Great Tough-Bite Slip-Float

Comment

Comment by dick tabbert on July 30, 2014 at 6:25pm

Thanks again Tony and Johnny for the explanation. Its a float designed for a certain task and excels at it. Again thanks.

Comment by Johnny wilkins on July 30, 2014 at 6:17pm

If the line passes through the float - the whole system for sensitivity is compromised for sensitivity. 

Connection to one point is key for collapsing and pivoting the float. I think we need to separate the two- there can never be distance and sensitivity. Short range offers both the most speed and fastest reaction time to hook-set vs. long-lining. Chubby, hard plastic floats through the center with a ton of split shot will definitely fly a long way - but these are also the floats I absolutely dust when it comes to light-bite situations like trout fishing.

I do so relish when the anglers around me think that my spot is so good that they have to cast their plastic slip bobbers closer to me. It is that I am fishing a .75 gram float and lighter hook and they, sadly haven't learned the lesson of the +1 gram float and shot getting in the way of the fish's feeding - a lesson I love to deal out when the fish will let me. The last 3 times out, a .5 gram and .75 gram float were being "dropped" as the fish would let go of the bait - float returning to the surface.

Bigger center slip bobbers didn't even register these bites - more common with gills all year round. The big gill strikes lightly - 

Tony, you probably know - no rod & reel beats a pole fished to tight line, I think that is what you are indicating.

Tell the others about pole fishing. I am sitting next to both gill and trout weapons right now. 16.5 foot telescopic pole and a 10' medium light spinning rod. Fished side-by-side, the pole would destroy the rod 20:1 or better.

What say you?

Comment by Tony Livingston on July 30, 2014 at 6:06pm

I find any float that only utilizes one attachment point on either end , to suffer in the casting distance dept. The Gapen's shine when they are swung out on a fixed rod, but they  will catch a lot air when trying to cast.

I prefer a through body/stem design for distance casting with a slip float.

Comment by Johnny wilkins on July 30, 2014 at 6:04pm

There is a very thick notch / opening in the base - the collar slides down to pinch the line (well put Tony) - you explained it well. This is not a distance float as some are saying - but that said, if you are fishing outside of 20' away, you are making things a whole lot tougher on yourself. 

Distance casting equals more line between you and the hook set - these fish are so fast in the uptake and also the ejection - no human can get the timing right with a great deal of line between your rod tip and the tipping point, (base of the float). Pole floats are amazing for sure. 

Past 30 feet and the float needs some body at the base along with additional weight to punch out. If windy, this is especially true. When the wind picks up , the collar sleeve can be pushed up and the float swapped out for a larger float with body. This is a great float and the reason you don't see them is that they are not sold in the big box stores unless you live in Wisconsin. 

Gapen.com is one of the only places where you can get the full selection. That said, I have a few surprises up my sleeve coming soon. Prototypes are in and have gotten them wet.

What I also like about this is it accommodates different sized baits. If you shot it to add red worm, you can fish the red antenna stem and then switch over to a lighter spike or wax worm and the same float has the yellow lines that you can fish without changing shot. If you are a 007 - type, you can shot your rig up to the 5" size and then if the wind kicks up, simply switch to the 7", add a shot and fish the same location. Same goes for the baits. Shot up so that the 5" float is to the red stem when using wax worm, cricket or spikes - the lightweights and then if you need to switch to either cut crawler, 1/4 crawler or leaf worm - you slip the 5" float off, add the 7" float and the extra float will hold that bait up. 

Quickly changing with the conditions, adapting the gill's changing bite or shifting depth, this float set gets it done.

That is, of course unless you like majestic 75-foot casts and fishing long-d. It is rewarding to make the long casts and set the hook far from your prey.... I do have to admit that.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 30, 2014 at 4:13pm

Dick,
I find them to be a pain if there is any distance required for casting. Too much weight needed, which spoils the delicate nature of this presentation. That's why I came up with my own mini versions of this concept. Even then, 20 or 30 feet of casting is pushing it.
But as a general statement, I prefer these long, slender balance floats with fixed poles.

Comment by dick tabbert on July 30, 2014 at 4:03pm

Thanks Tony now that you explained it I can see the sleeve on the bottom. I know you said you have used them before and like them but I can see tangles happening because the going and coming lines are so close together is that a fair assumption.

Comment by Tony Livingston on July 30, 2014 at 2:45pm

Dick, the line goes through the black part at the bottom of the float only. There's a sleeve that can be positioned to "pinch" the line for a fixed depth, or slid up to provide an opening for the line to slide through in a slider capacity.

My only complaint is the same one I have for quills.....too much float "body" whipping out, like a sail, when casting. It can really hurt your distance. Probably not an issue on a cane pole, or where you swing the bait into place.

Comment by dick tabbert on July 30, 2014 at 1:59pm

Don't think I've ever seen them before, how does the line connect don't look like it goes through the whole float to much of a point on the top..

Comment by Tony Livingston on July 30, 2014 at 12:49pm

I've used those Gapen floats for years. Great items.

Comment by John Sheehan on July 30, 2014 at 12:39pm

I'm liking those features!

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