PowerBait under a bobber to avoid weedy bottom: Is this possible? To do fixed bobber on main line then a small split shot six inches above hook then hook like a size 10 bait holder or...

FS Digest

Is this possible? To do fixed bobber on main line then a small split shot six inches above hook then hook like a size 10 bait holder or small size treble hook?

Sick on all the weeds, I also have terrible luck casting slip bobbers very far.

And most of the dock areas I have to fish are only ten to fifteen feet of water.

Tried worm under bobber but couldn’t keep the blue gill away. I’m just trying to target stocker trout to eat.

--
by XxmrblondexX

FS Digest

Possible, but a fixed bobber to get down 10-15 feet will be a challenge. I generally have better luck floating the powerbait up from the bottom and just use a long enough leader to get it above the bottom weeds.

--
by cobaltmagnet

FS Digest

Yeah the key is using hook small enough so your bait floats.

--
by g2gfmx

FS Digest

The overall water depth is 10-15 feet I’d be fishing prob the top three or four feet

--
by XxmrblondexX

FS Digest

What kind of grass are we talking about here? Just some algae on the very bottom, or is there a couple feet of thick vegetation at the bottom of the water column?

Say it's the real thick stuff and it starts two feet off the bottom and in 10 ft of water. You could use a fixed bobber with 6-7 feet to your hook (much more than that and you will have a very hard time casting.. That puts your bait just above the weeds. Perfect presentation. Just be sure your bait to hook ratio allows the bait to sink.

If it's just algae on the very bottom, I think you're better off with weight on the bottom and dealing with the gunk. Be sure you have enough weight to hold to the bottom and then 18" or so to the hook. With this scenario, you want the bait to hook ratio to be enough to float the hook. So your weight is going to pick up grass no matter what you do but your actual bait won't get lost in the gunk.

--
by Give_All_Vol

FS Digest

It’s like long stringy tall weeds just throwing my Carolina rig out and recasting sometimes I end up with what feel like a half pound of the weeds. Oh good to know my bait will still float even if that happens though. I usually put a 1/2 oz worm weight.

--
by XxmrblondexX

FS Digest

Got ya. Yeah, the thick stuff can cause problems trying to fish the bottom. I think a bobber is a good idea. You're just right at the limit of what you can do with a fixed bobber. I'd try setting the bobber as far from the hook as you can and still be able to cast. And most importantly, make sure your bait is fully sinking to that depth. If it floats while using a bobber you'll have your bobber and bait right at the surface and that won't do you any good at all.

--
by Give_All_Vol

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Don't use a metal sinker. Try using a casting bubble and fill it with water. It will have nearly neutral buoyancy but it will sink to the bottom (have to give it some time) but it will rest easy down there and not get all tangled up. I think you'll like the result.

fishinphil

how about using a slip float bobber set up? Then you can adjust for any depth.

Grandpa Knows How Loc: OC, California

Forget the bobber, use light weight mono (4-10 lb test), light weigh splits shot (just enough to give you casting distance and a very small treble hook buried in Power Bait ball. Float the bait above weeds or about 12 -18 inches off the bottom.

The lighter the line, the more effective and easier for longer casting. Light split shot will allow fish to take bait and swim away with out resistance. Rarely do they spit it out. Small treble usually gets swallowed to insure a catch. Use those 8 -10 inch long red colored plastic hook remover tools for removal.

If your doing catch and release, don't use a treble hook. Small short shank hook will allow safe removal.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

FS Digest wrote:

Is this possible? To do fixed bobber on main line then a small split shot six inches above hook then hook like a size 10 bait holder or small size treble hook?

Sick on all the weeds, I also have terrible luck casting slip bobbers very far.

And most of the dock areas I have to fish are only ten to fifteen feet of water.

Tried worm under bobber but couldn’t keep the blue gill away. I’m just trying to target stocker trout to eat.

--
by XxmrblondexX

What is the issue with the slip bobber? Not enough weight? Add enough to get past the gills, yet still allow the bobber to float at the neutral buoyancy line at the desired depth. Keep the sinkers stress least a foot away from the hook.

fishinphil

Ive yet to have any problems when i use a slip bobber set up as far as casting goes.Maybe the worse of it would be if the bobber stopper moves on the line which will adversely affect your distance between hook and bottom

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

OJdidit wrote:

What is the issue with the slip bobber? Not enough weight? Add enough to get past the gills, yet still allow the bobber to float at the neutral buoyancy line at the desired depth. Keep the sinkers stress least a foot away from the hook.

Not sure how “stress” jumped in, but as an additional comment, I would like to add there are quite a few bobber stops available nowadays. From simple, pre-tied knots to rubber bead stops which come on a wire loop. What I have noticed is some of the pre-tied knots can be large and can be impeded by the lines guides of the rod. This can limit the casting distance or change the distance which will affect the depth. The rubber stops tend to move as well as they wear out after a dozen casts or so. I would also recommend using a spinning rod as my Grandson’s spincast reel hangs up when the stop is inside the cover and not worth the hassle. I have no experience with a bait caster and stops, but I can’t imagine this will work well. I hope this helps. Don’t forget the plastic bead to keep the stop from passing through the bobber, too! Good luck!

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

All these answers and nobody bothered to say..... YOU DON'T PUT "FLOATING BAIT"....UNDER A FLOAT ! Defeats the whole purpose of Powerbait.
Jeez guys, just stop and think about it.
If you insist on using Powerbait under a bobber, the only way to not tangle is to use a dropshot rig.... will work, but kinda sketchy.
There are other baits that are a much better choice under a bobber.....ones THAT DON'T FLOAT, LOL !

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I don't know FF - sometimes they want that power bait and they're feeding shallow. Put on a bobber and a split shot to keep it down, it works real well. Ask WVMike.