Stem guides and replaceable cartridges

A fishing bobber system comprising a stem guide and one or more replaceable buoyant members mountable in the stem guide, wherein:

• the stem guide has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a surface and a prong extending outwardly from the surface and at the second end a first slot passing through the stem guide between opposite sides of the stem guide and connected to an outer surface of the stem guide by a second slot passing from the first slot to the outer surface of the stem guide, the first slot and second slot being configured to receive a fishing line;
• and
• the one or more replaceable buoyant members having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal channel passing between openings at the first end and the second end, being made of a plastic foam and configured to be inserted onto the prong of the stem guide and removed from the prong without damaging the stem guide, wherein at least a portion of an inner diameter of the channel is increased when the prong is inserted into the channel in the buoyant member and the compressive force of the buoyant member against the prong retains the buoyant member to the prong.

A method of fishing comprising providing a fishing float and mounting the fishing float to a stem guide, the fishing float having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal channel passing between openings at the first end and the second end and, being made of an extruded polyethylene foam, the fishing float being provided in a kit with multiple fishing floats, wherein mounting the fishing float to the stem guide comprises changing the inner or outer diameter of the fishing float and the fishing float is retained to the stem guide solely or partially by a force exerted by the fishing float against the stem guide.