floaters

[stewart]

I like to use phelps Floaters on a Lindy Rig, but was wondering about other brands of floaters. Which ones people like, and how far up different ones ride, etc...

[Floater]

There is a new Phelps Floater out called the Wobbler. It is made by Phelps Tackle. It trolls hook upright and does float baits better than the original. I know Cabela's and Gander Mountain both have them. Good luck.

Floater

[Hogslammer]

Phelps Floaters work well, but the wire hooks can cost you a big eye. I tie my own snells and like to use Lil Corkies by Yakima Bait Co. Come in over 70 colors with fire tiger and watermelon being two of my favorite colors. They are a painted round float that you can slide down right to your hook, or use a bead to move it away from the hook/bait. When you need to get your bait off the bottom, this is what I like to use.

[Sculpinking]

I like to use the floats from Northland Tackle and add my own beads and a smile blade to it. This combo is very deadly and you can get the complete floaterrig or you can just buy the floats themselves and make your own. The floats come in 3/4 inch and 1.5 inch. you can adjust the way they float by using either glass or plastic beads. I use both for different applications. The Key is using a mack's Lure Smile blade with it and making sure you tie your harness to a bead chain so it will not snarl up. I will first use either the silver dot of the gold dot smile blade and most generally I'll get the fish on those two. They are fantastic. I also like the blades with the sparkle or tiger paterns as well.

[eyechsr]

I have gone almost completely to floater rigs in the last few years, my currant favorites are Macks lures Walleye Pops and J series Walleye pops (smaller),Cha Cha's and the mini Cha Cha, I also like to use Spin-n-glows (chili bean size) and spinners with Corkies in them (clown being my favorite).
I believe that with a 4' leader they run at about 1' off the bottom which keeps you out of most snag's and in the strike zone.

[eyegetit]

Glad you asked this question. I fish one lake where the 'eyes won't touch anything but a Phelps floater (hollow plastic). On other lakes, they turn their noses up at the Phelps in favor of a standard (styrofoam) round jig head. I think the difference may be in the fact that the Phelps is more buoyant, rides higher, and consequently gives a different action to the bait. Small styro floaters on light line are deadly right after ice-out. Any color will work as long as it's chartreuse.



"Experience is a hard teacher: She gives the test first, the lessons afterward. -Unknown"

[floater]

The hooks that Phelps Tackle uses are the strong Mustads,others use the Eagle Claw brand on their floaters. So I can see where you might think they are the weak wire. It just depends on which company you use. Eagle Claw makes great treble hooks and live bait hooks. Although, their jig hooks and Aberdeen(Floater hooks) are pretty weak.

Floater

[Walleye Express]

Stewart.
Want to try something different? On occasion I'll use a small Spin-N-Glow (Orange white wings or Green white wings) ahead of a light (small beads/two #6 hooks) crawler harness. I don't troll with this rig, I let it soak/work in the current of the rivers I fish. Best spot to anchor is just at the upstream lip of a good hole. I position the rod high in the rod holder, let it out till it just touches bottom and let the back and forth motion of the boat work it from side to side in the current behind the boat. The slams are savage.

[stewart]

Thanks for all the replies. Good to hear what people like. Mostly what I like about the Phelps is that you have less components to fuss with. I too have found the Phelps to have a thin wire hook, but when you pinch the barb they last a really long time since you stress the metal less when you unhook fish. Thin wire makes for a higher float? Have never tried the smile blades, will have to search for those. The only wobbler's I've tried have been the wobble-glos, so I'll look into different types of those. Would need to experiment more with those 'bumble bees' too....

[Tackleman]

Please note that the "Original" Phelps Floater made by Phelps has a sturdy Mustad hook. Please know, that foam floater style is generalized by the using the "Phelps" name, and you may be referencing the floater that originally went by that name and is now called something else by another company. Just wanted to be clear on that. If you find any versions now marketing the Phelps name, actually made by Phelps, I hope you will find a difference. Thanks.