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Beginner Panfish Walleye Trout Smallmouth

Slip Bobber Rig

Adjustable Live Bait Rig

A castable float rig for suspending live bait at exact depth in rivers, ponds, and lake edges.

What problem it solves

Lets you fish deeper than a fixed float while still casting normally.

Video by AnglingBuzz — full title: Slip Bobbers for Walleye (The Complete Guide)
Prefer another teacher? Try the alternate video tutorial on Informed Fishing .
Slip-bobber rig with stop, bead, through-line float, split shot, swivel, leader and hook.
Adjust depth with the stop above the bead and float. The line passes through the slip float. Layout and spacing are illustrative; knots are schematic. Select the image to view full size.
As shown in the video

Products in this rig video

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Slip bobber (Thill, Northland)

Sized to bait weight and water depth

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Bobber stop + bead

Slides through guides, stops at preset depth

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Split shot (3-5 BB or split shot)

Pulls bait down to set depth

hook
#4 - #8 octopus hook or jig

Live minnow / leech / worm / waxie

Build from what you own

How to build it

Mark the components you already have, then work through the assembly. Your selections stay on this page and do not create a saved gear profile.

Ingredient list

0 of 8 components marked owned. Check their suitability before using them.

Assembly order

  1. 1. Bobber stop
  2. 2. Bead if required
  3. 3. Slip float
  4. 4. Weight
  5. 5. Leader / hook

Component order, not a scale drawing. Hook, bait and weight connections differ by method.

0 of 4 assembly steps checked.

Before you cast

  • Stop grips the line and catches the bead or float opening.
  • Float slides freely and can carry the loaded rig.
  • Depth is measured and adjusted on site; bait and hook arrangement meet local rules.

Educational assembly checklist. Verify actual ratings, component instructions and local rules; no current conditions, personal fit or product compatibility certification. Reviewed 2026-10-26. Method reference: NYSDEC: Slip-bobber assembly for walleye.

How to fish it

Live bait presentations over pools, weed edges, and deeper slow water.

Variations

  • Use small floats for panfish.
  • Use larger floats for minnows or current.
  • Add a fluorocarbon leader in clear water.
Knots in this rig

Tie the weak links correctly

Rivers fishing this rig right now

Current water that fits this setup

No active river report is confidently pointing at this exact rig right now. Scan the river board and let the gauges argue their case.

Gear shelf

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