Floats vs. Bobbers

One of the most over looked presentations in fishing today is using a float, or in American terms – a bobber. Bobber fishing is certainly not new. While bobbers are common, there are big differences between bobbers and floats other than appearance.

Bobbers are usually round and brightly colored devices in red/white or yellow/green so they can easily be seen by the fishermen. Floats on the other hand tend to be long and slim and for the most part less visible except for the tip top. The reason being is the majority of the float is under water with only a small part of the tip showing.

You may be wondering what the big deal between them is. In a word, sensitivity. Bobbers float on top and have great resistance to the surface water, which can be very problematic when bites are light and the fish are wary. If you have fished long enough you would have used them in the past and you probably caught some fish. But, how many fish have you missed? The Europeans have made float fishing a science. Why? some may ask, because they had to. With smaller lakes and greater pressure, the need to see and feel a wary fish’s nibble and gentle take was the only way to catch fish under those circumstances.

Necessity being the mother of invention drove people to begin experimenting with different materials to heighten the sensitivity. Just one of many solutions was to use porcupine quills and straw. This helped to resolve the problem of missing those “light bites”. Today Balsa wood and plastic straws are used to make a wide array of floats. Bobbers come in about half a dozen sizes ranging from extra small to extra large and their use depends on the fish you are after and the size of the bait you are using. Floats on the other hand are designed by the number of grams of weight being used.

Float fishing is a very precise method and can take quite some time to conquer the nuances and get the hang of it, but the rewards are well worth the invested time. I started using floats about 12 years ago and I can tell you the results were amazing. I have caught Bluegill, Crappie, Trout and Carp using this method; and I can tell you it’s exciting to watch your float start to twitch and then dart under when the fish takes your offering. Again sensitivity is the key to catching wary fish or just fishing. When fish are in a positive feeding mood a bobber can work just fine, especially when the fish are competing for your offering, however that may last only a few minutes to an hour during the day.

When fish are in a neutral mood and less aggressive they may need to be coaxed a little. If you are using a bobber and they do decide to take your bait, but feel resistance, they will drop the bait and swim away. If you are using a float your chances of getting that fish to continue taking your bait and move off with it will increase. Now you have a better chance of setting the hook and catching that fish.

Rod choice with float fishing can be just as important. Europeans use very long rods to float fish. Varying lengths of up to 14’ is common and needed in order to cast a light rig where it’s needed, and to set the hook quickly when the strike comes. With trout season upon us it’s a great time to try this technique and enjoy a unique and fun way to catch fish. It is not always about the number of fish we catch but the knowledge that we can catch them using multiple options. Some days I take greater pleasure in catching a few fish the way I want rather than going for a “limit.” The ultimate goals being; provide you with fond memories, give you some good stories to swap with your buddies and put a great big smile on your face.