The slipbobber rig has been around for ages and with good reason,perfect depth control. Before we get too far along with the techniques lets cover the components first.
To start you need a bobber that will let the line slide through it. Next you’ll need to balance your choice of bobber with some lead split shot. The last component is either a jig,or hook at the business end of the rig.
The key to the entire rig is the slip bobber knot,this knot slides to the preferred depth and can be changed as conditions or fish location changes . These knots can be bulk purchased or you can tie your own.(Use the barrel knot) The bobbers I use are about 3/4 of an inch in diameter,and are perfectly balanced with one number 4 splitshot,and one number 5 splitshot from Water Gremlin. Keeping the rig balanced to read both the lift bite and slow nibble bite from crappie is important. In most cases a number 6 Mustad hook is on the end of my line completing the rig.
When I first graph a likely area to fish I try to “see” how the fish are relating to the element we’re targeting. If the fish are tightly grouped and at a certain depth level I know the slip bobber is going to be our first rig to try. I’ll usually position the depth of the rig slightly above the cover so as not to spook the school by snagging or pulling a hooked fish through the school.
During the spawn period crappie will let you know soon after starting if they are active. Normally a period of less than 20 minutes is all that’s needed to find out if the fish are willing to cooperate. If after that time period no fish are caught I’ll move the boat to a new area and the process is repeated. Right now were between the spawn and the set-up of the summer period.
Once the the rmalcline sets up this rig will help you land more fish because of the placement of bait at the preferred depth of the suspending fish. Trying other areas for different species is another situation this rig will help you be productive while out on the water. You can use this rig to get your baits above weeds,and also keep it just above the bottom for the skyward looking fish. Currently this rig is landing my customers several Bass,Catfish and Walleye and Crappie while out at Shabbona. Targeting elements like weed edges, flats, foundations and cribs is another advantage of this quickly changed versatile rig.
Feel free to contact me for more information about this rig or a possible guided trip:
Jims Guide Service
echo29@sbcglobal.net
708 485 2518