Spring bobber rods

[hanronson]

I picked up a new St.Croix Legend spring bobber rod at the ice show last Friday after watching Greg Wilczynskis' seminar. Has anyone out there used this rod before and how do you like it?

Thanks.

[markkstanley]

I have a total of 4 used them a lot last year. Great rod. Very sensitive. I would watch the finder until the fish got in the zone and then switch to watching the spring bobber. The spring bobber detects every hit. You might want to get several sizes of springs to cover different jig weights. Best place is St Croix where they sell for $5 plus shipping.

[Crappie_ Kid]

This is a great rod. like he siad very sensitive.

[NAPAFISH]

I would rather use a ice buster bobber, easier for me to detect by watching it. Maybe I am just not as adept at using a spring bobber.....

[harvey lee]

I dont even remember the last time I used a bobber for panfish. The spring bobber for finicky panfish is the most sensitive way to go. Anytime the fish nibbles on the bait you can see it. I will still use Ice buster bobbers for my eye fishing but for pannies the spring bobber is the greatest invention since sliced bread. You hardly ever miss a fish and the fish does not feel the tension from the bobber. Any slight bite with a spring bobber and it will show up as with a bobber it may not.

[NWBuck]

I agree harvey. Sensitive spring bobbers have also made it much easier for my 7 year old son to ice finicky gills and perch when I don't believe he would have otherwise.

[IceHawk]

Excellent rods as far as sensitivity. They are my go to rods when the pannys get finiky. I have yet to not be able to detect bites when useing these. The light bites and nibbles are easy to see even from the most stubborn biteing gills and craps. I also advise getting different springs to be ready for any bite. They are also good starter rods to get people introduced to fishing very easy to work with and you visually get to see the bite versus feeling it.

[hanson]

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I would rather use a ice buster bobber, easier for me to detect by watching it. Maybe I am just not as adept at using a spring bobber.....

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An Ice Buster Bobber and a spring bobber (especially a high quality one like the St. Croix) are two totally different techniques in my opinion.

The Ice Buster Bobber is a finesse setline or deadstick approach to fishing. Carefully trim your Ice Buster so it barely floats, and let your minnow or waxies do the work under the ice. An Ice Buster trimmed just right is very sensitive and works awesome in applications like this.

The St Croix spring bobber on the other hand is the key component to a finesse jigging system. When I use my St. Croix Legend for panfish, I'm constantly jigging, shaking, pounding, quivering my lure. The spring acts as both a bite indicator and a "shock" to soften my jigging movements.

You are defeating the purpose of the St Croix spring if you were to drop your bait down and stick the rod in a rod holder.

[Kylersk]

Anyone use them for Walleye Fishing?

[Wookiee]

They work well for 'eyes too. Make sure you have the medium and medium heavy springs with to match your lure.

[LuckyNorm07]

I just recently got the rod and im wondering how you guys store your spring bobber rods when not using them.. i feel if i put it in the rod bag the spring will bend up.

[jigging-matt]

I used to be the same way. Always using my ice busters. Started using Spring bobbers last year. Now I have a hard time not using my spring bobbers. Couldn't believe how many more bites you can detect with the spring bobbers.

[FishGUY]

I agree, once you use a spring bobber for pan fish it is hard to go back.

[Rick]

Spring bobbers and bobbers both have their place. Fish mood is a factor and the anglers mood is another factor that helps one decide which to use

[Blainebob]

So will i be able to use my ultra light with a spring bobber for walleyes,or will an ultra light be too weak--i.e-will a 4 lb eye break my rod or spring bobber?

[bullzeyez61]

I have an Ice Blues rod and I think It does a great job feeling bites and nibbles. I've used spring bobbers before and I'd rather not have a spring bobber on. But that's just my view of it.

[Crappie_ Kid]

If I were you. I would get the medium light. Thats not a bad action for crappies and has a strong enugh backbone for those eyes. I dont know if thi is true but, the guy at scheels siad there is no differnce between the rod from ultra light to light and from medium light to medium. he siad its just the springs that are differnt.

[Woody Erickson]

LuckyNorm07,

See the posts from Protecting spring bobber rods from a few days ago.

[hanson]

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So will i be able to use my ultra light with a spring bobber for walleyes,or will an ultra light be too weak--i.e-will a 4 lb eye break my rod or spring bobber?

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That depends...

The springs can only hold a jig of so much weight before they don't do their job correctly anymore. A L (orange) spring is only really effective with light panfish jigs.

So... you could pick up a heavier spring that would work with spoons and walleye sized tackle and put that in your UL rod but than your combo won't really be "balanced".

My advice, get a heavier action Legend rod with a spring that will be effective with walleye sized tackle.

[bullzeyez61]

I do have a medium light. I went up to lake Mille Lacs perch fishing and I ended up reeling a 7LB ell pout. It took about 10 min, but I got it in with out having my rod break on me.

[PierBridge]

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the guy at scheels siad there is no differnce between the rod from ultra light to light and from medium light to medium. he siad its just the springs that are differnt.

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Actually the UL is a thinner blank and it's shorter than the Light also.

All 5 Legend Ice Rods are different from one another.

I'm talking the $50 pole.

[PierBridge]

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I just recently got the rod and im wondering how you guys store your spring bobber rods when not using them.. i feel if i put it in the rod bag the spring will bend up.

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I'm using St.Croix's suggested method and a Rod Bag.