You can use a bobber to attach to your line while bottom-fishing a river or body of water. The bobber connects after you cast to indicate when a fish strike is happening visually. Bobber twitches with bites, drop if the fish is coming in your direction, or up if the fish is going away. I learned to fish like this when I was a child.

Video Example:
Using a Bobber as a fishing indicator. An example from the video is below. They are using it for trout (great idea… we used it for carp and cats mainly but works in general for any non-specialized bottom application that's a “sit and wait”).

My experience with bobbers or clamps is that they are a pain in the #&*#$ to put back on / take off or interfere with casting. Since I am still learning design, I wanted to design something to meet my needs.

Disclaimer - I have performed minimal testing in an actual fishing setting (04.28.24). I would expect other remixes/versions to come as I go out over the next few weeks. *

Goal of project (Beta):

1. Allow connection of the topper before cast
2. Caste with topper connected
3. Attach body/main part
4. Attach any desired weight at the bottom (to counter current etc.)
5. Wait for the fish, and hook the fish without removing the unit/body without the magnet giving out and the bobber flying off (unless you have superpowers and superstrength)
6. Pop off bobber/reel in/repeat

Instructions/Use:

• There are TWO sizes of BODY, which are interchangeable
  • Traditional Bobber Sizer (sort of)
  • A slimmed-down version reducing weight for smaller applications (may need to increase as I test line sizes) OR reducing body weight and managing via the bottom add-on weight.
• There are three parts to this unit
  • Topper - Connect to the line by inserting the line through the slit
    • The force of the “hooking action” and weight should keep the line away from the exit
  • Body - Connect the body to the topper via the magnet (ensure the magnet poles are correct before gluing). At the bottom is a small opening for a weight to counter current, etc. It is optional. You COULD also affix a connect from the bottom of the body to a fixed object so if you quickly jerk and hook a fish the bottom would naturally be pulled off by applying force to counter the magnets as you pull up. The force of the hook/pull action should keep the weight at the bottom of the connector and away from the slit. In addition, you can hang several Bobby's up when not in use.
  • Plug - If you do not wish to use a magnet and just want to make it a single unit, the plug is the size of the magnet cutout spots. Use in place of magnets and glue both sides
• Cast a line out with a topper connected
• Connect the body, and weight if desired
• Wait for bite indication
• Hook fish then pull the bottom off to reduce weight on the line when reeling in
• Reel in, repeat
  

Printed with 0.16 layer height, Fine settings on the P1S. The orange filament was what came with the printer, PLA.

Parts:

• Magnets 8mm X 2mm (2) (I bought a variety pack)
• Glue

*Current Model: V9P4 and Slim-V8P0


*** Update 05.01.24***

Initial tests show I may need to make a bigger magnet or less weight for Bobby. It holds as it should but with a jerk for a strike, I am betting it will fall. It did for me a couple of times. Which may not be a bad thing. TBD. Just an FYI for those trying it out.

Tips are always welcome. I use CashApp. $ChickenCordon