Anything deeper than about 6' I use a slip float. You get such versatility that I find that I am using them almost all the time now though. I use those weighted floats from Beau Mac because you can cast them pretty easily if your using a baitcaster. Floating a threaded shrimp this winter was dynamite!Thumb through some of the STS articles or grab a book on float fishing...basic stuff, but it helps.