If you are fishing from the bank, how do you determine the depth so you can set your stop? I have never used slip corks, but it sounds like a great idea.

See the following for a good article on slip bobbers:

http://www.learntocatchcatfish.com/slip-bobber-rigs/

For me, when I am fishing from the bank with this rig, I slide the bobber stop very high and cast without bait. If the bobber tips over, then I know it is too much, if it stays upright, then I slide the bobber stop even higher until it does tip over on the next cast. I now know that is too much and then slide the stop downwards.

There is a product called Bobber with a brain that is self adjusting ... see here:

http://www.learntocatchcatfish.com/bobber-with-a-brain-review/

I bought some of these but am not a fan at all.

One way to measure depth at a distance from the bank is to put a large bell sinker on the line so it will slide freely then attach a small bobber at the end of the line. The sinker should be so large/the bobber sufficiently small that the bobber is held to the bottom by the weight. Cast out to your target area, let the bobber sink to the bottom then feed line out until the bobber reaches the surface. You can put tape on the rod marking off a one-foot interval and strip off line counting the number.

Kolban,
I bought the Bobbers with a brain and used them last weekend. I did not care for them either.

Thanks to both responses.

Try this site, and look at the different rigs, maybe this will help, if you are trying to catch channel cats it may not be for you!!!

http://www.catfishing.tv/Main/tips-section/TipsSection.html

I make my own slip bobbers out of cedar. Cut them about 12", taper to the top, use small eyelets from old rods or purchase small screw ones, I put a tack in bottom for additional weight, paint em and seal coat them....they work great.