i used a weighted Thill float some yesterday ....i found it on a creek a while back .....i dont like to use them but the wind was howling and i was fan casting and dragging the jig pretty fast ....never saw a single bite but with braid i could feel the hits well .....
as far as the float pinching the line YES they sure enough do and i wouldnt suggest lighter than 6 lb test and even then you need to re-tie every once in a while ....
... i was only suggesting what i like to use ....i might use whatever if i think the situation calls for it
and i modify my rigs as i go to get the desired presentation . Nothing in crappie ketchn is carved into stone in my opinion ......
the floats i posted and the reasons i like them are just my preference and NOT the only way to ketch them with a float .....
i watched a couple putting a smack down on them with shiners and slip floats yesterday
all that said it was sure enough fun to ketch em shallow with a float yesterday .....
and in the end i used 3 different pinch on floats yesterday .....
2 Thill tear drops (one was the weighted version ) and the Comal pinch on as well