Springbobbers

[amateurfishing]

Read alot bout ppl using spring bobbers cause bite is so lite, I assume you r using very lite bait & tackle with this? IF so, how do u get bait/tackle to drop? Split shot? or is bait/tackle heavy enuff to drop on its own and not affecting the spring bobber?

[dashtek]

All I use is springbobbers. St. Croix rod with one and another rod with an add on (Bite Action Inidicator). For tackle I usually have a small shrimpo, ratso or flirty girty with a waxie. Falls fine without a weight.

[TruthWalleyes]

If you use 4lb line or something similar the small jigs should fall fine. If you add a split shot when using a spring bobber you will miss many bites because fish will often lift the jig and you will see the spring bobber lift also...with a split shot the fish will lift the jig and you will still have a bent spring bobber.

[amateurfishing]

So with a spring bobber are you waiting for reverse action? Waiting for the spring to move up instead of down? If this is the case i am learning a ton a minute here!!

[dashtek]

I've seen a few different things happen with my spring bobbers. The Action Bite Indicator type is a nice fluid up and down as I jig. If ever I see that fluid motion change, I generally set the hook. Sometimes with a crappie they'll swim up with it so you could see the weight taken off the spring and make it go back to flat.

With the spring on my St. Croix I generally am seeing that one bend down. I don't think it has a constant fluid motion when I jig with it. Also with this one I have noticed a fish hit it and then sit there with it in the mouth. This usually causes the spring to bend down then come back to normal somewhat.

The key for me anyways is to get to know how the spring acts with the jig and bait. Any variation from that has my attention and then usually a set of the hook. Understanding a spring bobber will help you catch a lot of fish...not as much as a flasher though.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

the little tungsten jigs work great with spring bobbers to get your bait down faster. as far as the bite indication when watching the spring, sometimes the spring twitches down, sometimes it twitches up. all depends on how the fish hits it.

[amateurfishing]

K, so for spring bobber there is no set standard on what to look for, just a variance in what you normally see with what you are using at that time, right?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Correct

[TruthWalleyes]

Yes,

Last night the crappies were hitting my big Macho Minnow spoon with a fathead pinched off at the gills and these fish wanted to see me really jig this thing hard! They'd come up to hit it and i would see just the slightest flinch in the spring, i set the hook and they had the big treble fully in their mouths. Amazing how light these buggers can bite.

Most times you will see a slight pull in a downward direction...But often enough, the spring bobber will lift too when they hit.

I will jig the bait and watch my flasher, as the fish gets very close to my jig i turn my eyes over to the spring bobber and watch for any irregularities.

[klee]

TruthWalleyes, I was doing the same thing you were watching the flasher as fish came in and than focused on the spring bobber. I watched it go down slowly, than up again, than down slowly, and BAM, I pulled my rod and felt the fish fighting below. It was so fun, the rush was awsome even though it was just panfish.

These things are the coolest things I've tried this year. I saw them at the store but was hesistant to try them. I saw it for cheap at the gas station and picked one up to try after 2 hours of fishing and just getting nibbles. I couldn't tell if my jig was too big or too small, or was it because of my powerbait micros. I gave up and went to the gas station to buy some waxies and they had spring bobbers. I bought one, and when I got to back to the lake. OMG, I was catching fish like crazy. Man those boogers bite light. I was catching 6-8 inch crappies; which I didn't keep (just fishing for fun, praticing catch and release).I also caught some small sunnies too. This will stop me from buying a $40 ice rod now, its all I need. There are many types on the market.

[osok]

K, so for spring bobber there is no set standard on what to look for, just a variance in what you normally see with what you are using at that time, right?

+2

[mojoputter]

Although the true springbobers can be a pain if your sitting outside and its really cold, the srpings will freeze up and you will not be able to reel in the fish thats on the other end, very frustrating.

[bikeoutback]

Although the true springbobers can be a pain if your sitting outside and its really cold, the srpings will freeze up and you will not be able to reel in the fish thats on the other end, very frustrating.

Ha ha, been there done that. Just ended up walking away from the hole till the fish came out. At least I didn't have to figure out my depth again.

My only problem with spring bobbers is I've broken the tips on 2 poles putting them on. I was using those one's that have the foam that you put in the eyelet which only really works if you have a large eyelet on your pole and I didn't. I've since realized there are many other models of spring bobbers and bought 2 new one's to try now. I believe one is the kind you heat shrink on and the other clips on. It's by HT but I'm leary as it has a large rectangle that clips over the pole and has the spring but I'm not sure how heavy it's going to be all together.

[amateurfishing]

just set up my rod today for the weekend with spring bobber, i put it on kinda backwards with the foam inside the eyelet NOT OUTSIDE, put the spring thru the eyelet and ziptied to end of rod & ran fishing line thru so spring is still outside of eyelet.

[palisade1kid]

Originally Posted By: amateurfishing

K, so for spring bobber there is no set standard on what to look for, just a variance in what you normally see with what you are using at that time, right?

Exactamundo...your looking for a spring that matches up to the weight of baits you'd normally use.Once on a slight downward bend is what I'd look for.That way I can see an up hit or a downward hit.

A spring also gives you the ability to work the entire water column and lift fish.

A spring also affords a forgiveness factor. That light biter can have the bait in it's mouth and you can see your covered on your flasher. If you slightly lift the spring will bend without the fish feeling the lift and subsequently you can set the hook before it spits it.

Some springs are way to stiff. Some coiled springs that the line runs through freeze up to easy.20 yrs ago until just a few years ago I used the flat styles like HT's brand. I cut them back to about 4" long and rap thread to affix to my rod tip. Lately with Austin custom rods I'll have Gregg add a grommet to accept the St. Croix spring.

Being able to slightly adjust the length helps offset slight bait weights and I can choose from about 4 different spring tensions...yellow green,pink & orange.

Becoming a proficient fisher takes practice.When I was growing up there was no internet to learn from. It was all trial and error until you landed on what worked well.

Springs are cheap...buy a handfull of different styles and go fish.You'll find what helps you the best.

[Cast A Way]

I have tried most spring bobbers and settled on 2 that work well for me.

Action tackle makes 4 different weights and they work very nicely. My fav. is the EasyBite. Gives you a indication on down or up bite. Actions are about five bucks and the Easys are ten. Both can be ordered from the respective online websites.

[jBohmer]

I sit next to buddies and kill them in the fish count when they are sitting there with their bobbers or just their poles jigging. I normally drop a bobber down one hole (venom of course) and use a spring bobber in the other. If I am just eye fihsing I still keep a rod ready with a spring on the end in case I see some crappies move in.

[fishinaddict]

Before I got my JM Meatstick I wouldn't fish perch or gills without a spring bobber. Now i've basically got a built in spring bobber. I run 2lb line and the smallest size gill pills or mud bugs and have no problems.