Using Rod and Line - Float Fishing

The method most anglers start with is float fishing using rod and line.

A good starters kit would be a carbon fibre rod with a nice medium action - something that is strong enough to land the odd carp and tench but soft enough to land the usual fare - small roach and perch etc.

A good fixed spool reel with spare spools is ideal. You can then kit yourself up with the right strength of line for the quarry you are after.

Float designs are many and varied, but the main float used is called a waggler. A trip into your local tackle shop and a chat with the people there will be invaluable. They will talk you through the different type of floats and the jobs they are designed to do.

With float fishing you may be busy from the outset but be prepared for a wait. As in all methods of fishing there is no such thing as a sure deal. Arms can get tired if you are sitting there for hours on end holding a rod, so a rod rest for those periods of inactivity is a must - as is something comfortable to sit on.

The rest of the kit is a tackle box to hold all your bits and pieces (weight dispenser, disgorger, scissors etc) an umbrella for those summer showers and a thermos flask (optional - grinning)