Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Now and then when fishing, the need arises to mark a particular spot. Perhaps there is some "fish magnet" on the bottom that only you know about. Or maybe you've chummed the spot for several days before fishing and you want to find it again. GPS is available, but not everyone has it - and it doesn't pinpoint the EXACT spot very well. SO, I do what grandpa did and make my own marker floats.

I use the styrofoam packaging from electronics - grandpa used wood or balsa. Either will do. Recently we got a new printer and it came packaged in large pieces of protective foam... a lifetimes supply!

 

I just mark a pattern in the foam like this:

 

Then I cut it out with a fine keyhole saw, and hit it with a few swipes of sandpaper to tidy it up. Last I paint it  a nice bright color. I also collect old reels and many times they still have the old braided line on them. I probably have a couple miles of the old stuff. I use it to spool these marker floats. I just attach a heavy weight, like a large nut or brass fitting to the end of the tether line, about 20-25 yards. It looks like this when fininshed

 

 

Yes, the fluorescent red paint does eat at the styrofoam a little - no biggie.

To use the float just toss it in the water. The weight will play out as it sinks and the float will f"lip-flop," over and over, as it does. Once the weight hits botton, the "H" shape of the float will stop the rolling over action and the float will remain stationary. Round marker floats have the bad habit of continuing to pay out line, especially if caught by the wind. This doesn't happen with this design.

 

I make them small enough to fit a few in my possibles bag, always at the ready. You can make them any size you like, though. Give them a try sometime.

Views: 902

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

David, Good idea!

 

Eric

wonderful, thank you so much for coming up with that idea and sharing.
Good one David!
Good post, this will save money..better than plastic coke bottles.

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan posted a status
"Any more members being approved?"
yesterday
John Sheehan posted a photo
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

the big spider

"Catch a Lunker , Dick !"
Saturday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on dick tabbert's photo
Thumbnail

the big spider

"Scary looking, but I bet the fish love it."
Saturday
dick tabbert posted a photo
Friday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's status
"We are exploring/learning the three permit lakes late in life. Today was Canistear Reservoir. Hot…"
Jul 29
John Sheehan posted a status
"Just dink smallmouths and Largemouth Bass for Greg and I, fishing a third Reservoir this year."
Jul 29
John Sheehan posted photos
Jul 29
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I love your kind of fishing!"
Jul 27
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I’m very fortunate that the fishing  in coastal North Carolina is so great and most…"
Jul 27
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

JULYWP

"Summer colors on this white perch!"
Jul 27
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

JULYP

"Nice Yellow John….good colors"
Jul 27
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Often bass fisherman will catch Warmouth on 9” worms……..they. don’t fight…"
Jul 27
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"This is a great comparison John…..I added another photo to give perspective….."
Jul 27
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Sunrise Shellcracker…..7/23/2025

"I sure envy you, enjoy!"
Jul 27
John Sheehan replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Hey Jeffrey! Does the Warmouth have about the same sized Mouth as a Black Crappie of equal size, or…"
Jul 26
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
"Some quality Warmouth I caught in my early years on the Albemarle….."
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
Jul 23
Jeffrey D. Abney replied to Jeffrey D. Abney's discussion Panfish Species of North America- Which Ones Have You Caught?
Jul 23

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service