SLIP FLOATS

Slip floats (Diagram 9.1 a, b,), allow the line to pass through until prevented from going further by a bobber stopper (Diagram 9.2 a,). The stopper can be made with a piece of braided line, elastic band, or can purchased commercially. If you use the store-bought models, I recommend you buy the dark red rubber ones. They are made of harder rubber and last longer. When rigging this set up, place a small glass or plastic bead under the stopper so that it doesn't get jammed in the top of the float.

The biggest advantages of this type of float are:

1. you can fish any depth of water, and
   
2. when your line is reeled up the float rests on your jig, making it very easy to cast accurately.

This style is best suited for vertical twitching (giving your jig action), since the line will pull through the float. So it's an excellent choice if you wish to fish an area where you want your jig to have an up and down motion during the retrieve.

The disadvantage with this float is that you will tend to miss more fish than you would with the fixed floats, where the line attached on the bottom. Slip floats also takes longer to remove and reinstall on your line. However, I use this type of float for most of my spring fishing.

Your next consideration should be is the shape of float body to use. A round or fat body (Diagram 9.1 a, c, e,) will be more buoyant then the elongated floats (Diagram 9.1 b, d, f).

The wider body works better in windy conditions than an elongated one. I also find the wide floats give a faster hook set and suite active crappies better.

On the other hand, the elongated float is more sensitive and, as such, is better suited to light biting crappies. They also tend to work better in current areas.

The bottom line is not to restrict yourself to one shape. Try both and see which one you prefer under your own fishing conditions.

The main reason for using a float is to keep your bait in one fixed position, at a consistent distance off the bottom. But a float is of no use if you don't have your jig set at the proper height. The biggest mistake I see every spring, is fishermen, experienced and not, fishing with their jigs or bait too high. Remember that the water is cold at this time of year and the crappies will be located about two feet off the bottom. Place your offerings about four feet off the bottom, and if you haven't caught any fish lower it until you catch fish. But, don't make the mistake most fishermen make by fishing in eight feet of water with two feet of line under their floats.

Join me next time when we will be discussing summer locations and what type of crappie boat is best.

Rocky. 

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