>I was reading all of your
>posts with great interest and
>I learned alot. I am
>a novice at this method
>but I had an Idea.
>Why not use a slip
>bobber and set the depth
>to your liking? I am
>curious to read your responses.
>I have used this method
>while crappie fishing, but I
>must admit I have never
>hooked a big smallie.

The use of a slip float has been a point of contention ... much as the pear shaped plastic float vs the weighted styrofoam float. Some say they use it with good results, while others say it doesn't work well. A 1/32oz-1/16oz jig does seem to have trouble pulling wet line thru a slip float ... and since flurocarbon line sinks faster than mono, it would only seemingly compound the problem. The type of "retainer" used would/could also interfere with the cast, by hanging up (even momentarily) in the line guides, when casting. By "retainer", I'm referring to the "thread knot", "rubber slip-on ball", or "2hole or 4hole plastic dogbone/ladder shaped" slip float stopper. The "thread" & "rubber" ones are prone to sliding on the line, from hanging in the guides or tip-eye. The plastic ones are prone to hanging in the tip-eye, or crimping the line. Either one has the possiblity of hanging up in the line on the line spool of the reel. And, if you are using a braid for the main line, it is "slicker" than mono/fluro ... which could compound the, "slipping" of the stopper, problem.
The use of the float/jig (aka FnF method) for Crappie, usually doesn't seem to require as long a cast, as it does when fishing for Bass.
All this "info" is just IMHO .... as I'm no expert on FnF -- heck, I'm not even a "novice" at it....LOL!!! ....luck2ya ...cp