pike with a bobber

[bgreen82]

hey guys, do any of you fish for northerns with a sucker under a bobber. i am probably gonna give it a try this weekend and was wondering if a wire or steel leader would still work. also, what size bobber and what style. i was thinking about the classic red/white round one in a large size.

[whitewolf6647]

This is my all time favorite way to fish for northerns. My tackle used when fishing this way is a bait caster reel on a medium heavy rod usually between 7 and 8 feet spooled with 14-17 pound test line mostly mono but I have used superlines whic work fine also. I use number 1/0 Gamagatsu octupus hooks, usually a titanium leader but any leader as long as its at least 10 inches and most importantly has a quality snap on it. DO NOT BE CHEAP ON LEADERS GET THE BEST YOU CAN. For the float I use an 8-10 inch balsa wood cigar style slip float, I believe its a billyboy float that has guide lines on the sides of them for proper weighting. I then weight them down so that the water line is between the second and last line on the top of that float. Basically so that only about 1 inch of the 8 inch float is sticking out of the water. For weigths I just use split shots. Reason for the weighting is so that the fish feels almost no resistance when it pulls the float down, thus fewer dropped baits and they're easier to reel in with less resitance than the traditional large round bobber. I also use this setup on a quick strike rig that has a orange spinner blade on it, being you can't use plain quick strike rigs yet by themselves in MN, for what reason I have no idea.

Anyway that's the only equipment I use when fishing for northerns under a float. The only thing that may change is the rod type and line test. Hope I didn't confuse you and good luck this weekend.

[french_lake_kid]

I also use a 1/0 gammy but when you put the hook on the leader, take off the clip, then you are just left with the loop. Put the loop through th eye just like a palmar,then slide the hook through the loop. It will snell the hook, works great for skies

[Grant Pearson]

one thing that I like to do is hook the minnow either beneath or right behind the dorsal fin and lob casted out.

[chickeywing]

There is nothing better than watching a 'basketball' disappear! I use Kahle hooks and Tyger for a leader. Slip bobbers are a must.

[steffanf]

I've fished with a large sucker before while going for pike, but I cannot seem to find a good set-up. I think using a slip bobber is the best way to go. However, the slip knot always seems to unwantedly slip up the line. It seems like I have no control over it. When tightened as tight as I can do it, the knot will still easily slide, especially when a sucker and large bobber are used. I am using braided line and I think this may have something to do with it, but I am not sure. Any ideas?

-Gregg B.

[Grant Pearson]

I use braided line also, and what I have done, and it's worked wonders, is put the first slip knot on, pull it as tight as you can, cut the ends, and then put a second slip knot on and put it below the first one. I haven't had it slip yet.

[Phunnyfarm]

Slip-bobber fishing for pike is my favorite summertime activity! I have gone with a #1 red Eagle Claw Wide Bend (Kahle style) hook, wire leader, 12lb test line, and the biggest Wing-It Bobber that you can find. I use a couple split shots for weight just above the leader. I also normally fish about 6-7' below the surface, right above the tops of the weeds. I hook the sucker just under the dorsal and lob cast it too.

There's nothing like watching that bobber scoot around on the surface as the sucker is swimming around down there...and then VOOOOOOM...it disappears!

Too bad I'm not fishing this weekend! Good luck out there.