Do you love big bluegill?

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE SLIP BOBBER RIGS FOR B'GILL

Here's mine for open water season 2015

I just wanted to share my favorite slip bobber rig for the past 2015 season.

2015 open water season found me fishing out of my kayak and limiting my supply of fishing rods to just 3 on board. An UL jigging rod, UL slip bobber rig and an UL drop shot rig. After weeks of tweaking slip bobber systems I ended up with this rig. Most of my UL fishing experiences were shallow less than 2 FOW casting under overhanging brush and next to dense weed slop or inside slop pockets of open water.

The rod I settled on is a Diawa Crossfire 562ULFS series rod with incredible value … under 20.00. the rod is a fast action tip for the first third of the blank and then quickly develops a significant back bone for the remainder . I believe this is the main reason it develops such accurate casting and flipping into tight targets. This system if used correctly I believe would eliminate the need for a long fixed rod for stealth. After some practice I was able to drop the bobber with a flip with a very quiet presentation.

This rig has caught some very large preds such as LMB hitting the 5# mark and N’Pike hitting the 30 inch mark. The large preds would dive and dig into cover and the power pro braid would cut thru the slop and veggies like a weed whacker.

The line is an important component in this configuration providing sensitivity, power, toughness and its inherent weed whacking ability.

The slip bobber is Pro series Thill providing sensitivity and stealth when entering the target area. Use enough split shot to balance the float to a neutral position.

Stop knot was a UNI Knot tied with30# Dacron in bright chartreuse for line signal property of visibility.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gary Boysen on February 4, 2016 at 5:51pm

Wow...you're speaking my language, Slip. I just put Power Pro 15# braid on my Pflueger Supreme reel, have my Pro Thill ready to go and have been practicing my Uni knot tying. This morning I printed an article on drop shot fishing that I thought would come in handy this year on the yak in the deeper lakes and reservoirs I plan to haunt. I'm ready to follow your lead and go after those big LMBs and pike. I'll be chasing those suckers right into the weeds and reeds.

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on February 5, 2016 at 7:45am

Good setup Gary! I like those style floats and I also like the Pflueger reel. I have an UL 'Supreme' that's beat up but still catches most of my fish.

Permalink Reply by Slip Sinker on February 4, 2016 at 7:10pm

Great looking set up Gary... you gotta love those Pflueger supreme reels... what model spinning rod is that?

I really like PRO Thill series of slip bobbers ... what's your opinion? or is this series of float new to you? if it is I can practically guarantee you will love it.

You are going to love the weed wacker or weed cutting properties of braid when the big ones dig in.

the funny thing is last year I concentrated largely on pan fishing using small Baits, small jigs drop shotting, slip floating and I caught a significant number of large predator fish along with just as if I was concentrating for them.

Permalink Reply by carl hendrix on February 4, 2016 at 9:57pm

hey slip stinker;; question for you;; in your oppinion; which has a better sentive line;; braid;; or floro?? knowing that with braid line; you need a ( special type ) of ; reel; ( ? ) ; I have a really old reel; old dawaii 1000 thinking of bringing life back to it; U L rod around a 6 or 7 footer; ( I much prefer long rods ) had thought of putting flor line on it; in maybe a 4 pound. havent tried the floro line yet

Permalink Reply by Slip Sinker on February 5, 2016 at 2:43am

Hey Carl... fluorocarbon is more sensitive than mono but less sensitive than Super lines like Braid or Nanofil. any rod and reel should be able to handle braid... the one main problem with older reels is that you need to establish a base of mono on the spool before you lay down the braid or the braid will eventually slip on the spool... it is very slick and has no bite to the spool.

i have a 1980's Shimano speed reel that i use frequently with 4# Power Pro Braid ... works great. I believe just rumors that braid does not play well with older rods and reels.

well fluorocarbon is a step in the right direction over mono because of the decreased stretch and more sensitivity.. However Mono and fluorocarbon give up significant strength when adding any knot.

Permalink Reply by carl hendrix on February 5, 2016 at 8:21am

thanks slip stinker; this old reel ; I got it back in the mid 70;s; caught a ton of fish with it;; i;ll try some florcarbon on it;; dont really like the braid stuff;; tried it before;; and when I got hung up;; man !! it doesnt break off ! you have to cut the line !

Permalink Reply by Slip Sinker on February 5, 2016 at 1:08pm

lol.. tough stuff that braid ... point the rod tip at the snag hold on to the spool and pull backwards... usually the hook will straighten out or break at the knot its weakest point.

incredibly in most cases it doesn't have to come to that ... do a guitar string snap of the line from tight to slack usually snaps the lure free from snags.

there was one time i pulled up a Christmas tree!

Permalink Reply by Gary Boysen on February 5, 2016 at 4:41am

The rod is my old Ugly Stick, 6 ft Medium action. I was thinking of upgrading to a longer medium/heavy fast action rod to allow for going into the reeds and pod beds. I'll credit John Sheehan for my development in upgrading my game. He's encouraged me to start using a slip bobber, explained how it works and gave me one of his old ones. He also got me to join BBG, where I've learned more in the past few months than in the past 5 decades of fishing. I have not used the braid or slip-bobber yet, but with a lot more knowledge under my belt, and a new yak under my but, 2016 is looking like a banner year for me.

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on February 5, 2016 at 7:48am

I've been scouting a few lakes Gary!

Permalink Reply by Gary Boysen on February 5, 2016 at 8:05am

Me too, John. I've got a 3 ring binder going now. Keeping info on everything I'm learning. One section is for new locations (ponds, lakes, reservoirs), in NJ, NY, PA, MD and anywhere the guys here recommend. I see road trips in my future for 2016. Hopefully, you and I will get to fish together a lot more this coming season.

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on February 5, 2016 at 8:22am

sounds great . You got enough money for all those Liscenses? IMy NJ is good all year , my NY expires in May I believe . I want to hit some NY waters more in early season this year . Shore fishing . Gotta pay extra to put the boats in . I'll do the boat in NJ water .

Permalink Reply by Gary Boysen on February 5, 2016 at 8:46am

Save your boat money for NY and we can go in my yak. Two seater and we'll have a blast. I may not get a PA license, but will absolutely get my NY and MD licenses. After pontooning on the Pocomoke River down in MD this past Novermber, I can't wait to get down there with my yak. It's bass heaven and I want some of that!