Back in the day, Bubbles were a modified bobber that we used to fly fish with a spinning rod. You could cast the bubble that had a leader with a fly. Then you could slowly drag it in and fly fish. I have had great luck at many legs chucking Bubbles out across the water with a Wulff or Coachman attached.
Normally, I would see some trout on the sip and cruise. When I could see their direction, I would lead them and lay the fly in their path. I then got locked, cocked, and ready to rock. When the trout sipped the fly, I would set the hook. A long, light spinning rod worked the best.
Bubbles also work well in salt water. Using Lefty’s Deceiver, or minnow pattern, works awesome with a spinning rod, when casting into breaking or feeding fish. The leader’s length is usually several feet long. Set the drag lightly so you don’t break the strong and aggressive fish off.
Bobbers have been around forever. A stick attached to your line will serve as a bobber. There are also slip bobbers, stick bobbers, lighted bobbers….
It’s all about presentation. Casting a slip bobber will put your bait exactly at the depth you want. A line/bobber stop will allow the jig/hook to sink to the zone/depth where the fish are. You can also allow the lure or bait to drift or give it a twitch for action.
Bobbers work great for walleyes when using a worm, minnow, or leech. You can set the bobber at the depth you want and make a perfect presentation. Jigs, bait, plastics, marabou jigs, will all make great terminal tackle.
Fly fishermen hate to admit it, but they use bobbers all the time when nymph fishing. They call them strike indicators. These bobbers may be foam, balsa wood, plastic, or made from yarn. Longer rods work well to cast and manage a hook set when using a bobber.
Bobbers or balloons also work well when catching school fish. They simply catch a throwback fish, say a crappie, and attach a bobber or balloon to the fish. This Judas Fish will return to the school and mark where to fish.
The presentation of a bobber/float lure or bait will fool just about any fish that swims. These simple fish floats have certainly evolved over the generations, but they still work. The advantage of seeing the bite helps the angler know when to set the hook.
Tight Lines!
Montana Grant
