How to make your own FNF bobbers....

[elnutsmalljaws]

I have been asked to post how to make the FNF bobbers that I do and since I can't find my other 2 post where I did it before I have added the instructions again. Just got done make a huge batch so I hope I have all the steps below.

FNF bobbers are expensive at about $4.50 or better for 2 but you can make your own with a few simple tools and some time. I learned how to make them really by accidently stepping on one in my boat one day, funny how they don't hold up to a good 500lbs at that time. If you need some visuals on what I am talking about then I suggest you sacrifice one yourself and you can see step by step what I do. It took me a couple of trial and errors before getting the system down and now I can pretty much make them 99% correct the first time.

First you need to purchase the 1" Styrofoam bobbers that have the round weight on the outside bottom of the bobber. Next bend out the top bend of the center shaft of the bobber with a pair of needle nose pliers as to slide thru this center pin out the bottom. Next take out the spring that is inside the top, the plastic center sleeve on top and bottom and off the lead weight. Take note of how it comes apart because it will go back together the same way. Sit all parts aside in seperate small bowls, especially if you are making a big batch at once. Next take an ink pen and mark a reference line across the red/white parts of the bobber. This is done marking vertically across the line that is on the bobber. Take a VERY SHARP knife, I use a Craft knife that I sort of permanently borrowed from my wife's scrapbooking stuff (don't tell her) and cut the bobber across the red/white center line. You will also be disecting the ink mark you made as well. Next hollow out the center of the bobber on both halfs, big enough that will hold the same round center lead weight that you took off. You will need to hollow out a bit more from the red side versus the white side because you want the weight to sit SLIGHTLY higher than center when you put it back together with the red side on top. sit the weight in the middle and put the center shafts back on the bobber, you will see that you need to trim the center shafts because you no longer have the weight on the outside of the bobber so the shafts need to be cut off so they sit tight to the top and bottom of the bobber. Dry fit this together after trimming the shaft ligning up the ink pen mark that you made on the side of the bobber to make sure you have it exactly back together the same way. If it all looks good then take one half off and add some STYROFOAM GLUE. You can get this special glue at craft stores and it will not melt the styrofoam bobbers like regular glue. I use the White craft glue that does require clamping but there is a low heat version of the same (similar to hot glue but not hot) but I found the White Craft glue works the best and holds together over the long haul in the water better. Add the glue to the top and bottom halves of the bobber around the weight and make sure to put the center shafts top and bottom in place, lign up the ink marks and clamp. The clamp can be simple to a small spring hand clamp that can be bought at a hardware store. If you are not making many at a time then 4-5 of these will get you that many done at a time. I took a piece of 1x2 oak and started drilling a 1 inch hole in spefically spaced spots down the length of it only stoping about 1/3rd the way thru. then took a smaller bit, I think around a 1/2 inch or so and drilled deeper in the center of the hole. Mark up another piece of oak and drill the same system on a second piece. I have 2 sections that are 48 inches long and can do up to 20 at a time. I glue them up, sit the bottom on one piece of oak, sit the other piece on top and put several clamps down the length of it. Works really well and in 24 hours after curing you have 20 bobbers done but now it is time to put the working center in them. Take the long shaft that you bent in the first place and slide it thru the bobber with the still bent side on the bottom. You will see that this is even longer than before because you have to remember this shaft took up the length of the weight on the outside of the bobber initially but is now in the middle so basically it is the same height as the weight too long and needs to be trimmed off. Cut about a 1/4 inch off the top of this metal shaft LEAVE the bent bottom alone. After doing this, put in the spring back in the top just like it was when you took it apart, slide in the plastic plunger in the top over the spring, insert the center shaft with the bent side on the bottom and take the needle nose pliers and re-bend the shaft over on the top side to close up the assembly. The reason you bend the top is to not mess up with the bent bottom side since it gets clipped to your 3 way swivel and we don't want to bend and re bend to mess up the integrity. Some bobbers have a white ring around the top next to the red section that you can color in with a permanent magic marker to give you more visual red to see in the water. Now the test is to fill your bathtub or sink with water, take a piece of 6lb flourocarbon line about 10 inches long and tie a 1/16 oz jig on the end and a 3 way swivel to the other end. First drop the bobber in the water and it should lay over on its side 90 degrees from horizontal, if it does not then you will need to adjust the placement of your weight in the middle, too much red showing then the weight is too low, too much white showing and it is too high. If it is centered, then clip the swivel to the bobber and let the jig sink down, the bobber should stay sideways until it suspends below and then it should stand up, take your hand under water and slightly rise the jig and the bobber should turn on its side. If all of this passes, then you just took a bobber that sells for about 50 cents and increased its value 4 times. good luck hope this helps you save a buck or two.

[fisherman0625]

Everything you said is absolutley 100% correct... Couldnt have said it any better myself... I also make my own and well make all my fnf stuff but anyway I think you will find it 150 times better if you use Liquid nails Perfect Glue # 1. I know everyone has there own ways of doing things but i tried it like you are now and i just got annoyed at the clamping and stuff. So i went out and found this glue... It requires no clamping and sets up really good. I have had no bobbers come apart or anything ever! Just trying to make it a lil easier on a fellow bait maker and bobber maker... You all catch em good at the get together, i cant make it this year. LOL but last year man was it a blast... a total of like 3 people!!!! ALL kinds of hoopin and a hollerin...lol catch a monster man

[GeoFisher]

Everything you said is absolutley 100% correct... Couldnt have said it any better myself... I also make my own and well make all my fnf stuff but anyway I think you will find it 150 times better if you use Liquid nails Perfect Glue # 1. I know everyone has there own ways of doing things but i tried it like you are now and i just got annoyed at the clamping and stuff. So i went out and found this glue... It requires no clamping and sets up really good. I have had no bobbers come apart or anything ever! Just trying to make it a lil easier on a fellow bait maker and bobber maker... You all catch em good at the get together, i cant make it this year. LOL but last year man was it a blast... a total of like 3 people!!!! ALL kinds of hoopin and a hollerin...lol catch a monster man

I do the same thing............except, I use a hot glue gun to glue the bobber back together.

It is FAST, and quick and the glue actually melts the foam a little, so ti is NOT coming apart.

Man, I cannot wait........

Later,

Geo

[elnutsmalljaws]

I heard about the massive turnout of 3 last year. I don't think the fella that put it on last year did a very good job because from what I remember there was a whole bunch of people saying "maybe" or "possibly" coming and very few that actually committed. I did it a bit different this year and it lookls like we might just exceed that number this year. Right now we have 20 committed and another 6 or so waiting on work schedules. I know you love the fly and wish you could come join us for a good time. Thanks for the tip on liquid nails. I like the stuff I use for it dries clear, does not melt any of the bobber or distorts it in any way and makes a pretty decent bobber. From what I see in the stores there is no difference in performance or looks to mine. See you later, elnut