spring bobber feedback

[jwetovick]

Looking for some feedback on various springs you have used. I almost always use 3-4mm tungsten. I have tried many different springs and 'generally' prefer a spring without the very small guide on the tip as those freeze shut too easy outside. Thanks for you feedback!

[hardwater diehard]

Used these ..and easy on the wallet

http://htice.com/BE-2/

[lefty2053]

X2 on the Ht. works great for me.

[Junkie4Ice]

I don't use spring bobbers anymore, but ice strong are the only ones I found that I wouldn't be cussing out all the time.

https://www.kendersoutdoors.com/products/ice-strong-titanium-spring-bobbers

[phishmonger]

I got some of the Rapala titanium spring bobbers last year; they do what they say they will. The little gizmo that attaches it to the rod is kinda bulky, but you get used to it. At around $10 for 2, they are pretty spendy, but they were what the store had.

[hnd]

Looking for some feedback on various springs you have used. I almost always use 3-4mm tungsten. I have tried many different springs and 'generally' prefer a spring without the very small guide on the tip as those freeze shut too easy outside. Thanks for you feedback!

i prefer the st croix style spring.  that said the ice strong springs have been real good too.

i use mostly noodles for 3mm-4mm the past 5-6 years or so though. 

[jwetovick]

thanks guys. i should have mentioned i plan to tie the spring on the tip. My most lethal rod i have built is a noodle with 2.5in trimmed off the tip and then tie a spring on. A spring is still a bit more sensitive than just a noodle tip. I am a spring and 3-4mm tungsten guy for 90% of my fishing. The ice strong are nice but $10 a pop is plenty. I see sportsmens direct has one that is basically the same as an ice strong for way cheaper but out of stock, so that don't do much good.

[DR.SPECKLER]

Ive ditched most spring bobbers and use tip sensitive rods now like the snitch or cheap ht ice blues.but im a fan of frabill titanium and the diy st croix indicators.for the price if a good indicator i just started buying ice blue rods for basically the same price.

[Junkie4Ice]

thanks guys. i should have mentioned i plan to tie the spring on the tip. My most lethal rod i have built is a noodle with 2.5in trimmed off the tip and then tie a spring on. A spring is still a bit more sensitive than just a noodle tip. I am a spring and 3-4mm tungsten guy for 90% of my fishing. The ice strong are nice but $10 a pop is plenty. I see sportsmens direct has one that is basically the same as an ice strong for way cheaper but out of stock, so that don't do much good.

If you're going to be attaching to the tip yourself, the HT spring bobbers should work good for you. I just don't like how they connect to the rod, sensitivity wise they are great.

[fishinator]

If you're going to tie an indicator on anyway I would just tie another eye on the top of the rod, get a grommet and use the St.Croix style. I like that they are adjustable and easy to remove if not needed.

[Bucket Rump]

I don't use spring bobbers anymore, but ice strong are the only ones I found that I wouldn't be cussing out all the time.

https://www.kendersoutdoors.com/products/ice-strong-titanium-spring-bobbers

I use the Ice Strong bobbers attached to the rod tip using Loctite GO2 Tape.  Allows me to easily change the bobber position by sliding the wire through the tape.

[800stealth]

I'm another that doesn't like spring bobbers... I prefer to pinch a kink in the line and watch what the kink does when dealing with "light biters", I know it doesn't help with your question but just another technique to achieve the same goal.

[TickleStick]

Best I have used are the St-Croix spring bobbers, you can tie them on using a double sided guide.

My next choice would be Frabill.
https://www.frabill.com/titanium-spring-bobber

[matzilla]

I've built quite a few rods with https://fishicestrong.com/ spring bobbers - they work very well

[Iceassin]

I use the Ice Strong bobbers attached to the rod tip using Loctite GO2 Tape.  Allows me to easily change the bobber position by sliding the wire through the tape.

X2 on the Ice Stongs. Well worth the money. I do modify mine a bit. I bend the bottom 3/4" or so to a 90* bend , then tie it on with sewing thread and coat it with a little nail polish, horizontally to the rod tip...personal preference. I also open up the eye so I can pass the jig through it when storing. Keeps the stress off from it.

[maddogg]

If you're going to tie an indicator on anyway I would just tie another eye on the top of the rod, get a grommet and use the St.Croix style. I like that they are adjustable and easy to remove if not needed.

I also use the St.Croix spring bobbers. I tried the titanium ones that aren't suppose to bend, but they all did.

[E Z turn]

I make my own, patterned after the Lakco Brand . Works for me.

[Baetis62]

I snapped off tips nf two of my custom rods a few years back. I decided to trim them to a good length and wrap in Ice Strongs on both.  Still disappointed about the damage but they fish pretty well.   

[defish]

I've built quite a few rods with https://fishicestrong.com/ spring bobbers - they work very well

I don't understand why the line eye on icestrong spring bobbers are "flat" instead of turned down like a line guide?  Their online video seems to show the spring hanging nearly straight down when in use, but the video is such low resolution it's hard to see.

[Dave R]

Over the years I have used various spring bobbers. For me the best that I have found are Ice Strong.

[Iceassin]

I don't understand why the line eye on icestrong spring bobbers are "flat" instead of turned down like a line guide?  Their online video seems to show the spring hanging nearly straight down when in use, but the video is such low resolution it's hard to see.

I bend mine down and "squeeze" the eye to open it up a little. I also bend 3/4 of an inch on the other end at 90*, then tie on perpendicular to the rod tip. Easier for me to see.

[MT204]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/St-Croix-Legend-Style-Ice-Fishing-Spring-Bobbers-Neon-Glow-with-Mount/273603136751?var=573023354843

[Reinert]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/St-Croix-Legend-Style-Ice-Fishing-Spring-Bobbers-Neon-Glow-with-Mount/273603136751?var=573023354843

I've ordered a few sizes from this seller for my st croix legend ice, great seller to deal with

[jimhaney08]

Normally I use UL Tickle Sticks.  For my 4mm and 5mm tungsten I don't think I need a spring bobber.

I've use the Clam Nitinol spring bobbers for when I drop down to 3mm.  They're sensitive and are a non-permanent option, which I like.  The holder doesn't stay on the rod perfectly, but I like that it's easily removed if I want to use the rod for a spoon or something.  If I know I'm going to be using that setup for a while, then I'll adjust the wire in/out to where I want it, then electrical tape the back end down.  Again, not a permanent mount - but I like that. 

I try to avoid going down to 3mm (hard to get a good hook into a big crappie) but when I do, that's when I break out the spring bobber.  Eventually I'll probably get a SUL Tickle Stick or a noodle rod for the ultra finesse applications just so I don't need to mess with the spring bobbers.

[defish]

I bend mine down and "squeeze" the eye to open it up a little. I also bend 3/4 of an inch on the other end at 90*, then tie on perpendicular to the rod tip. Easier for me to see.

Thanks Iceassin. Sounds like a good setup.

[Iceassin]

Thanks Iceassin. Sounds like a good setup.

You're welcome. 😉

[hardwater diehard]

[jimhaney08]

Great videos hardwater!  Thanks for posting.  I might look for some of that tape before the season starts.

[Adironzach]

i like using these:

https://www.rogersrigs.com/store/Lite-Byte-Spring-Bobbers-p140243489

Can also be found here: https://litebytebobber.com/lite-byte-worlds-best-ice-fishing-bobber/


I havent had any issues with using using this spring bobber. Definitely gets two thumbs up from me 

[PikeKing23]

I must be the only one who actually like a spring, lol.

https://www.frabill.com/spring-bobber-2-pack-with-line-threader