Common rigs · Slider float

Sliding float rig

Holds the bait at a set depth under a float that slides down the line for casting, then stops at a knot.

DEPTH SET BY STOP KNOTMainline 12–15lbStop knot + beadslide the knot to set depthSliding float 10–20gline runs through itBead under the floatDrilled ball weightmatched to cock the floatBead + size 10 swivelTrace 8–12lb60–90cm fluorocarbonHook size 4–1/0sized to the bait
Targets
Mackerel, garfish, pollack, wrasse, bass, mullet
Where
Rocks, piers and harbour walls, summer

What you need

Mainline
12–15lb mono
Stop
Stop knot (mono or power gum) + small bead
Float
Sliding float, 10–20g
Weight
Drilled ball or bullet, matched to the float
Beads
3 × small
Swivel
Size 10
Trace
8–12lb fluoro, 60–90cm
Hook
Size 4–1/0

Build it

  1. Tie a stop knot on the mainline. You'll slide it to set depth later.
  2. Thread on a small bead, then the float.
  3. Add a bead, the drilled weight and a third bead.
  4. Tie the swivel, then the trace and hook.
  5. Slide the stop knot up or down the line to set depth. Start around 2m for mackerel and garfish, or just off the bottom for wrasse and pollack.
On the beach

Trim the stop knot's tag ends to about 1cm. Too short and it slips; too long and it catches in the rod rings on the cast.

Knots for this rig are in Knots. Line strengths, hook sizes and weights are starting points: scale them to your tackle, the ground and the tide. Diagrams are schematic and not to scale.