1. What is your preferred rod for float fishing, and what are other rods that you could recommend?

2. What is your preferred reel for float fishing, and what are others you could recommend?

3. What is your preferred waggler for float fishing?

4. What is your preferred main line for float fishing?

5. What is your preferred hook for float fishing?

Extra Credit Question #1:
Do you have any other tips, suggestions, how to's or links regarding this topic?

Extra Credit Question #2:
When do you prefer to float fish versus other types of carp fishing?

Extra Credit Question #3:
What do you need to purchase to start float fishing?

(I decided to be selfish and make this weeks topic one that I wanted. I won't do this often, and will almost always pick from those suggested)

I'd like to also see answered:

What do you need to purchase to start float fishing? (Total Equipment List)

How long do you leave the float in a spot before you move?

Can someone post a link with possible pics? I am really interested in float fishing.

1. What is your preferred rod for float fishing, and what are other rods that you could recommend?
BPS Microlite 7 ft ML; I think any relatively long (7'+) light to medium light action rod would work. Light rods are a must as you will be holding it while fishing.

2. What is your preferred reel for float fishing, and what are others you could recommend?
I use a Shimano Sedona 2500 spinning reel; smooth, strong, and light. Again, light reels are better.

3. What is your preferred waggler for float fishing?<
I use a Thill TG when I use a waggler; usually I use Thill Shy Bites, but it really depends on the water and the quarry. I like to float fish for sunnies, too!

4. What is your preferred main line for float fishing?
I use p-line 6# test and like it very much.

5. What is your preferred hook for float fishing?
For carp, size 8 scorpion gaper. For sunnies, a long shank size 10 or 12 cricket hook (Eagle claw or mustad).

Extra Credit Question #1:
Do you have any other tips, suggestions, how to's or links regarding this topic?
When carp fishing I have always used sweetcorn, and will chum a 15oz can and use a smaller can for hook baits. I've always done better with plain sweetcorn than flavored.
For sunnies I like the Powerbait Micros.

Extra Credit Question #2:
When do you prefer to float fish versus other types of carp fishing?
When I'm fishing smaller waters such as area bayous and creeks, or if I'm stalking.

Extra Credit Question #3:
What do you need to purchase to start float fishing?
Well, the equipment mentioned above would be a good start! Also a collection of different sized split shot, float stops, fish-friendly net (something like the folding Frabill is great for smaller fish, < 15lbs)

1. What is your preferred rod for float fishing, and what are other rods that you could recommend?
A- I have a Cabelas 12' 3 piece Euro match rod, that I had re-modeled (over 20yrs ago) with Fuji sic guides, Fuji reel seat, and full cork grip - with counterbalancing in the handle, to make it neutral with the reel on there.
I also use a Willow 12' Carp rod for bigger fish. Any 12'- 13' Carp rod can be used for carping (preferably under 3lbs TC) - although, you won't be casting as far as you can with a dedicated float rod.

2. What is your preferred reel for float fishing, and what are others you could recommend?
A- My favourite reel for my float rod is a Shimano 250 Baitrunner (No longer made) as the rod was remodeled and balanced with it -- plus, I love the fact I can put the baitrunner on, leave the rod on the rests - and turn my back without fear of it getting dragged into the water.
I have an old Daiwa rear drag reel that I use just for light float fishing - for small pan fish. If I'm using a Carp rod - I use one of my Shimano XTEA 10000's - with mono. A good all round float reel is also the Shimano BTR 3500 (regrettably no longer available? I'm glad I have 3 of them!!

3. What is your preferred waggler for float fishing?
A- I don't use Wagglers that much, as I have made my own floats- since I was a kid. African porcupine quills make great light floats - as do (relatively) straight goose/peacock feather quills. I also use some balsa bodied floats that work great (again home made) Modern 'off the shelf' floats here in the USA seems to be all Mick Thills - which are OK in some situations - however, don't have the finesse of my personal floats. I do have a few Crystal Wagglers, plus some bigger balsa bodied Euro ones. Wagglers were really invented for 'trotting' in running water, and often don't make an ideal still water float.

4. What is your preferred main line for float fishing?
A- Any good quality mono. I've had a lot of nice fish on Berkeley Big Game

5. What is your preferred hook for float fishing?
A- Used to be Chapman Goldstrikes -- however, I've tried a lot of different ones over the years. It all depends on what I'm fishing for - and what baits I'm using. For bread flake I'll use a straight long shank -- so as to 'cash in' on having plenty of (bait) holding power, where I squeeze it around the shank - whilst leaving the 'flake' around the bend/point untouched - so it can swell, look inviting -- and NOT mask the hook point.
For sweetcorn I often use a short shank 8 - 10, either curved shank or straight. You have to remember that when float fishing, the finesse is in the strike - and, as the fish are mostly taking the bait completely differently than on any ledgering rig -- there isn't really any great gain in line aligners or specific shaped hooks. There again -- there is a LOT to be gained by using the correct hook for specific baits.

Extra Credit Question #1:
Do you have any other tips, suggestions, how to's or links regarding this topic?
A- Float fishing can be simply compared to ballet - as ledgering can be to break dancing There is so much more finesse involved, and it is definitely not something easily explained. I did a CAG NACA article a while ago -- as a 'basics' introduction. Trying to cram a lifetimes experiences into a couple of pages - with pix ---- was a tough call
Every circumstance is so very different, and learning to deal with wind/water flow or undertow/bait weights for slow sinking situations/all the management details --- are subjects for a very hefty tome -- not for here!!
It's an incredible way of fishing - that can often work when nothing else will --- but definitely not learned without a long apprenticeship. Nothing instant about learning to float fish successfully

Extra Credit Question #2:
When do you prefer to float fish versus other types of carp fishing?
A- Generally in waters up to around 8' deep,where it is comfortable fishing with a fixed float (float ledgering isn't my favourite method) where the fish are educated about ledgering gear, and often when they have stopped seriously bottom feeding -- but can't resist that last tasty morsel ---- wafting down through the water column on a well presented slow sinking set up.
Mostly though - on waters with plenty of medium sized Carp -- 10 to 15lbs - competitive feeders, where a good session will see a bite every cast and more fun than you can shake a stick at I've had a few 20+ Carp on the 12' float rod - but, it can get a bit 'hairy' trying to control them. Finally -- when the fish are feeding in the margins -- because you brought them there

Extra Credit Question #3:
What do you need to purchase to start float fishing?
A- A good selection of decent floats - of different sizes. A good split shot assortment (available from any decent tackle supplier -- they take different weights to [censored] them ---- make them stand up straight in the water)
A rod/reel/line that are capable of casting very light tackle relatively long distances (if needed!!)
I use float 'rubbers' -- on the body of the float, to hold it to the line -- instead of the line passing through a brass eye -- or of anything stopping me from changing the float quickly.
Best suggestion might be to either find someone
prepared to teach you -- or start buying learners CD's - and take it from there

Brid, I'm sorry, but where did you get the idea a waggler was for fishing in current, The waggler is a still or very slow moving float. The choice of float for flowing water would be a stick float or a chubba.

1, My float rod these days would be a Chub stalker, but if I was fishing a pond that required float fishing I'd buy a split cane rod.

2, I'd go with a Mitchell 300, I have a few of these and they really are a non problem simple reel "baitrunners are a waste of time and will loose you fish, float fishing keeps you sharp."

3, I make my own Goose quills, basically you get 2 goose feathers and cut them in half, you discard the thin ends and push the fatter ends together and twist until straight. They can be totally straightened over a candle,These are then glued and painted.

4, Maxima "6 lb" for ponds or heavier for snags and bigger fish.

5, Hooks, thats a tough one,,
I use smaller hooks in a regular pattern, but still use drennan hooks I bought 15 years ago in England.

6. A great tip here would be to talk to Karl at Scorpion, He was a very successful match angler, he knows more about float fishing than me!

7. When fish are at you feet and finesse is called for.

8. Nothing really, make your floats and have fun!

I think I will keep it simple and go after pumpkinseed sunfish using Berkley baits at first. Last time I checked with Bass Pro Shop, porcupine and goose quills were not available for making floats (how about Wacker?} and I am not sure about the split-cane rod. Maybe one could go retro and emulate Chris Yates (discovered this on YouTube)with the Sherlock Holmes attire and wicker creel. Sure to impress on any Texas water.

I generally pick up goose quills on the bank, I find they are free so just paint and glue required. The feel of a split cane rod is just awesome! We have a guy right here in Texas whose father still makes them, reproductions of the old Richard Walker rods mark IV...

They are about $500

Rich, do you have a picture of one of your floats?

1. What is your preferred rod for float fishing, and what are other rods that you could recommend? I recently got a second hand TFO Lefty Kreh 9ft. float rod. I would definitely recommend it to others. Before that, I just used a 7ft medium heavy bass rod. It wasn't ideal, but as long as I kept my drag light, it worked OK.

2. What is your preferred reel for float fishing, and what are others you could recommend? I am using an Okuma ABF50. It's probably a little large for the rod I have it on but it works. I might upgrade to a Daiwa RegalPlus or Cabela's Salt Striker in the future.

3. What is your preferred waggler for float fishing? I generally use TG wagglers since they're effective and can be found in brick and mortar stores. I got a few Drennan Combo Missiles a few weeks ago but I haven't used them enough to figure out the interchangeable weights yet.

4. What is your preferred main line for float fishing? Sufix Siege 6 or 8lb. mono.

5. What is your preferred hook for float fishing? Any small (size 6 maximum) carp hook. I'm currently using Fox 2XS hooks.

Extra Credit Question #1:
Do you have any other tips, suggestions, how to's or links regarding this topic?
Check out this link: Float fishing
The first animation is the style I think most of us fish. The most frustrating thing for me when I was learning was getting the knack of setting the depth. It took me a while at first, but I'm getting better at zeroing in on the depth.

Extra Credit Question #2:
When do you prefer to float fish versus other types of carp fishing? Because watching a float just takes me back to my childhood. And if I'm by myself, I'd rather be concentrating and watching a rod---whether through float fishing or freelining---than sitting there doing nothing. Plus there's nothing more exciting than seeing that float disappear suddenly!

Extra Credit Question #3:
What do you need to purchase to start float fishing? All you need is a rod, reel, float, a few split shots and some way to set your depth, whether the float has a stop built in or you use bobber stops and knots you can get at Academy, BP, etc.

If I can find one I'll take a picture, they are very basic and not very pretty.

traditionalfishingfloats.co.uk

Look at this site, can't get a link to work.

Look at the double quill, this is what I make.

Thank Rich!

I love making my own stuff. I will be on the look out for goose quills now.

Here's one I made in Indiana about 8 years ago. I had 4 20's in about 2 hrs on it.

Cut the quills at 45 degrees and join together, push in an eye at the bottom and glue in place. Spray paint the whole thing white, put masking tape over the top and then spray paint the bottom black. Dip the top piece in Florescent paint. when dry apply a coat of varnish to the whole thing.

The cost is a few penny's and the satisfaction of catching on it will be priceless.