Fishing method
Float Fishing
Float fishing is one of the gentlest, most rewarding ways to start sea angling, and it's a firm Down The Cove favourite. You simply suspend a bait beneath a buoyant float, watch for that magical dip, and let the tide do the rest. With a light rod and a handful of tackle you can tempt mullet, wrasse, bream and garfish from piers, harbour walls and rocky marks. It's relaxed, visual fishing the whole family can enjoy.
The essentials
A float suspends your bait at a chosen depth and doubles as a bite indicator, so you present the bait naturally and see every touch.
Best for
Beginners and relaxed sessions from harbour walls, piers and rocks, targeting mackerel, pollack, garfish and wrasse.
How it fishes
Calm, visual and watchful: you set the depth, watch the float and strike when it dips or slides away.
Tackle
A light or multi-purpose rod, a fixed-spool reel, a float to suit the conditions, a little shot or weight and a hook to match the bait.
Safety
Choose sheltered marks in gentle weather, keep back from slippery edges, and watch the swell on harbour walls and rocks.
Confidence tip · Float fishing rewards patience over power — watching that float finally slide under is one of fishing's simplest joys.
Stay safe
Choose sheltered marks in gentle weather, keep back from slippery edges, and watch the swell on harbour walls and rocks.
Beginners Guide to Buying Sea Fishing Gear...
A great fishing method for harbour walls, piers and rocky headlands
Sample Species to target using Float Fishing
Float fishing is both relaxing and exciting! As with bottom fishing, a weight is attached to the line and then bait is put on to the hook. The difference is that a float is placed inline to hold the hook where ever you would like it to be in the water rather than letting it drop to the bottom. The benefit of this is that you can target species that swim in mid waters.
Please click on the fish species for help on locating where you will find them.
Once you have cast out, it's a waiting game until you see the float disappear and then the excitement begins!
Float Fishing Rigs
We have illustrated a basic rig known as a sliding float rig. By moving the stop knot, you can adjust the depth of the hook in order to target different species. More information on this rig and lots more can be found in the pocket guide'Go Sea Angling' by Mario Massimino
Float Fishing Tackle Pack
We have created this starter pack which provides all the tackle you need to have a go at float fishing.
Hooks Floats Beads Swivels Weights Universal Line
Which Bait?
Click on the fish species above for more information on our recommended bait for your target species.
Peeler Crabs
Also called soft crabs, peeler crabs are the crabs that have just lost their shells and they make excellent bait for all types of fish. These crabs will hide while they are waiting for their shells to harden so the best place to find them is under rocks at the low water mark in estuaries such as Falmouth, Helford or the Camel.
Frozen Sand Eel
Frozen rather than fresh sand eel is better as the scent trail improves with frozen eel. This is readily available in tackle shops.
Drop Nets
If you are fishing from a harbour or pier try using a drop net to catch some bait. This provides excellent results as the small crab, prawns etc that you catch in the net will be the same food that is attracting the fish to the wall in the first place.
To use a drop net, simply put some bait in the net (this can be, for example, scraps of mackerel). Then lower the net into the water until it is just above the bottom and then wait for 10-15 minutes before bringing it back to the surface.
Worms
The most common worms around Cornwall are lugworms although you can also get other varieties including ragworms. You can dig for worms at any time of the year. At low tide look on the sand for signs of worms as shown below and then dig between the squiggles and the hole and you will find the worm.
Please do take note of any signs before you dig for bait as not all places allow digging.
