First time success with the F-N-F

[elnutsmalljaws]

Ok....I went last year to Cumberland and fished the F-N-F and just used a slip bobber. Was easy to set the depth and did'nt have to worry about the 10 foot long arms. I guess that most of you prefere the long poles and the stationary bobber. I didnt have to worry about the fish and a net cause I could reel him right up. Why not the slip bobber?

I have never tried the slip bobber but from what I have read on that topic, a 1/16oz or 1/32oz jig has a very hard time in freefalling and pulling all the line thru the top of the bobber to reach the desired set depth, due to its weight being so little. How would you ever know if your jig is actually getting down to the depth that you set the bobber? Many have talked of using the slip bobber method on this site as well as the other 4 sites I am involved in and to what I can remember, nobody has ever experienced great succes with it. Just what I have read.

[Hlleonard]

A slip bobber of some kind would be a great improvement to the system for me.... I would like not having to mess with the long rod as well but I played with the stuff a little last year (never caught a fish during the time) and had the problem Elnut was describing with the line not wanting to slip through the bobber...I think if I had a bobber I could easily get hold of and release myself I might like that better than the long rod.... casting the long leaders don't bother me as much as trying to get the fish in the boat with the long leaders.

[18'stratos]

I didn't use a fly that small. I guess if I was going to use a 1/16 or a 1/32oz i would also use a split shot about 2 feet above it. bait would still move freely and the added weight would get it down.
Just thought of another problem.....Temps below freezing may cause the slip to freeze up. I guesss it is just a more reliable way to fish with the longer pole and stationary bobber. I'll try to invest more time with both this year and find out.
Thanks for the feedback.......Bill

[redneckshadrap]

Stratoes..

Wind....if blowing the right direction and speed will pull the line and jig up out of the strike zone....

[Don Smith]

A slip bobber of some kind would be a great improvement to the system for me.... I would like not having to mess with the long rod as well but I played with the stuff a little last year (never caught a fish during the time) and had the problem Elnut was describing with the line not wanting to slip through the bobber...I think if I had a bobber I could easily get hold of and release myself I might like that better than the long rod.... casting the long leaders don't bother me as much as trying to get the fish in the boat with the long leaders.

First, I aint no genius, takes me a while to catch on, but one thing I do know! 9 times outa 10 anybody fishing the FNF correctly will put a whoopin' on ya if your using a slip float. Its live and learn, and I learned by fishing it day in day out, now here is my 2 cents worth.

1. Use of a 3 way swivel: Its used for a reason, we use bobbers that have been cut, with the weight in the center. They float on their side when dropped into a cup of water with the 3 way swivel attached to the bobber! Why is this important? The slightest weight of the fly, once it reaches its desired depth causes the bobber to stand up. Hmm, what happens when a 5 lbs brown ***** it up and moves 2 feet up into the water column? I'll let you try it and you'll figure it out.

2. Lets me know exactly where my ledges/drops are. My best spots are cuts inside main pockets, with drops off of a 9' bar, that drop into 16 feet of water. Soon as my bobber stands up, I know i'm right where I want it.

3. 8.5 foot rod is what I use, I dont need a net, but its nice. And I do use one. And landing large browns or blacks is no problem, the rod does all the work.

4. Using the swivel rig makes using braided line as main line easy, and using either 4 or 6 lbs floro is my method, and I personally think it makes a very big difference. I rarely retie my braid, and I dont lose bobbers.

Just a few reasons I use it, but to each his own. Its a barrel of fun, and I catch my fair share in the cold water with it. Still love the jig, and shakeyhead, but I'd have to turn around and drive 60 miles back home if I left my fnf gear by accident!

Don

[Hlleonard]

Thanks Don.....I am brand new to the FNF system and any pointers you and the other fellas' might want to post would be appreciated....It seems so far to me that the fixed bobber works better for me than the slip bobber.....the major problem I am having getting started in this thingy is leader length......the great majority of my fishing time is spent on stoner creek because it is 15 minutes away and the depth variation seems to always require retieing depending on where you want to fish at the time.I am trying to find a way vary the leader length without a lot of hassle....I would tell you guys what I am playing with right now but being laughed at hurts me little feelings.