Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

Alright, so is anyone out there willing to divulge the secrets of making those lovely weighted looper bobber. I analyzed them and can't figure how they are hollowed and then added with lead. Every time i go to Fisherman's Corner, i see the floats and the shafts that look like the ones needed. Can anyone help me?...With the floats, that is, other than that, i'm beyond help crazy.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I believe that is a secret and sacred art...I don't know how either but my buddies do and I take all theirs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You need egg sinkers of your own weight and a steel rod to heat up and burn the bottom of the bobber. Then insert egg sinker then glue it in place you can buy all the parts at most bait shops they are fun to make you can make them as light or heavy as you would prefer. But before you glue them make sure they float good luck on your bobber making.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

"But before you glue them make sure they float"

That there is the best advice I've heard all day. grin.gif

Nothing worse then showing up at the French and all your home made bobbers and they sink.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Geee,,,, I like it when my bobbers sink,,,but only when there is a fish on !!!! laugh.gif

Randoid

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If i use the egg sinkers, how are they smoothed out so the bottom of the bobber doesn't look all funky? All the ones i have look like the lead was actually melted into the shape of the bottom of the float.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Deathroe- I drill 3 holes in triangle pattern on bottom of a balsa float. Then I take a spoon with a spout (which i made out of a common spoon by bending with channel lock pliers) and melt lead sinkers in spoon with a small propane torch. This doesnt take much as the melting point is very low. Then just fill your holes. I just use a waterproof tape to cover. Paint em up if you want and you're done. I usually leave 1/8" of wood between the shaft and the drilled hole to ensure the lead doesnt burn through. The fumes can be a bit harsh so may want to do in ventilated area. Anyways, this will take care of your funky looking bottom.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

I'll use #8 lead shot to fill the holes. Then use wax to fill the voids and seal the deal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Surface Tension "I'll use #8 lead shot to fill the holes" I hope you see if they float before you add the extra weight. Well keep your holes filled with # shot???? This is a first for me most just fill them with glue grin.gifgrin.gifgrin.gifgrin.gifgrin.gif.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

I only had one sink and that because I had a dipsy diver and flasher on, so I use a bigger bobber now. In fact a soccer ball will float nice and I can see it. Best thing is you don't have to cast, just kick the ball.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone. I think a little trial and error is in order for me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If your only going to use a few and only a couple times a year its way cheaper to just go buy some at Marine General.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Northlander,

It's also cheaper to buy beer than make my own, but i like that satisfaction. grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

""But i like that satisfaction""

I Like to make my stuff and see it works? Well some times it does and some times it sits there to never get wet again. But the beer is always cold?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Okay guys, this is probably a dumb question, but enlighten me. What makes a "looper boober" any better then a weighted slip float like a balsa float with the weight rings attached to it? Just curious?

Tunrevir~

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope nothing makes them better, because the weighted balsa slips are exactly what I planned on using my first time out there... confused.gif

I guess i'd like to know the answer to tunrevir's question as well...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They tend to be a bit wider and heavier and you can see them quite a ways out. A weighted balsa bobber would work though. Some guys use the looper bobbers slip style and some peg them at a certain depth.

DR I hear ya on the statisfaction of making your own. I make my own tattle tale flags for my boards and my own spinners and its fun catching fish on something you made. I also do it to save some money though. grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Rossbobbers are quite a bit heavier then the weighted balsam bobbers. Being able to cast out further is an obvious plus, especially when casting into the wind. Another benefit is they lob out there nice whereas with a lighter bobber you'll be putting on the torque to get it out.

However you don't always need a full cast to get fish, its nice when you want to though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the replies, I was getting curious and was wondering what the differences were.

Tunrevir~

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got some fresh bobbers in the looper bag and gonna toss em in a few hours. Hopefully they sink! grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That was what I was going for. They sunk but I wasn't quick enough on the draw. My headache and I will be back at it in the morning. I hope it gets cloudy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

anywhere and everywhere. Today provided much more activity then yesterday. The lester looked like the big jig.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Matt how is the ICE ? I hope it all melts soon they say rain or snow tonight.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why all the secrets all of a sudden Matt? Boy you are really on fish or your worried about the loopers getting over fished. Lord help us if Lake Superior gets harmed by ice or shore fisherman. wink.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry guys. I'll try not to be too secretive. The fishing isn't at all as good as my 'secretive ways' might suggest. It's just nice not fishing in a crowd and I don't like to advertise spots that I enjoy relaxing at. The fish haven't seemed to prefer any particular color bug so much as the weather. If there's a chop and clouds the fish have been active. Bright and calm has been okay (nicer to fish in too) but just not as good. Also a lot of the fish I've seen haven't dunked the bobber. They just make it tip. Also zero cohos this year. Anyone else have luck with them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.