The basic rule when choosing a float is to use the smallest size possible. In heavy wind or waves, a larger more-buoyant float is needed. As wind subsides, use smaller floats fish can’t easily see or feel. In the shallows (two to four feet), use stationary floats or slip floats. Slip floats, however, are easier to cast and the desired depth can be adjusted simply by sliding the bobber stop on the line.

Night fishing is one of the most popular and productive times to use float tactics. Several lighted float designs for night fishing are available. Most common are those with lithium battery inserts that cause a diode to glow red at the tip of the float. Some have tiny replaceable cyalume light sticks that glow for several hours.

A 61⁄2- to 71⁄2-foot medium-power medium-fast-action spinning rod combined with a spinning reel spooled with 6- to 8-pound mono will suffice for most situations. Thin-diameter mono, such as Berkley SensiThin, easily slides through a slipfloat. Kahle or wide-bend hooks have unique bends that are great for float fishing. Aberdeen or Octopus-style hooks also work well under floats.

Minnows work when the water temperature is below 50°F. Depending on minnow size, hook sizes should range anywhere from a #6 to a 1/0. Match hook gap to the bulk of the bait so plenty of hook gap is available to penetrate a walleye’s mouth on the hookset. Hook minnows lightly through the back near the dorsal fin, but avoid penetrating the spine.

Leeches and crawlers are preferred when water temperature reaches 50°F. Crawlers wiggle and squirm for a while, but more likely dangle from the hook after a time. A lively leech continuously swims, attracting walleyes that may move into the area.

For leeches, use #6 or #8 lightwire Aberdeen or Octopus-style hooks. Rigged through the sucker, the leech attempts to swim away from the hook. Leeches hooked through the middle create a swimming profile from below. Hook nightcrawlers through the collar or at midpoint on #6 or #4 hooks, letting both ends of the crawler dangle and wiggle. Depending on depth, suspend livebait between eight inches and three inches from the bottom. At night, active livebait silhouetted above a walleye makes a tempting target.

Anchoring is probably the best boat control method for float fishing because you’re often targeting a specific spot walleyes seem to be keying on. Simply anchor close enough to make an easy cast, sit back, and wait for the submerging sign. During light winds, however, drifting over the tops of weedbeds with floats is productive. Simply let out enough line to get your floats away from the boat as you drift. Toss out a drift sock or two to slow your drift speed.

A Few New Things For The Shallows

Lures—Lindy Little Joe’s new Timb’r Rock No-Snagg jig features several strands of wire that allow for working livebait and plastics through snaggy cover. The forward line-tie and weight-centered balance further enhances its snag-free ability.

Bait Rigs new snag-resistant Grub Master jig fits inside most soft plastic bodies—like twistertails or tubes. The jig color and painted eye actually show through most semi-colored soft plastic bodies. So inserting a pink Grub Master jig, for example, into a clear smoke plastic pattern grub resembles the color pattern of a rainbow minnow.