I was thinking this was the reason for the whole slip design, but the guy at the place I get bait said it was to stop your bobber. That didn’t make sense to me, I would’ve thought the idea was that the line pulls through the bobber so the bobber doesn’t slow it down, hence the “slip.”

 

I recently discovered that most of the fish at my spot, a 3-5 ft hole at the end of a current, are hugging the bottom. I had only been catching 5-6 free-lining live shiners before they stopped hitting completely. I finally tried rigging it with a traditional red and white bobber and split shot and boom the bite turned right back on. When I went to set the hook, however it seemed to either spit the fish right out or I was pulling it out. I’m assuming the bobber slows it down considerably in the water and the fish spits it out before I can set the hook. Is this the purpose of thill slip bobbers? I had some with me but could not figure out how to rig it, tried watching a YouTube video and I couldn’t find a demo for the kind I had. This is what I’m working with, is there a setup/version that works better for what I’m trying to do? I tried simply using a splitshot but I get snagged.

 

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/thill-pro-series-slip-floats-weighted

Slip bobbers make it possible to cast further and easily adjust your depth. When you go to cast the bobber is down by the hook allowing you to leave minimal line out and cast like a bullet. Once it lands the hook or jig falls and pulls line until the bobber hits the stop at your desired depth. The type of bobber has nothing to do with setting the hook. As with all bobbers you need to move a lot of line to tighten up on the hook, which gets worse the deeper you set your bobber.  The line runs to the bobber then downwards meaning you don't have a straight connection to the bait. Slip bobber rods are typically 7'6"+ to get good hooksets when you're setting your bait 10'+.

 

The process goes like this. Put line through the tube and slide the stopper knot onto the line, pull it semi tight but leave it loose enough to adjust the depth. Put your bead on the line. Put your bobber on by feeding line through it. Tie on your hook (i like a 1/8 oz lead head jig so that i dont need splitshot). Set your stopper knot where you want and tighten it down. Youre good to go but if you want to add split shot to a bare hook make sure you put it between the hook and the bobber, probably no more than 1' above the hook. If you put it above the bobber it will act as the stopper and you'll get no depth.

Learn how to reel set. When you get a bite, start reeling until you feel pressure and your rod starts to load. Then just lift the rod. 

16 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

Slip bobbers make it possible to cast further and easily adjust your depth. When you go to cast the bobber is down by the hook allowing you to leave minimal line out and cast like a bullet. Once it lands the hook or jig falls and pulls line until the bobber hits the stop at your desired depth. The type of bobber has nothing to do with setting the hook. As with all bobbers you need to move a lot of line to tighten up on the hook, which gets worse the deeper you set your bobber.  The line runs to the bobber then downwards meaning you don't have a straight connection to the bait. Slip bobber rods are typically 7'6"+ to get good hooksets when you're setting your bait 10'+.

 

The process goes like this. Put line through the tube and slide the stopper knot onto the line, pull it semi tight but leave it loose enough to adjust the depth. Put your bead on the line. Put your bobber on by feeding line through it. Tie on your hook (i like a 1/8 oz lead head jig so that i dont need splitshot). Set your stopper knot where you want and tighten it down. Youre good to go but if you want to add split shot to a bare hook make sure you put it between the hook and the bobber, probably no more than 1' above the hook. If you put it above the bobber it will act as the stopper and you'll get no depth.

So the slip bobber isn’t going to do me much good if I’m casting literally 10 feet in front of me? I set up shop on the rocky beach literally right on top of the hole. 

11 minutes ago, looking45 said:

Learn how to reel set. When you get a bite, start reeling until you feel pressure and your rod starts to load. Then just lift the rod. 

So when it goes under reel super hard for a few seconds then lift? How do I know when to lift?

17 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

So the slip bobber isn’t going to do me much good if I’m casting literally 10 feet in front of me? I set up shop on the rocky beach literally right on top of the hole. 

So when it goes under reel super hard for a few seconds then lift? How do I know when to lift?

You are reeling to take up as much slack in the line as you can.  When you feel the weight of the fish, lift the rod to set the hook.  If you are free lining a bait, how would you set the hook?  When you feel tension on the line you set it correct? It is the same with a bobber setup.  The difference is the bobber provides an extra spot for your line to be tight against that is not the hook.  Reeling up until the line is tight to the hook and then setting should help you catch more.

 

6 minutes ago, redmexican5081 said:

You are reeling to take up as much slack in the line as you can.  When you feel the weight of the fish, lift the rod to set the hook.  If you are free lining a bait, how would you set the hook?  When you feel tension on the line you set it correct? It is the same with a bobber setup.  The difference is the bobber provides an extra spot for your line to be tight against that is not the hook.  Reeling up until the line is tight to the hook and then setting should help you catch more.

 

Thinking back I’m pretty sure I tried that and he spit the minnow out as well. Is it just difficult to do?

34 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

So the slip bobber isn’t going to do me much good if I’m casting literally 10 feet in front of me? I set up shop on the rocky beach literally right on top of the hole. 

So when it goes under reel super hard for a few seconds then lift? How do I know when to lift?

You keep reeling until you feel the weight of the fish and your rod starts to load. Your line should be tight, then lift and fight the fish. Like everything else, it will get better/easier with practice. Good luck

1 hour ago, looking45 said:

Learn how to reel set. When you get a bite, start reeling until you feel pressure and your rod starts to load. Then just lift the rod. 

And switch to a Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook #4 or #6. You DO NOT set the hook, you simply lift

your rod and reel. 95% of the time the hook will lodge in the side of the mouth. No more gut-hooked

fish!

 

2 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

And switch to a Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook #4 or #6. You DO NOT set the hook, you simply lift

your rod and reel. 95% of the time the hook will lodge in the side of the mouth. No more gut-hooked

fish!

 

So circle hooks make it easier to set the hook w a bobber? How is this?

I use them exclusively with live bait. You DO NOT set the hook, it drives itself into the fish's mouth.

If swallowed, the hook slides up the gullet...it's magic!

5 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I use them exclusively with live bait.

 

I don't even use a 'specialty' bobber when live-bait fishing deeper. Standard round bobber with a bead (T-Rig/C-Rig bead) and a bobber stop where I want the depth to be. Off-set the line-holding hook on the round bobber and voila - slip bobber.

9 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I use them exclusively with live bait. You DO NOT set the hook, it drives itself into the fish's mouth.

If swallowed, the hook slides up the gullet...it's magic!

Awesome, thanks! Protects the fish too. You think I still need thill or will traditional red and white ball bobber work?

11 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I use them exclusively with live bait. You DO NOT set the hook, it drives itself into the fish's mouth.

If swallowed, the hook slides up the gullet...it's magic!

So would this also mean it’s easier for bait to slip off?

Traditional bobber will be fine, but get one that's cooler than red & white.

 

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/thill-americas-classic-oval-shape-float-20linu12pncl512spter/20linu12pncl512spter

Just now, roadwarrior said:

Traditional bobber will be fine, but get one that's cooler than red & white.

Ya, but as I've said before...I'm fishing on the cheap and wanted an assortment of sizes...so got this pack

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/eagle-claw-snap-on-float-assortment-16eclu12pksstrwflter/16eclu12pksstrwflter

6 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

So would this also mean it’s easier for bait to slip off?

No.  Hook minnows from the bottom jaw up through the pallet, but avoid the head (brain). The circle hook

holds the bait securely.

Just now, roadwarrior said:

No.  Hook minnows from the bottom jaw up through the pallet, but avoid the head (brain). The circle hook

holds the bait securely.

Or through the back, just behind the dorsal fin, just under the backbone. Lets them swim around more naturally.

2 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

No.  Hook minnows from the bottom jaw up through the pallet, but avoid the head (brain). The circle hook

holds the bait securely.

Perfect that’s what I’ve been doing so this will be an easy transition. I’ve already got the thill bobbers too I just don’t like how they lay sideways.

Just now, MN Fisher said:

Or through the back, just behind the dorsal fin, just under the backbone. Lets them swim around more naturally.

That makes sense. I drift them on the Tennessee River and my suggestion closes their mouth

so they don't drown.  Definitely not required in a still water situation.

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

Perfect that’s what I’ve been doing so this will be an easy transition. I’ve already got the thill bobbers too I just don’t like how they lay sideways.

I got a couple 'lay down' bobbers...I like them cause when the fish bite, the bobber 'flips up' like a flag waving in the air.

3 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Perfect that’s what I’ve been doing so this will be an easy transition. I’ve already got the thill bobbers too I just don’t like how they lay sideways.

Well, they pop up to alert you to a bite.

5 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I got a couple 'lay down' bobbers...I like them cause when the fish bite, the bobber 'flips up' like a flag waving in the air.

Good point

33 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I use them exclusively with live bait. You DO NOT set the hook, it drives itself into the fish's mouth.

If swallowed, the hook slides up the gullet...it's magic!

Thinking back I remember reading that circle hooks are no good because you tend to lose a lot of fish and that mosquito hooks were best for minnows/smallmouth. Why do you suppose someone would say this?

My guess is they never actually fished the Octopus Circle Hook.  Once you are hooked up

you will rarely lose a fish. Even when a big brown fish jumps she can't throw the hook.

 

 

 

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7 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

My guess is they never actually fished the Octopus Circle Hook.  Once you are hooked up

you will rarely lose a fish. Even when a big brown fish jumps she can't throw the hook.

 

 

 

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Cool. Is this what I want? https://www.amazon.com/Gamakatsu-伽玛卡兹-Octopus-Hook-Pack/dp/B07V4GB39P

Try downstream sweep on the the hookset, if you are using your regular hooks.

3 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Cool. Is this what I want? https://www.amazon.com/Gamakatsu-伽玛卡兹-Octopus-Hook-Pack/dp/B07V4GB39P

Yes