Rocket bobbers

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Big Tuna
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2017/03/11 13:10:12 (permalink)

Rocket bobbers

I fish crappie,gills and perch more than other fish now,and bobber fishing is a must most of the time. I was a big users of the jigging bobber( small Styrofoam bobber with a lead pin) but fishing in cold water means very light bites and very seldom do the fish really take the bobber down,but just hold it an inch under the surface or you get a bump or two and there gone. Well I'm old but a quick learners,the Rocket is a hard plastic pencil type bobber that  cast like Rocket 30-40 yard casts are common and they sail right though the wind. The beauty of this bobber is it lies horizon on the surface. As soon a a fish hit it stands up,no need to go under,it's in the fishes mouth. Way better percent of hooks up even with slack in the line. Can also be rigged as a slip bobber.  Everyone at Erie Pa as using them, my buddy and I purchased 24 online at $1.95 each. Believe me a must for the panfisherman. Tackle 2000 sells the original,pro bass sells another version. Just passing it on.
post edited by Big Tuna - 2017/03/11 14:55:05
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    Panfisher
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/12 18:29:27 (permalink)
    BT
    Do you use the 5" or the 6" size?  I bought some a few years back, but I thought I paid more for them.  I can't remember.   They are a good bobber.  I use the bigger size.

    The only thing better than 1 day of fishing is 2 days of fishing.
    #2
    Big Tuna
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/13 02:08:42 (permalink)
    I watched them in action. Yea they look huge to me,the Panfish is like 4.75 inches but I watched guys launch that wading from shore almost hit our boat. They lay flat on the water and stand on end when you get a hit. I watched gills and perch sink them with ease,although most guys set the hook as the bobber stood up. I fished next to a guy on Thursday and we where catching crappie and he was connecting on more hits than me. First off he was launching that bobber,second as soon as it stood up he set the hook,my jigging lead pin bobber although is very small had more resistance than the ROCKET bobber. I'd get hit it spit it type hits or the slightest hold an inch under water. There's no fooling my old eyes with that bobber,it stand up and your in business. Back to your question on rod length,at Erie most guys use noodle or 7'-9' rods. But I'd think any light action rod could send it. They sell for 3.29-3.99 in bait shops in Erie. Online we got them for $1.95 in bulk minimum of 6 one size and color. Tackle 2000 are the original version. Pro bass sells similar knock off.
    #3
    eyesandgillz
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/13 11:04:06 (permalink)
    I have been using these for years. Awesome bobber.  I need to order more and u have reminded me.  Thanks.  Mr. Crappie on here turned me on them many moons ago.  
    Later in the spring, early summer, on pymy, use them as the slip bobber over the sunken brush piles / structure on pymy in deeper water and nail the big slabs.......small/med. size shiner catches the big uns'.  
    #4
    psu_fish
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/13 16:27:35 (permalink)
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    remanhawk
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/14 08:32:16 (permalink)
    I have been using the rocket bobber all last year mainly at the two trout ponds at PI or at the gravel pits. they actually cast further without a splitshot. if you use a splitshot bobber will sit upright instead of flat unless its a really tiny one. best thing i like is the accuracy, when a trout jumps i can cast it right on top of it.  bought a few more for this year from Fish USA
    #6
    mr.crappie
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/17 20:35:11 (permalink)
    I have tried many different bobbers including the Rocket & Thills & even the bobber with a brain,however I have never found one that I consider equal to The Aqua Dart. I sent to N.C. for it years ago.I use it as a stand-up so that I can see it. It is very sensitive & casts better than any others that I have tried.The drawbacks are that it was more expensive than most & bulkier than most,but because of its design,when you reel it in it lays on its side & comes in with very little drag so that you feel the fish not the bobber.When it enters the water it goes in like an arrow with very little splash. ttotal length is approx.10" with the shaft making up most of it.Came in a couple of different colors so that you could see which one was more visible on that day. About 6" sticks out of the water, You can even see it rise a little when a fish picks up the bait.The unusual part of that bobber is that every spring while shorefishing for Crappie I would have Large Mouths hit that Bobber on the way in. Usualy the Red Bobber. I have tried to find the co. on the net (old lake products) but think that they are no longer in business. I am not puter savy,so I just may not be looking in the right place.   sam
    #7
    FishinGuy
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/18 12:42:12 (permalink)
    I found the same thing old dog . Sam, what was the line attachment like on the bottom of the aquadart?
    #8
    BeenThereDoneThat.
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/18 13:14:14 (permalink)
    I don't know of anybody that knows more about making "floats" or "bobbers" than the European Anglers.
     
    May not be the "Aqua Dart" but you might find something similar.  http://www.psfishing.com/special-float.html
     
    OR for a full catalog of floats:
     
     
    http://www.psfishing.com/floats.html
     
     
    post edited by BeenThereDoneThat. - 2017/03/18 13:21:26

    Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~
     
     
     
      Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way. 
     
    #9
    mr.crappie
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/18 13:16:28 (permalink)
    Thanks for the effort guys . I even tried the ph. # on the package but got no answer. The line attachment is a wire loop that you can either use a snap or use it as a slip float. I use a leader that is lower test than the main line so that if you get a snag the leader will break first. I still have 2 left that I only use occasionaly. They even cast well in the wind. They look like a big dart & even use regular plastic dart vanes.  sam
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    mr.crappie
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/18 13:24:42 (permalink)
    btdt, It looks like some of them,except the dart has vanes on top like an arrow.The vanes also make it easier to see especialy in a chop.  thanks anyway for the info  sam
    #11
    BeenThereDoneThat.
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/18 13:33:21 (permalink)
    Sam I read the story of how your bobbers came about, pretty interesting. Even found a forum where someone else was looking for the same bobber back in 2016.   Apparently they did not catch on and went by the wayside.  Heck you may even have yourself a couple of antique fishing items.

    Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~
     
     
     
      Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way. 
     
    #12
    FishinGuy
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/18 13:43:49 (permalink)
    I may try and whip one up. They sell plastic dart shafts and flights. Can't be too complicated. I'll post here if I get around to it.
    #13
    BeenThereDoneThat.
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/19 21:07:59 (permalink)
    Mountian Man
      


    Most euro floats are wayyyy more sensitive and castable then what we have here...i own at least 100 in a few styles...


    MountainMan a while back (wayyy back )if the truth be known)) I found some interesting reading regarding the use of floats by European Anglers. As you probably know, those folks take their floats "real" serious. Of particular interest was a story of using a special float, not to cast, but to "control float" a bait to a select spot using wind or current. Another story involved a specially weighted float that would all but sink, beneath the water surface. If the float resurfaced... fish on!!!

    Seems sum dem boyz (and galz) take their Carp fishing very serious.

    No doubt floats are cherished, as much if in some cases not, more than a rod or reel.
    post edited by BeenThereDoneThat. - 2017/03/19 21:16:31

    Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~
     
     
     
      Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way. 
     
    #14
    FishinGuy
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/20 13:14:04 (permalink)
    Behold. The aquadart. (Photo courtesy mr.crappie) He was nice enough to email me a photo of one of his.
    #15
    BeenThereDoneThat.
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/20 14:36:53 (permalink)
    That's pretty cool. I'm still looking and I came up with this job. Rocket fishing pole.

    http://www.infomercials-tv.com/offer/store/8457/

    Problem is it's on my phone so you may have to "copy and paste" the link address to your search engine.

    I gotta git me one...😜

    Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~
     
     
     
      Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way. 
     
    #16
    pheasant tail 2
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/20 23:08:07 (permalink)
    I bought some rocket bobbers at Wally World. A glow in the dark model which glows very bright is also available. They work as advertised. I fished one today as a fixed float. I primarily fish slip bobbers so it took a bit of getting used to, but I was impressed. I'm looking forward to trying them as slip bobbers.
     
    PT2 
     
     
    #17
    FishinGuy
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/21 07:36:40 (permalink)
    I've always preferred a bobber that when properly weighted sinks easily. If im not using a slip float(thill), I normally use a blackbird phantom float like I use for steelhead.
    #18
    eyesandgillz
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/24 10:34:28 (permalink)
    I like the tip-up style floats for light biting panfish.  The rocket bobber works well for that when using a small fly and a maggot or two and a split shot.  It is great for kids too because it lays flat and when you get the bite, it tips up or a heavy bite, tips up and goes under.  Real easy for the kids to know they are getting bit.  
     
    Too bad the Wally World link shows them as out of stock.  I was going to buy some more.
    #19
    Big Tuna
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/24 18:06:19 (permalink)
    Eyes,two Wal-Mart in my area also said they didn't have the,but they did. They had them loose in a box,they had mini,Panfish, and a larger bobber 6" glow. $1.39 each. any size.
    #20
    Big Tuna
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/24 20:45:50 (permalink)
    Old Dog if there loose in a box and say rocket bobber there the real deal, it's stamped on the top. I called 2000 tackle and he told me there putting them in Wal Mart in the east. I paid 1.95 from him wally world 1.39 lol The owner is mad that they sell them that cheap.
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    LetMeBeFishing
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/25 11:14:53 (permalink)
    eyesandgillz
    I have been using these for years. Awesome bobber.  I need to order more and u have reminded me.  Thanks.  Mr. Crappie on here turned me on them many moons ago.  
    Later in the spring, early summer, on pymy, use them as the slip bobber over the sunken brush piles / structure on pymy in deeper water and nail the big slabs.......small/med. size shiner catches the big uns'.  


    Wanted to start fishing Pyma more since I only live a hour from the southern end. Can you give me a idea on some locations of brush piles to start at. Since I have never fished it for crappie. Thanks, Tom
     
    #22
    outasync
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/25 11:29:26 (permalink)
    There's a lot of information on the navionics online map of the lake. I'd recommend starting out fishing some of the structure on there then maybe trolling between spots to find some not posted. Could always do the Amish method.... look where others are fishing then move in when they leave!
    #23
    eyesandgillz
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/29 12:12:15 (permalink)
    Thanks for the heads up BT.  Might have to go take a look see.
    #24
    Big Tuna
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    Re: Rocket bobbers 2017/03/29 14:51:54 (permalink)
    Yea  $1.39 each. I sent to the manufacturer and paid $1.95 lol. They do work,jumbo perch sink them in the Bay. Today fished 8 am till 2 pm nice "bulls" gills and crappie stood them up but didn't sink them. Still put more in the bucket than I thought 20 huge bulls and 4 crappie. Two bags for the freezer. One more Erie trip and it's a wrap,back to work till November.
    #25
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