Which rod for slip float fishing?

[David Jackson]

First time poster, long time reader. Love bluegill fishing and it is mostly all I do. I currently use a 7 foot light action bass pro micro light for most of my fishing. I do not use slip floats usually but would like to use them more. Problem is, it seems the guides on this rod are not right for the bobber stops to go through them on the cast. Can someone recommend a rod for this purpose? I am in the market now as I just recently had a long time St. Croix 5 footer break in the door of my truck. I loved that rod and had it for many years. Tiny but a great till and crappies rod that held a lot a of great memories. I do have a 5 foot ugly stick but am not realy happy with it and had earmarked that for my eight year old as I figure even he cannot break it, haha. I have looked at the St. Cross series but not sure if I want to spend that much. So looking for a 5-7 foot, UL for slip float fishing. Any thought?
Thanks,

Dave

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Ken, what happened to the stop?
It looks like a strike indicator!

[Slip Sinker]

what i personally have found is that you want 100 percent fray after the stop knot for casting performance...line peeling off the spool will catch a solid tag as well as the knot effecting casting performance. the closer the knot when reeled towards the back of the spool yields a longer cast than towards the front less line has to cross the knot or tags when unspooled from the cast.

[Slip Sinker]

it does look like an indicator in the water and that what basically you want... you want to see that bobber stop hit the bobber after the cast ... if it doesn't hit then of course your fishing to shallow or are hitting an obstruction on the way down.

[Tony Livingston]

Or...your float utilizes a plastic bead for the line to slide through, and heavy usage has caused the line to cut into the plastic. The result is a pinched line, and trouble getting your bait to depth.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I tie mine all tidy, without the frill. I force it to the rear when I reel it in and leave no snaggy danglies - I give it a good little trim with the clippers.
I weight them so the float tips up, that's how I determine the stopper has hit the float.
Different strokes, I reckon. Can't argue with your results!

[Slip Sinker]

the problem with the guides is the wedge created after the guide from the guide wire holder towards the rod tip ... it catches the knot itself not the fray.

[Rex Mohr]

I use a 8 ft. medium action rod that has large guides.  The small black rubber stoppers go through it very well.  The other issue is having a spinning reel that has enough room on the bail so that the stop can be wrapped with out getting tangled.  This year for ice fishing I am going with the new in line reels for slip floats.  These reels should cure some issues.  This is my first reply and I just joined!  Love it!  FishMohr

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

PS what kinda bobber stops are you using. Stop knots rarely give me a problem - the little rubber "football" stoppers do.

[David Jackson]

I have been using the yellow thread stops, I think from thill. I am looking to be as frugal as possible but also get something that will last. I kinda want the 5' panfish series from St. Croix. Do you think that is appropriate for slip floats from time to time? I will use the 7 footer for bottom fishing or fixed float fishing.

Dave

[jim cosgrove]

mcscruff-cubby mini might makes such rods.a stouter base than a fly rod but with a small tip for flinging small stuff.mine was about 30 bucks

[David Jackson]

Jim,

Does Bass Pro carry them? If not where can I check them out?

Thanks

Dave

[Tony Livingston]

My thoughts.....I am a diehard St Croix fan. BUT, my 6 foot Panfish Special has guides that are WAY too small for ease of bobber stop flinging. I also use the yellow/green stops from Thill, and after a few casts they become frayed, and tend to snag on the guides. And if you envision using this rod during colder temps, beware that icing of the guides will only make things worse.

Matter of fact, I purchased an inexpensive Berkley rod last year for the sole purpose of slip float fishing during colder months....much bigger guides. And it's time to put the Croix' away for the season, and switch to the Berkley.

In my opinion, the guides on the panfish special are too small diameter for using bobber stops. I do it during the warm months, but it's certainly not optimum.