Balloons or floats when trolling shiners?

Went to Guist Creek 1/7 and didn't do any good all day. We were about to leave when one of the regulars pulled up with two beautiful hybrid stripers, one 9 lbs 14 oz, the other 10 lb. 12 oz. I know there are much bigger ones out there, but I'm new to this whole striper fishing thing, and had never seen hybrids before, so yes, I was impressed! These two were caught on deeply trolled shiners, about 20 ft. deep in about 40 ft. of water. I've been researching this method ever since, and I'm planning on going out next time I can (Thursday, I hope) to give it a try. I'll be using a medium action pole with 12 lb. test (yes, buying a heavier one is next on my list!), and I plan on slipping on an egg sinker and a bead, then tying on a barrel swivel, then around a 2' leader to a #4 or 6 hook with a shiner on it. Now, the guy I saw doing this was using balloons trailing about 15 or 20 yards behind his boat. It makes sense to me to use some kind of float, but I really don't like the idea of using balloons, mainly because I know I'll inevitably lose some, and when littered, they're really bad for the environment. The only bobbers I could find specifically made for trolling are Fox Predators, which as far as I can tell are only available in the UK. What do you all use? And how do you attach it?

I use a slip float. It is attached to the line like a planer board, spring loaded rubber grips on the bottom so you can easily adjust the depth you want to fish. They are hard to find too. I bought mine at the Bass Pro in Russell Springs. I have not checked Bass Pro in Clarksville, but they may carry them. Good luck!

Some places call them shark floats, ditto on the Russell Springs BP

Aqua Gem Snap Floats
[url]http://store.snapfloat.com/index.html[/url]
The small sizes look right and the potential is interesting.
Is anyone doing anything like this for striper?

>Aqua Gem Snap Floats
>[url]http://store.snapfloat.com/index.html[/url]
>The small sizes look right and the potential is interesting.
>Is anyone doing anything like this for striper?

They look like just what I am looking for, but at that price, I'll take my chances with balloons.