Float Fishing
- John Wielinga
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Float fishing or also commonly referred to as bobber fishing, usually refers to a method used to target salmon, steelhead and trout, in the river and under a float or bobber. While it can be a delicate act and take some time to dial in, it is in my opinion, the most effective way to target salmon and steelhead in the river. It is most commonly seen around the Great Lakes Midwest, The western coast and Canada, all areas where targeting salmon and steelhead in the river is accessible. While this style of fishing can be technical and difficult to do properly, it does not require anything special or overly expensive to get started. This article will give you an overview of everything you need to get started float fishing, as well provide some additional links to other articles to dive deeper into specific areas.
Put quite simply, all you need to start float fishing is a float rod, a reel, line, floats, weights, hooks and some beads or eggs. This really is a simple rig, however when you start searching for these products you are going to be overwhelmed with options and variations. Each part of this rig will be broken down for you to simplify the process and have you educated on what to look for.
Starting with rods, we don’t have to break the bank and there is an overwhelming amount of options to pick from. That being said, there is also no perfect answer as it greatly depends on where you are fishing and what river you are on. Over time you will also develop some preferences on what you like to fish. But in the meantime this article Float Fishing Rods: Selecting the Best One will tell you everything you need to know to select the best rod for you. If you’re looking for a specific manufacturer, Stryker rods are truly some of the best rods on the market and won’t break the bank. Also, please note all the specific information in the above article is based on Great Lakes fisheries.
Reels are pretty simple, any 3000-3500 series spinning reel should have plenty of drag and plenty of line capacity for any float fishing scenario. My personal favorite reels are Daiwa Bg 3000s. Many last me 3-4 years of full time guiding before needing to be replaced, plenty of line capacity, smooth drag and plenty of it.
Next we will cover the rig you will need to start float fishing. There are options and variations here as well and certain will work better on certain rivers but this article will give you everything you need to know, no matter where you are fishing. The article Steelhead Float Fishing Rigs covers everything you need and everything you need to know for salmon and steelhead float fishing. My personal favorite rig is the bulk weight set-up for its ease of use and effectiveness.
Lastly we will look at the proper floats to use and again, there will be an article provided to go far in depth for selecting the best one for you. Steelhead Floats- Selecting the Best One applies to both salmon and steelhead fishing. The line up of Aero floats from Hawken Fishing are my go-to no matter the conditions or where I am fishing, these are the most durable and effective floats on the market.
You’re now ready to get all your tackle and equipment together and go fishing! Enjoy the process and never stop asking questions, even if you are only asking yourself because there is always more to learn!
Feel free to contact me with questions or to book a float fishing trip!
John Wielinga
Owner/Head Guide
269-277-9293
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