Quest Outdoors

Bow_buster · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 5:45 pm Post subject: What Float do You Like Best?

I've read posts about rods, reels, and line, but I haven't read one concerning the float and the float is the equipment that lets us know if we have a fish has taken our bait. So I thought I'd start a string about which float you guys prefer to use since there are so many different ones (balsas, sticks, and avons) out there. At one time I was partial to the clear drennans but after having the same success with some of my homemade balsa floats I'm not convinced these clear floats are any better than a naturally finished balsa float. I am also partial to the double rubber balsa and stick floats since they are good floats to hold back on. Only problem is the stick float isn't really suited for fast swims. Any thoughts?

fishyfranky · Eyed Egg Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Ontario

I used balsa up to last year but the drennan loafers hold more shot for the same size profile. The only problem is that they are hard to see sometimes.

GT · Smolt Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 41 Location: London

Depends on the conditions, big floats for big, fast, and even low vis flows using either balsa, cork or Drennans in Piker and Zeppler models. The larger painted tops will help with seeing them. Smaller loafers for smaller slow and clear flows. For me, the stealth also encompasses how the float will hit the surface. Small Drennan loafers seem to drop most quietly which is less spooky to wary trout.

Cheers, GT

Eric · Lunker Joined: 06 Mar 2004 Posts: 277

Here's one that ASM gave me, one of his favorites Wink

Honestly, I've got a bunch of different floats that I use for varying conditions. Loafers, balsas, and even some cool new carbon fibre Tyson Bolo's a buddy brought back from the UK. But I'd have to say, day-to-day, I used predominately drennan avons or loafers unless there's a visibility problem, if so I use a big loafer style balsa that sits high up in the water and is easier to see.

e

Steel Shady · Fry Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 28

In my opinion the plastic floats are more buoyant, better for trotting and land smother on water. Why?....Because Plastic floats are hollow inside, therefore they are filled with air. Balsa wood is light as well, but it is not hollow inside.

Snowmonkey · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 9:47 am Post subject: Floats...

Obviously, it's highly dependant upon water being fished. For flat to moderate water, I like a stick type float. These days I am partial to the Drennan long loaders (somewhat of a modified stick float) and even more so of one that I modify myself (bascially a standard loafer w/the bottom 1/8 of the solid bottom cut off and replaced with a thin alloy rod, which I install by drilling a small diameter by approx 1/2" long hole into the stem). For moderate fast to faster water, I use a more bouyant Avon style...mostly Drennan Crystal Avons. Advantages of the clear floats are arguable in some situations, but certainly can't hurt...and I've definitely had situations with "educated" fish where I'd swear they make a difference. They don't go under quite as smoothly as balsa but, if balanced correctly, are close. As long as you can see them, they may help your fishing...and certainly can't hurt.

ASM

BC Steel · Egg Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 4

I've been using Drennen pikers for a couple years and they were great. Then I found a great deal on balsa floats that looked good and proceded to load up on them but I have yet to hook a fish on them....

Dredge · Fry Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 26 Location: Chicago

I literally have 1000's of floats all over the house, garage, yard, truck,etc. I always buy them and always seem to go from one style to the next and back again. From fishing plastic Drennans, custom balsa (BC Supreme/Top Notch), manufacturer balsa (Wasp/Lindy), custom foam, custom polymer floats. Each has a time to be used. Most floats are suitable for most conditions, hence having a hard time finding the one you need.

I seem to bounce between custom balsa floats and plastic floats. They all work and all have their time in the sun. I guess it all boils down to what you have confidence in.

I like to take the Drennan Loafers #1 (smallest) and grind off a 1/4 inch off the bottome. Basically remove the eyelet. Drill up the shaft and insert a .040 (I believe thats the diam.) wire shaft in. It works great for fishing smaller creeks.

Hope it helps
Dredge

Chromebuck · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 8:47 am Post subject:

I'm new to this board, but thought I would throw in a couple of cents worth of observation and experience.

As mentioned, floats are one thing you can't have enough of! There are so many scenarios for floats that you really want to have several different boxes for different applications. For instance I have a small river/ big stream box, big river box (Manistee, Grand) and my big lake box. The design of almost all my floats are stick or chubber. I avoid any float that has flat angles at the top for three reasons. One, they produce deep line cuts to possibly create weak spots on the line. Two, when you get a false take down they pop like a Hula Popper. Three, is that they create resistance(if not line twist) on the retrieve, especially batting.

I'm a fan of balsa floats and generally find them quite a bit cheaper than Drennens. However, I know a bunch of guys out of Canada that do the method Dredge just explained. I've seen mostly pikers drilled and pegged with tooth picks instead. Works just fine for them.

Sears makes a portable lathe that I bought last year ($130.00)and have had good success copying BC Supremes, but I suck at the paint jobs....Getting the dipping process uniform is all about finding the proper consistency of paint including ambient temperature.

For several years now I have been doinq a fair bit of king fishing in harbors, and bar none the still water float of choice has been the bodied waggler. Its absolutley amazing how subtle a king take can be and I would guess 60 percent of my hook ups are not take downs but the opposite. many wagglers are a foot long and when weighted properly 10 inches of the float will be under water. Many times the take will be the float shooting up out of the water and laying on its side. The design of the waggler is intended for this purpose solely. They are not easy to find in Canada or the states unless your into Mick Thills stuff. However, they can be bought in bulk very cheap on the internet out of the UK. Very cheap!

Heres a great link on soft water techniques:

http://www.swinton54.freeserve.co.uk/rigs/float.html

CB

Dredge · Fry Joined: 12 Mar 2004 Posts: 26 Location: Chicago

What's the good word Keith? I found this new board not too long ago and figured a few posts might help move it along. Just over a month to go and the steelhead season starts all over with summer runs!

Tight lines.

Marty
aka
Dredge