I have never used a slip bobber before and i was just wondering when it a good time to use them and how to set them up.  When fishing for catfish do I not use a bobber stop.  How do i get the float to stay straight up and down?  What fishing circumstances should I use them in?  I appreciate every ones help.  I'm a 14 year old kid trying to gain knowledge.  Thanks

A slip bobber is normally used when live bait fishing. The set up starts with a bobber stop, bead, bobber and then the weight and hook. It can be set up conventional with the weight above the hook or as a drop shot with the weight below the hook. Use as small a float as possible and enough weight to keep the float just visible above the water. The bobber will not stand up without a stop unless you use a weighted float. The big advantage to a slip bobber rig is that you can fish deeper water and still land a fish easily as the stop will pass through your guides and the bobber will drop down close to the hook. Check in to the Rocket Bobber. They work a bit differently but cast a mile and are especially good in windy conditions. If you have any more questions, PM me at any time. Tom

Thanks!

The depth on the slip bobber rig can be set specific so that when fishing a reef or sharp drop off, you can just touch bottom accurately.

Should you ever not use a bobber stop and just let the bait and hook set on the bottom?

Joel, I use a slip float all the time for cat fishing. First off, a bobber stop will hang up if you're using a closed faced reel like a Zebco product. I usually set mine so the bait is at least 5 ft. off the bottom. Through years of fishing for cats and paying attention to the more experienced guys I was fishing with, I've found the bigger cats aren't right on the bottom. The small cats are down there foraging for whatever they can find.

I usually rig mine a little different than the way Tom told you. Starting from the bottom it's hook, 12 to 15 inch leader, barrel swivel, bead, egg sinker, bead, bobber, and then bobber stop.

I use a leader that's not as strong as my main line. That way if you do snag something all you lose is the leader and hook. Cats like to roll, that's why I use a swivel to prevent line twist. I like egg sinkers but if you don't have a bead between it and the swivel, the sinker will beat against the swivel every time you cast. Eventually ( personal experience here ) either the swivel will bend to the point it no longer turns or you're knot will be beaten enough to break the line.

Hope this helps, good luck.

I love using slip bobbers mainly because of the flexibility and depth control. my favorite is to cast the rig next to a visible weedline and watch that bobber go down

Are there any certain bobber stops that are better than others. Also how big of a barrel swivel do you use when catfishing ?

I prefer to use the pre-tied line knot bobber stop. The knot is tied on a short piece of plastic tube; you feed your line through the tube then you slide the knot off of the tube onto your line, slide on a small bead, then bobber, the rest of the rigging depends on how you plan on fishing your rig. You can fish it like a suspended drop shot rig, with beetle spins jigging them next to structure such as bridge pilings, submerged brush or rock piles. I like the knot because it will not hang up as much on the guides and will lay flatter on your reel.

You can also tie your own stops by simply tieing a uni knot on a thin straw or directly onto the line. I use 20# test dacron braid but any string about the diameter of kite string should work. Just remember a bead to keep your stop from slipping through the float!

Another easy bobber stop is to just tie on a tiny rubber band and trim off the ends closely. Being flexible the trimmed ends go through the guides easily. This is probably the easiest bobber stop you'll find.

Posted By JoelW on 11 Jun 2011 06:24 PM
Should you ever not use a bobber stop and just let the bait and hook set on the bottom?

Yes, I use that method when I fish for catfish/bullhead using dead or prepared bait (such as dead shiners or dough balls).  In that case, all you need to really know is when the fish takes the bait and starts to take off with it.  Quite a different story when fishing with live bait, however.

dubro slip bobber knot tying tool kit. make my own for the past 20 years. about 10.00 bucks can make 100's