Float Fishing

[clashwhannon dave]

Having never float fished before, can any of you lads give me some guidelnes on how to floatfish for pollock,wrasse,etc regards DAVE.:g:

[Nos4r2]

I'd be interested to know how members fish live prawns under a float for bass too (specifics on type of float, hook size, prawn size and hook length would be good.)

I've not seen float fishing discussed much.

[Fisherman333]

Experiment!

When I first started sea fishing last year - I only fished in two ways - spinning and float-fishing. Having come from freshwater fishing, I used more or less the same methods I normally used for freshwater fishing, except I just increased the depth of the rig and added bigger hooks! Looked a bit strange, using freshwater kit, but doing this around some rocks in my area earnt me many fish over the late summer period - including wrasse, pollack, loads of blennies and even a nice twaite shad.

So my advice is just get a float, get a hook and give any old tactic a bash - as long as the bait is in the water and is floating about in the right place, you'll be doing the right thing! Try in close when high tide's at its highest - amazingly that's when I caught the shad - it jumped out of the water, crashed ontop of my float, pulled it straight under and a split second later I knew it had found the single mussel I had put on as bait and then I saw that joyous sight of the line disappearing quickly under as the fish was taking the hook! I can easily imagine this tactic working for Bass too.

Great days. I really recommend it. No doubt others will be along shortly to suggest large water-filled floats and more complicated rigs, but close in and simple, especially around rocks is a good start. The only other thing I can think of is to say that don't cast too close to rocks as you'll lose a lots of gear when the wash throws your line around the submerged parts and you'll get stuck fast, especially if you squeeze shot on your line to sink the bait...plus take care - its very easy to cast and leave it when you're ledgering, but when you're float-fishing, you'll be moving about a lot more, giving more scope for accidents.

G'luck

[Devonian]

First tie a stopknot to your main line, then a bead, then a float which will take about an ounce weight, then an ounce ball weight, then another bead, then a swivel, then the hook length, then the hook. You adjust the depth of your bait by sliding the stopknot along your mainline.
If you use live prawns , hook them through the 2nd tail joint and if fishing for bass drift it around rocks on a long trace.
I always take my mullet gear with me so if the bass dont show I can go for the mullet which are usually found in the same sorts of places as bass. Float setup for mullet is a lot lighter, about 6 pound or 8 pound main line, tie on a stopknot, small bead, then I usually use a bubble float but you can use a waggler type float if you want, swivel, hook length and small hook about 6 or 8 .... throw some bread in so it sinks and have some floating as well, sit still , and before long the mullet will arrive. Pinch some breadflake round your hook and away you go.

[Nos4r2]

Cheers Devonian.What size/type of hook would you use for what size prawns?

[john54]

Why not ledger and float at the same time. While ledger fishing in a high up position I keep a float rigged up in my bag this consists of a swivel clip tied to 3’ of 20 lb line then a bead, float, drilled bullet, bead, and a rig clip tied on the end. Then I have 8ft of 15lb line a small swivel on one end an a hook on the other and a dropper about 3 ft above the bottom hook. Clip hook length to the float and after casting your ledger out clip your float onto main line and allow it to slide down. I’ve caught a lot of fish this way.

[Devonian]

I like to use a prawn about 2 or 3 inches long ... they seem to be most effective I have found ... I hook em with a size 1/0 or 2/0 hook .... but any hook to suit the size of the prawn really ... and I usually use just those cheap silver ones with the barbs, nothing special. When a bass takes your float will dissapear and stay under ... you have plenty of time really to pick your rod up and strike. More often than not you will hook it in the corner of its mouth.

[Floaty Phil]

My biggest caught on the float was a few years ago, a nice plump bass of just over 6 1/4lb caught on a piece of sandeel that was no longer than 1 1/2" using a size 1 hook at a depth of about 3' and a distance of about 10'.

I found that if I was using live prawn I would take it's hard horn off that is situated between it's feelers. That is it's defense mechanism and hook it about the 3 or 4th segment from the tail. Do not forget to match your hook size to the bait and use lightish hooks so as to minimize any resitence from the hook to make the bait look more natural.

For general float fishing in calm conditions I normally overweight my floats slightly to make them a little bit more sensitive.

As for depth, try to fish to a feature, be it a small patch of weed, a rock etc. Do not neglect close in, or even under the rock platform you are standing, this has worked for me as well. Do not be afraid to come close to the surface, especially in the summer for the mackerel and garfish.

Hope that helps!

[kato]

Clear Bubble Floats are good when you use Live Prawn as bait. Tie your main line direct to the top of the bubble float. Let some water into the float to act as weight and then tie a three foot Fluro Carbon Hook Length (15lb to 20lb) to a size 1/0 or 2/0 Kamasan Hook(Long Shank). Had Bass, Pollack, Gar, Mackerel and Gurnard this way, but not Wrasse. Sand Eel is also a good bait this way.

I think, but please don't quote me that Ian Houlton has some Bubble Floats for sale at Moon Fleet Angling.

I always find Bubble Floats are best when Sun Rise matches High Tide and two hours before.

[Devonian]

I am going to try fishing a livebait under a bubble float off one of my local beaches this year Kato ... I reckon it should work good.

[Fester]

Live prawn is a superb bait for pollack and wrasse under a float.

I use Drennan Specialist hooks, (super quality!) size 4-8.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii189/Naloxoneonfishing/DrennanSuperSpec.jpg

Hook them in the tail, and they go nuts in the water! And last a long time too!

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii189/Naloxoneonfishing/prawnhook.jpg

A good second bait is the white belly flesh of a mackerel 5mm x 60mm hooked once at the tip, or half a medium sandeel hooked the same way..

[Nos4r2]

Cheers Fester, that's exactly what I was after!

[alankirby]

I fish live Prawns close inshore from my boat quite a bit.
Had loads up to 10lb on them.
It`s a great method and one I like to use when I don`t want to steam out miles to wrecks, It makes a nice easy day just drifting along with the floats out the back.
I use much bigger hooks than those shown but by the looks of that prawn with a size 8 in it,most of our prawns are much bigger.

Have a look at this old post of mine and it shows the type of rig I use.

http://www.worldseafishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79608

Alan

[gtlanz]

Why not ledger and float at the same time. While ledger fishing in a high up position I keep a float rigged up in my bag this consists of a swivel clip tied to 3’ of 20 lb line then a bead, float, drilled bullet, bead, and a rig clip tied on the end. Then I have 8ft of 15lb line a small swivel on one end an a hook on the other and a dropper about 3 ft above the bottom hook. Clip hook length to the float and after casting your ledger out clip your float onto main line and allow it to slide down. I’ve caught a lot of fish this way.
Nice idea ,one question is how do you strike into bites on the float rig if it's free sliding on the main line or do let the fish hook them selfs.:unsure:
Geoff.

[dai56]

Nice idea ,one question is how do you strike into bites on the float rig if it's free sliding on the main line or do let the fish hook them selfs.:unsure:
Geoff.

if you use a big float [i made some from polystyrene eggs i think they are 90 mm high with a straw through the centre ]
i think it was tom bettle or ron that came up with the idea it may have been cascars i cant remember if you do a search for polystyrene eggs you should find them
however as i was saying if you use a big float the fish should hook themself the eggs i use will work with any weight from about 1-5oz you may get some suprising catches on them as well i had a strap conga on live prawns fished 4ft under the float last summer only about 3lb but a suprise all the same
hope this helps dai

[slt]

off work in april will give float fishing a go or might it be a bit early? dont know about live prawns will try squid,worm etc

[john54]

Nice idea ,one question is how do you strike into bites on the float rig if it's free sliding on the main line or do let the fish hook them selfs.:unsure:
Geoff.

I use the big cigar floats 2oz, and as Dai56 said the fish hook them self.

[john54]

off work in april will give float fishing a go or might it be a bit early? dont know about live prawns will try squid,worm etc

give it a go in april but I would leave it a bit later, perhaps mid may. Try rag worm head hooked or long slithers of mackerel

[JudgeP]

Personally for the shore I prefer to use drennan pike floats that take around 3/4 ounce which seem more suited size wise for smaller baits such as prawn & fish strip. I can cast 40-50 yards with a 1-3oz rod & 12lb line which is absolutely plenty where I fish. I use size 1 these days for prawn but some people go much smaller on line as fine as 6lb flourocarbon and swear by it so who knows?

Quite an underused method from the open beach where gar & mackerel will be the most likely prey. Also you can float fish very successfully at night by using a little light-stick in the platic tube instead of a stop knot. It's great to watch the light simply blur as you get a take. And for mackerel I find you do often have to strike or you miss them.

As metioned before, experiment.

[Floaty Phil]

The heaviest float I use in the sea is rated at 25G, I normally use, depending on conditions, is down to a 10G waggler style float from askari.

like judgep, I float fish at night, but the floats I use have a clear plastic top with a plastic removable cap so that you can insert a starlight. It is very exciting to watch your starlight blur as a fish takes your bait.

I have caught mackerel to about 1 1/2lb, some maybe bigger, at night on the float. My biggest fish on a float, so far, is a bass of just over 6 1/4lb, caught on a small piece of sandeel. The fish was over 24" long.

Also, when you are reeling, instead of reeling in very fast, why slow down your retrieve, as though you are spinning, I have fish this way. This only works if you are reasonably close to the water!

Personally, I do not like the cigar floats as the bottom has got a tendancy to flick up when there is a bit of a swell. Again, we all have our favourites.

Someone once said to me about float fishing in the sea, "It is an underestimated method of fishing that is often overlooked".

[JudgeP]

Also, when you are reeling, instead of reeling in very fast, why slow down your retrieve, as though you are spinning, I have fish this way.

Good tip, often gets a take when bites are slow.

[Floaty Phil]

Good tip, often gets a take when bites are slow.

Rob tried the first time about 18 to 24 months and he had a few garfish and other fish follow, he has also had a few fish. I have managed a few fish myself.

People spin with artificial worms, so why try it with the real thing. It was mentioned to me a few years ago, and I thought, what the hell. It works, I do it when I alter depth, want to re-cast, or, to re-bait.

[steve w]

My biggest sea fish on the float is a 21 1/2 lb conger on a mackerel head on a 4oz float fished paternoster style at a West Wales headland called Caerfai.If you want to catch conger or tope or bullhuss on the float(it's really exciting!),you need to fish at dead depth,preferably with a paternoster rig (like the freshwater pikers use) and 20lb wire.