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Float-N-Fly Techniques Article by: Mr. Jig I differentiate between float n fly, and fishing a jig under a float. My early spring panfishing for crappie and gills is a shallow water pattern with the jig generaly 8 to 30 inches beneath the float. Average drop from float, probably less than 18 in. sometimes as little as 8 inches. Most commonly, i would use a 1/32 or 1/16 oz ball head with a 1.5 to 2 inch tube dressing. This is about the only time i don't use an insert head with a tube. My starter combo in most relatively clear water is chart head, black body with chartruse sparkle tails. In very clear water under bright sun, particularly if calm, i would fish a 1/32 craft hair jig, in blue back, white bottom and a couple of strands of mylar or other sparkly stuff. This panfish rig is a fixed float close range application.It is practical on a light 6.5 or 7 ft rod with 6.9 tectan or the 4 lb of your choice.I fish a 2 inch foam float for this rig. They thread on the line like a slip float and are pegged at one or both ends.I try in flat water to get a 45 degree angle on the float. Often this can be done by inserting only the bottom peg. If more weight is necessary to tilt the float up from flat, add a tiny shot .I prefer to add it just beneath the peg. The cocked float is easier to read (more sensitive) than a vertical float, and some days all you get is a tiny change in attitude. Now to float n fly. Basicaly this is the same deal applied to
gamefish with a deeper presentation, requiring a longer rod for several reasons.
#1 you are throwing almost no weight so a long rod helps #2 It is again a
fixed float, and with a tiny jig 8+ ft under a float, it's a pain even with
an 8.5 ft rod. #3 you need the long soft rod to cushion the light line and
tiny hook. #4 How would you handle a good fish at boatside when the float
hit your tip, if the fish was still out of reach because of a short rod?!!!
An 8.5 rod seems enough to me. I'm using a st croix premier pst86l2 For which
i have another purpose,but it serves well for fnf. As a winter project one
could strip a garage sale 8-9 ft flyrod , mount a longish spin handle and
replace the stripper guide with a gathering guide. Put on a light spinning
tip top. This is not a game of many casts. None of the qualities for which
we value fine rods are of much importance. Float wise i oftem go up one size
to a 2.5 in weighted foam with the dayton clips on each end.These clips are
hard on light line but if you are casting upwind the weighted float is helpful.
If wind is not a problem try a 3 inch unweighted foam float like the panfish
float but bigger. These are often slit on the long axis which is a blessing.
They are pegged in place, and if conditions are calm ,again load for the 45
degree attitude.I consider it vital to get the float well away from the boat,as
smallies in cold clear winter water (spring and fall as well) are spooky as
hell. My bait of choice is a 1/16 oz craft hair jig. I have not found another
material as consistently productive, though combos of hair and maribou are
fair. No plastic needs apply. When the may fly hatch comes off, the Herb Reed
tiny helgy on this same rig is an exception to the no plastics rule. My best
success for smallies with fnf is at ice out on flats adjacent to wintering
holes. Deltas of trib streams can also be hot particularly where the sandy
delta material abuts dark organic material. [Home] [Discussion Board] [Informative Articles] [Lake Reports] [Chat Now!] [Weight Calculator] [Fishin' Log] |