When I am fishing the stillwaters here on calm days I always see lots of
evidence of fish feeding off the surface. Fly fishing of course is the obvious
answer here but if you are not experienced in this form of fishing then what are
the alternatives? A bubble float and sliding rig are two simple answers to
letting your bait float on the surface. This is a very simple and basic method
of fishing but in these days of high tech rigs going back to basics can prove
very effective.
The bubble float method is simply a float that when filled with water acts as a
casting weight ensuring your bait can presented at distance away from the bank.
Take a bubble float and on the top you will see two plugs, pull them out so they
let water in one side and expel air on the other. Fill with water and replace
the plugs. On each side of the bubble float are eyes cast into the plastic. Clip
a small swivel clip to these and tie one to the main line. Some people just tie
the line to the eye without a swivel but I worry the initial take, if fierce,
will snap the line as it is not tied around a smooth round surface. The bubble
float eye casting can be very rough and this would be enough to severely damage
a line in my mind. You may have to spread a swivel clip to get it through the
eye of a small bubble float but time spent now preparing the rig correctly will
save tears later, believe me! Now all that is needed is to tie a hook length of
maybe one metre to the other side swivel eye. Load your bait and cast out,
feathering the line as it comes off the reel just before it hits the water, to
avoid tangles. To feather the cast put the index or middle finger of your rod
hand on the side of the spool to slow the speed of the line as it leaves the
reel. The float will drift along the swim trailing the baited hook a metre away
on the surface. Bread is particularly good for this kind of fishing on a size
ten to sixteen hook depending on what fish may be present.
Bubble Float with Swivel Clips Attached
Another simple rig for surface float fishing is the sliding controller rig. This
consists of a controller float which has an eye in the top, a bead, a double eye
swivel and a hook length. Thread the main line through the eye at the top of the
controller float then thread a bead, large enough so that it will not pass
through the eye of the float, but small enough so that it will not pass over the
swivel. Tie a swivel to the end of the main line and a hook length to the other
side of the swivel. Cast out and wait for a take. When the bait is taken the
float does not pull under the water as the line passes freely through the eye on
top. The line should be able to run very easily through the eye so there is no
resistance felt by a taking fish. When the float starts to slide across the
water - strike. The fish is on!
You can experiment with both these rigs using different baits. There are no hard
and fast rules, what works one day will maybe not work the next. Weather
conditions and water temperature have a lot to do with what bait will suit the
fish on certain days. It is of course a known fact that fish are more likely to
follow the wind to feed, therefore if you are facing the wind you stand a
greater chance. It is all a great learning curve. I personally find it useful to
take notes when I go fishing. Not just for journalism, but because we forget
very quickly. Making a note of the weather, wind direction, bait used, fish
caught etc. can be very useful information when you visit a water a year or so
later.
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