Bobber Fishing Revolution

[Johnny wilkins]

Join The Revolution

 

If you currently use a bobber and you are interested in some new methods of fishing, you can be eligible for a study which might just change fishing across North America.

 

 This study will be for live bait anglers. Anglers that are currently using:

Bobbers, Spring Bobbers, Slip Bobbers to catch bluegills. If this is your primary method of fishing for bluegills you can participate. Are you interested?

 

To participate in Bobber Fishing Revolution 2011, you will need to provide a couple things including, your current setups using a bobber. The total cost will be under $20 including shipping and is open to anglers in the U.S. and Canada who fish for bluegills. Those who participate will receive $50 in tackle & bait for this study.

The bait & tackle will be pre-made in some cases rigged and ready-to-fish based on the conditions / depths you are fishing. You will also get to test the 2011 Bluegill & Panfish Attractant and specific instructions will be sent to you.

If you wish to remain anonymous you can. Simply email me and don't post publicly that you are participating.  If you don't want people to know you are taking part for any reason - I will create a first name for your study and use those only.

 

If you are interested reply to the post or if you want to do it off to the side, contact me via email to apply. I can't take all the anglers that apply, but I will want people from all over the country to give it a try. While I don't anticipate getting that man the maximum would be around 30 - 45 anglers. 

 

To apply either email (or reply to this post): I am interested -

then list:

1. depths you fish
2. baits you fish
3. names of bobbers you throw (brands, sizes)
4.  and that you use live bait 75% of the time (vs. lures). 
   
   Sign-up will run during the month of March. Fish, keep track, record and make posts showing how you did, what you threw, bait etc.

 

Start the Revolution

Remember, we first want a sampling of how everyone fishes out there. We want to see what you are using. Once we get that - we will start the Revolution. If you want to get a jump on others and for sure you are interested in being a participant - contact me via email here and send the following if you have open water right now:

 

Complete Current Condition Study

Participants will be asked for photos and/or descriptions of their current bobbers to include:

1. Split Shot (photo) - closeup of your shot on the line

2. Measurements / distances of rig (measure from float to splitshot, distance from splitshot to hook and a photo of the whole rig

3. Hook Size (photo next to dime)

4. Bait used (photo on hook next to dime)

5. If possible - picture of spot you are fishing

5a. Description of spot you fish (lake, pond, current, slow-moving river, backwater)

5b. Depth of spot you fish (you can take a big splitshot, clip it above the hook and drop it down to find the depth)

6. Average fishing session time (in hours)

7. If you move around spot-to-spot OR if you tend to fish an area for a long time

8. Typical catch # of bluegills  / Size of bluegills avg.

  

Participants - Once this short, easy list is completed, you will be notified that you are selected and then you we can make arrangements for the custom rigs, shipping etc. Once I reach the maximum number of anglers, or I have coverage in a few states, this will close. You don't have to have the list done (1-8) to be selected, but it will help.

If you are updating rigs setups and your fishing during this month - you can pretty much consider yourself IN!

 

The results will be posted here in the Fall or as I receive the majority of comments from this Revolution Study.  Please consider participating in the study as I want to have several states, depths and fishing conditions covered and want results from real people. Join the study & Revolt!

 

I will be giving away 5 T-shirts and prizes to some random participants so everyone is eligible to be the top Revolutionist. I will choose 1 Revolutionary has done an extraordinary job as the grand champion rebel. So Revolt, get those rig diagrams in and represent your state or your local ponds and we will all learn together.

 

[jason grimm]

It's interesting that you have this bobber revolution, because I invented my own & would like to pass it on. the thing is if it becomes too notorious, I will not achieve any credit for it. I will give you a clue though, it floats like a feather has a rattle build in. plus has a swivel bearing system on the top & bottom, so it can float fixed or slip style. i also have a awesome catfish dip bait, that ive already spread word about. pretty clever huh!

[Johnny wilkins]

Absolutely - making ones floats is a fantastic activity that nearly everyone should try! Just like tying a fly - it is not so tough but it is so much fun to catch a fish on something you made.

 

That said, I have been studying floats back to the 1800's and was taught by the Godfather of floats in the U.S. - or at least the guy who brought them to be more advanced.

The idea behind the Revolution is to show all the products, all the rigs. If you fish your invented float (and want to show it - that is good too- but I am going after the floats on the shelf).

I want to catalog all of these, all the baits, some successes, some outings that didn't work.

Over a period of time we will have a good count, some pictures and an idea about some performance of our tackle.

 

I want Thill - straight through slip bobbers - someone fishing those to fish that one all Spring and summer as you normally would fish it - just count the fish, take some photos and by all means show the rigs with the split shot, hook, swivel, weights - drop shot jigs- whatever.

 

If you want to show me you can if not that is o.k. too. I have been working with a few manufacturers over the past couple of years on trying to produce a product. I just got off the workbench too and was working on something which might have similarities.

 

So if you were going to join the revolution - and you don't want to show your design (because you might produce it some day)- then go with a commercial product. I hope you are ready to revolt as well. By the way - if you are interested.

 

I will fill in a revolt entry so that everyone sees how it would look. 

 

 

[Johnny wilkins]

Should I post a .pdf sheet with the questions for the Revolt?!

[jason grimm]

Yes sir, I will take a look at it. Send me any info on the leagues as well, maybe if you want to show me what's on your bench. I will show you what's on mine. :) 1 more thing I do use Thill bobbers only, as well as my invented 1's, so I don't might testing those. thanks!

[Johnny wilkins]

Excellent.

Well, my inventions are really only bringing to market what are possibly 1,000 years old. I am bringing back the items which were originally used to fish with -which, in many cases the 150-year old antique will destroy the off-the-shelf item EVERY TIME.

 

As for  looking at items on your bench - I will do that, but I will send you a non-compete so that you can safely show it to me and so that you have no worries I will take your idea to market (unless you want me to produce it and ship it to us to sell with my other products)... maybe we make something of it but we can protect what you have made (or be sure it is protected).

[jason grimm]

I don't have a camera right now, to show you my bobber stuff. I will keep in touch with you for your revolution & leagues, so ttyl.

[Johnny wilkins]

1. depths 
   4' - 8' depths (still water Ponds near Chicago, IL) 
2. baits you fish
   Spikes, Redworms, Corn  
3. Names of bobbers you throw (brands, sizes)
   Thill, Blackbird  - Shy Bite / Stealth
4.  and that you use live bait 75% of the time (vs. lures)
   Live bait 99.9% of the time - YES
5. Sign-up will run during the month of March. Fish, keep track, record and make posts showing how you did, what you threw, bait etc.

 

Current Equipment

1. Split Shot (photo) - closeup of your shot on the line
xx Will reveal later - Thill Split Shot  or Anchor Splitshot  - soft, doublecut shot 

2. Measurements / distances of rig (measure from float to splitshot, distance from splitshot to hook and a photo of the whole rig

xx 4" from drop shot to hook (leader length), then main, bulk shot up the line towards the float (adjustable shots)

3. Hook Size (photo next to dime)

Not too big! 

4. Bait used (photo on hook next to dime)
xxThere is no bait there- but if there were, go I will go with spikes, occasional redworm & corn for bonus carp.

5. If possible - picture of spot you are fishing

 

 

xxThese were caught on that hook you see - trout stocking (Fall)

5a. Description of spot you fish (lake, pond, current, slow-moving river, backwater)

xx Medium ponds - park ponds -still water

5b. Depth of spot you fish (you can take a big splitshot, clip it above the hook and drop it down to find the depth)

6. Average fishing session time (in hours)

xx Average fishing session 4.25 hours

7. If you move around spot-to-spot OR if you tend to fish an area for a long time

xx I always fish only one spot - rarely move - if ever!!

8. Typical catch # of bluegills  / Size of bluegills avg.

xx various - size smaller bluegills(urban fish - small)

 

Ok- I am in the Revolution (I hope someone from each state is going to participate).

  

[Johnny wilkins]

http://bigbluegill.com/profiles/blogs/revolution-how-do-you-bobber

I put up photos of different bobbers, bite indicators that people might use. Look in my blog to see these so we can cross a bunch off the list. There are 4 or 5 anglers who are fishing different bobbers so far so this is good.

We have at least 2 anglers fishing some innovative gear (which we may or may not reveal) - TOP Secret bobbs...

But, we have some bobbers that we need covered like rocket bobber, bobber with a brain for our challenge. Anyone out there interested in participating in the Revolution - check in with your setup. Bobber, hook, bait, line jig or no jig and let's go.

We have about 1/4 of the slots filled:
http://bigbluegill.com/profiles/blogs/revolution-how-do-you-bobber

Johnny

[Johnny wilkins]

I fished a new place so some of this outing was scouting mission - no excuses! I used my standard attack with spikes, from shore with a telescopic "cane pole" - no reel.

You can see some of this from the photos on my page, but I will reveal the entire rig later in the challenge.

The day started out cold and disappointing as I checked the depth and only found 2 foot of water. I was hoping for 4 in this cold. The first hour and a half was slow, but then as I fed the spot, action began to pick up and included a break-off (some bigger fish). The second disappointing thing about this spot was the number of bullhead in this spot OUCH!

 

My first Revolution log:

New Water: Pond

Time: 2.5 hours

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.  minus setup time / walk (:45)

Catch: 29 fish - 1 break-off

Bait: Spikes

Tackle: [ Float ] Canepole Hook, micro split shot

 

I will post some photos later

 

[John Sheehan]

Felt good getting out huh!Nice job Johnny.

Caught your radio spot yesterday ,glad you're back on.

[Johnny wilkins]

You the man - yes it felt REALLY good getting out. Cold water is frustrating but once I made adjustments I started catching consistently. 

A couple days later I figured out something else I needed to fix - still water current direction....!!!! My bait was moving slightly to the right- I picked up on it later in the day but this is something I was taught and forGOT! 

Always trying to keep everything going.

Exploration of the new place took up an hour- I will do much better the next time there! Bullheads slowed me down - 25 of those fish were bullheads so I have 4 spike wounds to show for it. 

The raccoons will eat well there - I might end up gutting them and baking them because they need a predator! I need to make some space out there for the gills.

 

I am hoping that the bullheads were in shallow on the warm bank and that these spikey space invaders will move out and my gills will move in. It is tough to put up big numbers while taking those spikey little beasts off the hook. But YES I got out of the Cabin. I will try to fish close by Tuesday and Wednesday after work for a couple of hours...

[John Sheehan]

In a  SE cove Gills and seeds were Sunning themselves in 1-2' of water  yesterday(3/20).I saw many takes but pulled the jig right out of thier mouths many times.They chomped several times on the bait .Hook setting timing was very difficult yesterday. EVEN SEEING THE TAKE! I got some work to do. I tried setting right away and it didnt work . I tried waiting to count of three and was often successful but not always .I tried waiting till they turned or shook their heads and it worked 1/2 the time .It was as if they had to hook themselves . A light lift on the rod was what I tried to remember every time.Sometimes I reacted too quickly and aggressively but never as quickly as the Gills if they wanted to spit it out .
 Caught about 25 fish but must have missed that many at least. They would come from 10 ft away to investigate the bait. Mealworms dont catch as many as spikes per bait but are attractive to the fish on jigs.I was going with spikes on #14 Eagle Claw hooks.