Feeder, coarse floats
Stationary Floats
The float is probably the most traditional form of indicator used in fishing, for detecting bites, signaling the movement of the line, and therefore the hook under water. Additionally, the float serves other purposes. It can keep bait suspended at a predetermined depth or can transport the rig and bait to less accessible spots, especially when utilizing water or air currents.
Initially made from bird feathers, branches, or pieces of wood, fishing floats are now constructed from a wide variety of materials, from classic ones like balsa wood or peacock feathers to modern materials like plastic, fiberglass, or carbon.
The design of floats is extremely varied, specifically to be suitable for the fishing style practiced, the distances fished, or even for the type of water in which they are used. Generally, floats used for river fishing will have a thicker body at the top, while those for fishing in ponds or lakes will have the thickest part of the body at the bottom of the float.
Waggler Floats represent a distinct category, intended for match fishing techniques, and can include both bulb floats (where the main body is positioned at the bottom of the float), such as sliders or unshotted wagglers, as well as long floats, pencil, or stick types. Due to their shape and being secured at a single point, wagglers allow for casts at much greater distances than any other type of float. They can have multiple interchangeable tip options, making them visible under different fishing conditions.
Floats intended for pike or catfish fishing will have a large body and buoyancy, capable of suspending large baits or even live fish prey. Floats designed for surface fishing and those of the bulldog type can be transparent and may have water ballast, incorporating special openings for this purpose.
Floats can thus be attached to the fishing line at a single point or at several points, but there are also designs where the line passes through the entire body of the float. Additionally, some floats can have a keel made from heavy materials like stainless steel, which can stabilize the entire float-rig-hook-bait assembly when fishing at deeper levels or just above the bottom, or lighter materials such as carbon or fiberglass, which can help in situations where we want to see any signals that may occur when the hook and bait descend through the water column to a predetermined depth.
When choosing a float, it’s advisable to consider aspects such as the material it is made from, its shape, size, and weight, as well as factors like color, the material of the keel, how the float can be attached to the fishing line, or whether it allows the use of starlites for fishing in low light conditions.