swivels and american snaps

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:06 pm

There are 2 aspects of float fishing i know of, the first is ledgering with a float. where you havethe lead on the bottom and using a sliding float, all you need is just enough weight to hold bottom. the other is similar to what you would do in fresh water fishing but still use a sliding float, just use enough weight to cock your float up and drift it in the tide and keep varying the depth till you find out what depth they are feeding at.

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:07 pm

If you are using a sea float they usually come in kits that supply you with a float, hook, beads and an elastic band and possibly a swivel.
Set up your rod as usual.
Insert the line through the first bead.
Then insert the line through the float.
Then insert the line through the weight.
If a second bead is supplied insert the line through this aswell.
Then tie the swivel to the line.
You will also need a section of line to tie the hook to the swivel 18 inches should do.
The elastic band is there to be used as a stop knot which allows you to fish your bait at different depths.
this should be placed above the first bead.

Member Joined: Apr 08, 2007 Posts: 98

Thats brilliant advice...thanks for that...I've kitted myself out with all the gear for this year...intend to start listening to the experience old fishermen for once, and maybe catch something big grin

Havn't used a float in 22 years, and that was a bubble, in a river....I'll give it a go on a turning tide, and see what happens...thanks again

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:27 pm

Don't dismiss the bubble float/carp controller float.
This can be used with floating crust to catch mullet on flat water in marinas or harbours.
cool

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:55 am

rabbi2 wrote:

Bigbassmans the one to answer that one, never done any float fishing myself.

CD beat me to it, but i would have the hook link about 2-3ft from the float

Member Joined: Apr 08, 2007 Posts: 98

I'll give it a go......Mullet ? ...Is'nt that a dodgey haircut from the eighties big grin

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:16 pm

If you're ever on holiday in Portugal, get yourself into a tackle shop and look out for the big cork floats - they are almost round (in fact shaped like a spinning top) and anything from 1" to 3" across; usually the upper part is painted orange.

They have weighted and unweighted ones. Go for the weighted which have an internal weight which is just enough to make it sit in the water. The whole thing can be anything from 1oz to almost 3ozs.

Thread a piece of tubing on your line (looped) for a stop knot, then a bead, then thread on the float and tie a hook on the end. Easy to adjust to the right depth and the size/weight means you can whack them out OK . Sorry - should mention that there should be a link and swivel above all this to stop tangles and allow you to change the whole caboodle over if you want.

Not sure if you can get these floats elsewhere as they are handmade by little old guys who sit in the sun carving them out by hand. Better than ccommuting to London every day eh?

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:37 pm

Do they look like this one?

Available from Askari, if you like that sort of thing
confused

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:58 am

If it's weighted that's the thing CD. Catches fish so I like it!

Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:05 am

Just looked at Askari - these are not weighted. The beauty of the weighted ones is that there's one less bit of tackle and they have exactly the right weight in them so that they sit correctly in the water.

They're also handmade so I'm keeping a pensioner in baccy and beer.

Member Joined: Apr 08, 2007 Posts: 98

so, at what point does the tide turn, so that you may use a float? Is it after the point of high tide (the exact time)...or 2 hours after?

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:53 am

I'm no expert but the choice of whether I use a float is not related to the tide, more the terrain.

If you're fishing over rocks it keeps the hook just off the bottom so you don't get snagged up.

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:08 am

wotnofish wrote:

Just looked at Askari - these are not weighted. The beauty of the weighted ones is that there's one less bit of tackle and they have exactly the right weight in them so that they sit correctly in the water.

They're also handmade so I'm keeping a pensioner in baccy and beer.

Is it not illegal to hold a pensioer hostage in portugal???
winking

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:10 am

fido69r wrote:

so, at what point does the tide turn, so that you may use a float? Is it after the point of high tide (the exact time)...or 2 hours after?

wotnofish is right.
You would only use a float in suitable conditions.
Rock marks, piers, harbour walls etc.etc...
You vary the depth to wherever the fish are.
cool