Best Carp Bobbins: A Total Fishing Tackle Review

With an endless choice of bite indicators available, we asked our resident fishing expert Wayne Box, to take a look at a few different options. Bobbins, hangers, indicators, swingers; call them what you will; they all do the same thing, right? Well, not exactly, different fishing situations require a different form of bite indication, and there is a vast selection of products that will help you achieve the perfect set-up to ensure you don't miss any bites. Let's take a look at some.

Fox Black Label Dinky Bobbins

The Black Label Dinky's are not the lightest of the smaller bobbins that are available, but at 10g, they are by no means heavy. The line can run freely through the line clip rather than it being fixed in place, and unless I am fishing at super close range, I prefer to have the line free running through the line clip. There are two transparent isotope windows if lighting up your bobbins is your thing, and the 6-inch chain is the perfect length, not too short and not too long. What I like most about the Black Label Dinky's, though, is the fact that I can use them effectively when fishing at 30 yards or 80 yards they are a true all-rounder and a great opener to our list of the best carp bobbins. Also available in a bigger size for long-range fishing!     

 

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Korda Complete Mk2 Stow Indicators

Developed by Korda from the original Stow indicators, the Stow has now evolved into the mk2 model to make them even better! These are my go-to hangers for 90% of my fishing, as they are a great option if you prefer your indicators semi-fixed to the line for slackline fishing, or when fishing zigs or long-range when the bites might be subtle. What this gives you is a really good bite indication, as the line can't slide through the line clip, any movement on the line is instantly transmitted to the indicator. Simply adjust the weight of the bobbin, with the added-on weights available, and the bobbins will click to your line, making them as light or heavy as required. Available in a range of colours and with the ability to add an isotope, the Stow is a great indicator for those who like to fish super slack lines and not miss out on the subtle plucks and pulls on their line.

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Delkim Nitelite Illuminating Hanger V2

Delkims newest indicator to their range is the Nitelite illuminating hanger v2! An evolution of the previous Nite lite, the set comprises of the Nitelite Illuminating Hanger and the SlimCarb Hanger Stabiliser, and the C-Slot drag weights. They can all be used together in all conditions but still allow the Nitelite to be used solely as a hanger if required, or changed to swinger in windier conditions if the hanger starts to cause false indication.

If you own a set of Delkim bite alarms, then these are a great option, as they light up in tandem with the alarms. If you turn the LED on, the alarm lights up, and so does the hanger; they even mirror the Nitelite setting, so if you have the LEDs on, your alarms glow subtly overnight, and the hangers will as well. You get a set of weights supplied, so they are great for anything up to the most extreme ranges, and the weights can be added without removing the head of the hanger; smart! Available to match the Delkim alarm colours, the Slimlites are a great addition to our list of the best carp bobbins.         

 

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ESP Barrel Bobbin Kit

The highly versatile Barrel Bobbin kits include everything required to provide excellent bite indication in most carp fishing situations. Available in seven colours - white PTFE and acrylic in red, blue, purple, orange, green and yellow. The smart thing is that ESP has included two different line clips, a standard ball clip that allows the line to run freely through the indicator and a grip clip for those who like to fish slack lines and fix the indicator onto the main line. They also come with two different lengths of chain, long and short to cater for every situation. Perhaps the cleverest feature is the add-on weights that fix to the hockey stick, just unscrew the extra weights and add them onto the bobbin! Used by the main man Terry Hearn himself, they have to be good, right?!     

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Korda Black and White Bobbins

Korda's second entry to our list sees them with somewhat of a classic throwback, with their Black and Whites. As the name suggests, they are available in a black or in white body, featuring a large crystal moulded front which houses the isotope slot. Once fitted, the isotope glows, making these illuminate brightly and far more visible. However, what makes these even better is the design makes use of a dedicated adjustable line clip in which the line flows through the clip without being gripped, which is easily adjustable via the base of the bobbin. They come complete with black chains, weights and a magnetic bayonet hockey stick, meaning these will not fall out on even the most violent take, and reduces the risk of them falling out if, like me, you leave them attached during transit. The new style hockey stick is also fully compatible with the existing 'Stow' range.

They are available in 4 sizes, small to XL, and are all supplied with add-on weights, which also increase in size as the heads go up. The smalls are great for short to medium work, whilst the medium lends itself as an all-rounder, with the Large being suited to some extremely longer-range work. A great bobbin with a cult old skool vibe.

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Fox Black Label Mini Swinger

Anyone who has been carp fishing since the 90s will probably have had a set of the original Fox Swingers; I know I did! Well, they have been remodelled and released, but the introduction of the Mini version has been a game changer. Based on the design of the iconic Fox Swinger MK3 but with a shorter arm (45mm less) and reduced head size (40% smaller) they also feature a Black Label hockey stick thread attachment instead of a traditional Swinger Plate, allowing for less bulk and quick interchange with different Black Label indicators. Other features include; 16 gram sliding weight on the arm, matt black anodised coating on the arm and weight, fixed line gate system, rubber shock absorbers on the bottom of the head, the head features an isotope slot (for use with the Black Label Micro Isotope), a great all-round indicator for fishing with slack, semi-slack and tight lines and especially good for eliminating false indications in windy conditions. Definitely deserving of their place on our list of the best carp bobbins.     

 

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