A Complete Guide to Float Fishing
The expert fishing team at OverLive have put together this informative guide on Float Fishing. Read on to find out how to set-up your first Float fishing rod, the types of Floats you might need and much more!
Types of Float Fishing:-
First things first we will run through the types of Float Fishing available, then you can decide which is best suited to you and what sort of Float Fishing you would like to know more about…
Waggler Floats are a long and tube shaped, the most popular and easiest to set up, you will mainly see Waggler Fishing being used more than any other style. Waggler Floats are always attached at the bottom with line.
Best used at: Commercial Fisheries, Canals and Lakes.
Stick Floats have a long body and larger head. They are attached via three rubber floats onto the line.
Best used at: Faster moving waters such as Rivers and Streams.
Controller Floats are usually chunkier floats and will float on the water surface. When a fish takes the bait, a Controller Float will hook the fish itself due to the Float trying to float back to the surface of the water.
Best used at: Larger fisheries where you need to cast further, Canals and Lakes too.
How to set-up a Float Fishing Rod:-
Waggler Float Fishing:-
Set-up: To set up a Waggler Float, you will need:
- A Waggler Float – These come in different lengths and colours. We recommend the NGT 5pk Waggler Floats.
- Lead Shots – Assorted sizes as different Floats require less or more shots.
- Hooks – These come in different sizes depending on what fish you are targeting.
- Rod and Reel – Monofilament line is recommended.
Once you have the above, follow these simple steps to complete your Waggler Floating set-up.
- Thread your Float onto your main-line using the hoop/hole at the bottom of the Float.
- Use the Lead Shots, clamp one onto the line on each side of the float to keep it in place. The sizes of the Lead Shots can vary depending on the weight/size of your Float, this can be a bit of trial and error until you get it right. Some Waggler Floats will have the exact shots needed written on the Float itself.
- Tie your Hook onto the end of the line.
- Test the Float in the water. Sinking too far under? Remove some weight. Floating on the surface? Add more weight. Keep doing this until all you can see of the Float is the coloured tip. Your Float not sitting properly can result in missed bites.
- You can adjust the depth you are fishing at by sliding the Leads up or down the line.
- You’re all done! – Bait your Hooks and get casting away!
Stick Float Fishing:-
Set-up: To set up a Stick Float, you will need:
- A Stick Float – These come in different lengths and colours.
- Float Rubbers – These come in different diameters and colours depending on your chosen Float.
- Lead Shots – Assorted sizes as different Floats require less or more shots.
- Hooks – These come in different sizes depending on what fish you are targeting.
- Rod and Reel – Monofilament line is recommended.
Next, follow these simple steps to complete your Stick Floating set-up.
- Using your Float Rubbers, slide them up the line and over your Float to hold it in place.
- Just like with a Waggler, clamp the Lead Shots along the line to allow to Float to sit neatly on the surface.
- Attach your Hook to the end of the main-line.
- Test the Float in the water. Sinking too far under? Remove some weight. Floating on the surface? Add more weight. Keep doing this until perfect. The Float not sat properly can result in missed bites.
- You’re all set-up! Cast away!
Controller Float Fishing:-
Set-up: Setting up a Controller Float is a bit more involved then the above. You will need:
- Your Controller Float, we reccomend the Kodex Carp Controller.
- Rig of your choice – a simple Hair Rig works perfectly.
Next, follow these simple steps to complete your Stick Floating set-up.
- Feed the line through the bottom end of the Float without the Swivel on.
- After removing the Swivel out of the end, tie the line onto the Swivel and push it back into the Controller Float.
- Tie on your simple Hair Rig to the other end of the Swivel (We recommend about a 1ft to 2ft Hair Rig)
- Attach your bait to the Hair as usual and you’re all done!
Top Tips for Float Fishing:-
Read on below for some top tips that the experts at OverLive have put together.
- When striking with a Waggler/Stick Float, we have always found striking firmly to the left or right without lifting the rod much away from the water as opposed to striking upwards provides the best success for hooking into fish.
- Clamping Shot Leads onto the line between your Stick/Waggler Float and Hook allows the bait to sink quicker and will prevent it from floating up, this makes for a realistic looking bait and should provide more bites.
- Orange Floats are more visible in the daytime and Yellow are more visible during dusk or dim conditions.
- The longer the Rig on a Controller Float the better chance of bites, this is because your bait will float away from the Controller Float and could end up in parts of the Lake/River that would be unobtainable by casting yourself.
- Investing in Float Stops instead of Lead Shots or a Lead Clamping Tool can be not only cost-saving over time but also can save you a lot of time.