Thill AC788-2 Bobbers Review
Our verdict
At $5.15 for a 2-pack, the Thill AC788-2 is a 7/8-inch oval wood float built for float fishing technique. Weighing just 0.02 pounds each, the lightest spec listed in this comparison, it backs that up with a 4.6-star rating across 423 reviews and 300+ bought last month.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers doing float fishing who want a small, lightweight 7/8-inch oval float, sold as a 2-pack, with strong recent demand and a large, consistent review base behind it.
Skip if
Skip it if you need a bass-specific slip float or a fly-fishing bobber, since this is sized and labeled specifically for float fishing technique. Anglers wanting more than two pieces per pack may also want the AF-SLIP's 5-pack instead.
- Material Wood
- Weight 0.02 Pounds
- Technique Float Fishing
- Size 7/8-Inch
- Color 7/8" Oval
- Pieces 2.0 Count
- Priced 55% below the category median ($11.49 across 56 tracked models)
Our scorecard
-
Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 423 owner ratings
-
Popularity3.5/5
423 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other fishing gear and tackle we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
An angler setting up a float fishing rig for panfish or similar light presentations is the target buyer for the Thill AC788-2. At $5.15 for a 2-pack of 7/8-inch oval wood floats, it's priced near the low end of this comparison, and its 4.6-star rating across 423 reviews puts it near the top of the group on both counts.
The specs reinforce that positioning. At 0.02 pounds each, it's the lightest float listed in this comparison, even lighter than the Torpedo TPS-1/3's 0.04 pounds, and wood construction gives it natural buoyancy without added bulk. The oval shape at 7/8-inch is compact, suited to the float fishing technique it's explicitly labeled for rather than the bass-oriented slip-float use of the AF-SLIP.
Demand backs up the price and rating combination. At 300+ bought last month, it trails only the AF-SLIP's 500+ among these five bobbers, while its 423 reviews is the second-largest sample size in the group behind the Bomber BSWPPPPO's 2,100. Between a strong rating, solid review volume, and healthy recent sales, the AC788-2 reads as one of the more broadly validated choices here.
Pros
- Lightest float in this comparison at 0.02 pounds each
- 4.6-star rating across 423 reviews, the second-largest review base in this group
- 300+ bought last month is the second-highest demand figure among these five bobbers
- Wood construction gives natural buoyancy suited to float fishing technique
- Priced at $5.15 for a 2-pack, among the cheaper per-unit options here
Cons
- Only 2 pieces per pack, fewer than the AF-SLIP's 5-pack or Torpedo's 3-pack
- Small 7/8-inch size isn't suited to heavier bait or bigger fish
- No carabineer clip or similar accessory feature like the Saddle FR520
- Labeled specifically for float fishing technique rather than bass or fly-specific use
Specifications
| Material | Wood |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
| Technique | Float Fishing |
| Size | 7/8-Inch |
| Color | 7/8" Oval |
| Pieces | 2.0 Count |
Performance notes
At 0.02 pounds, the AC788-2 is the lightest float in this comparison, even edging out the Torpedo TPS-1/3's 0.04 pounds, which matters for float fishing technique where a heavier float can sink a light bait presentation or spook fish holding near the surface. Wood as a material gives it buoyancy without needing the bulk that vinyl or larger plastic builds require, and the 7/8-inch oval shape keeps it compact enough for precise line control. Selling as a 2-pack rather than the AF-SLIP's 5-pack or Torpedo's 3-pack means less redundancy if one is lost, but the $5.15 price keeps replacement affordable. The float fishing label distinguishes it from the bass-specific AF-SLIP and the fly-focused Torpedo, positioning it for a technique that spans multiple species rather than one target fish.
What buyers say
A 4.6-star average across 423 reviews puts the AC788-2 near the top of this comparison on both rating and sample size, just behind the AF-SLIP's 433 reviews and matching the Bomber BSWPPPPO's 4.6-star score. The 300+ bought last month figure is the second-highest in the group, trailing only the AF-SLIP's 500+ but well ahead of the Saddle FR520's 50+ and the Thill TSB00's 0+. That combination, strong rating, large review base, and solid recent sales, suggests a product that's earned steady repeat buyers rather than a niche item, more in line with how the AF-SLIP performs than the pricier or lower-rated options in this set.
More from Thill
Similar fishing gear and tackle to consider
- Tigofly
Tigofly 200 pcs/lot Plastic 6mm Round UV Red Fishing Beads
$7.99100+ bought last monthView on Amazon
Featured in
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between float fishing technique and a slip float rig?
The AC788-2 is labeled for float fishing technique generally, a broad approach using a small, light float like this 7/8-inch oval to detect bites. A slip float, like the Thill AF-SLIP, is a specific rig style that slides on the line to a set depth, more suited to targeted bass fishing.
How many bobbers are in the AC788-2 pack?
It ships as a 2-pack for $5.15. That's fewer pieces than the AF-SLIP's 5-pack or Torpedo TPS-1/3's 3-pack, though its per-unit weight of 0.02 pounds is the lightest of any bobber in this comparison.
Is this a strong seller compared to other bobbers?
Yes. At 300+ bought last month, it's the second-highest figure among these five bobbers, behind only the Thill AF-SLIP's 500+, and its 4.6-star rating across 423 reviews backs that demand up with a large, consistent review base.