View Full Version : Slip Bobber Rods?
Peluso
03-12-2002, 08:52 PM
OK, I am looking at getting a couple of rods made for Slip Bobber usage. I am not an expert in this area and could use a little spec help on what rods (length, action etc.) that is best for this application. Thanks in advance! Good fishing and don't forget to shoot the puck. Mike Peluso #82
Fishing Junky
03-12-2002, 09:23 PM
Hey Mike. I prefer longer rods when it comes to slip bobbers. I have two 8.5ft rods. They are for line wt. 6-12 and are medium light action. You want something with a little backbone when setting the hook, but has a little forgiveness for a hard set. I use 6# maxima on my reels. When setting the hook, I really lay into it and have my drag set where it goes off towards the end of my set. Have not missed many fish using this method. We all have our preferences and this one is mine. Hope it helps...............
The previous post has got it just right.
If you don't have room to handle the 8'6" rod - then you can go to a shorter 7' or 7'6" medium light - but it really is nice to have the extra length to get the bow out of the line that occurs with a slip bobber.
The soft tip and the longer length also allow you to cast your slip bobber, tipped with a light jig and live bait - a good deal further - without flipping the bait off the hook - than would be the case with a shorter and or stiffer rod.
A shorter rod - won't allow you to cast as far.
A harder tip - will get the bait going too fast, and tend to tear or injure the bait during the cast.
Actually - the Berkley - Roach - 8'6" telescoping trolling rod - makes a very excellent slip bobber rod. Lots of back bone - a nice soft tip - it collapses to about 6'6" and it is priced right at $65.
With a bobber rod - since it is laying in the boat, or it can be in a rod holder - the weight or balance is not important. Just the length and action is important.
Take care
REW
--
A slip bobber rod is all about "Visual" -- nothing about "feel".
The Big Guy
03-12-2002, 11:48 PM
Mike,
Have to agree with the previous replies. I am a Fellegy, "Mr. Bobber Himself", taught fisherman. Steve has pounded in some of his philosophy about this topic in particular several times and I can attest that his way has helped me catch more fish. You may want to consider a long rod that can allow you to feel 4# test line. The lighter line outcatches the 6# and up guys regularly. Make doesn't count for much to Steve, but I like using quality gear that I can trust for strength and durability like St. Croix products or G. Loomis at the high end. The fast tip is the key.
I can see it all now off the Mille Lacs rocks in spring and in the wind during the day and anchored at dusk. We get em by the boatloads.............Don't mean speak for Fellegy here, but I am sure he would tell you the same. Fishing success speaks for itself.
I use 7 1/2 Ft spining rods and 6 lb. test Maxima Chameleon line. I also use a 2 or 4 lb. leader / tippet of Maxima at the business end much of the time. The 6 lb. test works well with the "dog bone" style bobber stops I prefer.
Tom B
03-13-2002, 02:28 AM
Look at some of the rods that are labled, "salmon rods." Most of these rods have soft tips, fast actions and plenty of backbone to get the job done. I have several 8.5 footers and they are work great for slip bobbers.
Tom B
eyedoktr
03-13-2002, 03:49 AM
Mike, I used to use a 9' steelhead noodle rod. I had alot of success using it with 4#-6# test. I can only hope that the person who stole it is enjoying it as much as I did. I think rod and reel only cost about $75 total.Like some have said, you don't have to go high end.
Mattman
03-13-2002, 05:01 AM
All good advice above. If you are a Loomis fan or familiar with their line-up, their S series has a couple of sticks that will work, the ST series and the HS series hold the most potential, IMHO. Personally, I'm looking at a HS9000 for that very application. Long length (compared to most of my rods, I really don't want a 10' + Steelhead rod in my boat), nice soft tip with plenty of backbone. For the last few years I've been using a 6'6" Berkley Gary Roach Crappie rod. I've really enjoyed that rod for slip bobbers. I just wish it had a little more backbone.
Better to have and not need than to need and not have!
Matt Davis
Bob G2
03-13-2002, 06:31 AM
One other thing to consider is having a slip bobber rod made from a flyrod blank. For this use, a 7 weight rod should be perfect. You can have the blank made into a spinning rod by just about any custom rod maker. Most of the time, you will not pay any/much more to have a custom rod made up when you compare it to a comparable off the shelf store bought rod. I have a Sage 8 1/2 ft 6-7 weight that is just perfect for slip bobbering, and also doubles up as a perfect rod for tossing spinners for steelhead. Just another consideration.
Fish_on
03-13-2002, 07:03 AM
Hi Mike,
Lots of good advice on this thread already. I would suggest that you get a rod at least 7 1/2 feet long with good backbone (fairly fast action). Remember when you have a bobber out, there's a lot of slack in your line. A long rod allows you to point it at the bobber, reel down, and make a long, sweeping hookset, which is what you need for bobber fishing. Good Luck.
Backwater Eddy
03-13-2002, 07:11 AM
Mike consider the EURO style long rods for the slip-float rigging game.
From 9-11' is common and they are extremely efficient as well as effective. Euro style Zander rods or lighter weight predator rods allow for superior line control and precise bait placement. Under clear spooky water conditions longer casts pay off, the longer rod will allow for a better line pick up & a hook set.
Cabela's carry a few good options in Euro design rods. Another very good option is "Crafty Catchers" who offer more of a selection in different weight and rod lengths in Euro rod systems.
A Zander weight Euro rod is also a handy tool for long lining big cranks at night. They transmit every subtle wobble allowing you to tell instantly if you have picked up a weed or of the plug is tracking poorly. In tight to shore where boards will be more of a hassle then they’re worth at night, the long rod will function great.
Backwater Eddy ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>
http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html
stevefellegy
03-13-2002, 07:20 AM
Mike.....bobber fishing? Now who"lowers" themselves to that method? lol....Obviously, sensitivity means nothing in a bobber rod, so cheap works fine. 7' seems to do well for long casts as well as hook setting. medium light action. $20 rod? The fish love'em! The bobbers sink....
Guess I'll throw my hat into the ring. I am currently using the 6'Walleye Angler series Jiggin' rod with a 1000 series sized reel and just love the set up. The balance is great with this size reel and it's light enough to make jigging for extended periods of time quite easy and effortless. Handles 4# and 6# line well and I've used jigs up to 1/2oz. which it handled ok. 1/2oz. was pushing it with this rod but it is a rarity for me to use this weight and 3/8 or lower is no problem for it. I am using it with a BPS Pro Qualifier series reel. This reel has really impressed me as it's very smooth operating and seems to be very tight built. Smooth and crisp anti-reverse and the drag works well and consistently from trip to trip. The best part is if you watch the flyers they occasionaly have them on sale at great savings since it's a BPS product. As far as the rod for "rigging", I am going to purchase the Walleye Angler series 7' rod and set it up with a 2000 series reel. After jigging with the 6'rod for about a year now, I just don't personaly think it would make as nice a rigging rod as the 7' with larger reel.I like a longer hook set when rigging and feel the 7' rod will handle any heavier weights that need to be used (1/2 - 3/4)better than the 6' will. Good luck, RJ in Montana..
Mike, do you have a sponsor for rods? being in the NHL and all it should be good exposure!
Gary Parsons
03-13-2002, 12:01 PM
Hi Mike,
Congrats on a great year and good luck fishing this year. Just thought I'd let you know that Keith and I actually have designed a rod in the Walleye Angler Signature Series just for slip bobbers; unfortunately the catalogers have just labeled it as a jigging rod. It's a spinning rod that is 8'6" in length with a very soft tip, but adequate backbone for long range hooksets. The rod is telescopic to fit in your rod locker, it has a foam handle to take the abuse of rod holders (especially important in states where more than one rod can be used) and it is not an expensive rod. When looking in the Bass Pro catalog it is the only one listed as an 8'6" spinning rod. Hope this helps. Gary Parsons
Agree w/ all REW's comments. A good float rod also makes a good crawler rod as you can sweep cast instead of snap cast it. I have found that a good 8' graphite fly rod modified with a cork handle and ceramic eyes is ideal and they are not hard to modify. The joint makes little difference in feel as, first it is not needed when float fising and 2nd the 8'length of graphite is very sensitive. Modifying the rod will give you something to do when you are in the penalty box Mike. :-)
MOeyez
03-13-2002, 04:44 PM
Oops! Sorry, Gary, missed that in the catalog. (Not many on this board would jig with an 8-1/2' retractable-handle rod, huh?) I'll be sure to fix that as soon as possible!
Mike
Bass Pro
Matt,
If you are serious about the use of an hsr 9000 for this application, I might caution you on the use of an IMX or GLX blank.
Both of these blanks - are - in my opinion really too stiff for this application.
The GL3 is better and I think that the GL2 is probably the best of the Loomis line - in this blank series and length for this application.
The GL2 - is much softer in the tip and more forgiving on the hook set and during casting operations that either the IMX or GLX version.
Also, if you also want to use this rod for a rigging rod - the softer action of the GL2 makes a MUCH better rigging rod than the IMX.
In contrast - the IMX 9000 is one of the best spinner rigs out. Enough backbone to run spinners with a significant amount of weight without overloading the rod.
However, for the lighter loads of bobber fishing and lindy rigging - I simply think that the HMS9000 - in the IMX version is a tad stiff.
Take care
REW
Gary Parsons
03-13-2002, 09:48 PM
Thanks Mike. GP
Sorry guys, my reply above was intended for the Walleye Angler Series post farther up the page!! I was wondering where it went yesterday.I guess I lost track of where I was. Square peg, Round hole, I think I see the problem. Regardless of where the reply was supposed to go, gotta like those BPS Walleye rods!!! See Ya, RJ in Montana.....
Big Sky
03-14-2002, 03:48 PM
Just bought 2 of the new Rapala rods in 7'2" models exactly for this purpose only. 2 piece to store easily in rod locker. Lighter action, but seems like nice backbone. Were only 49.99 ea. at Gander Mt. here in WI. Cabela's does not have them listed in their catalog. They only have 7' Rapala models. Should work well for the slip bobber application.
FROGMAN
03-14-2002, 04:16 PM
Mike, have to agree with REW here. If I'm not using a "Steelhead" model I am using a matched pair of HSR9000S's in the GL3. The GL2 would work just as well for your particular application.
Tight lines
Keith Segar
NPAA #260