What's the best bobber?

go fisch · 12-08-2003, 05:18 PM

What is the best bobber for jig fishing for steelhead? I need to purchase one.

Thanks in advance.

Thom

Fishin Magician · 12-08-2003, 05:41 PM

Only one...........Couldnt resist!!! :grin:

Fast Action · 12-08-2003, 05:46 PM

I think everyone has there own personal preference. I use cork when the water is low and clear and styrofoam any other time. The key for me was getting the right weight used for each setup. Get some differant sizes. Keep in mind that when fishing for salmon you do not need a huge bobber. It all depends on weight, current, water color for me.

SandyRiverRon · 12-08-2003, 05:46 PM

Thill and West Coast floats to name a couple.

parthur · 12-08-2003, 05:58 PM

The best one's I have found are the ones that float gently downstream and then suddenly submerge underwater. And when they re-appear there is a fish on your line.

Thill & West Coast Floats are several of my personal favorites. You need to size your bobber size/style with the type of water you are fishing.

Try several styles to see which you prefer, river levels/currents will often times dictate which style of bobber will perform best for the application.

P.A.

Dave Vedder · 12-08-2003, 06:21 PM

I wonder why those dummies at Thill and West Caost call their bobbers floats?

ampersat · 12-08-2003, 06:50 PM

To differentiate them from the red and white plastic bobbers.

Fast Action · 12-08-2003, 07:13 PM

USA = Bobber
Canada = Floats

I use a bobber. Some people use Floats. I Bobber and Float fish, but when asked I Bobber fish because I am from the USA. Does it really make a difference?

SHOUGALNITE · 12-08-2003, 07:15 PM

Little Joes bobbers.

santiamslayer · 12-08-2003, 07:26 PM

I like the west coast floats personally.

DanS · 12-08-2003, 08:00 PM

It really depends a lot on what you're fishing them with.

For a spinning outfit, I prefer the Thill Turbomaster or Premium Steelehader. They float just right with only a jig, and their shape and sensitivity make it easier to detect bites.

When you're using a baitcaster, a dink float (the long, cylindrical foam types) will work better as they are more buoyant to float the additional weight you'll need with most baitcasting reels.

There has to be a couple dozen different floats/bobbers that work just fine. Buy something inexpensive....but buy more than one. You can't go out float fishing with A float. Once you get the feel for float fishing, you might want to upgrade to floats that better suit your needs.

Good luck.

[ 12-08-2003, 09:01 PM: Message edited by: DanS ]

dawhunt · 12-08-2003, 08:09 PM

OOPS !!
Bob

[ 12-08-2003, 09:11 PM: Message edited by: dawhunt ]

dawhunt · 12-08-2003, 08:10 PM

I like the small corks not the real small ones ,the ones about the size of a quater or 1/2 dollar you can fish them as fixed or slider.I'm trying those dink floats this year and see how they work and if I like them. :whazzup:
Bob

go fisch · 12-08-2003, 08:47 PM

I want to thank you for your comments. I will be fishing with a baitcaster reel so I think I will purchase some west coast floats, lets say in 1/2 oz. and see what happens.

When I fist started fishing several years ago I was used a spinning reel but for some reason they are hard for me to fish with after using a baitcaster. Therefore west coast floats should work for me.

Again thanks for your comments and suggestions.

go fisch · 12-08-2003, 08:51 PM

I might even buy some corks like dawhunt
indicated.

First Bite · 12-08-2003, 09:30 PM

I use different bobbers for different situations. Summer steelhead in low clear water...small corks. Deschutes summers in the wind...West Coast Float rigged as a sliding set-up.

Try a couple different ones and see what you like for the water you fish.

Mark

periwinkle · 12-08-2003, 10:23 PM

Aw heck, go for it.....Put a couple of Drennan floats in you tackle box (Rolls Royce).. :grin:

Dave Vedder · 12-09-2003, 06:28 AM

Fast Action:

Canada: Where this tecniques came to us from, via europe - float

Washington - As in next to Canada - float

Oregon - Float or bobber depending on who your talking to.

What does it matter? In the grand scheme of the universe - nothing. Some folks call their rod a pole. Some folks call their float a bobber. Some folks like to use name used by the inventors of the tecnique and the manufacturers of the product. No big deal either way. But just wanted to know that Oregon is not all of the U.S.

Ragnar · 12-09-2003, 06:33 AM

Go Fisch,
I'm sure Mark (Hi Mark) from First Cast Jigs would agree with me when I recommend (for a bait caster and even sometimes a spinning set-up) using a small banana shaped (not flavored or colored) trolling lead between your main line and leader. This will mean that you may have to upgrade a notch on your float/weight size. Instead of going with the 1/2 oz size maybe go with the 3/4 or 1oz. size and then a 1/2oz. sinker under it. This will really help you keep your offering directly under your float and allow you to put it where you want it with out a bunch of uff-da behind it (and back-lash issues). If for any reason you want it to go out further? That's pretty much a non-issue with this set-up.
Of course as with anything..... This could be somewhat sight and condition specific. This has worked for me.
For any reason you don't know how much weight your float will accomadate, just fill up a quart mason jar with water in the sink and see sinker weight plus the weight of the jig, throw in a little fudge room if you add a piece of bait. Basically, you want just the colored portion of the float to be out of the water.
I'd certainly go with the cylindrical shaped floats based on their "least amount of felt resistance" characteristics.
Now if I could only find some good water that doesn't have a whole gob of snaggers planted on it. Where's that Grant McOmie anyway? He should break out his enforcement and camera crew again and make some more busts.
But that's a whole other issue.
Good luck hope this helps,
Ragnar

First Bite · 12-09-2003, 06:50 AM

Ragnar

Good post and Hi back to ya.

Extra weight added like Ragnar mentioned makes it much easier to cast longer distances with a bait caster. Whether you use an in-line weight, banana weight, slinkie, barrel weight, chunk of lead etc., it all has the same purpose. Just match it up to a float/bobber and go fisch...sorry couldn't pass it up. :tongue:

Mark

steelheadfreak · 12-09-2003, 09:09 AM

I only use one bobber for Steelhead. clear adjustabubble.......I've found any other color (green, red, white) to spook fish.....especially in clear shallow water.

fishscale · 12-09-2003, 10:31 AM

Go Fisch,
Although there are other good floats on the market, I think you might do well starting on Thill Turbomasters. They are a fixed float and come in different sizes. They are easily interchangeable, if conditions warrant a change, so this sould make it easy for you to dial it in. They also cast extremely well. With my Curado 201(not the BSF model which I also have) and proper weight/Turbomaster combo I can reach any spot that I can still reasonably mend line. They also perform well.
I keep several with me so I can use the smallest one that will get the job done.

SKP · 12-09-2003, 10:39 AM

The best bobber, is the one that disappears!!!

SKP :grin:

Tanner · 12-09-2003, 03:12 PM

Thill Premium Steelhead Floats are the best BOBBERS for fishing jigs (IMHO). If you use them though, you will notice the bottom post has a notch in it for you to put your line in. Break the post off at that notch before it breaks off your line on a fish. Take the rubber tubing that comes stock on the top half, cut it in half, put half on the top and half on the bottom so your line is running through both of them.

For fishing bait I like west coast floats.

DanS · 12-09-2003, 03:21 PM

Good advice Tanner.......that's a mandatory mod. to make to the Steelheader floats. I'm not a fan of a float that kinks or twists your line.