Which type of float to use when deadbaiting?

[Baz T]

Is it best to use an inline/slider float? or one where the float is attached to the line at the bottom of the float, when deadbaiting for pike. Most of the floats I have are inline floats where you thread the line through the centre of the float. However I am thinking of modifying my inline floats, by attaching a swivel to the base, so that the line will pass through a swivel at the bottom of the float, rather than down through the centre, as I feel that this will give better bite indication, and also be easier to adjust the float when its in the water, so that the float can either lie on the surface, or just have it half cocked, or just a tip showing (dependant on what your preference is). I feel this will be better to indicate bites, including lift bites, as in carp/bream/tench fishing float set up.
Any comments from more experienced pike anglers would be welcome, regarding the float set up.

[NICK R]

i use a pencil float
stop knot first for depth setting ,then a bead ,float using eye of float then another bead. next the swivel then the trace , i put some swan shot on the trace if i want it anchored. i find this to be my favorite set up

i normally fish it half cocked

[Baz T]

Thanks for quick reply Nick. Your rig seems to be the best way, which is the way I was thinking of setting up the float/rig

[pingu]

must admit i use trago cheap sea pencil floats( way way cheaper than spesicific pike ones) and a slightly heavier weight that can wind down to and 1/2 cock


dave

[Lman]

I use both styles of float for lake fishing on the bottom from the bank i use bottom end float slightly overdepth and wind down to cock as dave said.
Most of my river work i use the other style of float with the line through the middle i either fish this with drilled bullet and fish a various depths my fav method of pike fishing trotting the bait round the slack areas of the river.
I also use this float when fish a paternoster rig on the river setting the float to roughly the correct depth and positioning the rod high keeping the line out of the main flow.
I also used these floats when boat fishing recently again at differant depths from on the deck to up in the water

[Martopp]

use deadbait pencil floats fish them about 1 foot over depth cast out ,the float will lie flat then tighten up to it the float will then cock, the more you tighten up the lower in the water the float sit.. hope this helps

[Baz T]

thanks for all the advice lads, got the idea now. Will use pencil float, with line through bottom of float only I think, as this will also help the line to sink too.

[SwiftyOne]

I use now, if dead baiting on bottom the wonderful "Polaris" floats (no stop knot needed) finds the depth of water itself, sinks with your bait on the cast, then slacken the line, to allow the float to rise to surface, tighten up, the float cocks and sits there until a bite...I'll never go back to stop knots, or use any other float but the "Polaris"....Great bit of "Must Have" kit....Well, that's "My" opinion anyway :)......Take a look here, and see the vid:

http://www.ultrafloats.co.uk/t%26t.php

Cheers....and tight lines guy's ;)

Swifty

[PikeHunter]

Originally Posted by SwiftyOne

I use now, if dead baiting on bottom the wonderful "Polaris" floats (no stop knot needed) finds the depth of water itself, sinks with your bait on the cast, then slacken the line, to allow the float to rise to surface, tighten up, the float cocks and sits there until a bite...I'll never go back to stop knots, or use any other float but the "Polaris"....Great bit of "Must Have" kit....Well, that's "My" opinion anyway :)......Take a look here, and see the vid:

http://www.ultrafloats.co.uk/t%26t.php

Cheers....and tight lines guy's ;)

Swifty

Tell you what mate they look a brilliant job! Gonna buy myself one now! Which one would you recommend for a bit of roach/bream fishing? Do you use one for pike fishing as well? If so which one?

Cheers!

[Baz T]

Hi Swifty, I have a couple of Polaris floats, and tried them out one trip last year. Ideal for uneven bottoms etc, as you just pull on the line when they are on the surface, and it locks the line. I found them easy to use on the canal, as it means you can fish in the shallower margins or out in deeper water, and no need to adjust the stop knot etc. I forgot I had them actually. I will give them another go this year.
Also Pikehunter, they do come in various sizes, but each float needs the appropriate minimum size of lead weight, or else you cant lock the line in place if the lead is too light. The ones I have are ideal for pike and carp, but I think they do smaller ones too.