Every trip I make note of issues, weaknesses, cumbersome aspects of the day.
Recently posted the way to keep Powerbait from being stolen.
Today is the better spring bobber idea.
All the spring bobbers I’ve bought get buggered up to the point of an ugly piece of spaghetti. Granted there are probably dozens I’ve not tried, but they’re not in my gear pack and I want to fix the problem now.
Save your old wire wound guitar strings. A set will provide a variety of sensitivity, plus you can shorten to fine tune.
To fasten these you will need to remove the rod tip guide. I discovered mine had a very minor movement already, just worked it till it pulled off. If a high end rod or you can’t get it off you could use Ferrell wrap thread to secure the bobber.
Cut the guitar string to a desired length from the bridge end as the attached ring will be your eye. W/ needle nose bend the ring 90* to the wire to form the eye.
Two short pieces of appropriately sized heat shrink are used. One captures the indicator bead slipped on behind the eye. Slip the other down the rod tip, then reglue the tip in place and cover the junction w/ the remaining shrink tube.
Makes a sleek, non slip interference free set up. YMMV. Will field test this afternoon.