Float fishing involves using a slender float on the fishing line to place the bait or lure at a specific depth in the water. It is a great method of placing the bait exactly where the fish are expected to be located in the water, maximizing your chances of landing a strike. Floats work similar to bobbers but are not rounded. They can also help inexperienced anglers identify when a fish has taken the bait--the float will dip beneath the water when a fish has the hook in its mouth.
Minimize Visibility
A perfectly rigged hook and line will place a bait less than an inch off the bottom of the water, letting it move naturally in the current. This creates a very life-like presentation that can fool fish when done correctly. A light fluorocarbon line is ideal for this, since fluorocarbon features light refractive properties very similar to water and can make it difficult for fish to spot. A small hook can be almost entirely obscured from the fish's view. As you gain more experience with float rigs, you will get a better idea of how you want to space your split shots on the line depending on whether you want the bait to drop fast or slow in the water, and to what degree you want the current to pick up and move the bait.
Go Thin
The main difference between a bobber and a float revolves around the water resistance created by the float. A bobber is much more resistant, and fish can feel the resistance. While this makes it very clear for the angler above water to see when there is a strike, it is also more likely that a fish will drop the bait before you have a chance to set the hook. But floats offer less resistance in the water, being created aerodynamically to float while creating very little pull on the line when a fish strikes. The thinner a float is, the less likely you will be to lose a fish that gets scared off from the resistance. However, floats require much more attention and a much more sensitive eye. This means the smaller you go with a float, the more attuned your eye must be to a bite on the float. If you are new to float fishing, gradually work your way down to thinner setups as you become more familiar with the movement on a float and what it indicates.
Match Bait to Fish and Hook Size
Everything in a float fishing setup must be uniform in order to be effective. The type of fish you are pursuing should dictate the size of bait you use--in some cases, corn can be effective on small pan fish while nightcrawlers are necessary for larger bottom-feeders. But you must also use a hook that can handle the size of the fish while remaining obscured by the bait. Line strength should also be considered, although fluorocarbon is so thin that thicker lines can be used without much risk.
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