PRACTICAL GUIDE
Float Fishing Setup UK: Mainline, Hooklength & Hook Guide
Compare practical float-fishing starting points across common coarse species.
Float-fishing starting points
| Species | Method | Mainline | Hooklength | Hook | Presentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tench | Waggler / float | 5–6 lb mono | 4–5 lb mono | Size 12–16 | Waggler / lift-style float |
| Bream / skimmers | Waggler / float | Around 4 lb mono | Around 0.12 mm | Around size 14 for corn; finer for maggot/caster | Loaded waggler fished close to or just over depth |
| Common / mirror carp | Pellet waggler | About 5 lb for light work; step up for larger fish/cover | Strong commercial hooklength to suit fish size | Size 12–16 wide-gape / pellet pattern | Pellet waggler with banded pellet |
| Barbel | River float / stick float | Around 6 lb mono as a starting point | Around 0.18 mm | Strong size 12–14 | Heavy waggler / controlled river float |
| Chub | River float / stick float | Around 5–6 lb mono | Around 0.18 mm | Size 12–14 for pellets/maggots; larger for bread/meat | Waggler / stick float |
| Roach / mixed silvers | Waggler / float | Around 3–4 lb mono | Around 3 lb / 0.11 mm | Size 18 for maggot/caster as a starting point | Light waggler / float |
| Perch | Waggler / float | Around 5 lb mono | Around 4 lb mono | Size 10 for lobworm/prawn; smaller for small worm pieces | Bodied waggler / float fished slightly overdepth |
| Dace | River float / stick float | Around 2–3 lb floating mono | Fine hooklength, often around 2 lb | Size 18–20; up to 16 for larger bait/fish | Light stick float / trotting rig |
| Rudd | Waggler / float | Light float line; around 3–4 lb as a practical starting point | Fine hooklength to suit bait and fish size | Size 12–20 depending on bait; smaller for maggot/caster | Shallow waggler / flat-float surface presentation |
| Crucian carp | Waggler / float | Light balanced float tackle; roughly 3–5 lb depending on venue | Fine hooklength, lighter than mainline | Size 16–18 wide-gape | Sensitive float with anchor shot close to hook |
Use presentation first
Float fishing ranges from very light roach and dace work to strong river chub/barbel tactics and pellet-waggler carp fishing. The target species matters, but flow, bait size and cover often matter just as much.
Sources
- Angling Times — A beginners guide to tench fishing
- Angling Times — Catch more skimmers and bream on the waggler
- Angling Times — Improve your pellet waggler fishing
- Angling Times — How to fish a waggler to an island for carp
- Angling Times — The best hook patterns for commercials
- Angling Times — How to float fish fast rivers for chub and barbel
- Angling Times — How to fish a waggler for chub
- Angling Times — How to fish the waggler on commercials
- Angling Active — Perch Float Rig
- Angling Times — How to tie a stickfloat rig
- Canal & River Trust — Dace | Fish species
- Fisheries.co.uk — Species spotlight - fishing for Rudd
- Angling Times — 10 Expert Tips for Catching Big Stillwater Rudd
- Fisheries.co.uk — It’s time to catch a Crucian
Guide reviewed 2026-09-22.