Bobber Stop Knot

Tying procedure — Bobber Stop Knot

1. Step 01 / 4

   Lay a 15 cm (6 in) piece of stopper line along the main line where you want the float to stop, and fold one end back along it to make a loop beside the main line.

   You should now see: A loop of stopper line lying against the main line, with the folded-back end crossing over the stopper and the main line at the point you are pinching.

   If it goes wrong: Cutting the stopper piece too short. There is not enough end to take the turns and still grip, and the loop pulls out of your fingers halfway through wrapping.

   Fix: Start again with a fresh 15 cm (6 in) piece. The extra length costs nothing, because the tags get trimmed at the end.

   Why: Use line about the same diameter as the main line, or Dacron backing. Tie the stop on first: the bead and float then thread on from the hook end and sit below it, and the depth can be changed later by sliding the stop.

   1Stopper line, doubled back

   2Main line

   Step 1 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Lay the stopper line along the main line and double it back into a loop

   Hold: Left hand pinches the stopper against the main line at the depth you want. Move: Right hand doubles the stopper back over itself to make a loop.

   You should now see: A short stopper line lying along the main line, doubled back into an open loop, with its end free.

2. Step 02 / 4

   Pinch the loop where the stopper crosses itself and the main line. Take the end around both lines and through the open loop, and repeat until three or four turns lie side by side.

   You should now see: Three or four neat turns around the main line and one leg of the stopper, all inside the loop, with the far end of the loop still open.

   If it goes wrong: Too few turns, or turns that ride over each other. The stop looks fine in your hand but creeps along the line over the first few casts, and the float settles at the wrong depth.

   Fix: Unwrap the turns and lay them again side by side. If a finished stop creeps, cut it off and tie a new one with an extra turn, especially on slick braid.

   Why: The turns are what grip the main line. Sources give anywhere from two to six. More turns hold better on thin or slick line but make a bulkier knot to pass through the guides.

   1Three turns round both lines

   Step 2 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Wrap the stopper round both lines and through the loop, three times

   Hold: Left hand holds the loop where the stopper crosses itself and the main line. Move: Right hand winds the stopper's end round both lines inside the loop, three times.

   You should now see: Three turns of stopper line round both the main line and the stopper's own line, all inside the loop.

3. Step 03 / 4

   Wet the turns, then pull the two ends of the stopper line slowly in opposite directions until the turns close down and grip the main line.

   You should now see: A small, tight barrel of turns that stays put when you nudge it, with the main line still round and straight on both sides.

   If it goes wrong: Hauling on the ends as hard as you can. The main line under the stop flattens or kinks, and you can see a curl or flat spot when you slide the stop away.

   Fix: If the main line is flattened or kinked, cut above the damaged section and rig again. Pull the next stop only until it grips.

   Why: Wetting lets the turns slide into place without heat. The stop only has to hold against the float and bead; pulling past that squeezes the main line and leaves a weak spot right where the stop sits.

   Step 3 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Pull both stopper tags in opposite directions to close the turns on the main line

   Hold: Left hand pulls the stopper's short tag one way. Move: Right hand pulls the other tag the opposite way until the turns grip the main line.

   You should now see: A small, neat barrel of three turns gripping the main line, snug but not crushing it.

4. Step 04 / 4

   Trim both tags to short stubs about 6 mm (a quarter inch) long, then push the stop along the main line with your fingers to set the float depth.

   You should now see: Two short stubs standing off the stop. It slides when you push it firmly with your fingers and holds its place when the float rides up against the bead.

   If it goes wrong: Cutting the tags flush against the turns. With nothing left to pull on, a stop that loosens cannot be snugged up again, and a loose stop catches on the guides instead of passing through.

   Fix: If the stop has loosened or catches on a guide, cut it off and tie a new one, trimming the tags to short stubs this time.

   Why: Short stubs give you something to grip if the stop needs tightening again, and a small, trimmed stop passes through the rod guides on the cast.

   1Tags left long

   Step 4 of 4 · move 1 of 1

   Trim the tags, leaving each about an inch long, and test that the stop slides

   Hold: Left hand holds the main line. Move: Right hand trims each tag long, then slides the stop with firm finger pressure.

   You should now see: Two tags about an inch long, and a stop that slides under firm finger pressure but stays put under the float's weight.