Slip Bobber Line

[pitchn]

If you could only use one kind of line for slip bobber fishing, what would it be? I have used many kinds and # test and still think I could do better. Line that will resist tangles and memory are a must, Many lines I have tried can look like a "Slinky". I fish mainly after dark.

[Borch]

I like an 8Lb copolymer like Silver Thread. When fishing deep water like on the flat on Mille Lacs I have used braid with a short flourcarbon leader and it works well. It's tough getting slip bobber stops to hold at times though.

[PerchJerker]

I agree with the copolymer recommendation, I like gamma myself. If not copolymer then stick with mono. 8# would be my first choice and 6# would be my 2nd choice.

Flourocarbon sinks so it's not a good line for slip bobbering, and you don't need the sensitivity of a superline and like Borch said your bobber knot will slide like crazy on superline.

[Brad B]

I just use Trilene XL 6# Mono. I have no issues with it.

[Northlander]

Trilene XL in clear here as well.

[rattleL]

i use fireline and then tie a 30 inch mono leader with a small barral swivel

[rattleL]

i use fireline and then tie a 30 inch mono leader with a small barral swivel

[chief]

Pitchn,

Hard to beat #6 or #8 mono for bobberin'. Mono's inherent stretch often serves as a valuable shock absorber for landing bigger fish, and line sensitivity issues are rendered moot by the use of a float.

I always use a short (maybe eighteen inch) fluorocarbon leader that I attach to the mono via a very small swivel. By changing only leader test, I can up/downsize for panfish, bass, walleye etc. The swivel greatly reduces line twist, too.

[fishinfey8]

6lb. stren in clear/blue

[TrophyEyes]

Gamma 6# clear.

[LipRipper!!]

XL #6 and XL #8

[Dr Thunder]

Trilene XL 6# Clear

[pitchn]

Looks like Trilene XL#6 or 8 is the winner! I will go with it this spring. I will also try the swivel with leader..Thanks

[Heatseeker]

First off, what are you fishing for? Yes, that matters. I will assume you are fishing for walleye. Next, how clear is the water on the lakes you fish and how much line visibility can you get away with on your lake? Let's assume you fish clear water after dark. If you are fishing less than 10 feet deep, do not use red line. The theory that red becomes invisible under water is only in water deeper than 10 feet. In fact don't buy any colored line. Dark and black especially, actually become more visible after dark! I would go with 6# fluorocarbon line for your particular situation just to be safe. It has less stretch and more abrasion resistance, as well as better knot strength. It also holds up better to bobber knots getting slid up or down. I have had good results with Trilene. P line is good too, just more money for no added benefit. I would avoid seaguar. Hope this helps!

[rattleL]

Another tip try using smaller rubber core sinkers instead of the standard split shot they cause the line to weaken. Greg Bohn MR. Bobber to walleye fanatics uses them and I have become a firm believer in them. My buddy ties all of his stuff directly with 10lb fireline in green even bobber fishing and has never seen a drop in catch rate compared to others. He does this even on mille lacs and northern MN clear water lakes.

[Kahuner]

Here's my $0.02 worth.

I've tried about every DANG type of slip bobber there is! Wasn't happy with any of them! The smaller ones, using small sinkers expecting "the light bite" take forever to get down 23'. Bigger slip bobbers left me feeling like I was fishing for Muskys. And then there's the tangles that you always get, especially night fishing because of those stupid split shot sinkers that twirl your line every-which way when you cast!! Anybody got a Bingo yet?

Then last summer I went on a charter, the Captain is my next door neighbor during the summer months. Immediately, I noticed how far he could cast (using a level wind reel) and thought: "Still fishing w/ a level wind AND YOU CAN CAST THAT FAR? [PoorWordUsage]?"

I looked at his set-up and noticed he was using a Thill slip thru bobber, 18" leader max length, had (and this is the key!!!) an in-line sinker connecting the leader to his main line. He could cast as far as he wanted INTO THE WIND took seconds for his bait to reach the fishing depth and never had a tangle!!!

Pick any bobber you want, actually a medium size Thill (threads your line thru the bobber) works great, get an inline sinker and go have fun. OH and sell all of those extra bobbers for a buck apiece............ use the money for gas, or beer!!

[Ed Carlson]

Just a thought, but why not use the new Tracer Braid for Slip Float line rigging?

The color by foot would just make quick adjustments that much easier.

I often use braids and a fluorocarbon leader on the end.... so the Tracer feature would just make it that much simpler, durable, and just as stealthy.

The new Photo-Optic line is another good choice for line watching situations.

[Supercrew]

If you could only use one kind of line for slip bobber fishing, what would it be? I have used many kinds and # test and still think I could do better. Line that will resist tangles and memory are a must, Many lines I have tried can look like a "Slinky". I fish mainly after dark.

Some of you guys will think I am nuts, but for years I have slipped bobber fished Mille Lacs with an ultralight rod and 4 LB test, mono, and I am in the SE rocks, wind, and heavy water. I find it more of a sport and it makes it a challenge when you hook a pig, lets you know how good you really are.

[Jim Uran]

I saw something on Jason Mitchell Outdoors about a rubber bobber stop! I really wasn't paying that much attention at the time, but has anyone else heard of these, they'd be great on superlines like fireline.

[Supercrew]

I like the string type that come pretied on a small piece of tube. They lay on the reel nice and rarely hang up on cast. Add a bead and float, and your in for precision fishing on the rocks, or deep water.... just set it and forget it. I have tried the small rubber ones that look like a egg sinker, only much much smaller, and they seem to hang up on the reel during the cast. Just my semi pro opinion......I have played this game for going on 35 yrs now, and maybe someday I will have it fiqured out..

[muddpuppy]

leech I have used the rubber stops several times. Like Super said they tend to get bumped/moved in the cast and retreve. I have tried the smaller size on the bigger line with good results but it is hard to move down the line.