Spring bobbers?

[Bigbartguy]

I've never fished with a spring bobber before and know very little about them.

All of my other times at URL our group generally just sits and watches our Icebuster bobbers and drinks beer:). I've got 3 URL trips planned this year and wonder if I shouldnt try using a spring bobber on my jigging line? I plan on having one deadstick w/ an Icebuster bobber and another rod for jigging.

Can someone give me some tips here? or am I way off-base

thank you!

[Random guy]

I tried the spring bobber trick and finaly ended up tearing them back off. It seemed like it was more trouble then it was worth and I couldn't feel the bite.

What I use is a longer rod with a super soft tip that I can watch and still feel whats going on. I put the rod in the holder and just keep an eye on the tip while jigging the other rod.

[Iceman12]

John, I felt the same way about spring bobbers but I bought a St. Croix rod with the spring bobber attached and my opinion has changed. That rod alone has helped me put a lot more light biting fish on the ice. I think it has a lot to do with the spring bobber you are using. I used some that were just horrible in the past but the St. Croix is definitely worth it. Thorne Bros has a solid spring bobber too, but I have been told it only fits their rods.

[sunnyj]

Quote:

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All of my other times at URL our group generally just sits and watches our Icebuster bobbers and drinks beer:).

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Sounds like a perfect day on the ice to me

[Bigbartguy]

Sunny - point well taken. An icebuster trimmed down to 1/4" above the water & a beer may be the ticket.

I'm going to the Ice Show this weekend so I'll take a look at the St Croix's also

[Quackaddict9]

I dont use spring bobbers but I hear some people like them, But when I am fishing on URL, I use ice buster bobbers and do fine with them, sometimes with out them when they are suspended. any bobber will work but I think Ice Buster is the way to go. That way you dont have to really pay attention to it.

[Mjen]

Obviously you can't use them with minnows, and I like minnows for Crappies. I use them for Sunnies or Perch with maggots or waxies. Just have to keep your eye on that thin wire and the thinner the better. One of these days I will bring them up to Red and try the larvae like a lot of you do. It's just one of those things I haven't put the faith into yet on Red.

[Bobberboy]

I have a spring bobber on my Blue Gill pole and it works very well. It's all in learning how to read them so you know what's going on with your bait.

When it comes to fishing URL Crappies or any Crappies for that matter I watch my line. Many times I'll mark a fish on the flasher and never see the tip move, but if you drop the tip the line will slack or bow. That's how I get most of my Crappies. This method can be difficult to do if your outside with a stronger wind.

I'm sure everyone has seen their bobber lay down in the hole or just simply drift across and never go under. I assume this is the same game.

"Your spring bobbers down!"

[OLY]

I am suprised by these responses I havent used anything but a spring bobber for about five years with or without a minnow. The heavier the set up you just bend the spring bobber up to balance it out. i have found that a spring bobber used with sonar is unbeatable because it allows you to fish the entire water column without messing with resetting a bobber or trying to just feel for the fish. Just my opinion, but I would definetly reccomend them.