Fixed Bobber or Sliding Bobber Preference

[SteelieSlammer]

I am new to jig fishing and I have fixed cork bobbers and sliding bobbers. I know that the sliding bobber allows for easier casts but it casting was not an issue what would most people prefer to use?

[Ty]

With jogs in <5' I like fixed w/ Thill float. Bait in >5' fixed with dink float. Depper water prefer Thill slider.

[Ty]

With jogs in <5' I like fixed w/ Thill float. Bait in >5' fixed with dink float. Deeper water prefer Thill slider.

[SHOUGALNITE]

I prefer sliding bobbers all the time.

[Ratbaby]

I agree with Ty I prefer fixed bobbers for most waters however.

[LurkerDave]

I use both for different situations. I use a Thill or similar fixed bobber for running light jigs in shallow or clear water but since its so light its difficult to cast very far. I like a Westcoast or Thill sliding bobber for deeper water and where longer casts are needed. Its just easier to cast a heavier sliding rig longer distances.

[blacktail]

You should be able to find more than you want to read about this if you do a search.

I stick with a fixed set-up unless it's at least 8 feet deep.

Mike,

[Grizz]

Low water shollow depth=fixed float.

Otherwise slider for me.

[salmurai]

Sliders for water deeper than the rod I'm using. Prefer fixed whenever I can. I feel I get a better "read" and the jig gets down to the zone quicker.

[A-Boss]

Have the best of both worlds. Rig a bobber stop above and below your sliding float.

It you want to fish it fixed just slide your bottom stop all the way up, if you want to fish in slider mode just move the bottom stop down.

Another advantage of this, is that the bottom stop can keep you float on the line when you bust off.

[float2ber]

what he said. two bobber stops.

[Uncle Roman]

Absolutely, use a slider all the time, and if you need to, peg it or use the double-bobberstop-set-up. All waters covered with one rig, how novel!! :grin:

[Akuracy503]

If its steelhead fishing, fixed has an advantage believe it or not...especially one of those fixed steelhead specialized floats..

if your going deeper waters then slider.

I always make sure to use a well balanced quality float.

[fishscale]

I go fixed as long as I can cast it.

[crittergitter]

Personally I prefer the slider, it casts so much easier and I can change depth faster which lets me spend more time fishing instead of fooling with the gear.

[jaydee]

My two cents.
If I can comfortably cast that long of a leader between my float and the offering, then it's a fixed float all the way. Since most of my steelheading is done on coastal streams with some gradient, I'm not fishing my offering real far from the float which equates to a fixed float almost 100 percent of the time while chasing steel. Using a GL3 1173s-sk as my primary float rod, it allows me to comfortably lob a float and jig or bait accurately with up to 6 or more feet in between the two without a problem.
On those same coastal streams, when using a float pursuing chinooks in the deep, slower pools and runs with eggs, obviously a slip float is the choice. (And that rod is not)
I don't like messing with bobber stops if I don't have to but, like the rest of you, I'll do whatever is takes to catch fish, including calling in sick monday.
So I guess to answer the question, FIXED.
That was more like three cents huh?

J.D.

[elkman]

I prefer a slider, because you can adjust it stopper to match the depth. However in shallow water it is sometimes easier to use a fixed bobber.

[Blazerboy]

Slider, that is just what I am good at, but these guys have a point the fixed float will get to this fish quicker. It is somtimes a pain to cast. The two bobber stop method works well. Just do what feels right and what works.

[fishnpray]

Fixed for under 5', sliding above, though i haven't done great in real deep water, other than a couple of spots on upper Wilson with bait...practically given up on the bait since the pink 'n white with the pink worm works so well... :grin:

[Catchalot]

I prefer fixed unless water is over 8 feet. I've used sliding and I don't like messing with the string or bobber stopper.

[C-lice]

Fixed as long as you can cast it. I don't catch a lot of steelhead in water deeper than 9'-10', but I fish mainly small rivers.

Sliders are really nice for deeper water or if you're casting into tight spots.