On a normal slip bobber set-up, the lead sinker is only about six inches above the hook. A slow, free falling hook and bait sometimes attracts panfish better than one that falls fast. So, do any of you place the weight further from the hook, in order to let the section between the hook and sinker fall more freely and slowly? Just wondering, sometimes I over-think things, but little things often make a difference. Will appreciate any and all replies.

I also posted this question on the bluegill/sunfish forum.

I don't fish bobbers much but if I'm adding weight, I like it 8-10" above the hook. it might depend on the surface water though with a bobber. The higher the weight, the slower the bait will move around because of the chop on top. I'm probably wrong but it makes sense to me, ha.

If you want a slower fall, use less weight,
Seems to me , a bite on the fall, with a slip cork would be very hard to detect.
Mo

agree

Austin, Mo, and donothin, thanks for the replies. Appreciate knowing what others think.

Do you guys dedicate a rod to the slip bobber setup? I'm making the change and thinking a cheap rod and reel is called for here.

A lot of times when they hit it on the fall with a slip bobber, it will just lay over (or will never stand up if your using a cigar float). Happens a lot in the winter in the creeks.

In the winter while fishing the creeks I keep a separate rod rigged up with just a slip bobber.

I use slip corks in the spring when looking for staging/spawning crappie. If I use an extra weight it is 12"s above the jig. Usually have a couple of rods with different color jigs rigged up.

I keep one rigged with a cork setup year round, and use a 7 foot rod, pflueger reel, 6 lb. mono line. It works any where you can find a shade with deep water close by this time of year. We have the threadfin shad that stays in the top 5 foot of water so the fixed cork works well also.

I know I'm in the crappie forum but I use slip bobber setups 90% of time catching Stripe Bass. The other 10%, I free line my live bait. For me, I run my slip bobber setup with a heavy slip shot sinker about 12-14 inches....mainly cause the water current is moving very strong. On calmer days, the split shots are smaller moved to about 4-6 inches. This helps my livebait from moving too fast.

I've had PLENTY of success nailing the fishes. I've even got a video on you tube that shows my setup (briefly): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s-appWG9Dw . I made the video earlier in the year and was using large minnows. On occasions, I've caught 13-14 1/2 inch crappies too. IMO, the setup gets my line into the striking zone faster. Also, I DO use heavier live-bait (2-3 inch shads) when running this setup. Needless to say, the heavier split shots (at 12-14 inches) keep the large shad from swimming to the top and my slip bobber does not sink underneath the water top.

When fishing the LOP tailrace I use at least 1/2oz. and sometimes more.

Slip corkin 17' moving water, you don't want a slow fall.