slip bobber fishing equipt. question.

[fishorgolf]

I am looking for some info on slip bobber equitment.

I have a place on Mille Lacs and allot of times I have people up for the weekend that want to go fishing. And as we all know the best way to handle a group is bobber fishing the rocks (I have a big boat) but of course nobody ever really seems to have the proper set up so there I am giving out me slip rigs, changing over my other rods etc. What I am looking to do is set up 4 rods strictly for slip boober fishing so that when we go out I can just hand everyone a rod and say here fish with this. This way I know everyone is set up correctly so they all have a real chance to catch some fish. So as long as I am going to be purchasing all new stuff I figured I would see what other people think would be a good set up. I am thinking longer rods 7-8" large spining reels (faster retrives) am I on the right track here?

How much to I want to spend? I am thinking I can get a nice set up arround $75.00 each.

[rodmaker]

You will need longer rods anywhere from 7'6" to even 9'. Check out the cabela's web. Their fish eagle 2 rods are pretty nice around $79 I think.

[TrophyEyes]

St. Croix Triumph rods are not bad for the money. I think they are around $50 the Avids are not bad either. I use a 6 1/2ft rod, but rodmaker has been trying to convince me to go longer. 7' medium or medium/light with medium/fast action should work for pretty much everyone. Inexperienced anglers may have trouble jumping into a really long rod and it may cause some issues in a boat with 5 people in it. I would get a reel that holds about 125-170 yards of 6lb mono. The reel is the most important thing to me, you need a steady drag. To test this at the store, spin the spool on the reel from the top so you feel the drag if it jumps or catches, don't get it. Pflueger makes really nice reels, Cabela's and Gander also have nice own brand reels for the money.

[rodmaker]

TrophyEyes,

I thought I had you convinced to give a 7'6" a shot. Cabela's Fish Eagle would be the way to go or a G Loomis. Med, or Med light with a fast tip. I like the med light. Start hinting for a Birthday gift.

The Cabela's Prodigy reels are very nice. good drag. Give the Shimano's or Daiwa's a good look also.

[Kyle Sandberg]

IMO, if you just want an OK rod for bobbering only, go to wal-mart and look at some of their rods. I have an Ugly Stik I got from there 7 years ago and still works great for everything I do. You'll save a little green to put in the tank.

[uglystick007]

For slip bobber fishing a 7ft Uglystik would be great. Go with smaller spinning reels because 4 or 5 extra rods rigged up will take less space. Rig with 12 lb mono I prefer Trilene XL get some good bobbers like the new thill with the brass insert or the ESB bobber (brass insert also). Since we are using 12 lb line we will need a swivel to attach 8 lb Flouro leader. But first put a small egg or bullet sinker on the main line it helps with castability and gets the bobber to float neutral. Now you can attach a jig or a hook to the 3 or 4 foot leader. If somebody catches a rock and breaks off you will get your main rig back and just tie on a new leader. Comment on the small reels..... when your bobber fishing you only need 40 to 50 yards max line so when you spool up to make it angler friendly you don't need to fill the reel because that is what usually causes the most problems for novice anglers ( I know that dosen't allow long casts but you should teach them how to flip the cork up current and watch it float by the boat).

[fishorgolf]

I am glad I asked. Got some good info. Thanks!

[rodmaker]

If it were me, if I'm going to spend $40 or, so for an Ugly Stick (haven't looked at them in years). I would spend a little more and go with the Fish Eagle 2. That rod doubles up very nice for drifting spinners and rigs, with weights up to 1/2 oz. Nice to have a rod that can be used for multi purposes. At least take a look.

[TrophyEyes]

If I bring home another rod my wife will kill me. I smuggled 2 in last year and she busted me for them 2 weeks ago. You know how I got busted? I didn't have my Cabelas rod sleeves on the new ones because I was trying to save money. I got busted because I was being cheap, ironic huh. My next two rods are a bait casting Loomis Muskie/trophy pike set up and a new crappie rod. I have more walleye rigs than I know what to do with. The long one will have to wait.

The only exception will possibly be a snoopy rod for the little one this fall. I am definitely getting the kid the lifetime fishing license.

[Bruce Mosher]

Lots of good replys on rods! I would suggest the Wave Buster Bobbers on your rods. I have also been using Berkley Crystal Fireline. Buy the 6 to 10lb test which would be around 2 to 4 lb diameter line. All you need on your line is a good String Stop Knot - a swivel and then put 8lb. mono test line (approx 3') below the swivel. This way if you ever snag on a rock or debris you will lose the hook and split shot but not the bobber. Back to the Wave Buster bobber - You don't need alot of extra heavy splitshot on your line to make it neutrally bouyant. Just slide the orange plastic sleeve (it's for high visibility) down the foam shaft of the bobber an inch or two and then trim off the foam above it to make it as sensitive as you want. It's the only totally adjustable bobber on the market. It's also weighted for further casts. You can also poke a starter hole with a toothpick into the top and then insert a 3mm glow stick for night fishing. If you are using a jig under the bobber instead of a split shot and plain hook, you can snap the bobber off your line and instantly go back to jig fishing. Their is also no need for a plastic bead on your line - just use the string stop knots that are included in the package. How many times have you seen yourself or somebody try to put a slip bobber setup on the line. Is it the bead - knot - then bobber, or knot - bead bobber????? Put your string stop knot on your line - snap on the Wave Buster Bobber and your ready to fish.

Good Luck!

Bruce Mosher

[92python]

You don't need to spend much on a bobber rod and reel. I would say a 6.5 foot 2 piece medium action rod with a cheaper spinning reel will suffice. It needs to cast decent and should be durable. You can get some good whip with a glass rod as opposed to some stiffer graphite rods. I still use a 30 year old Lews speed stick as my cork rod and it works fine. I have caught many fish over 8 lbs with that old rod.

The detail should be in the float choice and making sure the float and bait are balanced. I really like the suggestion of the barrel swivel with lighter line down to the hook but I prefer a little lighter line on the spool just for casting purposes. Maybe 8 lb on the spool with 6 lb from the hook to the barrel swivel.

Cabelas has some combos for $50 that would work out fine.

[rodmaker]

Let me know which Loomis rods your'e interested in. I have a 6'6" Ultra light that works nice for deep water Crappies IMX. I use this up in Ely when we catch Crappies down 20+ feet. Works awesome.

[fishorgolf]

Seeing as I got all this good input I figured I would let everyome know what I ended up with.

I desided on the Cabelas pro guide rods 7' 6" med. light . 40.00. I was going to go with the Cabelas fish eagle II reels but when I got there there the guy looked up the combo deal on these rods so I got the prestige for the same price 30.00. So I made my goal of 75.00 each max. for the rods and reels.

For the set up I spooled each reel with 10# suffix. 12# seamed a little heavy but I wanted to go heavier than I would normally use myself (6-8#) because these are rods for guest etc. to use. allot of slip bobber sliding etc. Attached to this will be 3-4 ft of Seaguar fluro (6#) to the hook. I to like Uglystick007's idea of a barral weight above the swivel so will go this way with a Thill ESb bobber. So there I am 4 compleately riged rods tax and everything for under 100.00 each. Now my other rods are mine ALL MINE!

[rodmaker]

Good choice!!! You will like the longer rod. May take a little use to. I would guess you could use that rod drifting snells/spinners with up to a 1/2 oz???

[fishorgolf]

Yep these rods are 1/8 - 1/2 oz. I have one sitting in my office now and I agree these would also work very well for pulling spinners etc.

[fishorgolf]

also seems like they would make a heck of a crappie rod if needed.

[Stick in Mud]

I have a question about mono vs. flouro leaders. I've been out on Mille Lacs about ten times this year, and I kept breaking my flouro leaders, so I switched to mono and I haven't had any problems. Did I just get a bad spool? Should I tie a special knot?

I should say that I switched to using fireline on my bobber rods this year and I've been very happy with the switch. I also find that those I've taken out like the superlines better than the mono, because they can get better hooksets and feel the fish a little easier.

[Eye_Hammer]

With the fluorocarbon, you need to make sure the line is

wet when you cinch the knot. That may be the problem.

[TrophyEyes]

I have had bad spools before, but it could be the knot. Keep you line out of the sunlight too. Extensive sunlight and heat can make it more brittle.

Personally I hate Flouro, but I did get more bites on it. I keep some Vanish in my box in case they get finicky, otherwise I use regular mono.

[92python]

I had a bad spool of Vanish and couldn't make any knot, no matter how wet, work. Will never buy it again. Did try P-Line Flouroclear which is a floro coated mono and had very good luck with that line. I think Flourocarbon line is totally overrated. It sinks and mostly catches fishermen.

[Eye_Hammer]

I like the fluoro for a leader or spooled up for anything

but slip bobber fishing. The line does sink and if it is

windy, it is a pain to know if there is still slack.