Slip floaters - we need you. Doing a study on float setups and how you fish them: Bobber Revolution 2011 

We need you. I will be giving out some great prizes and raffling off floats, tshirts, baits etc. 

I hope many slip-floats can share their rigs and their Spring / early Summer fishing. I would like reps from all over the country to participate.

John C. fished in the very same club I was in and the same ponds around me. John, they are tearing up Patriot's Park - Barth Pond. They might be poisoning all the fish / dredging it out. If they do- I want to be there with video and my camera to document what a colossal dumb idea they had.

As to the question:

Why is it that some floats have the under water end wider than the above water end? Comparing a Betts Balsa and a Thill Mini Stealth balsa float they are opposite....."

I'm willing to bet there isn't a ton of thought behind the difference. It may be just a way to avoid patent infringment - and may have nothing to do with fishing.

Those you show always remind me of decapitated wagglers. This makes them more a slippable bobber than a float in the traditional sense. You might call them a hybrid, too.

16th oz Chartreuse Marabou jig/crawler piece slip floated just off bottom @ 3 and 1/2 ' took this big surprise . Sucker ,not sure what kind.

That is a nice fish, as fish go.  I see these trash or "rough" fish as worthy opponents, much as the folks in other parts of the world do.  After all, carp were first imported into this country as a food source during U.S. Grant's term.

There is this nagging thought in my brain that they are indeed edible - should you happen upon the correct method of preparation.

In the meantime, that big old sucker had to be more fun than cleaning out the gutters. "Fish on!" brother.

I also appreciate your succinct descriptions of your catching methods.

David,glad you like my sharing of fishing method .I honestty wish more folks would succinctly explain their catches.

  The gutters are still clogged but I had fun with this Sucker on 4# test and a Crappie rod !They fight great!

The Cabelas Balsa float I used  is in the pic below on the right .

John - sucker is one of the most awesome fish to catch - nice haul.  Suckers are very fine feeders and are not easy to catch. I am with David - the only "rough" fish is the one that will not take your bait. A fish is something you try to catch. The shape, nor the length, nor the weight or color of the fish matters and each and every fish offers something for the angler. Show me the person that would rather fish all day for bass and catch nothing vs. catching ten fish of another species and I will show you someone who is jealous and not honest with themselves.

Sucker = Awesome. I wish my lake near me was filled with white sucker, red tail or even wide-mouth sucker. That would be the best. 

by the way - this is the bobber that I referred to that used to have a controller eye on the side half-way up the red cone. 

The name on the side of theta float is my teacher's name - Thill. These were designed as a "first wave" of consumer floats. But- before he could complete the next wave he sold off his name to the company [ the bought him out]. Next, the company started doing things to save $$ and the little metal eyes became extinct. These are beginners' floats - stay tuned.

Johnny-I lost the only two I had of these fine Thill mini wagglers with the controller eye  and cant find them in the stores I used to get them in anymore .Upsetting! Anyone know where I can find backstock on these . That white sucker sure was a fine catch on 4lb test!

You could make your own by getting some fine wire, loop it over a metal dowel for the eye and then insert the two ends into the balsa with a dab of silicone (make sure the eye is open with no silicone) - or you can use my floats with do have a controller eye.

Eye care.  I discovered a section of lake by me that holds suckers and to be a better angler this Spring I am going to have a few sucker expeditions. I was so happy to see them trying to get up the 100' dam/inflow ramp last fall. Can't wait. They are delicate feeders and they have a lot of little bumps as they taste their favorite bait - worms. Ignoring the false bites with a fine float tip will allow you to see "the glide" when they are actually eating what they have tasted and the hook is home. They have several fights which include a medium-fast tugging straight down in multiple throbs, they also have the "pickerel run" a snaky burst and my favorite - the line wrap when they simply roll like crazy and get your line all wrapped up on them like a Christmas package.

Is the water still where you fish for is there a slight current - I am guessing a slight current somewhere near there.

Absolutely a current was nearby and the run was like a Pickerels!Pompton lakes where I caught the sucker  is a dammed river system.

 What a cool idea to make my own controller eye.I may shave down a wine cork as well as try it on a balsa float. 

I would be willing to buy and try your floats as well .Can you send me some info?

What is the type float, most of you use for slip bobber fishing. I am getting ready to make a trip to bass pro and dicks to spend some Christmas gift cards.