Balsa floats vary in length and width but there are only 2 patterns in general use.
The cigar shaped standard shown on the left and The pacemaker shown on the right
The balsa float is made up of a shaped piece of balsa which is tapered down and attached to a piece of cane in order to give the whole thing a bit of strength.
Pops Tip :- Use balsa floats when the water is too deep or turbulent to use a stick float.
Attaching Balsa Floats
Use double rubber method, normal rubber ring over the top of the float and thin silicon tube for the bottom ignore bottom rings.
If the bottom end has a stubby taper carefully reshape it to take a silicon float connector.
Casting is best achieved using an under arm action, the normal casting method tends to spin the tackle and can result in tangles
Pops Tip :- As with stick floats the bottom rubber should protrude 3/16 of an inch past the end of the float, it reduces the risk of line tangle.
Another option is to use a silicone float adapter instead of the bottom ring or rubber.
Put the first bulk shot straight underneath either of these. This is important when using balsa floats for they have a tendency to move on the strike, plus this use of a larger shot helps to
stabilise the float.
Shotting Balsa Floats
Pacemaker
More versatile than the other two can be held back.
Pacemaker floats require a reduction in weight of shot in order of descent.
ie. The nearer the hook the lighter the shot
Standard balsa
Simple Shotting for straight runs.
Requires bulk shot plus a smaller tell tale.
Large Balsa
Requires heavier bulk shot to get the bait well down.
Note standard and heavy balsa floats are not suitable for holding back
Wind Direction
Can be used if wind is either upstream or from behind, not a float to be used in downstream wind.
Pops Tip :- When fishing at long range replace the shot under the float with a smaller one and add it to the first lot of bulk shot, this will help you cast further.
