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Do you fish with slip bobbers? Then, you probably need a bobber stop to get just the right rig depth.
Now, the question is, which is the best bobber stop for braided lines? Today, I’m going to show you several top-of-the-line, highly efficient bobber stops.
Before I get started, I’d like to note that there are two types of bobber stops: rubber and plastic. The latter comes in either a 3 or 4-holed design where the mainline slides through the holes for maximum stability.
Both are good choices for braided lines. Yet the majority of anglers prefer using the 3 or 4-hole stops because they’re less likely to slide on the mainline.
So, if you’re interested in finding out more, keep reading. It’s a great chance to boost your fishing know-how and learn more about bobber stops and braided lines.
In a Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks…
5 Best Bobber Stops for Braided Lines
Let’s dive in and take a look at the five best bobber stops for braided lines on the market.
Rainbow BS-4-12 Slip-Eze Bobber Stops with Beads
The Rainbow Slip-Eze bobber is a 4-hole stop designed to never mangle or restrict your line. It’s very well-made and incredibly durable. It comes in a packet of 12 stops and beads.
The Rainbow Slip-Eze bobbers are easy to use and provide a no-fuss slip through both closed and open-faced reels.
I like that they work equally well in salt and freshwater. Yet, they’re especially recommended for Catfish, Salmon, or Pike.
Pros
- Less prone to slipping
- Suitable for both fresh and saltwater
- Can be used with closed and open-faced reels
Cons
- Less affordable than other brands
JS Bobber Stops and Beads
The JS Bobber Stops and Beads come 50 to a pack. The stops have only 3 holes each, yet they’re just as reliable and easy to use as 4-hole bobbers.
Each bead measures 5/32 inches in diameter. They work best with braided fishing lines that are 0.28 inches in diameter. Thicker lines won’t pass through the beads. Conversely, if you’re using thinner lines, the stops will be loose and won’t stay in place.
When I used these, sliding the stops up and down the line to adjust the depth of the rig was quick and easy. With one swift move, I was able to modify the depth instantly to match the fish species I was aiming for.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Stay fixed on the line when casting
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- Beads only with 0.28-inch lines, which can be limiting
Gourami Fishing Bobber Stops with Beads
With these fishing bobber stops, you get to choose between 50, 100, and 200 pieces per packet. Another perk is you get to select from three different color choices: green, orange, and red.
Different from 4 or 3-holed stops, these sturdy hollow rods are tied to a 0.12-inch bead above and below them. That being said, I was able to slip them onto the mainline without a problem. Plus, they’re pretty easy to adjust to get that perfect depth.
Their small size makes them better suited for ponds, lakes, and even shallow saltwater. You can even use them for night fishing, thanks to their luminous glow-in-the-dark beads.
Pros
- Glow-in-the-dark beads
- Premium-quality thread
- Come in a variety of options to suit all anglers
Cons
- Stop and bead diameters can be too small for some braided lines
Scotty 2008-24 Auto-Stop Beads
The Scotty Auto-Stop Beads are specially made for braided lines. Yet, they have a different design than the 4 or 3-holed stoppers.
These come 24 to a pack and work in a zig-zag fashion. All I had to do was wrap the mainline around the slots, then through the groove.
At first, I was skeptical they’d stay in place, but lo and behold, they remained fixed on the line with each cast.
Each stop bead is 0.4 inches long and 0.3 inches wide. They’re reliable and more efficient than having to deal with stops and beads separately.
Pros
- Stays fixed on the fishing line
- Sturdy design
- Easier to manage since they’re a stop and bead in one
Cons
- May come off during line retrieval, especially in tough fishing conditions
Drchoer Fishing Rubber Bobber Beads Stopper
Rubber bobber stops are typically reserved for monofilament fishing lines. Yet, the Drchoer oval-shaped stops are designed to work with braided lines as well.
The stops are made of a soft rubber build, which provides minimal wear on the mainline. The rust-resistant stainless steel coils are designed with durability and reliability in mind.
The feature I like the most is that they come in three different sizes: small, medium, and large. Small bobber stops are best used with 0.15 to 0.24-inch lines. Medium and large are better suited for 0.20 to 0.28 and 0.26 to 0.37-inch lines, respectively.
Pros
- Available in 3 different sizes
- Great value for the price
- Long-lasting, durable design
Cons
- Tend to hang up, especially with open-faced reels
Bobber Stops and Braided Lines: A Quick Overview
In this section, we’ll talk a little bit about when to use braided lines. We’ll also tell you why you should use a bobber stop, as well as how to use them.
Braided Lines
Read on to find out some of the perks and drawbacks of working with a braided line.
Benefits
One of the best advantages of braided lines is their long reel life. As long as you properly care for and maintain your reel, it’ll stay with you for many years.
Top Tip: When fishing in areas thick with weeds and vegetation, anglers rely on braided lines. They’re pretty abrasive and can cut through deep covers, making them more difficult to break if they snag on something.
Another advantage is they’re better suited for larger, fiercer game fish. These types of fish usually put up a fight and they can get pretty aggressive. You need to match their strength with something just as resilient and a braided line is an ideal choice. It’s the only one capable of going up against a fierce opponent.
Drawbacks
Despite boosting its durability, being abrasive can also be a disadvantage. For one, they can be hard to break and untangle. So, they require more finesse and must be spooled and stored properly.
Not only that, but braided lines tend to cause premature stress and breakage on the reel and line guides. Besides, they can be tricky to load onto the spool and control, making them not the best option for beginners.
In addition, braided lines are more expensive than monofilament lines. Yet they last longer, which sort of makes up for it.
Bobber Stops
Bobber stops are small pieces of plastic, rubber, or string that you attach to your fishing line. It has the job of setting the depth of your slip bobber.
For deeper fishing, move the stop upward on the line. Then, if you want to fish near the surface of the water, push the stop further down the line.
You can choose between fixed and slip bobbers. Slip bobbers are much better with bobber stops because you can adjust the depth any time you want.
In contrast, a fixed bobber will always give you the same depth. Depending on where you’re fishing, this can be detrimental to your catch rate.
Why You Should Use a Bobber Stop for Braided Lines
Now that you know a bit more about braided lines, you can see why using a 4-hole bobber stop is the perfect solution. Let me tell you why.
Having tried many kinds of bobber stops on braided lines, I know that they can be slippery. As a result, it’s near impossible to keep a traditional bobber stop in place on a braided line. They’ll just keep sliding up and down the mainline every time you cast in or out of the water.
That can get extremely frustrating pretty quickly. Plus, it puts a damper on your fun fishing trip.
Moreover, it can interfere with the depth of your rig. If you’re fishing with a slip bobber without using the right type of stop, then the rig will only sink to the bottom.
In other words, the depth won’t be set properly. As a result, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to catch anything. If you’re setting your bait at the wrong depth where the fish won’t see it, then they won’t bite!
This is where a bobber stop comes in. The 4-hole design helps secure it to the mainline in a zig-zag fashion. So, there’s no risk of sliding up or down as you’re casting the line.
Author Note: Another benefit of having the bobber stop remain in its place is it helps anchor the rig at the correct depth. That means you have a better chance of catching more fish!
Say you just took out a fish at 15 feet. Then, you’re suddenly biting near the surface. Having a slip bobber means you can easily slide the bobber stop from 15 to 2. Simply, use your thumb and index finger to readjust the depth.
How to Use a Bobber Stop for Braided Lines
As I mentioned earlier, the best types of bobber stop for braided lines are those with either three or four holes. They’re easy to use, efficient, and you can count on them to stay in place.
Typically, these stops are made of plastic and measure between five and seven millimeters. They have four small holes where the mainline zig-zags through.
Even though they’re made of plastic, they’re pretty flexible, which makes winding the line quick and easy.
Nevertheless, they’re sturdy enough to hold up to 12 pounds without any problems.
Here’s how to wind your line through a 4-hole bobber stop in four easy steps:
- Thread one end of your fishing line through the four holes of the bobber stop
- Then, move the stop about a foot up on the line
- Next, slip the stop bead on the mainline
- Finally, place the slip bobber and tackle
FAQs
Check out these questions to get a better idea of bobber stops and how to use them.
Where should I place the bobber on a fishing line?
Typically, bobbers are positioned about six to 12 inches from the tip of the rod or the hook. This prevents the hook from getting snagged on the bottom.
At the same time, it ensures that the bait is dangling in front of as many different types of fish as possible. Thus, you increase your catch rate exponentially.
Why should I use a bobber?
Bobbers are a nice choice when you’re surface fishing in areas where the water is almost as deep as the length of your rod. This way, you can dangle your bait or lure in the water at a preset depth.
On the other hand, slip bobbers also come in handy when you’re casting long distances. They help prevent the line from getting twisted and tangled.
Does color matter when it comes to bobbers and bobber stops?
As you’ve noticed, all our picks for the best bobber stops are bright and colorful. The most common color combinations are red and pale greenish-yellow, or red and white.
These provide good contrast under the water and seem to blend in with the light. As a result, they become harder for the fish to spot.
Although, since bobbers and stops don’t actually go in the water as the mainline, any color will do. The color of the bobber stop won’t have much effect on the fish unless the water is extremely clear.
The point of having brightly colored bobbers and stops is to make it easier for the angler to see it, even at a distance. So, when choosing a bobber stop, think about the best color choice for you.
A Final Note
Using the best bobber stops for braided lines will help improve your fishing in more ways than one. For example, if you’re fishing with a slip bobber with no bobber stop, your fishing line will sink in the water.
By adding a stop and a bead, however, your line will stop exactly where you want it to as soon as you cast it. It’s a great way to optimize your catch rate for a more fruitful and enjoyable fishing experience.
Happy Hunting!
