GET INTO BOAT FISHING
Top tips for float-fishing with livebaits.
NOTHING beats the thrill of seeing you float disappear while drifting over a reef, knowing that as soon as you wind down into it there will probably be a big bass banging its head on the other end.
It was my old mate Rob Thompson, a well-known skipper out of Lymington, Hants, who first showed me this method for catching bass, and I’ve used it ever since.
Even when bait fishing for other species at anchor, it can sometimes pay dividends to let out a float-fished livebait off the stern.
I’ve caught many a bass mid-water by using this tactic while fishing for rays.
Float-fishing with a live mackerel, sandeel or pouting is an extremely popular method for catching bass and other species such as pollack, wrasse and even tope.
TALKING TACKLE
There are no hard and fast rules about the tackle you can use for this method. Some anglers prefer 20lb-class downtiders, while other people fish with uptide rods. I like to use my DB1 10/20lb-class rod.
In the past I have used medium spinning rods and fixed-spool reels, but trial and error has taught me to step up the gear when float-fishing. Generally, it’s done over rough ground and reefs, and you need the stopping power to prevent the bass from smashing you up.
The added hindrance of a float makes using lighter gear more troublesome. Of course, there is the very real possibility of latching into a mid-double-figure bass, and you really don’t want to be on the back foot tacklewise if that happens.
A good, heavy-duty spinning rod coupled with a large, powerful fixed-spool reel is a good option if you have that kind of set-up. I use braided mainline, something like 25-30lb, with no leader. Avoid a mono leader when float-fishing because the knot restricts how deep you can fish due to the bead and float set-up.