How to Fish with a Bobber

Bobber fishing basics

Bobbers are used in fishing to keep live or dead bait suspended below the water surface, where the bait can attract fish that feed at medium to shallow depths. Bobbers also give an angler visual clues to the activity of biting fish. Follow these steps to learn the basics of bobber fishing.

Things You'll Need

• Bobbers
• Live or dead bait
• Rod, reel and line

Instructions

1. Choose bobber sizes to match the bait you will be using. If you will be fishing with large minnows or shrimp, you will need a 1 ½-inch to 2-inch bobber. For worm fishing, a 1-inch to 1 ¼-inch bobber is fine. Standard red-and-white plastic bobbers work as well as any type, and are inexpensive.

2. Go to a fishing spot and try to estimate the water depth you will be casting to. For shallow water, you will be attaching the bobber to the line about a foot above the hook. For deeper water, attach the bobber 3 to 5 feet above the hook and bait.

3. Attach the bobber to the line by pushing the top button on the bobber to expose the bottom hook wire. Wrap the line once around the wire and release the button. Place your thumb over the bottom wire and push the rim of the top button to expose the top hook wire. Wrap the line once around the wire and release the button.

4. Cast the bobber and bait to a spot near some structure, like a drop-off, sunken log or culvert. Learn to read the motion of the bobber to tell what fish are doing to your bait. Short, repeated taps are usually smaller pan fish nibbling at the bait. Larger fish like bass may take a short run and let go, or just grab the bait and run, making the bobber disappear.

5. Wait to until the bobber submerges for a moment to try setting the hook. Don’t set the hook if the bobber pops back to the surface right away. If fish are biting tentatively, you may have to exercise more patience and let the bobber submerge for a second or two before trying to set the hook.

Tips & Warnings

• Large bobbers aren't very sensitive to small strikes and can startle fish. Use a smaller bobber if you have a choice.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish