has any one used bobbers for ice fishing before. I was going to try using a clear bubble as a slip bobber this weekend. I was going to fill it with water just enough that it barely stays on the surface. That way a small bump should move it. Has any one tried this before?
I always use bobbers for ice fishing, though I am no fishing expert I think it is the best way to see light bites. I use a very small clip on with a jig, and it takes vrey little to make it move or pull it down, but like I said, i’m no exspert.
A lot of people use bobbers but it seems that they don’t work very well in two circumstances: 1) you are fishing really deep, and 2) it’s really cold out and they freeze up.
When fishing deep you are almost forced to use a slip bobber but if your line is freezing up, then they won’t work properly. My suggestion…use a spring bobber on the end of your pole. You can see the light biters and the fish won’t feel the resistence from the bobber.
Chad Miller
another problem ive had with bobbers is i dont get a good hook set with them because i leave enough slack in the line so they can go under or move. ounce i see a bite they’ve either spit it out or i cant set the hook right, i will vote on the spring bobber like chad said .
Never tried using bobbers while ice fishing. I’m a firm believer in using those spring bobbers- they will detect most any light bite.
I like them when the fish are breathing on your jigs and i am in the tent where they won’t freeze. There are slip bobbers that are designed for ice fishing and they work well if you get the hang of using them. Like was said, cold enough to freeze conditions and deep water make them a pain.[;)]
You will have problems with your method unless the temperature is warm enough that ice doesn’t form on your line. Occasionally I will use one of those small red and white plastic bobbers for light biters. I will drop my line and then put a loop through the clip of the bobber (rather than the typical way of just putting your line single through the clip) and close the clip so the line doesn’t slide. When I get a bite and set the hook the bobber just pops off of the line.
I’ve used both spring bobbers and regular floats. I prefer the floats for nearly all conditions, shallow to deep and bitter cold to warmish. I use Thill Mini Stealth and Stealth bobbers rigged with a tiny snap-swivel in the post so the line slides through the swivel which is under water and doesn’t freeze so readily. It’s all in the rigging. These are so sensitive I don’t think any fish can feel any pressure when they’re weighted properly. I’d stay away from the line through the center type and I don’t care for the clip on type either.
Ice Buster Bobbers. They ain’t cheap, but fit the bill and can be modified to attain neutral bouyance. I’ve seen them before at various tackle shops. I bought several a couple years ago at a Wally World clearance sale. They work as advertised.
http://fishingminnesota.com/icebust/ice-buster-bobber.html
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I love using slip bobbers when I can, set so they just barely float, but like stated earlier it has to be above freezing or inside a heated shelter. I prefer fishing inside a shelter when I can (that way no body can see you throwing the little perch back) LOL.[:p]
I use Thill Mini Stealth and Stealth bobbers rigged with a tiny snap-swivel in the post so the line slides through the swivel which is under water and doesn’t freeze so readily. It’s all in the rigging.
Nate, what are you using as a stopper, or are you rigging it some other way?
I am using a slip bobber knot made from some of my wifes thick sowing thred. I will be in the ice fishing tent with a heater so the line should not freeze.
Kent,
I just use a bead and some 20 lb. dacron attached to the line with a uniknot. When it’s reaaaally cold the bead will freeze to the line but it’s not usually too big a deal. A piece of rubber band could be used if you didn’t want to mess with beads.
On warmish days I can get away without the swivel and bead and just put the line through the post. The dacron alone is big enough to stop the bobber.
I use the same method ken described. It has always worked well for me. Especially the fact that the bobber pop’s off when you set the hook!