In bobber fishing, an angler uses a special float or bobber to suspend a baited hook or lure at a certain depth in the water where fish are feeding. The bobber also acts as a visual cue when a fish strikes and keeps the hook from snagging on the bottom. Bobbers are useful for fishing either still or moving water, and you can even use them in deeper waters.
Still Fishing
Still fishing with a bobber is a favorite technique among natural-bait fishermen. It is often the first experience young anglers have with fishing. This technique is best for fishing ponds, lakes and reservoirs where waters are still. The angler, after determining the depth to set the bobber--often just off the bottom--attaches it to the fishing line. When cast out, the bobber suspends the bait and stays in position, waiting for a fish to find the bait and strike.
Drift Fishing
Bobbers are also good for working moving water, such as in steelhead fishing. Once the bobber is set on the line, the angler casts upstream above the area where fish are holding. The current then carries the bobber and bait downstream and past waiting fish. This presents the bait in a natural manner, similar to when food items wash downstream. The bobber keeps the bait suspended at a level where the fish can take it easily.
Deep Water Fishing
Most standard bobbers are designed to work only in shallow waters. For deeper waters, use a slip bobber. The angler ties a stop knot in the fishing line, threads the line through a bead and then the slip bobber, so both slide freely. A swivel, leader, weight and baited hook attach on the line below the slip bobber. When the angler casts, the bobber drops to the swivel. When the bobber enters the water, the weight and hook pull the line through the slip bobber. The knot and bead then stop the line at the bobber to set the hook at the proper depth.
Bottom Fishing
The lift method is used when bobber fishing for bottom feeders, such as catfish or carp. In this technique, the angler attaches a baited hook, leader, swivel and sinker several feet below a pencil-type bobber. When cast, the sinker actually pulls the bobber underwater. The angler then reels in until the tip of the bobber is visible above the surface of the water. The sinker holds the bobber vertically in the water. When a fish takes the bait and lifts the sinker off the bottom, the bobber lays on its side at the surface, indicating a fish is on.
Saltwater Fishing
A specialized bobber, called a popping cork, is popular among saltwater anglers, when targeting speckled sea trout, redfish and other inshore species. This bobber has one narrow end and a concave tip on the top. Some are also rigged to slide up and down a length of stiff wire. To fish with this bobber, cast the bobber out and then quickly raise the tip of the fishing rod occasionally. This causes the bobber to produce a popping sound that attracts fish.
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