Need Advice on Spring bober rod

[Minnetonka]

I have never fished with a spring bober. I usally am jigging for my fish and sometimes add an ice-buster bober. When do most people switch to a spring bober? When fishing for Pan fish? What about walleyes? Anyone recomend a good spring bober rod?

[Corey Bechtold]

St,Croix makes a good Spring Bobber Rod for multiple species. They can be used outside with less freeze ups than other rods. Thorne Bros makes an awesome one too. Their's is best in warmer temps or inside a house. I don't know if they have one for larger fish but they can't be beat for Panfish.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[GatorBait]

I have to agree with Corey. Spring Bobbering for pannies is awesome. When they bite lite or just suck it in, your still picking up that bite no matter what. The best part that I like is alot with crappies, they usually suck your bait in and then rise with it. When this happens, your spring bobber also rises giving you an oppotunity you usually can't get with regular bobbers. St.croix and Thorne is the way to go.

[hovermn]

You can buy spring bobbers that will fit on the ice rods you currently have. IMO, the best add-on spring bobber would be the Frabil spring bobber. It seats right in the end eye and has pretty awesome action. They come 3 to a pack and are around $6.

Just a cheap alternative to buying a new rod. Not to say that a person ever NEEDS an excuse to buy new equipment.

[markkstanley]

The springs that come with Frabill and Thornes will freeze up if you are outside. Water collects on the tip as you reel and eventually clogs the spring tip with ice. The St Croix won't freeze up. If you are in a house doesn't matter but something to remember. I use St Croix mostly but I like my Frabill panfish popper just as well and it is a lot cheaper. Spring bobbers are the way to go. Watch the fish approach on the finder then focus on the bobber.

[Hotspotter]

I own a thorne sweet thing with a great little spring bobber from the store. The name of it escapes me, but they'll set you up. There are also some other great after-market spring bobber options available from YourBobbersDown.

Joel

[Hotspotter]

Good point Mark! Most spring bobbers, except the ones with a larger loop will freeze up when hole-hopping. Something to keep in mind!

Joel

[onemorelastcast]

Don't fart around. Get the St. Croix spring bobber rod for whatever type of fishing you do. UL & L for perch, sunnies, etc, M for walleyes. It makes a WORLD off difference. I wondered why those blips on the Vex never hit my lure...they probably were biting, or wanted to, but not taking it or moving the bobber or rod. With the spring bobber, you just know the second they bite.

I use my springbobber rods on post-frontal days, or after the "prime" hours have passed, and light biting is the name of the game. Downsize to 1/32 or smaller jigs or flies with spikes, or pieces of Berkley Power Wiggler or small plastics, and you'll catch the fish that aren't hungry, but instinctively have to eat the small snack in front of them! Good luck.