The Essex Angler - Float Fishing

FLOAT FISHING

COARSE FISHING WITH THE ESSEX ANGLER

FLOAT RIGS

Stick Float

Trotting

Balsa or Chubber Float

Slider Float

Crowquill Avon

Waggler

Lift Float

Surface Controller

Legered Controller

Lay on Rig

THE STICK FLOAT

stickfloat Used mainly on slow running water like rivers especially at short range.It allows the float to "run" with the flow of the water, this is known as "trotting".
The float is connected to the line with float rubbers at the top and bottom.Then shot is added down the line at equal distances in shirt button style with a dropper shot about 6 inches from the hook,just enough to cock the float.
What float you use depends on the depth and flow of the water.For example, in slow running water about one No8 shot to every foot of water, for medium water one No6 shot per foot, for fast water, one No4 shot per foot.
So if you are fishing a water that has a medium flow and is around 8 foot deep, then you will use 8 No6 shots.

STICK FLOATS


Stabilizers	Wire stemmed	Pointed Topped	Dome Topped
Ideal for keeping up with the speed of the flow. The bulge at the bottom of the float makes them very stable	Used in quite fast running water and are good for holding back	These floats are very sensitive and are ideal for when bites are shy	A very bouyant float which enables you "hold back" without the chance of the float riding out of the water.

"TROTTING"

There are various methods of doing this.The first and probably the most natural way is " Running Through ".
When cast, put your finger on the spool and follow the float with the rod.Do not allow the line to get in front of the float, keep it fairly tight and out of the water.
When the float has taken all the line release your finger and repeat the process.
It is also possible to get fish to take your bait on the "drop". To do this, shot the line a bit light so the bait sinks slowly to where the fish are feeding.
Cast so that the shot lands in a straight line downstream of the float therefore allowing the bait to sink in a smooth arc. The float will right itself as the bait sinks allowing you to register a bite when a fish takes the bait on the drop.
Another method is the "holding back" method.This is ideal when the water temperature drops in the the colder months and the fish will not chase the bait.
To fish this method, just fish over depth of about 6 to 18 inches and keep your finger on the spool.

THE BALSA OR CHUBBER FLOAT

chubber Balsa and chubber floats are either all balsa or clear plastic.They are better than the Stick floats when the river has more depth and pace, as they can cope with deep, boily swims where heavy shotting is needed to keep the bait down in the water.A great float for trotting medium to large baits in fast swims for chub and barbel.

A bulk of AAA's or BB's about 6 inches from hook.

THE SLIDER FLOAT

slider float A bodied float with weight incorperated into the base.Ideal for use on slow moving rivers and lakes when the depth of the water makes casting the fixed float difficult.It is also good for when you want the bait to sink to the bottom quickly.

A stop knot at the base of the float.A bulk of shot no larger than AAA's about halfway down,then 2 No 6's and finally 2 No8's.

CROWQUILL AVON

crowquill float A combination of balsa body and crowquill tip and stem.Used in deep flowing water its also good for underarm casting where overhanging trees prevent a normal cast.A bulk of AAA's or BB's about halfway down, and the 3 No 8's either bulked or spaced about 6 inches from the hook.

THE WAGGLER FLOAT

waggler One of the popular methods of float fishing is the "waggler".This is ideal for Tench fishing etc. and can be use in slow deep water rivers or stillwaters.
For rivers the waggler is set up much the same as the stick float, with shot added equally down the line and decreasing in size with a small shot about 6'' from the hook.No bands are used, as the waggler is secured at the bottom of the float by locking shot.This ensures that the hook-bait sinks in a natural manner.
Fish as close as possible to the river bed and shorten the rig if the fish are feeding up in the water.Keep a reasonably slack line on the surface so that the float is not held back and pulled under.

THE LIFT FLOAT

lift float As with the waggler, the float is secured at the bottom of the float, but NO locking shot is used.To secure it use a float rubber. Then put a single,or small group of shot about 6" from the hook. Use just enough shot to cock the float. When the fish take the bait, the float will rise up and lay onto the water.

SURFACE CONTROLLER FLOAT

surface controller This float rig is used for carp fishing in summer months, as the carp will readily feed from the surface.
If fishing the margins use a small bubble float, but for distance fishing use the controller.
Slide the float up the mainline and the attach a leger stop. Then add a swivel and a hooklength of around 2 foot.

LEGERED CONTROLLER FLOAT

Basically the same as the previuos controller rig,but with the legered controller you are able to get nearer to normally inexcessable ares.

LAY ON RIG

layon rig A good way of presenting bait when the fish have become wary of the line.The float will lay flat on the surface when cast.When the hooklength hits the bottom the float will cock slightly.When the fish bites,the float will either lay flat or shoot off.

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