{"id":8049,"date":"2024-01-31T20:42:59","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T01:42:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/troutandsteelhead.net\/?p=8049"},"modified":"2024-01-31T20:43:02","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T01:43:02","slug":"float-fishing-ohio-guide-tips-for-10x-more-fish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/troutandsteelhead.net\/float-fishing-ohio-guide-tips-for-10x-more-fish\/","title":{"rendered":"Float Fishing Ohio: Guide Tips For 10X More Fish"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Float
Float fishing Ohio rivers like the Grand River can be a great way to catch steelhead like this.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ohio has many great steelhead and trout rivers, and the reason float fishing works so well is the ability to keep your bait suspended in the strike zone for extended periods. This dramatically improves the amount of fish you can catch.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have guided for 22 years using the float fishing method for trout, steelhead, and salmon. There are some things I’ve learned over this time on the water that have greatly improved my client’s ability to catch more fish, and I share this info with you here.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is float fishing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Guide
Guide Graham with a nice steelhead, see the float rod and reel behind him.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Float fishing generally refers to a fishing method where you suspend your bait below a specialized float or bobber designed for river fishing and allows the bait attached to drift naturally down the river following the current.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Float fishing is a widely used and effective steelhead and trout fishing method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As simple as it seems, there are certain complexities associated with this form of steelhead fishing, and I have discovered that the recipe for success comes down to 4 things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Speed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Depth<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Setup<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Bait selection<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I will tell you this from experience. If you get one of these things wrong, you will struggle to catch fish; if you get 2 of these wrong, you are almost guaranteed not to catch fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And I will be honest with you: all these things are equally important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, at the core of float fishing, four things are common to the setup of the float fishing method. Some are critical, and some not so much:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What You Need For Float Fishing Streams In Ohio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Rod<\/strong> – A longer rod is preferred. 10 to 14 feet is best, even in smaller streams.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Reel<\/strong> – There are three types of reels suitable for float fishing, a spinning reel, a baitcasting reel, and the best is a Centerpin reel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Fishing line<\/strong> – Generally, a good monofilament line or braided line is best.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Hooks<\/strong> – Guides are very picky when it comes to the hook they use. Some hooks are far better than others.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. A River Float<\/strong> – Some floats are much better than others when it comes to river fishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. A Leader<\/strong> – You won’t get many bites if your leader is too thick. On the other hand, if your leader is too thin, you will break off too many fish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Bait<\/strong> – There are four baits you should be using for maximum success.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      I will discuss these in greater detail below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What Ohio River Can You Float Fish?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"An
      Most rivers are suitable for float fishing if they are deeper than 3 feet deep with some current.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      All Ohio rivers are suitable for float fishing. You need to adjust your setup based on the type of water, which primarily means the current’s depth and velocity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Float fishing is an excellent method on all types of waters, from fast rivers like the Conneaut River to slow and deep sections like you see on the lower Vermilion River<\/a> to shallow rivers like the Ashtabula River<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If the water is deeper than 3 feet deep and shallower than 13 feet, it is good for float fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Under 3 feet deep, especially if it is very clear, the float can spook the fish, and therefore, in this type of water, or in tiny pockets less than a few feet around, I will switch to bottom bouncing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In water longer than my rod is long, in other words, over 10 feet, I will switch to a slip float, which, if set up properly, will enable me to fish spots even over 20 feet deep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Float fishing is one technique that even an entry-level angler can easily figure out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Reels For Float Fishing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      One of the most important things you will need is the right kind of float reel. Some reels are better than others for the float fishing method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Generally, the commonly used types of float reels for fishing under a float are centerpin reels and spinning reels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Centerpin Reels Are Best For Float Fishing In Ohio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      A Centerpin reel is a large round spool that sits on a center pin or post, giving it its name, the Centerpin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Centerpin reels are characterized by their extremely high-quality bearings that allow for free spool spin as the current pulls the float down the river. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Using a centerpin reel makes for very long, precise drifts without mending or feeding the line out. This greatly improves your ability to keep your bait in the strike zone for long and improves your success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Based on about 30 years of experience using Centerpin reels and comparing them to spinning reels and even baitcasting reels, I can honestly say that the Centerpin reel is the best reel for float fishing in any type of river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Spinning Reels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Spinning reels are, in my opinion, the second-best reel for float fishing, but they are the most popular reel. I only use a spinning reel if my clients insist or if I need a multipurpose reel for other methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Even though the line does not come smoothly off the reel compared to a Centerpin reel, with practice, the spinning reel still maintains a good presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The best spinning reels for Ohio float fishing should hold a large amount of line, provide good smooth drag, and a large smooth spool where the line is able to come off freely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The spinning reel you use should also match the size of the river and the size of the fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I recommend a spinning reel of size 30 for most river and fishing conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Float Rods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The importance of float rods in Steelhead fishing cannot be overemphasized. The rod is what you use to get a good presentation and to fight big fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      To increase your chances of success on the river, ensure that your float rod is the right length, weight, and stiffness for where you intend to fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Whether for centerpin or spinning reel, long rods between 10 to 14 feet are best, and my go-to size is 13 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The size of the river you\u2019ll be fishing will determine the length of your rod; the larger the river, the longer the rod. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Basic Float Fishing Rig<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Below is a quick visual on the basic float fishing setup or gear required outside the rod or reel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Hooks<\/h2>\n\n\n