Guide to pike floats — Angling Times

There are loads of pike floats on the market, each one designed to do a specific task. Follow our guide to find out more...

1. STUBBY INLINE FLOATS

Stubby inlines are used for suspending larger lives or deadbaits, like half mackerel and big sardines. They can also be used for close-in deadbait work.

2. DEADBAIT PENCILS AND WAGGLERS

These sensitive floats are available in loaded (requiring no shot) and unloaded versions. These floats work best up to a distance of 40yards. Designed for use with deadbaits, they are fished bottom only, with the bait ideally set overdepth.

3. HI-VISIBILITY DART

A dumpy design with a dart flight that provides excellent visibility, especially in rough/choppy water. It’s well suited to fishing at long range. Attached at its base, this float provides sensitive bite indication when fishing static deadbaits.

4. SUNKEN FLOATS

These unusual floats are made to present a fish bait under the surface of the water. They work well on either slow-flowing rivers or stillwaters and are primarily used for popping up deadbaits in the current or for suspending livebaits off the bottom.

5. BALL BOB FLOATS

This classic is a truly universal pike float. Ideal for using on still or running water, ball floats are excellent for suspending live or deadbaits, free-roving livebait rigs or laying deadbaits on the bottom. The disadvantage is their shape, meaning they are not as sensitive as some slimmer types of float and they don’t cast well.

6. SLIMLINE INLINE FLOATS

Slimline inline floats are primarily designed for trotting either live or deadbaits in running water. The mainline passes through the centre of the float and is locked at depth using either rubber float stops or a sliding stop knot.