Guys,

This post is in coordination with the "Float-and-Fly" article by Kurt Beckstrom. I have two exclusive points I need to clarify and hope you guys can help.

First, the actual float. For my needs, mostly crappie, bluegill, and a few possible trout, what would be some good float choices to look at? Would your float style have to change as the season progressed, or as fished moved? (i.e. - from beds to rock piles?)

Second, the jig. What style of jig would you use for the pre-spawn? Spawn? Fall?

Thanks,

-Dane

Dane,

For what it's worth, when I target crappie alot of times I use a small slip float. It's great for fishing brush piles when you know about how deep they are. Just set the bobberstop above the brush, crappie will usually feed on bait above them and this keeps your hook from snagging the brush. Normally I use the smallest float I can that will still hold up my bait and weight. As far as jigs, I'm no help - I prefer small live shad or small minnows.

 

Dave D.

Oklahoma

I use a crappie magnet (like a trout magnet but a little bigger) about 4 feet below a float no bigger than a quater. I add 3 or 4 split shot to make the float just barely stay above the surface.

Fishing and baseball are alot alike. Everybody has their good days and everybody has their bad days. Only the best learn from both.

Bub,

 

As an acclimated bass fisherman, I'm not sure of what a trout "magnet" is. Could you maybe post a picture or explain this?

 

Also, what style (i.e. - fluorocarbon, monofilament, braid), and weight line do you use for float fishing?

 

Thanks,

 

Dane

 

God bless America and Support Our Troops!

I target alot of bluegill and crappie. I have excellent results with the "adjust-a-bubble". At least I think that's what they are called. It comes in 2 or 3 sizes and is weighted by adding a little water. It can be used fixed by twisting the top cap. Surgical tubing twists on to the line or as a slip bobber. I've been using this technique for years with everything from live bait to mid-size crankbaits. Presentation options are endless. If you are fishing an area that could lend itself to a larger fish, try a small topwater bait as a float.
Life member.

I'm going to agree with perfesser on the Adjust-a-Bubble. They come in about 3 sizes and a couple of colors. I wish they made a hi-vis version, but other than that they are extremely versatile. They can be used fixed or slip without re-rigging and you can adjust the weight by adding water. This also allows them to be used as a casting weight, letting you cast a light bait a long way without a lot of lead on the line. I like to ballast mine to where they are just barely floating. Lets me use a larger float that I can see better. Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois

Guys,

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely check them out this coming Summer.

 

Thanks,

 

-Dane

God Bless America! Support Our Troops!

1st......yer adjust-a bubble is called a torpedo bobber. they come as a fix [with 2 small i screws in it....1 on each end] or they come as adjustable [just as they discribed]. they come in 3 colors......clear, red and yellow. i have only found them in 2 sizes. also i might add that they can be very hard to find, so grab them when ya can find them.

2nd.....the magnets that fishinbub is talking about-at least i think is the berkley gulp maget or the crappie cubbies.

3rd.....you will find almost any wet or dry fly will work with this set-up, even the rubber spiders work great with this set-up.


would like to add that i fish with smaller bobbers such as the shy bites from thill....with a 9' fly rod with a ultra-lite spinning real. the last issue of the in-fisherman mag. has a great artical on ultra-liting for pan fish in it. i have also found that some of the best ultra-lite jigs to be found out on the market is the smalls ice fishing jigs that you can find. i have better luck making my own.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.northforkoutdoors.net/trout_magnet.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.northforkoutdoors.net/index.html&h=150&w=150&sz=10&tbnid=yq73Q8xIpWlVzM::&tbnh=96&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dphoto%2Bof%2Ba%2Btrout%2Bmagnet&usg=__yVuBYBjr9Ej5tBEroyA7B5laJjE=&ei=UFQXSqzaLMektwfKqeHnDA&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=4&ct=image

 

A crappie magnet is the same thing but a little bigger. I just use cheap #6 mono and some bb sz split shot.

Fishing and baseball are alot alike. Everybody has their good days and everybody has their bad days. Only the best learn from both.