I've seen some old timers using round sponge floats. Where can on buy round sponges? Does anyone use these? Its seems cheap in the long run.

Not sure what you are talking about,but the dink floats popularized in Canada and now common here, are quite inexpensive and if properly rigged seldom lost. I fish them about 50 days a year and lose perhaps three or four a year. That works out to less than $5.00 per year .

Not sure but are you maybe refering to using chunks of cut up sponge to drift fish with?

Using a sponge for a float instead of a bobber. I have used dink floats but only sportco sells the ones I like(make of insulation material, 1/2 inch in diameter and 4-5 inches long) I know some guys use sponges for making rags but thats another topic.

I have never heard of using a sponge for a float. I would think the sponge would absorb water and thus sink. You might be able to make floats from backer rod. Not sure if it would work but it is a thought.

I saw people using these on the penninsula this last weekend...about 1/2 to 3/4 inches in diameter and 4 to 5 inches in length -

The ones I saw at Olympic sports in Forks have a couple plastic holes thru them that look like you would thread your line thru for rigging...so now, my stupid question...do you bounce a jig off them - maybe tipped with eggs?

Bullelkklr:

Nothing stupid about your question. The floats you saw were, I believe, dink floats, first popularized in Canada. They work extremely well, which is why many top rods like Nick Amato, Bill Herzog and many of the best guides use them. You can fish any nonbouyant lure you like under a float. Jigs are very popular but spawn bags cured eggs, shrimp, gooey bobs and any other nonbuoyant lure will work quite will under a float. Some Canadians even fish spinners undr a float. There have been many good articles written about them in STS as well as a book.

I use the dink floats exclusively for steelhead and salmon. There are a few good books on the subject and one good video from Amato Publishing. I fished with the fellow from Canada and he taught me more in three days than I learned from reading the books and trying on my own. You can find the floats in many stores now, GI Joes, Big 5 , Swains has a huge selection.
Remember to keep your line off the water!

Anyone ever figure out roughly the maximum pound leader you can use without cutting the Dink Float in half when trying to pull free from a snag?

Say I have 30lb power pro mainline with 20lb test leader. If the leader hangs on the bottom will it cut the Dink Float in half when I am trying to brake free from the snag.

I am using the good neoprene Dink Floats not the cheesy ones that look like backer rod material.

Lead thrower: I don't know the answer to your questions on what pound test will cut the dink float in ½, but here's a tip that will help a lot. DONt run the line around the float as shown in the directions. Just pass it through the top hole and the bottom hole without wrapping it around the float. To keep the float from slipping, simply double up and wrap a rubber band around the float, trapping the line between the float and the rubber band. That way the float is not as likely to be cut in ½ if you hang up, plus you will still have the float attached to the mainline if you break off your leader.

Surecatch

Thanks bro That's a great idea.

To add to the previous comments, there seem to be two types of dink floats...one with diagonal tubes at each end for running your line through (so you can either wrap, or use the rubber band), and the ones with a single tube running end-to-end, for sliding floats.

You put an adjustable bobber stop and bead on your main line above the float, and a bead and swivel (and some additional weight if you need it) below, with the leader below the swivel.

That way you can fish deeper slots without having to cast with 12 feet of line beneath the float. It's especially nice for steep and/or brushy stream banks.

Thanks Sky
Unfortunately the quit making the sliding style Dink Floats

WHAT?? Say it ain't so!!

I can only assume that they weren't selling as many...or is it possible that just your source doesn't carry them anymore?

I don't even remember where I got mine, but I rarely lose them (I use them mostly in the fall for chums) so still have a few around. I'll keep my eyes open and let you know if I see anyone carrying them, if you like.

I suppose you could convert the other style if you had a loooooong needle and the right tubing.

I'm fairly sure they still have them at Fred's CustomTackle. They do have a web site. Dunno the URL

Sky

Pretty sure it is not just my source.....

That is the story I got at Ted's last Sunday when I went to buy some. Ended up buying West Coast floats they look good but are twice the price.

They still make the rap around style just not the slip float style.