When float fishing here in washington most people employ what is referred to as the "short float" technique especially with jig fishing. this style, with a properly balanced float or offering on a drag free (as little tension as possible from rod to float) drift will usually telegraph the bite via some type of movement of the float - down, left, right, upriver, or it may lay down.

If you are float fishing with drift gear, your have to have some tension to get the offering in front of the weight, and this tension creates the ability to feel the fish take. When float fishing by swinging through tail outs where, for example, you are adjusted to 5 ft in 4 ft of water then you are holding back alot and will again feel the take.

different techniques, but all are effective just the same.

[ 05-12-2001: Message edited by: Stadle ]