Using a Bobber

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What are the different types of fishing bobbers?

Using a Bobber

The Bobber, - a fish bite detecting device, is really neat to have, but is it necessary?

The answer is, “Not in all Applications”. As the avid Ice Fisherman knows, fish bite detectors come in many shapes and is often un-noticeable. The device can be built right in to your fishing equipment and be virtually invisible to the untrained eye.

First we will start with the bobber. The bobber was invented in the last two hundred years. The first was a stick tied to the string the next was a piece of cork then came the plastic then finally the poly-foam. Of those previously mentioned, all are still in use today. Yes even the stick, though you wouldn't recognize it.

To name a few types;
Stick Bobber – long and slender with a rounded barrel or egg shape in the middle that if used with out weights will lie on its side, standing up on end when some thing has a hold of the line below. When used with weights, will stand up, zipping under the water when the bait has been taken. Not used for Ice Fishing can be if you isn't got nothing else.

Bubble usually clear plastic and is often used for its stealth, is not usually used for ice fishing, but can be in a pinch.

Slip Bobber is the most commonly used bobber among Ice Fishermen for its practicability, (Fast and easy to change depths) there is a large variety from spring loaded round (push button plastic) to wood or foam with the line passing through the center and held in place by a dowel. It is a good idea to match your weight to your bobber, you don't want your bobber floating at the bottom of the lake

Other bite detecting devices The ever popular thumb wiggle under the water method. Works well with pike. Unfortunately those gills, perch and crappie just cant get their mouths around it.

Flag most commonly used with the tip-up, maid from spring steal (or spring loaded in some cases) has a brightly colored patch of cloth/plastic that pops up requesting your attention.

Electronic Beeper Used on tip-ups at night to alert Ice Fishermen the possibility of a “fish-on.”

Ultra Sensitive Spring Tips These little devices made of spring steel, approximately 3-6 inches in length are attached to the pole. (Temp/Permanent) The line is beaded through the eyehole. (Can be placed above or below the tip eye) This sensitive little device will detect even lightest of bites, moving ever so slightly you can see the action.

Ultra Sensitive Pole Tips are built right in to the pole not requiring any other devices for visual bite detection.

The Noodle Pole is in it self, “the bite detector.” The pole will bend right over as with its name like a wet noodle.

Tip Down is actually a precision pole holder, balancing the pole at just right point so that when a fish bites the pole tip drops towards the hole exposing the handle for easy grabbing.

The Jingle Bell Used more for night and river fishing is not commonly used. Can be if you are not in to watching your pole.

My all time favorite fish bite detector is the “KID”screaming, “I got one! I got one!” alerting the whole lake that the fish just became active again!

   

Comments

7/15/2007 11:29:06 AM
not telling said:

im looking for how to tie one, not the history.


7/29/2011 7:43:58 PM
Chris Kiana (kiana@gci.net) said:

I have compiled 57 years of fishing into using the bobber. Kiana's Cast, a spin-cast bobber-fly instruction book will be out by Sept. 2011, a 64 page instruction book on fising from boats to lake shores and riverbanks. Good tips above.




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