Using a spring bobber

[Duves]

I have never used a spring bobber but will be trying one out as soon as there is ice.  The question I have is after you do a depth check, what do you put on the line to know that you are a foot or so off the bottom so you can return quickly to that depth after reeling up a fish.  Do you use a string marker or one of those little rubber things that you can out on your line for a slip bobber?

Thanks,

Duves

[KingFisher1]

Either of these methods will work fine, but nothing beats using a flasher to set the depth.

[BUSCHLITE]

yeah he's right, without a flasher ya might want to go back to a float or something. you'll get way more time in the strike zone. a flasher and a spring bobber is the way to go!!!

[njsimonson]

Ohhh man...you NEED to get a flasher.   VX-1s and FL-8s are cheaper than ever.

1) Drop jig to bottom, jiggle it (just a little bit).  
2) Pull up a foot or so
3) Watch fish rise after it on your Vex.
4) Wait for spring bobber to twitch
5) Set hook
6) Lather, rinse, repeat.  

[mcl79]

I make a loop wrap it around my finger and put it through only one side of the line.  It makes a hoop that marks the bottom and it pulls out with some tension.

[HiRanger]

Good information

[prchslyr]

A vexilar is definitely the way to go. Big perch will normally suck in your jig and sit there. With a vexlar you can tell theyre on before you feel the bite. No more hit and miss. Just wait until the red mark(fish) meets with the orange(your jig) and set the hook. Youll double your fish take in a healthy school. You can get a cheap one for $100. well worth the investment.

[marmooskapaul]

Yea a vex is definately great if you can get one. But, I normally use a jig with enough weight that you can tell when your on bottom, also the spring bobber should tell you when your on bottom,it no longer is depressed with the weight of your lure. If youve never used one before definately start out with a jig heavy enough you can easily see it on the spring bobber. That way you'll always know when your jig is on the bottom.
Paul

[A- bomb]

1. A vex
2. try a sharpee marker and make a small line on your line, shows up great against the ice.bobberstops always hang up when i drop'em back down and slide down 2# line
3 put a small fat rubber band around your spoolwhen at the right depth.

invest in a flasher

[Skipper]

Before I bought my vex, I used Thill Ice n' Fly bobbers. They come in several small sizes that will just barely float under the weight of most jigs. A spring bobber and a flasher are a "system", they work better as a team than either one by itself.