Floats & Float Tackle

How to choose the right float

Choosing a float starts with the water. On a calm lake or by the summer cottage, a classic float does the job well, while casting further out calls for a heavier casting float or a bubble float. A livebait float supports a live bait fish and is used, for example, when fishing for pike.

A waggler is attached to the line by its bottom end only, so the line can be sunk below the surface and wind will not drag the float off line. Straight wagglers suit delicate fishing, loaded wagglers cast further and the pellet waggler is built for fishing pellets in the upper layers at commercial fisheries.

In flowing water, the float is usually fixed at both top and bottom so it can be controlled as it trots downstream. A stick float suits a steady flow, an avon float a faster, more boily one, and a bolognese float strong currents and long trots with a long rod.

Pole floats are light and sensitive, because the pole controls where they sit. A slider float lets you fish deep water where a fixed float cannot be cast. Ready-made float rigs are a quick way to start fishing, and rig winders keep ready-tied rigs tidy and tangle-free between sessions.

Choose the carrying capacity of the float according to how deep and how far out you are fishing, and shot it so only the tip shows above the surface. A float that is shotted correctly shows even the most cautious bites.