The Float
Float fishing is the most popular way of coarse fishing in Great Britain. The float is a very good way of indicating bites and bite detection. You can catch small fry and big fish on the float.
There are absoulutely tonnes of floats on the market. A float that is more commonly used is called a waggler this is used mainly for rod fishing. You can also get stick floats, the difference between the two is that a waggler is only threaded on the line through a single eye. But a stick float can have several eyes or it attached with float stops. stick floats are usually used for pole fishing.
Roach, Rudd, Dace, Skimmers, Perch e.t.c are all known as small fry (little fish) although on some occasions you can get impressive weights of these fish.
How to Float fish
Tips: Firstly scatter bait in the area in the water, where you are fishing and then set up your fishing tackle, there is no point in setting up your tackle and then start to spray bait out. You want the fish to get confident on the bait so if you put out bait as soon as you get there you would have primed your swim and you'll have a head start and could save you valuable fishing time. Especially if your competing in a match or even just a pleasure day. It is a more effective way of fishing if you want to catch a hefty bag of fish.
Next cast your line into the area where you scattered your bait. You can vary from time to time with your hookbaits it really depends on what results you get. Wait unitl you start getting strong bites before you strike. Keep constant feed going out in your swim to attract the fish. If bites and catches begin to come slow then cast your float a couple feet away from where you were feeding, because a fish that is full up will not go near that area. You will be suprisied how much this will increase your catch rate.
If you are fishing with a float wait until the float strongly gets pulled down. When you strike flick the rod 1 way, diagonal upwards it sometimes best. Do not strike too hard or the hook will come out of the fishes mouth. Remember the hook is needed only to be moved a few millimetres to connect with the fish, so take care.
When the fish is hooked reel in the line until the fish is in range of picking up it is kinder on the fish to land it but if it is really small you may aswell lift it. After you have caught it gently take the hook out and place it in your keep net or return it to the water.
