Gear alert

Slip-bobber fishing can be boring. But sometimes it's the most effective way to take walleyes and panfish. The well-equipped angler keeps bobbers of various sizes handy, and organizes slip-bobber components so they can be quickly retrieved. Best to keep a dozen or more bobber-stop string-ties, beads and split shot in separate containers, and bobbers stored separately as well. Jigs or plain hooks of varying sizes can be used with slip bobbers, and these also should be well organized. Often the best time to employ a slip bobber is in low light or at night, and keeping tackle where you can easily find it increases your fishing time.