Catch More Walleye With a Slip Bobber Rig

Here on Lady Evelyn Lake many anglers avoid certain potentially productive areas simply because they are just too difficult to fish. We all know that weeds and rocks can attract a lot of walleye at certain times of the season but they are also really tough to fish successfully. That is unless you know how to rig and fish with a slip bobber rig.

Here are some of the circumstances where a slip bobber rig will help you catch more walleye

Keeping a bait just above the deeper weeds at the edge of a weedline.
Keeping a bait just above a rocky bottom that is hard to pull a lure through without snagging.
Finding that the walleye are suspended at a particular mid-range depth, possibly suspended over cooler water or just above a thermocline.
Casting to pockets in a heavily wooded areas where allowing a bait to settle all the way to the bottom always end with a snag.
Making a long drift down a shoreline and running your bait at a few feet above the bottom without dragging the bottom.
Sniper fishing while using a side imaging sonar (we are preparing an article with tips on this unique and effective method)

These six are only a few of the many ways a slip bobber rig can be used to solve difficult problem areas rather than needing to avoid the area all together.

Beginner Tip

Although you can purchase this specialized bobber and each of the components separately, if this is new to you then you may want to consider purchasing a slip bobber kit that already has all the items you will need. Kalins offers a 21 piece kit with everything you will need to make four complete slip bobber rigs.

Step be step instructions on rigging a slip bobber.

Step One

First, Add the bobber stop: Thread a bobber stop onto your main line. Pull it off the provided tube or wire and slide it up your line. Pull both tag ends tight to secure it, and trim the excess thread, leaving about an inch so it can still easily pass through your rod guides.

Note: There are alternative small plastic slide-on bobber stoppers available that are oval bead shaped. They are easy to install and will pass through your rod guides easier than thread. Use the smallest size stops for your 6# or 8# line.

Step Two

Next slide on the bead: Thread a small plastic bead directly onto your main line. This sits between the bobber stop and the slip bobber, preventing the knot or small bobber stop from getting wedged inside the float.

Step Three

Attach the slip bobber: Run the end of your fishing line through the top of the slip bobber and out through the bottom. The Kalin slip bobber has a solid tube through it which allows the line to slide easier without chaffing.

Option 1 (bait)

Add Weight and Hook: If you are using live bait crimp an appropriate small split shot weight about 1/4 oz. (or slide on a tiny egg sinker) about 12 to 18 inches above the end of your line. This helps your line pull easily through the bobber and keeps your bait at the right depth.

Option 2 (lure)

Add a Standard 90 Degree Jig: For another very effective method just add a standard 90 degree jig (between 1/8 oz and 3/8 oz) depending on how quickly you want your lure/bait to reach the depth that you want the rig to run.

Step Four

Set the Depth: Finally, slide your bobber stop up or down the line to match the depth you want to fish.

Article By Dave Reed (Synergy Coding)