How to Put a Bobber on a Fishing Line

When you’re fishing, bobbers have two main purposes: they help keep your bait suspended at a certain depth, and they make it easier to see when you hook a fish. If you’ve never used one before, putting one on your line might seem a little complicated, but it’s actually super easy. We’re breaking down exactly how it works—from the most common red and white round bobbers you see in every fishing kit to less common options like slip and bubble bobbers. Let’s get started!

How to Put a Bobber on a Fishing Line

An illustration showing the step-by-step process of how to put fishing line in a round fixed bobber.

Press the button on top of the bobber to reveal a hook on the bottom of the bobber.
Loop your line through that hook, then release the button.
Push down on the plastic rim on the same button to reveal a hook on top of the bobber.
Loop your line through the top hook and release the button.

Section 1 of 5:

Round Bobbers

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1
Thread your line through the rod and attach a fishing hook to the end. If you’re using a round bobber, rig up your line before you attach it. Spool the line onto the reel, then thread the line through the guides on the rod. Then, tie your hook to the end of the line with a clinch knot. Trim off any excess line that hangs from the hook when you’re done.^{[1]
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- Starting with the hook makes it easier to put the bobber in the right spot—it’s easier to judge where to place your bobber afterward.
- Fishing instructor Kathy Sparrow, MA, says to choose a line that’s made for the type of water you’re fishing. She adds that it’s important to double-check that the line is going through all the guides on your rod so you can cast consistently.^{[2]
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- Use a hook size that’s meant for the fish you’re trying to catch. For beginners, a medium sized hook (around #6–#10) is a good option, especially if you’re fishing for medium-sized fish like bass or larger trout. If you’re fishing for something larger, like catfish, you might opt for a larger hook, like 1/0–3/0, or you might go smaller (#12–#32) if you’re trying to hook smaller fish like crappie.^{[3]
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Place the bobber about 3–4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) above your hook. The length of line below your bobber determines how deep your hook will go—the bobber will stay on the surface of the water, and the line will hang down below it. Most shallow-water fish swim a few feet below the surface, so that’s a good depth to start with. Measure up from the top of the hook (it’s okay to estimate the distance).^{[4]
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- Keep the water conditions in mind when you’re attaching your bobber. If you’re fishing in shallow water or an area with a lot of weeds or underwater debris, you may want to shorten the line below the bobber to 1–2 feet (30–61 cm).
- If you’re fishing in deeper water, it’s usually better to use a slip bobber setup. If you put your bobber too far above the hook, it’s difficult to cast properly.
- Don’t worry too much about the exact position—you’ll be able to move the bobber if you need to adjust the depth of your hook once you’re on the water.
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3
Press the button on the top of the bobber to reveal the bottom hook. Most round bobbers have a little piece at the top that looks like a button or a cap. Cover the whole button with your thumb and press down to reveal a small hook on the bottom of the bobber. Slide your fishing line into this hook right where you want the bottom of the bobber to sit, then release the button to lock the line into place.^{[5]
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- If you want a more secure hold, wrap the line around the hook 1–2 times before releasing the button.
- It doesn’t really matter if you attach the bottom or the top of the bobber first.
4
Slide down the sleeve on the top button to reveal the top hook. Use your thumbnail to press down on just the rim of the same button you just pressed. This will reveal a small hook on top of the bobber. Loop your line through it just like you did with the hook on the bottom. Let the button snap back up, and your line will be held securely in place.^{[6]
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- Again, you can wrap the line around the hook a couple of times if you want a more secure hold, but it’s fine if you’d rather skip this.
Once you’re out on the water, you may decide you want your bait to sit in shallower or deeper water. To move the bobber, press down on the button again to expose the top or bottom hook. Unloop your fishing line from this hook and slide the bobber up or down the line, then clip the line back into the bobber.
6
Attach a split shot sinker below the bobber. Sinkers are additional weights you can easily clip onto your line. Place the sinker about 4 finger-widths up from the top of the hook and slide the line into the groove. Use a pair of needlenose pliers to pinch the sinker closed around the line.^{[7]
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- Choose a sinker that’s enough to hold your line down, but not so heavy that it pulls the bobber underwater. If you notice your bobber dipping below the surface after you cast, you may need to use a lighter sinker.
- Try using an ¹⁄₈ oz (3.5 g) sinker for shallow water. For deeper water, put on a ¹⁄₄–³⁄₈ oz (7.1–10.6 g) sinker instead.^{[8]
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Section 2 of 5:

Pencil-Style Bobber

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Secure a pencil-style bobber for more sensitivity. To attach a pencil bobber, push the spring on the end down to expose the hook underneath. Loop your fishing line 2–3 times around the hook, then let go of the spring to lock the line into place.^{[9]
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- Pencil bobbers are lightweight, so slight movements pull them under. They’re especially useful for smaller fish like trout, crappie, perch, and bluegill.

Section 3 of 5:

Transparent Bubble Bobber

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Use a transparent bubble bobber to avoid spooking fish. Bubble bobbers will either clip in like a standard round bobber, or they may slide directly onto your line. If you don’t see any clips, just slide the bubble bobber onto your line before you tie on the hook and set its position.^{[10]
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- Transparent bobbers are made to mimic air bubbles, so they’re good for fish that are easily spooked, or if you’re fishing in very clear, shallow water.
- Try a bubble bobber for panfish or trout.

Section 4 of 5:

Slip Bobbers

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Try a slip bobber to fish in deeper water. If you’re using a slip bobber, put it on before you attach your sinker and hook. Attach a rubber bobber stop to your line at the maximum depth that you want your hook to sink. Then, slide your slip bobber onto the line so it’s against the stop. Finally, attach your sinker to the line about 1 foot (0.30 m) below the bobber before attaching your hook.^{[11]
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- Slip bobbers slide up and down the line to adjust to the water depth. They work well for any type of fish, especially in deeper water.

Section 5 of 5:

Choosing a Bobber

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Choose the smallest bobber that stays afloat. Large bobbers are not as sensitive when a fish strikes. Even though it’s easier to see big bobbers out on the water, smaller fish might not pull them underwater, so it’ll be harder to know when you have a bite. Start with a small round bobber, and try one that’s larger if it sinks from the weight of the bait, hook, and sinker.^{[12]
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- If you’re fishing in deep water, you’ll need a larger bobber so it’s easier to see.
- As a general rule, larger bait will need a bigger bobber. There isn’t an exact science to picking the right size, so you may need to try a few different bobbers out to see if they’ll work.
- The color of your bobber doesn’t usually matter to the fish you’re catching—just pick a color that you can easily see in the water where you’ll be fishing.

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How do I choose a fishing line?

Kathy Sparrow, MA
Fishing Instructor
Kathy Sparrow is a fly-fishing instructor and adventurer at heart. Kathy is the co-founder and previous manager of the Kingfisher Inn, a fly-fishing lodge on the Lower Laguna Madre in Texas. She is the author of "On the Mother Lagoon: Flyfishing and the Spiritual Journey" and "The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout” a novel conveying the feminine perspective of fly fishing. Kathy is also a Certified Canfield Trainer in Canfield Methodologies. She guides individuals through the process of embracing change by expressing confidence, awareness, and courage through the tools of writing, fly fishing, and intentional conversation. She has a MA in English with an emphasis in Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of Texas-Pan American.

Kathy Sparrow, MA

Fishing Instructor

Expert Answer

Choose a line that's made for the type of water you're fishing in that day. Use saltwater fishing line for saltwater, and freshwater fishing line for freshwater. Additionally, it's important to check whether or not your fishing line is for tropical (warmer) water or colder water so you can use the line that's perfect for the body of water you're fishing in.

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Sparrow recommends talking to local anglers at a local tackle shop for advice on how to set up your rig to catch fish in the area.^{[13]
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Sparrow also suggests wearing polarized glasses to help you get a better view under the water so you can see when fish are getting closer to your line.^{[14]
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