Float fishing is new to me and I am trying to learn it. Before I used three basic methods
1. Plunking
2. Spinners
3. Bouncing along the bottom
I caught many fish with these methods.

I read a few posts on how to use the float, but I need some clarification. When you float, the purpose of the weight is just to get the bait down, we are not trying to reach the bottom, right? So the bobber should be able to float more or less undisturbed since the bait is not hitting the bottom, right? How far off the bottom should you present your bait? 10, 20 inches? So in deeper water you are stuck because the float and the line stopper will prevent you to give it more line since it would mess up your casting.
You guys I hope you can understand what I am trying to say here.

So do you use pretty much the same weight with certain bobbers? (assuming that bait is the same) You don’t change weight because of the water depth, right? Then let me see if I get it right. The bobber, the weight and the bait sort of float in a vertical position. The whole rig sort of hangs there. Correct?

I know somebody is going to say I am complicating this too much, but I need to understand how it works. Is this setup successful in a slower and quieter water as well? A floating worm 3-4 feet off the bottom ? If the bait is too far off the bottom, will fish still go for it? May be steelhead but not salmon, huh?

And how do you decide how deep is the water? Do you plunk a test line? If you can tell that your bait is hitting the bottom, do you change to a lighter weight? Sorry about asking all these question. I want to learn and perfect this method because it seems to be gaining on popularity.