I have seen this touted as one of the best many times on this site. I will be making my first trip to BWCA during the full moon in mid-July. Can you give me the particulars about how to fish a leech. What size hook? Does a "slip bobber" me one that can be adjusted? How to hook the leech. At what dept should I have the leech. Any advice would be appreciated.

Fishing a leech under a slip cork is easy, especially if you crappie fish using minnows the same way. I will try to go in order of your questions:

1. I use either a #4 or #6 Octapus, I prefer #4.

2. Most slip corks I use have a hole running the length of them, and
what I use is a tie and a bead to set the depth. First you put
the string tie on and set your depth (about 4-5 ft for me)
then your slip cork or bobber depending on where you live in
relation to the Mason/Dixon Line ;-). Below that about a ft above
the hook a large split shot or two. Then just tie on your hook.

3. Take the leech and hook it about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch behind the
the sucker, no further.

4. Again I like to fish that way about 4-5 ft deep.

I fish it two ways: 1. drift it down a rapids into eddy area, if there are smallies or walleye there they will hit it. 2) As I drift in a canoe I throw it close to shore and gently work it out to deeper water. For walleyes I like to drift a leech near the bottom, with it being held off the bottom by a lindy float.

Bruce

Get a thrill slip bobber, a small pack of bobber stoppers, split shot weights, small hook. First put the bobber on, then a stopper, then tie a hook on. Add a split shot weight about six inches above the hook. Put a leach on the hook with the big part of the leach. Adjust the stopper by sliding the stop to the right height. This way you can cast a long ways with this setup. Good luck

Pickup a few Gapen Bobbers then you can switch to just plain hook. Gapen

The whole point of the slip bobber is to be able to set the depth to whatever you want. The stopper "knot", even if its set for 30 feet or more, can be reeled onto you reel, allowing you to cast out. The "stop" sets the line at that depth.
Very effective method. If the bobber lays on it's side after casting, it means you set the depth deeper than the lake bottom. Once the depth is set properly, anything unusual Such as the bobber moving, going under, or suddenly laying on it's side means "fish". Reel in the slack and set the hook.

This video will show a slip bobber rig that is virtually identical to the ones I use. My slip bobber is a little different shape and I use the "dogbone" bobber stops. Either way is fine.

I tend to use only one split shot on the line vs. the two the guy in the video used. If you have to go a little larger to use only one split shot, I'd be inclined to do that.

For fishing varying depths, just move your bobber stop up and down the line. Putting a leech or minnow on the hook should put fish on your stringer.

Setting up a Slip Bobber Rig

Good video. I have broken off fish right at the split shot. Consequently, I have gone to a rubber core sinker because it is easier on the line. Also, like Jack said, one sinker is better than two for this becasue two have a tendency to to wrap around each other and comprimise line integrity. Also, you can skip the bead. I have never used one and it just seems like one extra thing. Red hooks, glow hooks and other colored hooks, as well as plain, are worth trying.

I have also had trouble with mono breaking at the split shot so I prefer to use jig heads. They are available in different weights, shapes and colors. I also bring a lighted bobber for night fishing.

When fishing a leech use a 1/8 or 1/4 jig and fish on or near the bottom from your canoe. Since you are fishing in mid July walleye will be deeper so you will want to fish 20ft or deeper. Fish at sunrise and sunset for best fishing. I usually will drift slowly back and forth from deep to shallow to find fish. When using a slip bobber try to set the depth so the hook will be about a foot off the bottom.

Funhog-
If you get serious about slip-corking, use a long rod, 8 foot or better. You can really take up slack on the hookset and "send them the news."

I also use a slip bobber that as a small light stick inside for night fishing. We sit by the fire and watch for bites.

I use slip bobbers a lot in all kinds of different situations but here are a few situations when I think slip bobbers will work better than other live bait presentations such as a jig, or a live bait rig.
1) In certain situations in the spring I think big walleyes have a tendency to suspend above smaller fish.
2) As far as I can figure out it seems that walleyes will often move horizontally off a piece of structure instead of vertically. Bobbers work great for picking off fish that are suspended off the side of a reef.
3) When fishing for spooky fish a bobber will quietly drift to them.
4) When you want to eat lunch, have a rum & coke, or just be lazy.

A few tricks I use are 6# mono and little #8 hooks when fishing in clear water. #8 hooks don’t grab much flesh so have your drag set accordingly. I also like pink bobbers cause my eyes can see them better in the waves or if my bobber is a long ways off. Everyone will give you different advice on how long to wait before setting the hook. Each day seems to be a little different as far as that goes.

Note how well the pink bobber stands out in this picture. This pig was suspended off the side of a shallow finger. Oops, nevermind, I can't attach a photo at the moment.