Do It Yourself String Bobber Stops

**Slimdog** · 10-04-2009, 10:55 AM

I don’t remember where I came across the instructions for making these bobber stops, but I thought I would share. It’s a great way to kill time when you’re not on the water or otherwise enjoying the outdoors. You can make up a bunch in a relatively short period of time and for less than a penny a piece even if you buy straws instead of saving them out of your Crown & 7s or Jack & Cokes.

The actual step by step instructions will be in the next post. Here’s what you’ll need:

Bobber stop thread. So far I have found that No. 2 crocheting thread works the best for me. Some where I have seen special bobber stop thread but it seems to me it was more expensive. I have even used regular yarn but that seems to make a larger diameter stop which can hang coming through the eyelets of your rod. Of course you can use any color. I picked up this spool at Hobby Lobby for $3.

Drinking straws or stir sticks. As mentioned above, you can save the straws out of your toddies, or pick up a pack anywhere you find party supplies. I bought a pack of 100 for $2.

Scissors. Any sharp pair you have handy will work. Sharp is important because it helps keep the thread from fraying.

You will also need a bobbin threader or a length of small gauge single strand wire to make your bobber stop tool.’ You will use the threader to pull the crocheting thread back under itself. I like using the threader I use for fly tying. They’re pretty cheap. You can also use an 8 to 10 inch length of wire bent back on it’s self to form a loop. I taped up the open end to have something to hold on to.

Now that you know what you need, on to the show…

**Slimdog** · 10-04-2009, 10:58 AM

1. Lay a straw, and the threader in your left hand as shown. Use your thumb to hold things in place. The threader should extend a ¼ to ½ inch or so past the straw.

2. Run your string along the straw and threader with the end extending an inch or so past the end of the straw.

3. Form a small loop under your thumb by pulling the main line back towards the cut end of the string. See the diagram for a visual.

4. Using your right hand, make 5 to 6 clock wise wraps of the main line around the straw, threader and string. Snug but not too tight. Hold the wraps in place with the index finger of your left hand.

5. Cut the mainline about 1 or 1 ½ inches past the last wrap and run that freshly cut end through the threader.

6. Pull the threader down through all the wraps and remove the threader from the string. Then pull both tag ends to tighten up. Slide the stop towards the end of the straw (about 3/8 of an inch) and then cut the straw about the same distance behind the stop.

The finished bobber stop.

If you have any questions, fell free to ask.

Slim

**MA Machine** · 10-04-2009, 11:26 AM

That's cool!. Thanks for the post.

24 HUNTER · 10-05-2009, 06:47 AM

Awesome thank you! looks like i will be trying that!

south of 41 · 10-15-2009, 06:22 AM

Great instructional post! My friend has been using dental floss to make his own stops for years...

10-04-2009, 10:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Slimdog Slimdog is already suffering from withdrawls... 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kearney Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 716 Thanks: 417 Thanked 310 Times in 172 Posts	Do It Yourself String Bobber Stops I don’t remember where I came across the instructions for making these bobber stops, but I thought I would share. It’s a great way to kill time when you’re not on the water or otherwise enjoying the outdoors. You can make up a bunch in a relatively short period of time and for less than a penny a piece even if you buy straws instead of saving them out of your Crown & 7s or Jack & Cokes. The actual step by step instructions will be in the next post. Here’s what you’ll need: Bobber stop thread. So far I have found that No. 2 crocheting thread works the best for me. Some where I have seen special bobber stop thread but it seems to me it was more expensive. I have even used regular yarn but that seems to make a larger diameter stop which can hang coming through the eyelets of your rod. Of course you can use any color. I picked up this spool at Hobby Lobby for $3. Drinking straws or stir sticks. As mentioned above, you can save the straws out of your toddies, or pick up a pack anywhere you find party supplies. I bought a pack of 100 for $2. Scissors. Any sharp pair you have handy will work. Sharp is important because it helps keep the thread from fraying. You will also need a bobbin threader or a length of small gauge single strand wire to make your bobber stop tool.’ You will use the threader to pull the crocheting thread back under itself. I like using the threader I use for fly tying. They’re pretty cheap. You can also use an 8 to 10 inch length of wire bent back on it’s self to form a loop. I taped up the open end to have something to hold on to. Now that you know what you need, on to the show…

10-04-2009, 10:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Slimdog Slimdog is already suffering from withdrawls... 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kearney Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 716 Thanks: 417 Thanked 310 Times in 172 Posts	The Instructions... 1. Lay a straw, and the threader in your left hand as shown. Use your thumb to hold things in place. The threader should extend a ¼ to ½ inch or so past the straw. 2. Run your string along the straw and threader with the end extending an inch or so past the end of the straw. 3. Form a small loop under your thumb by pulling the main line back towards the cut end of the string. See the diagram for a visual. 4. Using your right hand, make 5 to 6 clock wise wraps of the main line around the straw, threader and string. Snug but not too tight. Hold the wraps in place with the index finger of your left hand. 5. Cut the mainline about 1 or 1 ½ inches past the last wrap and run that freshly cut end through the threader. 6. Pull the threader down through all the wraps and remove the threader from the string. Then pull both tag ends to tighten up. Slide the stop towards the end of the straw (about 3/8 of an inch) and then cut the straw about the same distance behind the stop. The finished bobber stop. If you have any questions, fell free to ask. Slim

10-04-2009, 11:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
MA Machine MA Machine is Thawing his brain out 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lincoln NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 3,006 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 1,230 Times in 634 Posts	That's cool!. Thanks for the post. __________________ The only 2 things keeping me from going pro are skill and luck.

10-15-2009, 06:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
south of 41 south of 41 is sunning high on a hill Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: waist deep in big grass Posts: 3,021 Thanks: 55 Thanked 414 Times in 208 Posts	Great instructional post! My friend has been using dental floss to make his own stops for years... __________________ Soon after I embraced the sport of angling I became convinced that I should never be able to enjoy it if I had to rely on the cooperation of the fish." Eighty percent of success is showing up. RECOVERING NICOTINE ADDICT SINCE April 6th 2008

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10-05-2009, 06:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
24 HUNTER 24 HUNTER is Is back from a great trip to the refuge and cannott wait till next year!!! Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: omaha ne Posts: 872 Thanks: 83 Thanked 137 Times in 105 Posts	Awesome thank you! looks like i will be trying that!