Float fishing with lures

[Bassy Tom]

Hi lads,

I have seen some information on the web about float fishing soft plastics in current. I was just curious if anyone here has any first hand experience with this technique? It is definitely something i will be giving a go this season and see how it goes.

Cheers.

Tom

[Morgan44]

Hi tom , i have used this technique a lot in the past , over rough ground . Bubble float works best . If you are fishing over about 4 ft of water have about three and a half foot from lure to bubble float with no weight . Used jelly worms and rubber eels to good effect . Always found it better with a bit of a swell on , just puts a more natural movement in the lure . Hope this helps

[Bassy Tom]

Thanks for that Morgan, what was your target species? Did you find this effective and did you ever try it in strong current like an estausry mouth?

[JimC]

Using a Jiff Lemon bottle or bubble float was/is a popular tactic. Back in the day we used tie a redgill off the back. My father used use a bubble with a home tied "Goats hair" tied behind. It used work well for bass.
I notice that many are using similar techniques using Bombarda floats.

A quick search brought this: http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/bubble/#rigging

I think it got superseded for me by the current crop of soft lures and the fact that 98% of my fishing is done from the boat.

[Bassy Tom]

Very interesting link, thanks for that JimC. I will have to experiment when the Bass ban is lifted and i will let ya know how i get on.

[Morgan44]

Hi tom , haven't used it in an estuary , have used it off the beach in the surf for bass and coal fish not great amount of success , mainly off the rocks for bass and pollock just vary the depth for what your looking for , can't see why it wouldn't work for wrasse but haven't tried it . I fish the bubble on a running type system with only the line going through one hole on the float and a meter of line between two swivels and beads , gives the fish time to take it and turn before the hook sets . Bit like a running lead with a stopper . Sure there are many ways of doing it this is just what works for me . I always find anything new is worth a go , might not work but anything new is never a waste of time . I have spoken to a guy who uses a bubble float and rigs it like he is drop shotting , that sounds very interesting and worth having a play around with .

[Deise boy]

Great advice there [emoji106]


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[Ronnach]

Hi Tom, I have used this technique with success in an estuary mouth whilst on a guided session (I haven't actually tried it again since then). The other guy I was fishing with also had success at the same mark with the technique. When the current is really flowing it just gives the soft plastic a natural swimming look as it motors along with the bubble float. It does require a lot of recasting up-current though due to the strong current bringing it along each time.

The guide who I was out with introduced me to the technique, and he had huge success with it.

Whilst it does seem to work well, personally for me it's not a hugely exciting method of fishing and I much prefer working a hard / soft plastic back on the retrieve, but you can't argue with the fact that it works, and maybe in some cases would out-fish other techniques..?

[corbyeire]

not far off the sandeel and the bubble float applied a lot out west for bass and trout

[Bassy Tom]

Thanks for the replies lads i will let ye know how i get on over the summer.

[Bass Dad]

http://bassfishinginireland.blogspot.ie ... stics.html

Here's an old piece I did on it , was meant to follow it up with a second article /video but a career change and the RNLI meant my free time evaporated.......still on the to-do list though.
I have out-fished one dimensional lure anglers enough times to have confidence in the technique. As said previously here , the bombarda's have been utilised to good effect for a long time now aswell.

Patience and faith.

[Bassy Tom]

http://bassfishinginireland.blogspot.ie/2011/09/float-fishing-soft-plastics.html

Here's an old piece I did on it , was meant to follow it up with a second article /video but a career change and the RNLI meant my free time evaporated.......still on the to-do list though.
I have out-fished one dimensional lure anglers enough times to have confidence in the technique. As said previously here , the bombarda's have been utilised to good effect for a long time now aswell.

Patience and faith.

Great piece Bass Dad, thanks for the link. I am excited to try it out now as soon as the ban is lifted. Any particular strength or stage of tide that you think might be more productive?

[Bass Dad]

I have caught fish on various stages of tidal flow and ebb . Movement of the float is what you are aiming for so either a run in the tide and or a chop and breeze to get the rig moving .
Each venue will have its own unique quirks ,.....as an example .... if a south facing beach has a tidal flow right to left on the flood and a westerly breeze is blowing across it then the float and lure will travel at a faster speed than it would in an easterly breeze , especially in hours 2-4 of the flow. This will mean more ground is covered in a given time and hopefully more chance of finding feeding bass.

The amount of lures available these days would enable an angler to target many different species using the same method , though I haven't tried this yet I would imagine harbour- rag type lures could be interesting to try out.

Estuaries are probably an easier place to start experimenting as there is a strong current to work with. Unfortunately they receive a huge amount of angling pressure these days so may not be the most productive , as ever the fish have to be there to catch them.