How do I choose the right pole float type?

I get confused by the many patterns and what they are used for

THE issue of pole float shapes is a bit of a minefield to me! Can you offer some advice on which types of float work in every given situation?

Peter Rowe, Scunthorpe

A MINEFIELD it most certainly is, as floats can range from a tiny dibber taking just a single small shot to a massive round lollipop float for rivers with a 50g-plus weight capacity. The starting point in your quest should be to work out the type of fishing you do – on rivers, commercial carp fisheries or canals.

This will narrow down the float styles and sizes needed, but within each category there are still a lot of options.

Picking the right float for the job boils down to five things: weight, body shape, body, stem and tip materials, and if you were to pick six floats at random you’d find a mix of all these considerations.

But what difference does a plastic bristle make from cane, and why is a wire stem better than carbon? Choose from three materials – wire, carbon and glass fibre. Wire is very stable and makes the float cock quickly, ready to show a bite. However, it adds weight to the overall float, and is normally found on floats for rivers or deep water.

Carbon is lighter and weaker but makes the float cock slowly, and that’s perfect when you want to fish shallow water or with baits presented on the drop.

Glass fibre is much newer and very strong, so many homemade floats destined for commercial fisheries have this as their stem.