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.

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.

https://www.walmart.com/i...bber-5-2-Pack/38070053

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

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
 
 

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

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.

Behold. The aquadart. (Photo courtesy mr.crappie) He was nice enough to email me a photo of one of his.

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 
 
 

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.

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.

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!

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.