Proven Tactics and Techniques for Successful Float Fishing

AUGUST 2020

The iconic view of entry-level fishing is characterized by a red/white fishing float suspending a worm and hook.  The usage of floats can certainly be simple  but it can also be quite advanced when targeting challenging species like Salmon and Steelhead Trout.  The fishing float is something that every angler should have in their fishing toolkit to enhance fishing success.

Types of Fishing Floats

Floats serve two main functions for the angler.  They are strike indicators, as when the float submerges the angler knows the fish has taken the bait.  Floats also control the depth at which the bait is presented to the fish.  The amount of line between the float and the bait/hook can be varied as required.  There are many different types of fishing floats.   

Round fishing floats

Round floats are the most common type used.   They are cheap and simple to use and can be found at any retail or tackle store that has a fishing department.

Pencil floats

Pencil floats are characterized by a thin elongated profile and are easier to see and have less drag when the fish hits vs. other types of floats.

Slip floats

Slip floats allow the angler to discretely control the depth that the bait is presented to the fish.  Depth when float fishing, is limited by the amount of line between the bait and float and how long the fishing rod is. With standard floats, you cannot fish at depths more than a foot or two.  With a slip float, the float itself slides on the line and only stops when it reaches the stop knot which can be placed anywhere on the fishing line.

Adjustable water/Weighted floats

Depending upon the fishing situation, added weight could be needed to enhance casting distance.  The adjustable float is a hollow float that can be fully or partially filled with water to supply added weight to the float while still keeping buoyancy.  Weighted floats are simpler as they have lead embedded in the float itself for addition casting weight.

Lighted floats

Lighted floats are found in both pencil and round form factors.  They have small batteries or glow in the dark capabilities so they can be seen effectively for night fishing.

Popping floats

Popping floats are typically made from Styrofoam where the float itself is cupped at one end.  They are used primarily in saltwater fishing where the float itself is snapped to create a gurgle/popping sound on the surface to attract fish such as Bluefish or Redfish.

Inflatables (Balloons)

Balloon floats are used in saltwater and with larger fish (+6 inches) as bait.  The balloon float is standard party balloon, that is inflated to a small size and then tied to the line.  The balloon allows shore or pier anglers to cover large areas of water as the balloon catches wind currents and can carry the bait quite far from the shore.  When a fish strikes the bait, the balloon is pulled underwater and breaks.

Where to Use Fishing Floats

For the angler to effectively with fish floats it is important to match the water type, target species and bait size to the float.  For example, fishing with a balloon to present worms or small minnows to Trout in a lake would not work well.  Balloons are too large and present too much drag for delicate Trout fishing.  It would be better to use a small round float, pencil float or slip float in this scenario to be successful.

It is best to pick a float that will be as small as possible while still being visible and being able to support the size and type of bait being used.  If the float is too small, then the bait itself will submerge the float.  If the float is too large, it will present too much drag to the fish and they will drop the bait.

Float Guidelines