Fishing bobbers are essential if you want to have a successful day out on the water.
There are lots of fishing bobbers out there, and each of them will specialize in different things.
If you want to have a general overview of ten great fishing bobbers, we have the info you need.
Here are ten types of fishing bobbers.
10 Types of Fishing Bobbers
1. Bubble Floats
A bubble float has a plastic body, but it won’t look quite like a traditional bobber.
Bubble floats have a hollow plastic body that can be filled with water or left empty.
You can play around with the weighting of the bubble floats to make sure it works for the type of fishing you are trying to do.
The way a bubble float works is that it will pop to the surface when a fish takes the bait.
Water rushes inside and to the larger end of the float which causes the float to head to the top of the water.
The bubble floats are great for casting flies, but they are good for a lot of other fishing methods as well.
Fishermen like bubble floats because they can be quite versatile.
If you want to use the bubble float as a fixed bobber, you can, or you can use it as a slip bobber as well.
A bubble float is not an expensive fishing bobber, and it will last for quite a long time.
Most are going to be red and white, but you will see them available in many different colors.
2. Cigar Floats
If you have ever seen a cigar float, you will know why it is called that.
The cigar float looks precisely like a cigar, and it floats vertically in the water.
One of the things people like the most about cigar floats is that they are easy to see.
Since they are longer and sit vertically, more of it will be above the water.
Most cigar floats have a weight on just one end.
This helps to keep them upright even if you are dealing with some rough conditions.
If you happen to have a hard time seeing fishing floats and bobbers, the cigar float is a great choice to consider.
A cigar float is great when you are using a large bait.
Large bait typically works well when trying to catch large fish, and the cigar float is an excellent choice for that.
Most cigar floats will have a clip-on attachment like a traditional bobber.
3.Spring Slip
A spring slip bobber is also sometimes called a spring float.
You will see a spring on the outside of your spring slip bobber.
The spring slip bobbers have two modes you can use.
One mode is a sliding mode, and the other is a fixed mode.
Having some versatility in how they are used is part of what makes the spring slip floats very popular.
Whether you do your fishing in deep or shallow water, the spring slip bobber would be a great choice.
If you are in deeper water, the sliding mode is the best choice.
The sliding mode allows the bobber to go up and down like a traditional slip bobber.
If you are fishing in more shallow water, the fixed mode is the best choice.
The fixed spring slip bobber will work just like a conventional fixed bobber.
You can easily lock the bobber in place by wrapping your line around the stem.
The spring slip bobber will be a little more expensive than the traditional bobber, but it truly is like getting two bobbers for the price of one.
Being able to fish from different depths using the same bobber is a way to help cut down on the fishing gear you need as well.
4. Slip Bobbers
A slip bobber is becoming more popular than the traditional bobber.
If you ever struggle with casting a bobber, the slip bobber can do a great job of helping you make things less complicated.
You can also vary the length you drop your bait when using a slip bobber.
A slip bobber comes all the way up to the terminal of the fishing pole.
Are you ever frustrated by the fact that you can pull a big fish in, but it still hangs eight feet from the boat?
You should be able to get the fish closer to the boat with a slip bobber.
This is appealing as it is quite common to lose a fish as it gets close to your boat, and anytime you can avoid this, it is beneficial.
A slip bobber is free to slide up and down your line.
This means you are going to have to be quite talented when it comes to learning these setups.
Once you get the hang of it, it won’t be all that difficult.
If you purchase a slip bobber, make sure you also have a few beads and a robber stopper as well.
If you do the setup of your slip bobber properly, you will be able to adjust it easily when you are out on the boat.
When tides are changing or fish seem to be moving up and down, the slip bobber can be a great one to adjust and help you start hooking up with fish.
Slip bobbers tend to be made with higher-end material, which makes them a bit more expensive than some plastic bobbers.
Plastic slip bobbers are a little cheaper, but we recommend throwing at least one high-end balsa wood in your setup.
5. Round Fixed Bobbers
A round fixed bobber is probably the bobber you think of when you picture a fishing bobber.
Round fixed bobbers are cheap, and they are easy to rig.
In fact, if you are new to fishing, a round fixed bobber is probably the best choice to consider as it will be the easiest to work with.
The bobber has an attachment point with an external notch.
The external notch is on a spring, and you can push the spring down to thread your line through the bobber.
Round fixed bobbers come in a variety of different sizes.
Making sure you pick the one that is the right size for what you are fishing for.
If a bobber is too large for the bait you are using or the size of the fish you are catching, you will lose a lot of fish.
The fish will try and take the bait, but the bobber will pull out of the water, and the fish will likely lose the bait.
This is going to make it difficult for you to catch a fish.
Round fixed bobbers can work for live bait and artificial bait as well.
You will have to practice a bit when it comes to casting a round fixed bobber.
The bait will hang down several feet from the bobber, so when you cast out, things can get a bit tangled up.
If you don’t have to cast all that far, it’s going to be easier to keep things from getting tangled up.
Some people refer to this type of a cast as a lob cast.
If you want to get better at fishing and learn to catch more fish, we recommend starting with round fixed bobbers and getting the system down.
6.Popping Cork
A popping cork is a fishing bobber that is made of cork.
Some models may be made of styrofoam or hard plastic, but more often, they are made of cork.
The popping cork is used in a lot of southern fishing where you can catch bass or redfish.
The popping cork is easy to cast and can be thrown to a location both near and far.
When a fish takes a bite of the popping cork, it will usually bite quite hard, and you will hear a popping noise.
This is why these are called popping corks.
A popping cork will dip under the water and then come back up.
This is the time for a person to start reeling to try and bring the fish in.
When you are fishing with a popping cork, you can pop it along the water if you are using live or artificial bait.
As you move it along, these aggressive fish will be searching for it and looking to make their move.
It takes a little bit of practice to get used to fishing with a popping cork, but it usually turns out to be a very effective way to catch fish.
7.Balloons
A balloon is a unique type of bobber which lets a fisherman control the depth at which they are fishing at.
Balloons are very easy to see, and they stay pretty far above the water.
You can keep an eye on the balloon quite easily, and then, when a fish pulls it under, you will certainly know.
If something big grabs your balloon, you will know it before you can even feel it.
Balloons are often used when catching larger fish as it takes a bit of force to pull the balloon under the water.
The interesting thing about balloon bobbers is that you can purchase them from a fishing store, or you can use a traditional balloon.
If you just finished a birthday party for your kid and you have a few extra balloons around, this is a great option to consider.
Balloon bobbers can be used both during the day and at night.
Some of the ones sold in a fishing store are going to have a glow stick sold with them so that you can see them even at night.
If you are fishing in an area that has a strong current, balloons are not always the best choice.
They tend to move around quite a bit in the current, and that makes them harder to see.
It also ends up looking like you have a fish on when in reality, you do not.
There is no question that, when you get a big fish on with a balloon, you will know it.
8.Eagle Claw
An eagle claw is a fishing bobber that looks a bit like an eagle’s claw.
The eagle claw is best known for catching smaller fish because they are very sensitive.
When a fish latches on to an eagle claw, you will know it is there and can quickly react.
The better eagle claws are made of balsa wood, which makes them very light.
One thing you will notice about eagle claws is that they are painted to be very visible to the fisherman.
This helps you see when it is time to start reeling in the fish.
You can use these bobbers even when you are fishing with something far down in the water.
If you like to bottom fish, the eagle claw is a choice you will be very happy with.
Since these are a bit more versatile and they happen to be best when they are balsa wood, you will probably pay a bit more for an eagle claw.
9.waggler
One issue that you will struggle with when it comes to certain bobbers is that they are difficult to cast.
The bobber is lightweight and doesn’t fly through the air all that easily.
Some bobbers also have a long line coming out the bottom of them, which again makes things difficult when casting.
The waggler is shaped like a dart, which helps it fly through the air a bit more easily.
If you struggle with casting bobbers, go with the waggler.
The wagglers are very sensitive, similar to the eagle claw.
This helps them to be useful when trying to catch smaller fish.
If you see your waggler start to go under the water, you have a fish solidly on the line.
It’s going to take a bit of time to get used to a waggler, but once you do, you will be pleasantly surprised by what it can do.
10. Dink Float
The dink float is made of a dense foam and is very easy to use.
You can adjust the line to make sure your dink float is in the proper spot.
The friction on the main line is what holds the dink float in place.
The sliding dink float can help you let out more line when necessary.
You will want to keep about eight or ten feet of leader line on a dink float so that it pulls the float along a bit.
Again, this is a visual fishing type of bobber.
You have to watch the dink float closely as it is not quite as easy to feel like something like the eagle claw or the waggler.
Dink floats work fine for both large and small fish.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the different types of fishing bobbers on the market.
The terms “bobbers” and “floats” are often used interchangeably.
Depending on the type of fishing you are doing, you should pay close attention to the bobber you are planning to use.
The tackle can make a tremendous difference when it comes to your success in fishing.
