Not sure many are utilizing this technique but I have learned at least for me in the midwest when the water temps dive below 50 degrees (often around 40 ) florida strain LMB become really hard to catch, at least for me, lol. I started playing around with the float and fly technique and to my surprise was able to catch some bass. There are several iterations of the technique but I am using a slip float with a bead and bobber stop knot, I can adjust the knot up or down to adjust depth. It works really well and I have actually been using it with Rapala mooch minnows and catching fish but my only issue is finding beads with a small hole. My wife had a collection of beads but only a couple had a small hole through the bead. I can use larger material for making the bobber stop knot but the bigger the knot it doesn't like going through the guides as well. I thought I would just ask if anyone knows of beads that I could look for that have a small hole, just thought I would ask...thanks!

go to the craft store and look at bracelet beads. They are tiny and work well.

21 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

go to the craft store and look at bracelet beads. They are tiny and work well.

Yesh not many craft stores left, I looked at wally world craft section, lots of beads all with big holes, lol...maybe check michaels..

michaels will be your best bet. Or a Jo-Anns if you have one. Hobby lobby probably has them but I haven't been in one. The beads I am talking about are called seed beads I think. They are about the size of a grain of rice.

Alternatively, you could just get rid of the bead and knot entirely and use a rubber bobber stop. I keep them in the boat for pegging weights but they were originally for the purpose you have.

Buy them here

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-BEADS.html

You can buy packs of the Thill bobber stops in 40 packs, which comes with 40 beads and 40 knots. The beads are most important, you can buy a spool of cheap nylon thread and tie your owns stop knots in less than a minute

As casts_by_fly stated, the rubber bobber stops were designed for this purpose. I have never had an issue with them going through the guides on my rods. I don’t know if I would want something hard hitting all the guides on my rod repeatedly for fear of damaging them.

7 minutes ago, STPC said:

As casts_by_fly stated, the rubber bobber stops were designed for this purpose. I have never had an issue with them going through the guides on my rods. I don’t know if I would want something hard hitting all the guides on my rod repeatedly for fear of damaging them.

The Thill beads are plastic

I get a lot of lure building supplies at Hobby Lobby and they do have lots of beads. I've never checked how small the holes are but I'd assume they're pretty small for threading on necklaces and such.

2 hours ago, bishoptf said:

Yesh not many craft stores left, I looked at wally world craft section, lots of beads all with big holes, lol...maybe check michaels..

What do you need? I’m making an order for bucktail jig supplies and can add to the order. I can send direct to you.

Let me know

JF10

Thanks everyone, i had tonrun another errand and stopped at the local Hobby Lobby. I use 30lb braid for the bobber stop knot and 8lb mono leader and 30lb braid is not that thick but what I use and have on hand. Hobby Lobby has lots to choose from but most medium size beads have holes that are to large but they had some tiny, I mean tiny beads that have very small holes. I was concerned that the overall size would be to small for the float but appears to work, lifetime supply for $.99....I may pair it up with a larger bead that I can see but either way I thin this will work.

Appreciate all the comments and suggestions.

Those are the ones i was thinking of.

2 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Those are the ones i was thinking of.

Went out and tested they work but since they are so small when I reel it back in, water on the line keeps the bead from easily slide down the line. Not a huge issue but wish I could have found one a little bigger. Will have to see what i can come up with but for .99 cents I will make it work.

Just glue them to the top of the bobber. The beads don’t have to slide, they just need to stop the stop knot.

3 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Just glue them to the top of the bobber. The beads don’t have to slide, they just need to stop the stop knot.

Good suggestion and kind of what I was thinking about. They are tiny but will see if I can get it done and not glue my fingers together.

20 hours ago, bishoptf said:

Rapala mooch minnows

Sorry for getting off the bead subject…. Are you just letting it soak or twitching it? Never hear of the mooch minnow had to look it up.

I’ve put a senko style, worm wacky rigged on a bobber and just drag it behind the boat sometimes while I work the bank going slow.

3 minutes ago, GRiver said:

Sorry for getting off the bead subject…. Are you just letting it soak or twitching it? Never hear of the mooch minnow had to look it up.

I’ve put a senko style, worm wacky rigged on a bobber and just drag it behind the boat sometimes while I work the bank going slow.

The original idea is to use a hair jig for deep suspended bass. Ive tried that but have had more luck with a minnow style bait mostly over brush piles. Ive been trying differnt style baits but the 3.5" rapala mooch minnow has caught me the most bass, with the largest being 4+. Ive found that at least for my lake that i have had more success on overcast windy days since it helps impart some motion, but I do twitch it when fishing it....its a slow process but again for me has really been the only thing i have had success when the water has been well below 50 degrees.

Im using a 3/16 #1 jig head, 8lb leader to 15lb braid.

This is what I came up with, just press fitting may hold fine but i wanted to glue them...that was a pain but was able to get three done...see the pics for my setup.

Gotta figure how the bait is acting in cold water. Usually SLOWWWWWW

5 minutes ago, Harold H said:

Gotta figure how the bait is acting in cold water. Usually SLOWWWWWW

Its been interesting and Ive learned being in the midwest that florida strain bass really slow down in under 50 degree water temp, im just a couple weeks from ice out and water temps still around 42. What i have seen with the float and fly is it just depends on the day, I have had more luck with windy overcast days. Yesterday was warm bluebird and not a single bite. Same spot early in the week caugh 8 small bass, so its like everything, timing plays a big piece but I am fishing slowww like @Harold H mentions. Win there is some wind just letting that move it along with some twitches...