Floats are at their best when standard presentations like crankbaits and hair jigs fail. When you know fish are in the area but can't trigger them, drift a bait downstream beneath a float. It's the most natural and subtle way to tease smallmouths into taking, and it's also efficient. With a long rod and a few floats, a bait can be drifted 50, 100, even 150 feet, combing the water for fish. Smallies that won't move 2 feet to take a lure can't resist a bait suspended in front of their noses.

Tackle

 

Rod: 7- to 10-foot fast-action medium-power spinning rod.

Reel: medium capacity spinning reel.

Line: 6- to 8-pound-test mono.

 

Rigging

For fixed floats, slide two silicone sleeves on the line-one for the top of the stem and one for the bottom. Insert the float into the sleeves. Tie a swivel to the line 6 to 12 inches below the float, then tie on a leader testing 2 pounds lighter than the main line. For slip floats, place a neoprene float stop or stop knot and bead on the line followed by the float. Add enough shot to submerge two-thirds of the body of the float. Tie on a hook or plain jighead for livebait, or a small jig for active jigging.