The Lost Art of Bobber Fishing

 

 

The bobber or float, as the old-timers call it; is one of the most sensitive bite indicators in an angler’s arsenal. For many bobber fishing is where it all began. Our fathers would take us out as kids to their favorite fishing spot and we would stand on the shore watching red and white bobbers bounce all day long.

 

Today an angler is faced with the choice of a half dozen or more various shapes and sizes of bobbers, all of them as effective as the other. With all the technical advances in modern fishing equipment, bobber fishing has somewhat become a lost art. Personally, grabbing my pole, hook, line, sinker and don’t forget the bobber, I feel is one of the most enjoyable ways to fish.

 

For Panfish: The panfish has to be in my book one of the most enjoyable fish to catch and eat. They populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Wisconsin. They live on natural food sources such as, minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms that populate those waters they live in. When fishing for panfish I like to use an ultra lite rod combo equipped with a small slip bobber. Bobber size is critical, you’ll want to use a bobber that barely stays above the water; during slow bite times this will help you see bites quicker and easier. For hook selection I would recommend a size 8 or just slightly larger shank hook. The smaller hook seems to work best. When fishing with worms, grubs or like baits I choose to completely cover the hook with my bait. For weight I like to use the smallest split shot sinker I can find placing it about 8-12 inches above my bait, thus allowing my bait of choice the freedom to move at will. Usually panfish are not too picky about the bait they bite. However, a little action from your bait can never hurt.

 

For best results try fishing near bedding areas, weedlines, dock cover and other known panfish hangouts. When fishing in and around weeds you’ll want to keep your bait slightly above the weed cover, fish will float or dart up out of the weeds and bite your bait. The method I typically use is this: cast slightly over the area I believe the fish to be, wait a minute for the water to settle, and then reel in about 3 or 4 feet of line, moving my bait through the area where the fish are, I then wait 2 -3 minutes for my bait to settle           and continue this process until I have retrieved my bait. Fish will usually bite on your bait when it’s heading down to settle.

 

For Pike, Walleye or Bass: Fishing for big game fish such as, walleye, pike and bass with a bobber can be very exciting and relaxing as well. Of course, for pike you’ll want to use a large typical pike bobber. These come in various colors like blaze orange or standard red and white. Fish the weedlines for pike using live bait. Large fathead or sucker minnows seem to work the best. When hooking your minnows begin hooking them just below the back fin without penetrating their spine. Hooking in this fashion allows the minnow to swim freely, struggling in all directions to get loose. Hooking in this manner also makes for the most realistic presentation and keeps your minnows alive and lively longer.  

 

 

One good tip to use when fishing for pike is that they will swipe your bait fast, taking your bobber underwater right away; they will proceed to make a short run, then stop and run again. Set your hook when you feel the time is right. While a walleyes will take your bait and drag the bobber under the water slowly; in this situation let the fish run with the bait for a minute and then set the hook. A bobber can tell you a lot about the fish that is biting. For example: a panfish will hit your bait making your bobber bounce up and down several times before going under the water. Where a pike and bass will hit your bait fast and hard taking your bobber right under, and as said before walleye grabbing the bait and slowing dragging the bobber down. In whatever manner the bobber goes down just wait for the right time to set the hook and then enjoy the battle.

 

The fishing bobber market is flooded with new products each year. All of them having their place in a fisherman’s tackle box. They have bobbers that are manufactured just for crappie fishing like the, “Mr. Crappie Popper”, manufactured by Plastilite Corporation or the “Bobber with a Brain," manufactured by Big Ten Tackle.

 

I can think of a lot of other fishing methods I could do on a hot summer day; but watching a bobber popping up and down has to be one of the most enjoyable ways to fish. There is just something about fishing with a bobber that brings back memories of warm summer days, lemonade, bologna sandwiches and a 5 gallon bucket of panfish. Time may have changed, but the art of fishing with a bobber has stood that test of time. Take a kid bobber fishing and enjoy a warm summer’s day.

 

For more information on the “Mr. Crappie Popper,” visit - www.plastilite.com. For more information on the “Bobber with a Brain,” visit - www.bigtentackle.com.