The Demise of Float Fishing??

[xenon]

to my mind, float fishing is actual fishing, whereas ledgering is just setting traps.

 

[nottskev]

Myself, I like all aspects of proper floatfishing, I'd go as far as to say I enjoy becoming as proficient as possible at it, I've posted this before but neither of my son's fish, one is incapable, the other isn't interested, my knowledge will pass with me, which saddens me a bit, as even though anglers may not use it to the full extent, even part of it would transform most... my way with the waggler is devastating on towing stillwaters... from where I'm looking.

Coaching is one way to do something with all the knowledge you accumulate over a lifetime. I thought about it when I retired, but the demands for self-paid training, certification etc put me off. My friend, who could hack all that, does dozens of CRT coaching sessions on canals every year, but he reports that it's usually as "taster" sessions with first-timers - nice in it's own way but not the level you mention by a million miles.

You could do us a bit of an article, Alan, if the CBA factor is not too strong. Most of us probably have some clues about managing the wind, drift, top tows and under tows on stills. Getting a float to hold or move the right way is certainly a game changer, and an interesting advanced topic.

 

[Alan Whitty]

I could right an article, trouble is people argue the points of any article, I've done it once before on another forum, I said then, I'm not arguing as I know it works, all I asked was for people to try my ideas out, trouble is that experience tells you what alterations to make when tow increases or decreases, sometimes the movement of a shot as small as a no.11 can bring a run of fish from catching nothing, my angling friends I fished with(one passed sadly) knew what I was doing, as I explained even though they watched me and were capable anglers all to see my floats, shotting etc but struggled to keep up with it, and it's not just maggot and caster, pellet and expander have to be fished with the tow, but slowed to a speed that is acceptable to the fish... carp, barbel, bream, roach are suckers in a big tow

 

[@Clive]

Coaching is one way to do something with all the knowledge you accumulate over a lifetime. I thought about it when I retired, but the demands for self-paid training, certification etc put me off. My friend, who could hack all that, does dozens of CRT coaching sessions on canals every year, but he reports that it's usually as "taster" sessions with first-timers - nice in it's own way but not the level you mention by a million miles.

You could do us a bit of an article, Alan, if the CBA factor is not too strong. Most of us probably have some clues about managing the wind, drift, top tows and under tows on stills. Getting a float to hold or move the right way is certainly a game changer, and an interesting advanced topic.

The youth club that I used to go to was run by a couple who were former table tennis champions and they provided tuition and coaching to anybody who wanted it. They realised that there was a few young anglers amongst the members so they put out an advert in the fishing column of the local paper asking for anglers to come to the youth club to take classes. Two offered their services and used to host classes where they explained and demonstrated skills like shotting, hook tying, baiting methods and float making. One if them used to fish for tench and had photos of double nets full of tench. The other was a master at trotting. It was from him that I learned to love Allcocks centrepins. Each week in the classroom we gained knowledge that would have taken us years to learn on our own. They arranged minibus trips out to the Yorkshire rivers, the Trent and Lincolnshire drains where we held matches and learned from them on the bank and they managed to get exclusive permission to fish a local flooded quarry that became our home venue. I loved it.

 

[nottskev]

I could right an article, trouble is people argue the points of any article, I've done it once before on another forum, I said then, I'm not arguing as I know it works, all I asked was for people to try my ideas out, trouble is that experience tells you what alterations to make when tow increases or decreases, sometimes the movement of a shot as small as a no.11 can bring a run of fish from catching nothing, my angling friends I fished with(one passed sadly) knew what I was doing, as I explained even though they watched me and were capable anglers all to see my floats, shotting etc but struggled to keep up with it, and it's not just maggot and caster, pellet and expander have to be fished with the tow, but slowed to a speed that is acceptable to the fish... carp, barbel, bream, roach are suckers in a big tow

 

[nottskev]

I see what you’re saying. Some people negate any good advice. I’m always open to hearing from anglers who know stuff I don’t.

 

[Hugh Bailey]

I’d read any article on float fishing. I’d like to improve (from a very low level so shouldn’t be difficult) - over the years there have been some great articles on here.

 

[nottskev]

The youth club that I used to go to was run by a couple who were former table tennis champions and they provided tuition and coaching to anybody who wanted it. They realised that there was a few young anglers amongst the members so they put out an advert in the fishing column of the local paper asking for anglers to come to the youth club to take classes. Two offered their services and used to host classes where they explained and demonstrated skills like shotting, hook tying, baiting methods and float making. One if them used to fish for tench and had photos of double nets full of tench. The other was a master at trotting. It was from him that I learned to love Allcocks centrepins. Each week in the classroom we gained knowledge that would have taken us years to learn on our own. They arranged minibus trips out to the Yorkshire rivers, the Trent and Lincolnshire drains where we held matches and learned from them on the bank and they managed to get exclusive permission to fish a local flooded quarry that became our home venue. I loved it.

Sounds great Clive. I wish my fishing had been accelerated by some tuition like that. I just watched anyone who was catching fish when I wasn’t and pestered them with questions. I considered coaching when I retired after 35 years of teaching students A Levels - and found a) I needed to take a course on how to teach b) I had to prove children were safe around me. I decided to just go fishing.

 

[@Clive]

Sounds great Clive. I wish my fishing had been accelerated by some tuition like that. I just watched anyone who was catching fish when I wasn’t and pestered them with questions. I considered coaching when I retired after 35 years of teaching students A Levels - and found a) I needed to take a course on how to teach b) I had to prove children were safe around me. I decided to just go fishing.

I hear what you are saying Kev. Knee-jerk legislation that has had a deterimental affect on youth services.

I used to assist the Community Youth Department by volunteering to go with groups of deprived kids on moorland hikes or short stays in the country hostels. No problem while I was there on my days off as part of the Police Community Project. But if I wanted to go to a youth club and volunteer to teach kids how to fish I would have needed all the stuff you mention. Crazy!

 

[hague01]

Myself, I like all aspects of proper floatfishing, I'd go as far as to say I enjoy becoming as proficient as possible at it, I've posted this before but neither of my son's fish, one is incapable, the other isn't interested, my knowledge will pass with me, which saddens me a bit, as even though anglers may not use it to the full extent, even part of it would transform most... my way with the waggler is devastating on towing stillwaters... from where I'm looking.

You perhaps might consider a masterclass or two. I came back to fishing after 50 years. No advice, no useful books really, just suck it and see. Took me 8 frustrated years to crack the Polaris. Yes , I am that stupid! I would be up for gleaning real knowledge, even at my advanced years.

 

[hague01]

I could right an article, trouble is people argue the points of any article, I've done it once before on another forum, I said then, I'm not arguing as I know it works, all I asked was for people to try my ideas out, trouble is that experience tells you what alterations to make when tow increases or decreases, sometimes the movement of a shot as small as a no.11 can bring a run of fish from catching nothing, my angling friends I fished with(one passed sadly) knew what I was doing, as I explained even though they watched me and were capable anglers all to see my floats, shotting etc but struggled to keep up with it, and it's not just maggot and caster, pellet and expander have to be fished with the tow, but slowed to a speed that is acceptable to the fish... carp, barbel, bream, roach are suckers in a big tow

Knowledge is the key to everything I believe. If I have it I can decide if and when or if I use it. That's doesn't work with ignorance.

 

[Philip]

roach are suckers in a big tow

Tony Miles wrote a great chapter in Roach the gentle giants that alluded to that. I would agree as well and not just for Roach. If your fishing a big water blind with no previous knowledge then you can probably do a lot worse than cast a very light lead or empty feeder about looking for a tow.

 

[peterjg]

Alan Whitty, re your post. Totally agree, I think too many anglers use tackle which is over-gunned; using rods which are unnecessarily powerful with thick lines. As long as the line is balanced to the rod it's surprising how comparatively easy it is to land big fish and certainly more pleasing to use.

 

[Islandbear]

Like you, @hague01 I have just come back to fishing after about 45 years. When I started looking at akk yhe new fangled gear baits etc, near put me off. But managed to get a second hand set up to get me going and we'll I just went back to old school. Float fishing. And love it. Now looking to upgrade the mainly carp set up for Float rod and reel after my favourite Tench. Also going minimalist as such watching all those come down with a barriw load of stuff. Keep It Simple Steve works for me. Yes I too would love to join in with a @Alan Whitty masterclass .

 

[Blue Fisher]

to my mind, float fishing is actual fishing, whereas ledgering is just setting traps.

I am a fairly poor floatfisher and because of that I tend not to use the technique as much as legering. I have to agree with you about traps, I see many photos which show multiple rods in rests and fishermen not near them. I regard this as setting lines, however if the fish are not harmed and the fishermen enjoy the experience, why not. Myself I only use one rod, the rod is supported in one rest but is always in my hand. If I want to eat or drink I stop fishing. If I did not hold the rod I would miss so many bites. Legering can be as absorbing as float fishing.

 

[Islandbear]

I am a fairly poor floatfisher and because of that I tend not to use the technique as much as legering. I have to agree with you about traps, I see many photos which show multiple rods in rests and fishermen not near them. I regard this as setting lines, however if the fish are not harmed and the fishermen enjoy the experience, why not. Myself I only use one rod, the rod is supported in one rest but is always in my hand. If I want to eat or drink I stop fishing. If I did not hold the rod I would miss so many bites. Legering can be as absorbing as float fishing.

I'm very similar re one rod as I can concentrate more I feel. Watching fior the slightest kniock etc.The multiple rods on buzzer bars etc, I guess you could sit and watch the indicators but mmmm nah not for me. But then I'm not chasing the carp, but tench

 

[Alan Whitty]

A masterclass is a little strong, but having stuff stashed away in my mind weighs heavy as age marches on, just a little example of little consequence, on Saturday my mate sat next peg along, unusual, but in the sun it was a pleasant social, he was getting touches on the float that fizzled out, I said try twitching the float six inches, knowing that the fish are sitting there looking at it not bothered, as soon as you twitch it they are on it again ( basically making your own tow), skimmer after skimmer after that, when fishing a stillwater with certain baits and species I have starting shottings based on depths and wind, how many anglers on FM use floats over ten inches long, I have a reversed peacock float 15-18 inches long, specifically for big waters with big wind and tow issues, getting the thickest part of the float below the surface draw, there are lots of small things that added together that get the best presentation, however, fishing doesn't get done in a binary fashion, so on every minute of every day things alter, that is why top match anglers beat their competition, being prepared to change and having the reasons in their heads to do it, good carp anglers do similar, normally over a longer period, because they normally have time on their side...

 

[hague01]

A masterclass is a little strong, but having stuff stashed away in my mind weighs heavy as age marches on, just a little example of little consequence, on Saturday my mate sat next peg along, unusual, but in the sun it was a pleasant social, he was getting touches on the float that fizzled out, I said try twitching the float six inches, knowing that the fish are sitting there looking at it not bothered, as soon as you twitch it they are on it again ( basically making your own tow), skimmer after skimmer after that, when fishing a stillwater with certain baits and species I have starting shottings based on depths and wind, how many anglers on FM use floats over ten inches long, I have a reversed peacock float 15-18 inches long, specifically for big waters with big wind and tow issues, getting the thickest part of the float below the surface draw, there are lots of small things that added together that get the best presentation, however, fishing doesn't get done in a binary fashion, so on every minute of every day things alter, that is why top match anglers beat their competition, being prepared to change and having the reasons in their heads to do it, good carp anglers do similar, normally over a longer period, because they normally have time on their side...

I think that is very true. I do not. watch u tube videos simply as they invariably are advertorials. If someone is selling me their product, fine, but the accumulation of knowledge is they key.

 

[Alan Whitty]

Watch the 2 guru underwater videos on Ferry Meadows after bream, ignore the products being pushed, but its a hellava watch imo, and makes my point how fish are doing you over a lot of the time, after all bream are supposed to be dopey....also if you could put the good information through on a video it would be the perfect platform, also the person doing the video can ignore all the contradictory stuff from people who don't understand the methods being used.
I think I posted this once before, I was fishing a small, deep, rectangular lake that because of its shape and openness towed pretty hard, so I was fishing my way which entails dragging various amounts of shot along the bottom to slow the movement, now obviously dragging shot involves fishing overdepth(by various amounts depending on amounts of tow), so my float, a thin tipped reverse peacock around 4-5mm diameter at the tip was sticking our around 15mm, maybe a little more, now I was the only person to have caught a fish(around 8 anglers fishing), this guy rocked up behind me, saw me catch a bream about 2lbs and recast before telling me that I'd catch more fish if I dotted my float right down, now, I often would just day really and ignore him, but I thought I'd enlighten him, so I said 'no, I'm fishing around 2ft overdepth and if I dotted my float down it would drag under all the time', the guy wouldn't have it and left me still picking up odd carp and bream, the worst of it is if you saw me fishing for these crucians I've been catching most anglers wouldn't be able to see my float it's dotted that low, your float should be spotted to do the job your doing with it and there are so many different jobs you need to know each.... hey-ho, trouble is as I've got older I would probably tell people like that to go bother someone else but in a more rural fashion....

 

[wetthrough]

Tried the feeder a couple of times, just don't care for it much. There's something therapeutic about watching a float. I doubt it will die out completely but seeing an angler on float and running line is becoming a rarity. Plenty on the pole of course which is mostly float. It isn't always the most successful method and can be hard work in the wrong conditions but I catch enough for me so I'll stick with it.