Float fishing advice please

[Codqueen]

We are off to Tighnabruaich on Sunday and Kayos asked me to buy running float rigs off ebay for the trip. Unfortunately I forgot and by the time I remembered to order them it was too late to get them delivered before we leave........Oops! Our local tackle shops do not sell made up float rigs!!

Being very inexperienced(stupid) in shore fishing neither Kayos or I know how to make these rigs up and have never fished this method before. I understand how to put the float on the line and add a small lead under the float. What I don't understand is how to stop it just dropping to the bottom? If you put a knot on the line, what type of knot and how does the knot not get tangled up in the rod eyes?

Any advice would be gratefully received, as Kayos is a tad annoyed at me for forgetting to order them. He seems to think this method will produce some Pollock........................I'm not so sure, but don't want to be blamed for blanking!

[Nooo Fish]

Here you are. Shows you all the bits you need and pic and instructions.
Planet Sea Fishing Digital Magazine | Rigs and Traces | Sliding Float

I use a bit 15lb mono to tie the stop knot above the float and bead. The knots tiny and goes through the eyes no bother.

[lumpsucker]

You can use a 7mm or so length of thin silicone tube for the stop knot. Just double the line back through it again top to bottom and pull, it locks in place and slips through the rings no bother. Stop knots can be a pain to tie and can be unreliable in my experience

[Codqueen]

Thanks guys, looks too complicated for Kayos to handle so I suppose it's down to me to try and make them up. Off to the tackle shop to buy the necessary bits and bobs. Maybe if I flirt with the shop guy he might make them up for me!!

[Bushwhacker]

Rig it this way then you hook won,t tangle above the float when you cast.

[Pete from shields]

Great advice from the lads above, I too use the silicone tubing as mentioned above, its the best way I've used as it doesn't catch on the rod eyes. It holds really well and you can still move it at will, the advice I'll give is what I got about the float itself.

Once you get set up and in the water, if the float tips on its side you're touching the bottom just adjust the stop knot accordingly and keep doing that as the tide ebbs and floods up and down etc, or the fish stop biting etc. Also don't always expect to see the float disappear, sometimes it tips on its side meaning there's a fish on and sometimes you can only tell a fishes on by nodding of the line feeling it through the rod.

It took me a few tries float fishing before I got it right, just stick at it and don't lose hope as you will catch, good luck lads.

[Codqueen]

Back from the tackle shop where he guy was camper than a row of tents, so didn't get any assistance in rig making. He said he was standing in for the owner and knew nothing about fishing - a bit like Kayos really. The fishing bit not the camp bit..............................actually now I think about it!

Definitely using silicone, no clue how to tie slip knots! There seems a lot more to this float fishing lark that we thought! In days of yore we float fished for stocked trout, but we just chucked a bubble float with spit shot on and popped it out. This seems much more complicated, but I will give it a try. Thanks for the diagrams lads, with Kayos at the theatre today I will get peace to make them up, or at least try!

[toonboymc]

This is the future Lynn a pump action float rod

[Codqueen]

Mark said you were as mad as a box of frogs Mick...........................He wasn't wrong!

Just googled it..................crazy!

[toonboymc]

Novelty Lynn but will give it a go next time I'm out see if I can christen it lol

[Codqueen]

Novelty Lynn but will give it a go next time I'm out see if I can christen it lol

On reflection Mick, I could probably use it to solve my casting issues!

[fishingmark]

Power gum is the stuff I use for the stop knot, nice and soft so it doesn't clatter the rod guides and easy to slide. The stop knot I use is 5 turns around the main line, make a loop and then through the loop 5 times and pull tight, dead easy.

[kayos]

I come home from a day's work to find, that not only did Lynn forget to order the float rigs in time, she is now calling me clueless at fishing and gay!!!

[Codqueen]

I come home from a day's work to find, that not only did Lynn forget to order the float rigs in time, she is now calling me clueless at fishing and gay!!!

And your point is?

[Codqueen]

Well guys, off tomorrow to Tighnabruaich................. float rigs made up, of sorts. Thanks for your help.

Weather looks dreadful, but a few days away sounds good to me.

Will try Davey's smoker, Can't wait!