08-15-2008, 03:46 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Yesterday, I only fished a bobber for a short time...while I was going out through the shallower water. Once I reached 7 feet deep, I took off the bobber and dragged a minnow on one rod and either carp meat or white bass meat on the other rod. I use no weight...except for a hook and a swivel about two feet up from the hook.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I cast about 30 to 40 feet back behind the tube and then just drift or slow kick to keep the bait dragging on or slightly above the bottom. Once in awhile I stop, to let fish catch up to the scent trail I leave. But, when the fish are active, they usually hit on a fast drift or drag.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The hits are seldom gentle. I leave the bail open on my reels and clip a loop of line under a clip on my rod holder. When the fish hit, they pop the line free and the line goes streaming off the reel until I pick up the rod, flip the bail closed, let the fish come tight and then set the hook.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That being said, fishing bait under a bobber is often a very effective method. I have taken cats with a 4 foot leader under a bobber in 20 feet of water at Willard. And, it is common to catch cats in deeper water at Utah Lake with only 3 to 4 feet of line below a bobber. Many people think that cats are bottom huggers, but they will rise up to take lures and baits. In fact, I have seen fish suspended above bottom on sonar and was surprised when the fish I dropped down to turned out to be catfish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When the fish are less active, fishing the bottom is best. When they are cruising and looking for food, a bobber can work well. And, if you are fishing a snaggy area, the bobber can help save some tackle for you.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I cast about 30 to 40 feet back behind the tube and then just drift or slow kick to keep the bait dragging on or slightly above the bottom. Once in awhile I stop, to let fish catch up to the scent trail I leave. But, when the fish are active, they usually hit on a fast drift or drag.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The hits are seldom gentle. I leave the bail open on my reels and clip a loop of line under a clip on my rod holder. When the fish hit, they pop the line free and the line goes streaming off the reel until I pick up the rod, flip the bail closed, let the fish come tight and then set the hook.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That being said, fishing bait under a bobber is often a very effective method. I have taken cats with a 4 foot leader under a bobber in 20 feet of water at Willard. And, it is common to catch cats in deeper water at Utah Lake with only 3 to 4 feet of line below a bobber. Many people think that cats are bottom huggers, but they will rise up to take lures and baits. In fact, I have seen fish suspended above bottom on sonar and was surprised when the fish I dropped down to turned out to be catfish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]When the fish are less active, fishing the bottom is best. When they are cruising and looking for food, a bobber can work well. And, if you are fishing a snaggy area, the bobber can help save some tackle for you.[/#0000ff]
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