Floats

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Originally Posted by RiverSlabber

I've been using a Thill shy bite float for the past few weeks. Seems the slightest tap from the fish starts to take it under, which I like .

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The Shy Bites are the most sensitive floats sold in America.

I find that long floats telegraph much more of how the fish is interacting with the bait. Go overseas and our British brethren are fishing waters that have been over fished since the middle ages, and their float are long not short.

The only thing I've found more sensitive than long waggler-style floats is handline fishing. Nothing is more sensitive than your fingertips. That's why most fishing around the world is handline fishing.
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Originally Posted by RiverSlabber

As long as its balanced right you can use a beachball as a float. The slightest tap from the fish should take it down.

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Event a foam float that has a lead ring at the lower end where the line and bait are attached, are brought down easily by an aggressive fish no matter it's size. Of course crappie that take it down are usually over 6", along with perch, sunfish and other panfish. Some days soft plastics attached to jigheads work fine (depending on bait design); at other times live bait is needed.

I only use the design pictured:
http://guideimg.alibaba.com/images/s...oat_778709.JPG

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Originally Posted by Spoonminnow

Event a foam float that has a lead ring at the lower end where the line and bait are attached, are brought down easily by an aggressive fish no matter it's size. Of course crappie that take it down are usually over 6", along with perch, sunfish and other panfish. Some days soft plastics attached to jigheads work fine (depending on bait design); at other times live bait is needed.

I only use the design pictured:
http://guideimg.alibaba.com/images/s...oat_778709.JPG

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Right, thats what I was getting at when I said properly balanced.

I figured that's what you meant. The round plastic floats aren't balanced and allow to much resistance to being pulled under. Stick floats are good ones to use seeing as they go upright on the strike and straight down when pulled down by a fish. Another favorite of mine.

lets go into a bit more detail from the fishes point of view .....
from the fishes point of view resistance upon eating something generally equals something isn't right ....
and they will in many cases spit it out before you can set the hook !
so to best fool a fish less is always better ...
I match floats to jigs down to trimming a float to sit properly with the least resistance possible ....
quill type floats are the best in my opinion for almost all applications and species.....:ThumbsUp

Those weighted floats make casting a light jig easier but sure hides upbites. Dont care for them myself. Like Ketchin I will trim em down if necessary to get a very tiny bit showing.

I agree the weighted ones are bad at showing upbites. I do notice a little quiver or lift when the jig weight comes off the float but not much, you really have to pay attention. Any chop on the water and forget it.

Where do you guys get quill floats from? Id love to give one a try.

I make the float you saw in the photo. If you like I'm willing to send you one to try. Just private message.

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Originally Posted by RiverSlabber

I agree the weighted ones are bad at showing upbites.

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I have to disagree. All my floats are weighted, and they show lift bites perfectly. Even my heaviest floats pop up like a jack-in-the-box.