slip bobber ups and downs

[MNcrappiecontrol]

What are the ups and downs of using slip bobers for panfish

[wax_worm]

What are the ups and downs of using slip bobers for panfish

Use the smallest bobber you can that will stay afloat for the jig or bait you are using.  You want the slightest nibble to move the bobber, yet not let the fish 'feel' the resistance from the bobber.  Slip bobbers are tricky in the winter unless in a heated shanty or using the one type of bobber where the line passes thru the hole where it is under water.  I stopped using them long ago because of the icing problems.  Unliess I am crappie fishing with minnows at night on several rods, I use spring bobbers on the end of my rods for gills.

[Ice Sergeant]

I use them when night fishing in the shanty for crappie and walleye...have 2 rods set up just for that at all times.

[Ice Sergeant]

Yes only in the shanty with the heater on!

[tbirdbassr]

Waxworm hit a homer I'll grand slam it the knots are a pita they freeze up and slip I always use a rubber stop not a string knot.

[nonamer]

in the shanty with heat they are great. outside they freeze up and you have to get the ice of to use them.

[Kilbourn]

Use the smallest bobber you can that will stay afloat for the jig or bait you are using.  You want the slightest nibble to move the bobber, yet not let the fish 'feel' the resistance from the bobber.  Slip bobbers are tricky in the winter unless in a heated shanty or using the one type of bobber where the line passes thru the hole where it is under water.  I stopped using them long ago because of the icing problems.  Unliess I am crappie fishing with minnows at night on several rods, I use spring bobbers on the end of my rods for gills.

I agree 100% but if the temperature is right it won't freeze. As far as jigging I don't use a bobber at all, just jig and watch the flasher... at that point it don't even seem fair to the fish! 

[fishinfiend]

Ice buster bobbers!  They keep the knot under water so nothing freezes, used them all time for crappies never had a problem

[Rebelss]

I've switched over to the Venom system. Fantastic!! 

[littlesturgeonguy]

I've switched over to the Venom system. Fantastic!! 

Not sure what this is, do you have a link? Thanks.

[wipike]

I've switched over to the Venom system. Fantastic!! 

Just got a couple sets this winter.  Can't wait to use 'em - they look perfect and I'm a huge fan of not trimming for the jig.

[Retired on Osakis]

I've switched over to the Venom system. Fantastic!! 

x2. Used to use the ice busters until I tried the Venom's last winter. Put away all the ice busters and bought all Venom's. Also have some of their glow ones. Great product because they are so easy to adjust to the weight that you have on. Just do a google search for Venom Floats.

[Gillfisher]

http://venomfloats.com/index.php

[littlesturgeonguy]

Those venom floats are interesting.

[DoctorPerch]

I agree - very interesting.  Santa just ordered me some for the New Year.

[wally13]

I ONLY USE THEM  OPEN WATER FOR CRAPPIES CALICO GILLS BLUEGILLS AND TROUT MAINLY SPRING TIME LIKE THE DRENAN  HI VIZ BLACKBIRD SHEFFIELD FLOATS

[Fatfish]

before spring bobbers,I used a small ,very small rubber bobber. This thing worked great,when it iced up you cood squeese it and break the ice off of it. I still use one once in a while for a dead stick. Jerry

[JPascavage52]

A cheap alternative I've always used are cork slip bobbers you can design on your own, IMO they work better than the real thing. Simply take an old wine cork (or you can purchase them in plenty of places), and cut/ "slice" the cork at third to half-inch intervals (should have third to half inch thick "slices" of cork). Take each "slice" of cork, and make incisions about half way through the "width" of the "bobber." This is where you will put your line, and wrap it around a few times to keep the cork bobber in place. They are very lightweight, sturdy enough to keep your bait/ lure at the depth you want it, but light enough to move with even the slightest bump.

[Rebelss]

http://venomfloats.com/index.php

Thanks, Gill. I was a little embroiled in something yesterday. Guys, watch the videos...I was skeptical when I first got mine, thought ya, right. BUT, they are great!!! I love 'em!! Since I really vary my lure and bait, from a minnow tail, to just the head, to the whole thing, or none at all, I want my float to achieve barely neutral bouyancy. With these, you can do it. Love 'em. 

[ice dawg]

I use Venom floats also and you can squeeze them like an ice buster to get ice off of them . You can set them so they sink very slowly and some fish nail the bait as it approaches the bottom. I like to raise the bait up about four feet jig it and then let it sink slowly to the bottom.

[Rebelss]

I will say that when I do use slip bobbers, I use the "Bobber-stop" brand beads, as they have a larger hole in them for the line, as I found some of the other beads would freeze shut, sticking to the line.

[Watertooner]

Thanks for the tips and link for the Venom system. I watched the youtube video and thought they had a good idea going - so I clicked the link for dealers and found one in Fox Lake (SE Wisconsin). All the other dealers were in northern WI or in a neighboring state. Made the 33 mile trip to Fox Lake today and looked all around the bait shop. Couldn't see anything that matched so when the owner was free from filling bait buckets I asked him if he had any of these Venom floats. He looked kinda puzzled and then walked into his back room and came back a few minutes later with a full box. Said that he got them last year and hadn't sold a single one - so he didn't put them out in the shop this year. Guess a float system for $4.50 can't complete with a cheaper plastic/wood bobber. To encourage him a bit, I said that I read about them here at IC and I also bought a couple to try tomorrow at a nearby lake.