"A web site dedicated to Shore Fishing"
How to make a "float fishing rig"
(Guides for different types below)
Float fishing is the most popular way of fishing around this area by far. Even the professionals float fish whether it be for live bait or just to fish.
Most people start off their fishing lives by float fishing and it can be great fun and it very simple to do.
What you need
- Spare line (you should always carry the excess line you have left over after filling up your reel)
- Stop Knot or Rubber Band
- Beads
- Float
- Weight
- Swivel
- Hook
THE SET UP
Unlike bottom fishing most of your set-up will be on your actual main line which comes off your reel.
Start off by giving yourself plenty of line off of the reel. About 20 inches will do.
First thing you need to do is add your stop knot. A stop knot is needed to prevent the float sinking to the bottom.
*USEFUL TIP*
Small, electrical tubing makes a great stop knot!
If you have a small piece of tubing for the stop knot then all you do is feed the line through it and then feed it through it again. It will now be very hard for the stop knot to move about and by pulling the line either side of the stop knot you tighten it even further. What you want is the stop knot to be tight but for you to still be able to move it up and down the line when your hunting for the depth of the fish.
Now you add a bead and leave it free flowing
Now you add the float and leave it free flowing
Now you add the weight and leave that free flowing
Now you add another bead and leave that free flowing.
Finally for this part you tie the swivel to the line.
Now cut yourself a piece of line from the line you carry with you around 10 to 20 inches. One one end tie it to the swivel and the other end tie on your hook.
That is all you need for float fishing!
Types of Fishing Floats
There are many types of floats and people have asked what ones to use. Here is a quick guide:
1. Light-up at night float
This float has a second hole on the top to enable you to place night light stick. A good float but quite heavy. You can't cast great distances and it makes a lot of noise when it hits the water so you may scare away fish.
2. Polystyrene float
These cost more than all other floats but are worth it because unlike "3" it doesn't crack after a short amount of use. These are also good for distance casting because they are quite aerodynamic and use a quite heavy weight so good casting distances can be had. There is however, just like all the others, a problem with this float. I have found that this float scrapes the line and slowly weakens it. If you don't check every hour or so you'll find on a cast or reeling in a fish that your line will snap.
3. Plastic float
As mentioned above these floats tend to break and crack very easily. There is however a version the same size as "4" which is very good (see below)
4. The tiny float
If you are fishing a clam sea and distance isn't an issue these floats are great but the smaller version of "3" is better still. These floats are so sensative you can easily detect the smallest of bites. These are harder to use because there isn't much top showing but if you can get used to them you'll grow to love them. I will often use the "3" of this size because I catch more fish.
THE VERDICT
When distance and money come into things "2" wins hands down. Hard to break, lasts a long time and aerodynamic. It's possible to cast huge distances with this float.
When catching or detecting the smallest of bites matters the smaller version of "3" is a great float to use in calm waters.
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