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.

I'll give you the cliff notes version of my setup. By no means is this the only way!

1. hi-vis braided line in 20-30lb range. I am partial to tuff line but many like power pro and others.

2.bobber stop directly to braided line then small bead.

3.1/8 or 1/4 oz. float. west coast, beau maces, etc. and another bead or two then swivel.

I like to run a 1/4 float and add 2 split shot to my line (with a 1/8 oz. jig).

4. 2 1/2 to 3 foot leader and jig.

a 9 1/2 -11 foot rod will make life much easier (mending).

I also am a fan of "cocking" my jig to a 90 degree angle from your line.

big moby pretty much nailed it
i dont use split shot normally, tends to kink and mess up line to much IMO
Go to youtube and type in steel head float fishing and search around
you will get everything you need there, nuff said

You need to understand the concept of a sliding float.

Mine is about the same as Moby

30lb power pro
bobber stop
bead
sliding float
egg sinker
bead
swivel
1' to 3' leader depending on conditions/water clarity

Cast a little upstream and keep as much line off the water as you can without disturbing the float, then let line out as you see fit on the the drift downstream. If the water is really cold think about being down at the level of the fish. They usually wont move as far to hit the lure.

Someone should write a book on this.

float fishing is like hunting modern or snowboarding. Everybody wants a quick and easy way to harvest fish and game and make things easy, while at the same time, looking like a complete cracker-arse. bob chooses the float method because he's sick and tired of tying gear for goons every other cast. I don't blame him I guess

First, you'll need a few of these in assorted sizes. They aren't as classy as the Patron cork floats, but tried and true.



Next, buy Dave's book.

Ya' think? Talk about subtle pimping! Way to go Dave!

Nothing but quality material here today.

Sg

Float fishing can be a really simple and also a very in depth way of fishing for steelhead despite people calling them training wheels or crutches. Obviously your choice on how to use the float would vary according to the water. Slow and froggy or high gradient fast with pocket water? Float and jig? Canadian style dink float and terminal gear or probing with beads ( which I personally plan on practicing more) under a few split shot and a small Thill float? These techniques are just a few ways of encompassing the float into your steelhead arsenal and really the tip of the ice burg. Also there are reasons for using slip floats and other reasons for using fixed floats!

The way I see it you have exactly two options here.

1. Go spend a few days on the Vedder River in Chilliwack BC and learn the intracacies of float fishing from the friendly locals up there.

2. Go buy Dave's book.

But mostly just buy Dave's book.

Hey Coley,

Ain't them bobbbers? I seen some at the trailer park derby the other day. The guy that had the biggest one, bobber that is, said he had to use it, as it was a Christmas present from both his wife and cousin. He didn't mind hurting her feelings as his wife but hated to be rude to a relative.

Subtle? Naw, just flat out trying to get a book in his hands. The amount I make from a book sale wont buy a dozen sand shrimp. But it's sometimes frustrating to see guys asking questions that are already answered. As someone noted earlier, the books are available at the library for free. And I think a quick read would do a novice a ton of good.

The power of jig fishing is in details. It's not like fishing just about every other technique where your primary goal is just puting your junk in front of the fish. Your goal is to harness the most complete and majestic natural presentation. It's all in the finesse! Some people get it right away, some people will have fished for steelhead for years and still need a guide to catch one on a jig.

Read some books.

My setup-

small dink in shallow/froggy water, sliding float in deep/turbulant water (don't worry about reeling up bobber stops, a rod long enough to fish jigs will solve that problem)

Weight that coorelates with the float schematics. I'm a new fan of jig weights.

Use the smallest terminal gear that the conditions allow

Make sure main line floats (I use mono with floatant, thread line is a great place to start)

waste a ton of money on fancy flourocarbin leader material (I use seagaur) in 8 and 10 lb

Try and get your jig to float through the water as if it were neutrally boyant and nothing was attached to it.

Don't put bait on it

Good luck, and you know when you'll have got it down because you'll be hooking more fish than everyone else.

Damn Grizzle you just about covered it all in a few sentences. Good thing you don't get paid by the word.

Everything they really need to know you covered.

Sorry I stole half a dozen sand shrimp from you Dave. You don't need those stinky critters.

Isn't there two books now, Dave?

Rev 1 and Rev 2?

What's the difference between the two?

I have a DV autographed copy of Rev 1. I never read it as there were too many words, and not enough pictures or pop-ups for me.

Hey guys, thanks a bunch to all of you for your well-meaning advice. I cut and pasted most of it and will absorb it and apply it when I can. It's a new challenge. Fishing in Alaska was quite a different challenge from stalking steelheads in NW. May I act like a well-mannered fisherman when our lines get tangled on the river. Bless you all!

Thanks for the info, my friend. Are you serious about 20 to 30lbs line? I just stripped my 30 lbs and replaced it with 15 lbs!! 30 was what I used in AK. And every body here recommends 9 1/2 to 11 rods. That long, huh? Not that I question your tips, I am just surprised. Well tomorrow is my second steelhead trip ever, so you see a guy all wrapped up in fishing line in the middle of Clack, please call 911!

I am watching all the YouTube tutorials and it's fun. Thanks again.

If that happens, you are in the wrong spot

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

JFC...did someone just say "majestic" and float fishing in the same sentence?

WTF is the world coming to?

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. I could write a book on float fishing, but it would only be two pages long...mebbe three, if I add in center pin mumbo jumbo.