I know this board has some very good float fishermen on it. I've always used fixed, but I'm seeing more people using slip floats these days. So which is better for steelhead and why?

On most of the rivers I prefer to fish, which are small and shallow, I prefer a fixed float. No need for a slip float when I only have my jig 8" - 24" below my float. The only time I would consider using a slip float is when fishing holes deeper than 10', Just my personal preference, ...I know some excellent float fisherman that prefer a slip float.

The best floats are those little cork ones. You can change depth quick and easy. I also like the thills especially when working bigger water (usually with a pink worm under it)

Low & Clear = Steelhead Stalkers

Bigger water = dink floats with eggs

Have fun.

Slip / Sliding.That way I can fish 1.5' or 20' with just an adjustment of the bobber stop.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

i'll fish fixed if i know the depth of the hole, or im not on the move.

sliders play a huge roll in my everyday fishing though, i'll setup a 5" dink float with a bead and bobber stop, i will then tie up regular drift gear with a 3" piece of lead.. this way my lead ticks the bottom but the float keeps the bait right in the seam or line you want to run.. just set the bobber stop at about 4' and adjust as needed.
this method probably catches about 70% of my steelhead.

Almost always a slip float. The only exception is during the summer on very shallow water I use those small round cork floats. Then I just use that orange peg and put it where I need it. I just find it is easier for me to use a slip float! Good Luck
Buck

I always use a slip float, then I'm ready for any hole I get into, deep or shallow. Thill, round cork or dink floats but I like the Thill floats the best. good luck

I used a fixed float for anything 10' deep or less when fishing jigs.

One knot, no leader.

When I fish bait under a float, I usually use a sliding float.

It's more personal preference than anything else.

i would rather use a fixxed float whe ni know the depth i'm fishing. but when i'm fishing a new hole i use a slip float.

I just like using a fixed float all the time - period. In smaller water, which I prefer to fish, there is really no need to get down more than 7 or 8 feet.....

I use a hybrid system. I put bobber stops on either side of the float. This way if I snag up and my mainline knot snaps I don't lose my float. If I want to fish a fixed float I simply "sandwich" the float between the two bobber stops.

I probably have it in slider mode 90% of the time though.

fixed for jigs...slip for bait.....when im in a boat

you can fish a 7 ft leader fixed jig effectively at any depth, from 7 ft to the surface when your fishing downstream of your boat.......

but if i was hiking a canyon id be fishing a slip float with jigs

Kinda new to the float fishing game, but I personally find the fixed to work better?! Seems like you dont have to worry about the stop being against the bobber in order to detect a bite in case one hammers it right away?!

Slip Floats 100% of time. Easy and precise management of presentaton. I use Dink and Thill floats as my choice for steelhead. Those Steelhead stalker floats were a disapointment. Those little, (1/8 " dia.)teeny, tiny rubber bands will break or get lost, within the first few minutes of use.

The only advantage to a sliding float would be deep water fishing. If it is below 32 degrees it is a mess with a slip float. fixed floats are a great way to fish 1-8' of water. There are only a few places that I have wanted to fish deeper than 8'. Most of the time if is deeper that that, it is too fast and should be drifted with lead. (IMHO)

The information above is strictly based fishing with a fixed float. At no time was a sliding float used durring the icy test period. It was attemped for 1 cast and put away after complete professional frost heave overrun.

The only advantage to a sliding float would be deep water fishing. If it is below 32 degrees it is a mess with a slip float. fixed floats are a great way to fish 1-8' of water. There are only a few places that I have wanted to fish deeper than 8'. Most of the time if is deeper that that, it is too fast and should be drifted with lead. (IMHO)

The information above is strictly based fishing with a fixed float. At no time was a sliding float used durring the icy test period. It was attemped for 1 cast and put away after complete professional frost heave overrun.

I'm with Broodbuster. I use a sliding float with two bobber stops one above and one below. You can either fish it fixed or sliding, depending on where your bottom stop is positioned. Best of both worlds.

I do alot of float fishing and prefer a fixed system, unless:
1. The leader needs to be longer than I can cast well, generally 6 feet or so.
2. I am moving and need to adjust to different depths.

I agree that the small cork floats work best. I have sometimes painted the top third red for visibility. I also use dinks and Salmon Stalkers (for larger rivers). I liked the tip on double bobber stops--will have to try that. Those Salmon Stalkers are expensive.

Love to see that bobber go down!!!!!!!!!!!
Fish on........LFISH

Slip floats got Team PP 7 steelhead yesterday and the title of 2005 SRC Team Champions.

Can ya guess which system we would recommend?

Whatever you do, just DO NOT let Parker rig up your floats. Let's just say, that is going to come back to haunt me...over...and....over.....and.....over again. Right Todd?