slider bobbers and jig - Bluegill - Big Bluegill2024-03-28T21:06:39Zhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/forum/topics/slider-bobbers-and-jig?feed=yes&xn_auth=noThere are two terms being use…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-03-16:2036984:Comment:760172010-03-16T05:44:54.842ZJohnny wilkinshttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/chicagofishing
There are two terms being used here and we need to keep them separate so everyone understands. Pop-up rigs have are set so the float will lift when the fish picks the weight up. You see the float come straight up in the water because the fish has picked up the bait and lifted the bottom shot.<br />
By pop up you mean "stand up". Some people fish with floats laying on their side and see the hits when the float stands up.<br />
When the fish are hitting hard- any rig will do and only when the fish are…
There are two terms being used here and we need to keep them separate so everyone understands. Pop-up rigs have are set so the float will lift when the fish picks the weight up. You see the float come straight up in the water because the fish has picked up the bait and lifted the bottom shot.<br />
By pop up you mean "stand up". Some people fish with floats laying on their side and see the hits when the float stands up.<br />
When the fish are hitting hard- any rig will do and only when the fish are hitting hard would a stand-up be a ok rig.<br />
I personally wouldn't use the stand-up because a float which is sunk 95% by the shot, is the most sensitive and quickest indicator of movement, fish takes which can be used by anglers. Like I said- if you like the Thill brown floats you will love the good stuff that much more. I am an avid user of Thill. D…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-03-16:2036984:Comment:759752010-03-16T01:04:48.656ZMark Chrzanowskihttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/MarkChrzanowski
I am an avid user of Thill. Different sizes for different set-ups. My favorite are the longer slim ones. They are easy to set up as "pop ups" These can be especially effective when the fish are hitting hard as the float simply stands up when they hit. The same float can be use as a standing float and will broadcast those light hits.
I am an avid user of Thill. Different sizes for different set-ups. My favorite are the longer slim ones. They are easy to set up as "pop ups" These can be especially effective when the fish are hitting hard as the float simply stands up when they hit. The same float can be use as a standing float and will broadcast those light hits. Sorry for the suspense - I wi…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-03-13:2036984:Comment:757552010-03-13T20:29:41.452ZJohnny wilkinshttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/chicagofishing
Sorry for the suspense - I will have some at retailers in the next couple of weeks. Europe is the place I have seen them but shipping and VAT tax kills when buying just a few floats. If you can do me the favor of contacting me and sending me the contact information for your local tackle store, I will be selling to stores starting in April. I can quickly send you the link to at least one online store either the 1st week or 2nd week of April as I do have some top panfish sliders coming in. I…
Sorry for the suspense - I will have some at retailers in the next couple of weeks. Europe is the place I have seen them but shipping and VAT tax kills when buying just a few floats. If you can do me the favor of contacting me and sending me the contact information for your local tackle store, I will be selling to stores starting in April. I can quickly send you the link to at least one online store either the 1st week or 2nd week of April as I do have some top panfish sliders coming in. I won't sell them direct- only through independent bait & tackle stores around the country.<br />
The store I was going to recommend - doesn't have them yet. His inventory is probably coming in the next two weeks as well. We still have some ponds and lakes with ice - but not for long. John,
The suspense is killin…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-03-13:2036984:Comment:757182010-03-13T12:35:12.097ZBilly Boothhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/BillyBooth
John,<br />
<br />
The suspense is killing me. Please tell me where I can find good slip floats.
John,<br />
<br />
The suspense is killing me. Please tell me where I can find good slip floats. AWESOME question! Pop-up is t…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-03-12:2036984:Comment:755872010-03-12T01:25:59.309ZJohnny wilkinshttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/chicagofishing
AWESOME question! Pop-up is the main bite early and I call that a "lift".<br />
If you have proper gear- your float will (( lift )) slightly up in the water.<br />
<br />
The reason I talk about sensitivity in a setup is that fish eject their food all day long. Sometimes they sort it so they will hit it and spit it out faster than you can react.<br />
<br />
My shot is never below the hook. To create a pop-up rig, the shot is lower on the line but probably 6" from the hook - just off the leader. There is nearly no shot up…
AWESOME question! Pop-up is the main bite early and I call that a "lift".<br />
If you have proper gear- your float will (( lift )) slightly up in the water.<br />
<br />
The reason I talk about sensitivity in a setup is that fish eject their food all day long. Sometimes they sort it so they will hit it and spit it out faster than you can react.<br />
<br />
My shot is never below the hook. To create a pop-up rig, the shot is lower on the line but probably 6" from the hook - just off the leader. There is nearly no shot up the line towards the float. This makes the float very buoyant and able to pop upward. So- if your going gets tough- you can make two stacks of shot.<br />
<br />
An essential part of your rig for float fishing is good shot. I only use Anchor split shot and there is a French shot called Super Deux for the super finesse rigs. Super Deux will ONLY go on 2 lb. and 1 lb. line. These shots come in a selector pack with 6 or 8 sizes. Their most important aspect is that they are "double cut" and they are soft. Soft shot keeps them on the line without damaging the line. They stay in place and don't move around on their own. But- this is quality shot so you can adjust it. Another essential component of your rig- adjustable small shot. When the going is tough -you need to adjust and change.<br />
<br />
Derrick - that is awesome input and YES 90% of my cold water fishing consists of a subtle near-zero float movement or a pop-up where the float will rise 1/4" upward.<br />
<br />
My hooks are tied inline and the shot is always above the leader. In Spring the leaders can be a little longer, in Summer or warmer water the leaders get very short. The action between the shot and the hook is slower the further from the hook the shot is set. Long leader= slow bait drop. Short leader = bait quickly to depth and near no bait drop. "When the going gets really t…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-03-11:2036984:Comment:755702010-03-11T22:53:32.510ZDerrickhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/DerrickJefferson
<i>"When the going gets really tough and fish takes are super light, I will create a pop-up float setup. 90% of my takes are the fish picking the bait which lifts the lower set of shot - popping the float tip."</i><br />
John, how do you rig your pop up float? Do you tie the hook inline, or do you use a crappie rig of sorts? Every time I've tried to use a sinker below the bait it seems the fish aren't as willing to mess with it.
<i>"When the going gets really tough and fish takes are super light, I will create a pop-up float setup. 90% of my takes are the fish picking the bait which lifts the lower set of shot - popping the float tip."</i><br />
John, how do you rig your pop up float? Do you tie the hook inline, or do you use a crappie rig of sorts? Every time I've tried to use a sinker below the bait it seems the fish aren't as willing to mess with it. Slip floats and any float are…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-03-11:2036984:Comment:755202010-03-11T05:29:54.545ZJohnny wilkinshttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/chicagofishing
Slip floats and any float are good year-round.<br />
I will post some pictures of the sliders I use which can be fished 80 feet away with ease as they are shaped like darts.<br />
Best of all- they will work better in wind and you can best detect Spring lift bites - which you would miss with the Lindy version. Compared to a proper float the Lindy Pro Series is an embarrassment to the world of floats (( especially when fishing the baits you are )).<br />
Tony you don't need to be an expert or that enthusiastic to…
Slip floats and any float are good year-round.<br />
I will post some pictures of the sliders I use which can be fished 80 feet away with ease as they are shaped like darts.<br />
Best of all- they will work better in wind and you can best detect Spring lift bites - which you would miss with the Lindy version. Compared to a proper float the Lindy Pro Series is an embarrassment to the world of floats (( especially when fishing the baits you are )).<br />
Tony you don't need to be an expert or that enthusiastic to fish the good stuff. What I am saying is you will see bites you never have.<br />
The float will perform better and you will catch more fish, have more fun fishing long distance with ease. Embarrassment is not my word - it is Mr. Thill's word. The Lindy "pro" floats are chubby and plastic they are too round, too buoyant to offer you sensitive bite detection.<br />
I will say you have made the most out of them and are doing very well with this float- wait until you fire a proper slider- it is a huge difference in fishing.<br />
Take no offense, just get excited.<br />
Floats are like golf clubs. For further casts, you need drivers or the long floats. If you don't golf sorry for the reference. As you get in close, you need shorter floats, smaller floats. Handgun vs. Rifle for long distance.<br />
The only thing the Lindy floats are good for is fishing 8 - 12 lb. line as the floats I fish couldn't handle even a 6 lb. Trilene as it is too thick.<br />
The great news is you fish fantastic line for bluegill fishing and great casting line. 2 lb. line casts much further than 4 or 6!<br />
I think David asked about fishing slip floats so we aren't hijacking the post - discussion is good. More tomorrow regarding the floats.<br />
I will be doing some testing to show how sensitive floats are coming up and will be doing some tank testing.<br />
Also- I will be fishing a warm-water discharge either this weekend or early next week and will show video of the floats I am using. Hopefully I will also have a bag of fish to display.<br />
I will close with a tip when fishing a slip float<br />
After you set your depth, you can cast out and slowly crank in until you see the float hang or rise up. It is easier to see on the non-weighted floats. When your split shot strikes bottom, your float will raise up- now you know where the depth breaks out in front of you.<br />
On your next cast you can work the edge of that drop-off. This method works at any distance. Holy cow John! I think you're…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-03-11:2036984:Comment:754742010-03-11T01:22:47.541ZTony Livingstonhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TonyLivingston
Holy cow John! I think you're on a much higher slip float plateau than I am! I really appreciate you taking the time to address my questions on such a personal level, however I'm not sure I possess the same level of enthusiasm, and definitely, expertise as you! I also don't want to hijack this thread, (Sorry David!). I fish slip floats mainly early winter before ice up, when the fish are moving deep. The farm ponds I frequent are wooded, right up to the edge, so that mandates a 4.5' fast action…
Holy cow John! I think you're on a much higher slip float plateau than I am! I really appreciate you taking the time to address my questions on such a personal level, however I'm not sure I possess the same level of enthusiasm, and definitely, expertise as you! I also don't want to hijack this thread, (Sorry David!). I fish slip floats mainly early winter before ice up, when the fish are moving deep. The farm ponds I frequent are wooded, right up to the edge, so that mandates a 4.5' fast action ultralight, (for easier handling), 2lb line, size 8 or 10 hook, single beemoth or 2-3 spikes, casting 30-40ft to deeper water, depth fished can be anywhere from 12-18ft. By the way, caught some more tonight- they're moving shallow, water temp was 46 degrees, I had to set the floats way up, about 18 inches, time to take em' off till next fall I think! Tony-
I will gladly set you u…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-03-10:2036984:Comment:753552010-03-10T02:59:51.207ZJohnny wilkinshttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/chicagofishing
Tony-<br />
I will gladly set you up for success. Yes, there are more sensitive setups which will aid you in catching gills. A dozen in the colder water is still quite nice- this means you are doing so much right.<br />
I DON'T want to come off as a know-it all ever. I know there is knowledge you have that I don't and you probably have skills which I don't possess.<br />
I do love helping and teaching what I know. Since Mr. Thill has gone back to London this leaves some of his students here so we are spreading…
Tony-<br />
I will gladly set you up for success. Yes, there are more sensitive setups which will aid you in catching gills. A dozen in the colder water is still quite nice- this means you are doing so much right.<br />
I DON'T want to come off as a know-it all ever. I know there is knowledge you have that I don't and you probably have skills which I don't possess.<br />
I do love helping and teaching what I know. Since Mr. Thill has gone back to London this leaves some of his students here so we are spreading the good word.<br />
Let's break down your water and I will have you answer a couple of questions here for everyone. I can then suggest components if not put together the whole package for you and take this off line to discuss.<br />
We can then share the results with the crowd.<br />
I will give you a couple of solutions for your pond that will score you 24 - 48 fish for the same time period.<br />
Pond Questions:<br />
Do you fish from shore ( I would guess)?<br />
What is the length of rod you are using?<br />
What baits are you throwing on your hook?<br />
What hook size are you using?<br />
What is the line you are using for your main line?<br />
Are you using a leader or tied straight to the same main line?<br />
Do you know the pond contour for depths?<br />
If so, what are your depths 5 feet away, 10, 15, 20 feet away?<br />
When does the lake flatten out?<br />
Is there a shore weed structure in the Summer you are casting over (or in place now)?<br />
If you are anywhere near Indianapolis - there will be a bank fishing championship there this Summer if you want to plan to see me in tournament action. The dates are yet to be determined for this event.<br />
This will be on a river and bluegill will not be the featured fish so the gear will be slightly different.<br />
Well, that is a lot to chew on, let's discuss, take this off line and get you setup... Wow John, you sound like the…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-03-10:2036984:Comment:753332010-03-10T01:02:38.077ZTony Livingstonhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TonyLivingston
Wow John, you sound like the go-to man for slip float fishing! I just got back tonight from the pond, the boys and I caught and released about a dozen nice gills' using the pro series thills I described earlier, it was a blast! However, I'm always ready to learn from someone who has better equipment, so would you mind sharing what kind of slip floats you are using? I fish exclusively for Bluegill, need a 1.5" tall float heavy enough to cast 40'-50' yet still fish depths of 10'-12' , have a…
Wow John, you sound like the go-to man for slip float fishing! I just got back tonight from the pond, the boys and I caught and released about a dozen nice gills' using the pro series thills I described earlier, it was a blast! However, I'm always ready to learn from someone who has better equipment, so would you mind sharing what kind of slip floats you are using? I fish exclusively for Bluegill, need a 1.5" tall float heavy enough to cast 40'-50' yet still fish depths of 10'-12' , have a metal or non-plastic grommet for the line to slide through, and come in high visibility colors for my not-so-good dusk eyesight. So far, the only float I've been able to find that meets all these requirements is the Thill Pro Series at Bass Pro Shops. The package says it was designed by "Mr. Slip Bobber", Greg Bohn. I almost ordered some of his floats until I saw these. Thanks!!