Slip float ,slip bobbers

[quang tran]

It have been a long time that I'm using slip float with jigs for crappie and trout and made me some float that easy to cast.more sensitive and easy to see at night
Start out with a bag of cheap float from Comal tackle .Using 3/16 plastic tube available at most hobby shop ,cut the tube a little longer than the length of float then push it in the float ,use UV nail top coat or UV fly typing top coat apply both end of tube to glue tube inside float .Now cut a piece of carbon tube 3mm diameter about 8 in long slide it inside 3/16 plastic tube and apply lop coat on both end .You can use 3mm plastic tube but to me carbon tube is very strong keep shape and last long .Now using 1/4 oz steel bell sinker or bullet weight drill hole 3mm ,steel is harder than lead but easier to drill and have bigger hole than lead weight made it more easy,slide the sinker in one end and apply top coat ,flash a UV light for few seconds to curve it, on other side of float I put a cap ,poke a small hole on cap so we don't have to use too big knot for bobber stop, a waxed floss or nylon thread can be use to tie bobber stop knot .I use the cap for insulin inject pen needle that I have to use every day ,you can find other just to reduce the size of hole in carbon tube like insert a piece of spray tube
This float I made for night fishing so I can slide a piece of reflex tube on or wrap a piece 3/4 plastic tube to hold small light stick

[quang tran]

Slip float continue

[quang tran]

The body of float is light in middle the weighted side is heavy so when cast out it will fly straight out as a dart . Fishing with jig ,jig go out at above same speed with float .When fish with live bait keep the distance from hook to split shot shorter than the length of float because live bait is less weight and more wind drag so it will wrap around the line if the distance longer than the length of float

[Catching Nemo]

Thanks for the post and pics. I like to make my own floats too. I use champagne corks or wine corks that I sand into the appropriate shape. For tubing, I like the tubes from old ball point pens. That tubing is thicker and more durable than drinking straws that some people use.

That's a good idea with the insulin pen sleeve. I have an infinite supply of those from my daughter, and can use them them just like you do.

[quang tran]

I also have some friend they used to live in Europe ,their floats are made of balsa wood and so beautiful .they have so many different float for each application .the way they use float to drift in current is so affected .Mine mainly to fish for crappie using jig under float,cheap material

[Midway Tommy]

I just buy a bunch of Thill Slip Bobber/Floats and tie on the size jig head I need below it. I use the appropriate size float for the weight of the jig I'm using and what I'm fishing for. I make my own slip ties and wind them around a beverage stir stick, usually 5 or so to half a stick and run the line through the center of the straw & slide the end one off, then the next one the next time. I use real small beads from Hobby Lobby for the bobber stop between the float and the line tie. Thill & SB floats are actually pretty cheap so I don't feel like messing with making floats.