Just curious what kind of floats our members are using? Do you prefer a weighted float? Balsa Float? What Color? What Size?


I tend to prefer a lite weight balsa float.

On the tucannon I like to use the West Coast floats because they are rated to the jig size that you are using. I like to use alot of 1/8 oz jigs so then I can by floats rated for them. I think they make floats to at least 3/4 oz jigs or maybe even bigger. I just dont use jigs that big, but then again I am usually on small water. West Coast floats are a foam float in black with green and orange stripes on top.

Different floats for different situations. For rivers like the Tucannon I prefer something fixed like the Thill Turbomaster, for Snake/Columbia bobber fishing a weighted slip pole float or a West Coast float, for trolling shrimp on big water any large diameter balsa or dink float with a fluor orange top rigged fixed, for trolling shrimp in calm water behind a planer a fixed waggler can be really good....

Can someone post a picture of the west coast bobber they have used?

www.fishermans-corner....temID=IT27

I'm still new to the game, but I've been happy with the drift I get with the 4 or 5 inch thrill big fish slider balsa floats. They're not cheap and do break, so I'm still testing out other floats. My more float experienced buddy loves his small foam dink floats.

Whatever catches fish.

I like to use my homemade floats. They look much like West Coast floats but are more high vis for my blindness and I can make them to have the exact boyancy that I'm looking for.

BeeLee

Post a picture of one BeeLee? Would be interested in learning something new.

Sorry, I forgot about this thread.

Here is a pic of my homemade floats. I found by using just a white base coat of paint, it has cut down on cost and time. The florescent colors require a white base to make them stand out. To make the floats like West Coast Floats, I would need White, Chartreuse, Flame orange, and Black.

By keeping the floats White, they stand out on the water a lot better to me than the black floats. Also, if you were a fish looking up at the surface, what do you think would have more contrast, a Black float or White? Since the surface from a fish’s point view would appear to be more White from the light, I think the White float would be stealthier than the black, especially during Gin clear water conditions of Summer time.

Let me know what you think

Thanks
BeeLee

They look really great BeeLee. I agree that white or better yet light gray should be the most inconspicuous color to use. What kind of paint are you using?

Pasco_steelhdr wrote:

What kind of paint are you using?

For the base coat I used White Plasti-Dip and then just a regular Vinyl jig head paint for the fluorescent stripes.

To make the Plasti-Dip work right I had to thin it way down with regular paint thinner, otherwise the Plasti-Dip is too thick & globby.

You have to use the Plasti-Dip as a base coat or the Vinyl jig paint will not stick to the foam backer rod.


BeeLee

I wondered if Plasti-Dip would stick to the backer rod. Thinning it is a good idea. Guess its time to go buy some backer rod

Thanks!

Thanks all for the info on the floats....I never made it out last year even after all the hoppla.....looking foward to summer Steelhead on the uper stilli....I hear it is a very good run... Looks like i'll be making some floats ...Thank you BeeLee

I have always used a west coast style bobber and they seem to work the best for me, fish on boys

For those who don’t have the time to manufacture their own floats, I offer a good selection of West Coast Floats in Steelhead sizes (1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 ounce). You can visit my web site by clicking here www.beeleejigs.com also available, a growing selection of Steelhead jigs, in-line weights, and tying materials.

Thanks
BeeLee