In flowing water, the float travels downstream with the bait and has to stay under control the whole way. In this group you will find stick and avon floats as well as bolognese floats. The choice depends on the strength of the current, the depth and how far you want to trot the bait.
A stick float is attached to the line at the top and bottom and has a fine, sensitive tip. It suits steady, moderate flow, where the bait is trotted slightly slower than the current by holding the float back with the rod.
An avon float has its body higher up and carries more weight, so it stays stable in boily, faster water. It is a good choice when a stick float starts to ride up and wander off line.
A bolognese float is a heavy, high-capacity float for strong currents and long trots with a long rod. With it, the bait stays close to the bottom even in deep, fast water where lighter floats would be dragged under or pulled off course.
Shot a river float with the weights bunched lower down when you want the bait to get to the bottom quickly. Feed a pinch of maggots on the same line the float follows, so fish follow the feed up to your hookbait.