Working With Fishing Floats - Tips, Tricks, And Techniques

Fishing floats also known as bobbers, serves a dual purpose in the world of anglers. It allows the angler to set a predetermined depth, and it will alert the angler when a bass (or any fish) has taken the bait. Fishing floats come in all shapes color and sizes, and each serves their own purpose.

A favorite among anglers is the skinny, long float, which is most commonly used to fish coarse type waters. In still waters it is recommended that you use a thin tube style fishing bobber made of plastic - most fishing enthusiast refer to this style float/bobber as a waggler.

Then there is the third fishing float which is extremely popular among fishing circles that is known as an avon bobber or float. To the new fisher (person) this piece of equipment can be identified by its oval shape, and hollow top. The avon was specifically designed to be cast further than its counter parts.

There are also fishing floats that are designed to give the angler directional control. Whenever you are fishing on a river (and the currents are not to strong) you can use this type of float to navigate it left, right or down stream. This type of control will allow the angler to reach areas of the river that would be difficult to reach otherwise. I personally use this type of float to reach under and around boat docks. This strategy is extremely effective.

Writing this article takes me back to my childhood days of sitting on the bank of Lake Erie impatiently watching my fishing bobber. Every few minutes it appeared that it was going under, but no such luck. That feeling you get when a fish finally takes the bait, is one that you carry with you throughout your life. Even to this day I still have that feeling, and I have been able to share those experiences with my son. Although fishing floats may have changed over the years, that feeling that you get when your sitting there watching it has not.

Todays floats are made of a variety of different material, and you can buy them in different shapes, colors, and sizes. However the job of all fishing floats have remained the same over the decades.

Fishing Float Basics

My goal is to help you achieve the best possible fishing experience possible. When you are choosing the float that is right for the job make sure you have the right size to support the bait that you are using. If your bobble sinks down into the water and only the top half is seen - you have the right weigh size ratio and will achieve the best results.

You should make the leader light enough so that the fish will not be frightened by it. It is also a good idea to use a bait that will sink, if the bait floats you will dramatically decrease your chances of catching a fish. Make sure that you are using sharp hooks, a dull or old hook will allow the fish to get away once you attempt to set the hook.You will want to adjust your bait level so that it is right below the float, but not to close to the bottom.