Best Slip Float and Stopper

[Bruce Tomaselli]

Slip floats and stoppers are new to me. Can  you recommend what to buy for pan fishing, size, brand, etc.? I went to youtube and I learned how to rig them. I would just like to know what most guys prefer.

Thanks

[Bruce Tomaselli]

Very nice. I'll check out the group.

[carl hendrix]

BRUCE;;  I USE PORKUPINE QUILL FLOATS ALL THE TIME WITH MY FLY ROD;;   ROLL CASTING; THEY WORK GREAT; AND; PROABLY THE BEST STEALTH FLOAT  MADE !  TAKES JUST A LITTLE TIME TO GET USE TO THEM; BUT ONCE YOU DO;; TONS OF FUN !  JUST RUN YOUR LINE; THRU THE SURGICAL TUBING FIRST;  ( FROM WAL MART;; SLING SHOT REPLACEMENT RUBBER BAND; CUT IN 1/2 INCH WIDTH ) THEN THRU THE WIRE LOOP ON THE QUILL;; ADJUST YOUR LINE TO HOW DEEP YOU WANT TO FISH; THEN SLIP THE TUBING; DOWN THE QUILL;; IT STAYS PUT THERE ! GO TO MY PIX PAGE;; 13 I BELIEVE; PHOTOS OF THEM THERE.

[Bruce Tomaselli]

Where can you get those, Carl?

[Bruce Tomaselli]

I thought the porcupine quill slip bobber float was a commercial product. I didn't know they were homemade.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

If they are available for sale, you'll find them as a cottage industry product.
Ive seen and purchased similar imported ones made from wood - long slender and quill-like.

Ive also got a lot of plastic "wagglers" - long, slender plastic tubes with an eyelet on one end.

None of these are genuine quill. All work the same way.
SO, there are options, if you're not inclined to make your own.
Me, I prefer shorter versions to longer ones for spin casting. For doing like Carl does from a boat, relatively short range roll casting, or even dipping with a tele pole, the long ones are excellent.

[Slip Sinker]

...but here's the thing... quill floating is a fixed/float technique...different pros and cons as slip/floating. 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Agreed - different techniques.

And I almost never use fixed floats unless, I'm "dipping" in short water around tight cover, etc. For everything else, I use slip floats. I do carry silicone tubing or O-rings, should I want to convert them to fixed. But I almost never do.

[carl hendrix]

BRUCE;  GETTING GOOD ONES; ARE HARD TO COME BY. SOME TIMES; E-BAY;;  THE BETTER ONES ARE THE AFRICAN QUILLS;; THEYRE LONGER; BIGGER IN DIAMETER; .  IF YOU KNOW OF SOME ONE WHO WORKS AT A ZOO; WHO MIGHT HAPPEN TO HAVE AFRICAN PORKUPINES; WOULD BE TERRIFIC !  I PAINT MINE; THEN DIP IN VARNISH TO SEAL THE PAINT;; THAT WAY; A LOT EASIER TO SEE ANY WHERE AT ANY TIME AND; THE VARNISH HELPS KEEP THEM LOOKING SHARP !

[Bruce Tomaselli]

Oh, so they don't sell these?

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Nice African quills can be found on eBay.
As far as I know they are a handicraft item.
Carl makes extra nice ones

[carl hendrix]

BRUCE;; YES;; THEY SELL PORKUPINE QUILLS;; AND THE AFRICAN ONES; ARE NOT CHEAP !

[carl hendrix]

BRUCE;; IF YOU DO DECIDE TO TRY TO FIND SOME;;  THE MINIUM LENGTH TO USE IS 7 INCHES; UP TO 13 INCHES;