Wooden Egg Bobbers

Usually when I am fishing with live bait I like to use the wooden yellow or orange egg shaped bobbers with the metal eye at the end. I just like them because I can cast farther with them I also think its because I grew up using that kind of bobber. I buy them everytime I go to buy bait. I went online today thinking I could order a bunch in bulk so I had them, it doesnt seem like you can find them anywhere and it seems like it is just a pa thing for some reason alot of people have no idea what you are talking about. Anyone else use these bobbers and find that other people dont know what they are? Also anyone know where to get them other than some of the local bait shops? If I cant buy them online then I will probably just buy a bunch next time I go down to shooters to get some bait. I just found it weird that there was no trace of them online anywhere.

If you ever go on ebay to the freshwater fishing those bobbers are always there. A lot of times in bulk

This is off topic from my original post but I didnt feel like making another one I bought a minnow trap and am wondering if anyone knows the best places to put them and the best places to put in them to catch minnows. I used one before and we put it in the creek at bradys run with some dry dog food in it and had some success but someone told me you cant put minnow traps in bradys run creek anymore? I live in patterson which is beaver falls I am just wondering can I put one in any creek and what should I put in for bait? Is there spots in the creek I should look for that should be best to catch a good amount. Thanks for the advice in advance.

I dont want anyone to give up there spot or where they get them I guess I am just asking what to look for so that I can look and find a spot that I might try. I guess I dont know what to look for to even find my own spot. But thanks for the reply I didnt want it coming across like I just wanted people to give up there spot but I am going to look for some spots this week. Do I look for a deep hole in the creek? I am going to scope out some locations and see if I can find one. Thanks again

I love wooden egg bobbers.  That is all I will use.  Simply because they cast farther and give you better accuracy in my opinion.  As far as where to put minnow traps, I would say in smaller streams where chubs are the target, look for places where tree roots grow out into or over the water.  The biggest ones are always more comfortable with cover.  If the bank overhangs and creates a hole, try there.  Always worked for me when I was a kid.

Just stop at every bridge near you, walk down and see if there's any minnows. Bigger holes typically hold the most and biggest minnows, if you want smaller ones, find a smaller creek or hole. I've got at least a dozen spots I use, and I've only ever seen another trap in 2 of them. Btw, its illegal to trap in approved trout waters.

What Slabdaddy and others have said.  I painted my trap beige to blend in a bit more.  I use 60lb test as my line, to not stand out as much either.
 
As for finding a spot, go to the closest stream to your house.  Find some deeper water and toss it in and see what happens.  If I know that I am going to trap, I'll take the kids left overs and save for a few meals.  Chubs seem to love pizza crust, hot dogs, noodles, just about anything we eat...
 
Also, be weather conscious.  If it is going to rain that day, get your trap out of the water.  A 10 minute storm can wash your trap away.
 
Be realistic when keeping bait too.  Keep what you are going to use, and let the others repopulate your source.  If you catch a bunch of larger chubs and not sure if "too big for bait", put a few back.  Those are your local breeders.  Give enough water per fish (check online for gallons of water per size of fish).  Have a tank/storage bin set up with fresh water (add fish stabilizer if using tap water).  I personally use a 20 gallon plastic storage tote, aretor, filter and lid with holes drilled in for the top, also storing in a cool spot helps too.  I usually only trap if planning to use chubs, since I don't seem to get enough smaller minnows to make it worth while.  I plan to use within 2-3 days tops after trapping, usually trap the day before fishing.  Although, that sometimes backfires with only trapping 5-6 fish...

Thanks for the replies and the tips I will definitely use them I think I am going to go out this evening and find a spot and see how I do. I am glad I know what to look for now so that I can maybe have some luck and I guess they didnt want me trapping because of the fact that it is an approved trout area that would explain that. But thanks for all the tips and I will definitely not take to many and I will have to get a setup going if I am going to keep them for a little before I fish. I am planning on going tomorrow so I am going to go tonight I have a nice stream that runs through the woods close to me I am going to scout it out and see if I can get anything out of there. Thanks again for all the tips from everyone I will use them and hopefully have some luck.

FishinGuy

Btw, its illegal to trap in approved trout waters.

It's perfectly legal to trap in approved trout waters as long as the season is open.

Wooden Bobbers at Gander Mountain.  $1.49 each

Thanks for all the replies I appreciate the input on both topics.

Dan Hoffman,
I remember those orange bobbers myself. I think I have found somewhere online where you can buy them in bulk. Let me do some research and I will get back to you on that.

Want to keep your bait alive for up to a week on the (somewhat) cheap?  Have a garage/cool basement?  Here's your shopping list:
 
- one 30 gallon barrel from craigslist ($5-$20 depending) cleaned out good
- well water to fill, or a small bottle of dechlorinator if tap water
- electric air pump and hose (garage sale on the cheap, craigslist or walmart for $20ish)
- couple feet of air line and a stone
 
That setup will keep a reasonable amount of bait alive for quite a while if you keep it somewhere cool and don't overfill it with minnows.  I'd be fine putting 2-3 dozen chubs in there with no issues.  I regularly keep a dozen perch or small gills in each of my barrels (usually run 2 all summer) and I can't say I've ever lost one.  Hell the perch and gills will get happy and eat my misc fatheads between trips.  
 
I don't bother with minnow traps anymore.  My results haven't been worth the effort.  If I want chubs I hook and line them with ultralight gear, and if I want minnows I buy them from the old coot in Zelie.  Same goes for using the seine.  I'm old and fat and my back doesn't think much of all that bending and lifting.  
 
Good luck.

SujieThe "old coot in Zele" isn't doing so good these days.

 
That's a shame.  He's certainly been slowing down the last couple years, but I applaud his apparent plans to just work until he keels over.  It's as good a plan as any I think.  I'll keep going there until he isn't around, and then I'll remember him when we fish Arthur/drive past the bait shack.  

Canned cat food works great.  I have a few plastic jars (I think from bouillon cubes) with 3/8" holes drilled in them.  Put the cat food in the jar, put the jar in the trap.  A little dry cat food (or dog food) loose in the trap will help scent the area as well.  Wal-Mart has little cans of cat food for $.50.   
 
Lacking the jars, stick a heavy knife through the can to create a couple holes for the scent and food to mix with the water without it all washing away.  I never leave a trap out overnight.  Find the right hole and an hour or two will have it filled.  
 
Last time I was there Ultimate Outdoors had Woodies of 3 or 4 different sizes.