Fishing with floats or bobbers is becoming a lost skill. The majority of anglers only use them for panfish, although floats are effective on all fish. There are different styles that are good in various situations. A float is the same as a hook, use the right style and size of float for the presentation and species to catch more fish.
Round Ball Floats or Bobbers
The classic round float or bobber is common in the U.S.A. and the least effective in many ways. It is true they float very well and that is the problem. The float needs to allow some sensitivity and not restrict the fish pulling the float under. The aggressive fish have no issues with these floats, but other fish will drop the bait when feeling resistance. The float should hold the bait up in the water column. But not prevent the fish from pulling it under. The fish should feel little or no pressure. These floats are okay for larger baits or aggressive fish, but other floats are better.
Stick Floats and Bobbers
This is a better choice in floats. Stick floats are slender and pull under with little resistance. The variations include spring-loaded to keep in place or slip style that uses a stop on the line. Stick floats include models made with a bulb. The bulb helps keep them floating when using some weight to keep live bait down. The upper part of the shaft and part of the bulb should be above the water if set up correctly. They stand up in the water also.
Cigar Floats
As the name implies they look like a cigar. These are for larger baits and work using the same principles as a stick float. This style generally has spring-loaded clips to attach the float to the line. Fish can pull them under easier as the shape reduces tension.
The round, stick, and cigar floats will keep the bait at the desired depth. The floats adjust easily with the attachment feature. They will reduce casting distance to varying degrees, therefore, if you need to cast farther the slip-style stick float is the best option.
Snell Or Sack Floats
These are floats some anglers have never heard of or used. Anglers use these to keep the bait up off the bottom. The walleye and trout anglers use these with great success. If you have never tried this method of fishing you should. This style can greatly increase the number of bites while bottom fishing. When using a Lindy rig or Carolina rig setup with live bait and try adding one of these floats and see the difference.
Use the floats on the surface when a small float is desirable. An example is fishing maggots or wax worms without any weight. If you target smaller fish and want a float that offers the least resistance this will do the job. They are small at ¼ to ⅜ diameter and ½ to ⅝ long depending on the make and intended use. Fly fishermen use them as strike indicators if they use fly fishing tackle.
Float or bobber choices are limited in stores also. An online search will allow you to find a float better suited to how you fish. There are other floats available but these few types will cover a vast amount of fishing situations. If you have only used the round bobbers try a few of the other styles as they offer more versatility to how you can present the bait. Fishing with floats or bobbers is an option to produce more fish. They are not only for children to learn how to fish.
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Keeping fishing simple for tight lines and bragging rights
John McIntyre