/store. Cabela's probably has them but not sure.
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WHAT ABOUT FREEZE-UPS ANY PROBLEMS?
freeze ups do occur but with a quick and fast blow into the eye with your breath she goes right away
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I hat spring bobber but I loved that rod that had that spring bobber built right into it. I'm going to get me a couple of those rods for sure.
What kind of rod is it you're talking about?
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Does anyone know where to get a springbobber like the one on the jason mitchell rod, only the springbobber though?
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Does anyone know where to get a springbobber like the one on the jason mitchell rod, only the springbobber though?
Here ya ou go. ;)
http://www.actiontackleproducts.com/abi.html (http://www.actiontackleproducts.com/abi.html)
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I realize this topic is old, but I just read through the post and it seems like people are using these quite successfully....maybe I'm thick, but I don't understand what the spring is for? I understand that a light "wire" like extension on the end of a rod with an eyelet and your line through it might help detect subtle bites...but what do you do with a spring?
Is it really any better than watching your line, or holding it in your finger? I've never really had a problem with detecting lite bites....as far as I know, but maybe I'm missing lots of subtle hits?
How is this any better than a sensitive rod and a finger on the line?
Doesn't it DRASTICALLY reduce your hook setting power?
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spring-bobbers-strike-indicators-ice-fishing-everything-pack-8-piece-/140616240605?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20bd618ddd
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Does anyone know where to get a springbobber like the one on the jason mitchell rod, only the springbobber though?
I just ordered a 4 pack of them from Sportsmans guide $4.47 club price..if they are the ones you are talking about that can fit different sized tips!
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I never saw the use in them either until this past season when I started to fish with my st. croix legend with the ultra light spring bobber on it I absolutely love it now the rod has great backbone I've landed fish up to 4lbs on it but I can still see the light bites from weary crappies and light biting perch even in 40fow. It is my number one go to rod now.
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I realize this topic is old, but I just read through the post and it seems like people are using these quite successfully....maybe I'm thick, but I don't understand what the spring is for? I understand that a light "wire" like extension on the end of a rod with an eyelet and your line through it might help detect subtle bites...but what do you do with a spring?
Is it really any better than watching your line, or holding it in your finger? I've never really had a problem with detecting lite bites....as far as I know, but maybe I'm missing lots of subtle hits?
How is this any better than a sensitive rod and a finger on the line?
Doesn't it DRASTICALLY reduce your hook setting power?
well the light wire is what we call the spring,even if its wire and not a real spring.. and there are spring bobbers that are actually springs,like you would find in a pen,they are just longer and stretched out to make them more sensitive.. and no,they dont impact your hook setting at all,thats unless you only set the hook two inches.. just set the hook like normal and you will still have a good hook up percentage.. i can get the kind i like from fleet farm for 2 bucks for a two pack..at that price its worth a try,and now i have one on ever jigging rod i own.
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thanks for the input guys....might have to give 'em a try. do most spring bobbers come with a means to attach to a rod? I read on here a method involving a gromet, but I'm a little unsure how to best attach it to my jigging pole.
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each attach somewhat different... some have clips,some have shrink tubes,some you stuff into the eye of your tip top.. it will come with whatever means that company uses to attach with
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I have never used Spring Bobbers but bought 2 last year for the wife. After reading all the post about them here I am going to start using them for myself. I agree the lite bite is hard to detect and think they will help me land more fish.
Fish on!
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is it just me or when using the actual spring bobber, not the wire, do you sometimes get your line caught in the spring if you get to much slack or coil?
thats why i usually go witht he wire spring bobber....
what a mess to get your line untangled from the spring !!
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I use St. Croix springs (the light one) and crappies always suck the bait in and will spit it out before you can set the hook. Whtched they thru a shanty and they are fast, when your spring lifts up they have sucked it in and set the hook.
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I saw the spring bobber Light 2 weeks ago, First time out with it and with over 50 gills and perch and crappies caught and released [ no size to em ] I am a Believer, the hook ups are so much faster, it is scary !!
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Check out the sneaky bobber by Art Dey. I bought 2 at Knutsons bait in Brooklyn Mi. last year and put my St. croix's away for good.
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I saw the spring bobber Light 2 weeks ago, First time out with it and with over 50 gills and perch and crappies caught and released [ no size to em ] I am a Believer, the hook ups are so much faster, it is scary !!
thats what happened with my buddy (mnrebel69) we were fishing right next to each other and i was getting a few more hits,or rather seeing all the hits i was getting,, i let him use one of my poles with the spring bobber on it,and me and him were the only guys catching around us because they were biting so light and up taking the baits.... he now has his gill and crappie pole with one all the time..
and plus ALL the pros use them,thats gotta say something about their effectiveness and its nice to have the same equipment the pros use,and for a buck each,thats something i can actually sneak by the GF lol
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Make your own with piano wire and glow in the dark bead tie it on with fly tying thread and head cement best spring bobber ever and satisfaction of doing it yourself ;D ;)
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For the St. Croix springs, which would you guys recommend for fishing with a swedish pimple and ratso typed jigs underneath? I am set on getting a Medium spring for just jigs, but not sure if my pimple/ratso rig would need a Medium Heavy spring or be okay with just the Medium.
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Spring bobbers have their place; but they do mush up jigging action on a fast action rod like a TB Sweetheart
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First rod i ever ice fished with was one i made myself out of a broken rod. Super Duper stiff compared to your normal rod for iceing panfish, then i pulled a spring out of a dead pen and stretched it out to make my own spring bobber. that rod was still probably one of the most effective panfish rods ive ever used. The homemade spring bobber showed me subtle bites and the stiff rod meant a quick flick of the wrist to put a good hook set in them. just my two cents.
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Spring bobbers have their place; but they do mush up jigging action on a fast action rod like a TB Sweetheart
when using grubs and ice flies.. or any jig really, i think they help the action.,.. the smoother jigging motion added by the spring bobber makes the bait look more natural, like its fluttering "soft" and i like that when finessing lures.. i like the HT brand spring bobbers because you can push the spring in and pull it out to accommodate heavier or lighter jigs, when i was the lure to jerk and spasm quickly, i will push it all the way in to the tip top and you'd never know it was there,and when the bite lightens up, pull that sucker back out again!!!!!! i love the things, but i dont use them on my super fast action rods,if my rod is sensitive there is no real point for the springs.
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As far as attatching the "spring bobber" or flat metal...they do come with the tubing, but it never fits around the first eyelet. So I have use electrical tape. It works really well for me. But the key to its success is to put vaseline on the metal or spring before wrapping it so it can be extended and retracted easilly for different weighted jigs. These "springs"or what I call strike indicators are awesome IMO for crappie, perch and pan fish. Won't go without one on any of my poles for them.
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Make your own with piano wire and glow in the dark bead tie it on with fly tying thread and head cement best spring bobber ever and satisfaction of doing it yourself ;D ;)
do you use size .016 ?
i would like something good for lil teardrop size 6
tks
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so I finally picked some "flat wire" style spring bobbers...they look very sensitive. They came with heat shrink to attach, but as others have noted it didn't fit over the top eyelet on the rod. So, I sliced it, slipped it on and it shrank down a bit with boiling water/lighter...but not really tight enough to hold it on properly.
Has anyone got a better solution? I don't want to put tape on the rod, but that's all I'm coming up with. ???
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so I finally picked some "flat wire" style spring bobbers...they look very sensitive. They came with heat shrink to attach, but as others have noted it didn't fit over the top eyelet on the rod. So, I sliced it, slipped it on and it shrank down a bit with boiling water/lighter...but not really tight enough to hold it on properly.
Has anyone got a better solution? I don't want to put tape on the rod, but that's all I'm coming up with. ???
Try hot glue.
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If you tie flies you can wrap it with thread and coat it with head cement.
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huh, I think both those would work better than the crappy heat shrink I have. I like the idea of using thread and head cement...but I'm not fly tier. Is it just normal thread? What's "head cement" some kind of epoxy?
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Bic lighters have a spring inside them.Stretch one end a little and tie on your rod with thread you tie guides on. One of the best springs I've ever used.
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I've used spring bobbers in the past and don't anymore. I feel with the new jigging poles out (my favorite is the HT iceblue 18) you don't need any type of bobber. They are so sensitive you can see the rod tip move up on a lift hit. Also, spring bobbers tend to freeze up and I think take away from hooksetting quickness/power.
2X I hate them if or when you get line twist it wraps around it.
I have iceblue 24 and just got a meat stick they both bend under the wait of the smallest jigs I have.
Add the sufix ice magic hivis line and you will see a lift every time.
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i held one of thoes ice blues in my hand at wallmart and i believe that .it had the most sensitive tip of any pole i have ever seen.but no ajustment.how about more sensativity or alot stiffer in one pole.i think that is really where the st. croix shines.this was a pretty nifty invention.im surprized it didnt happen on iceshanty ;D ;Di will try to figure out how to post picture of jig hanging from different st. croix springs ???