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Floater hook length tried and tested (5 posts / 1,340 views)
Westmidsmoaner Westmidsmoaner
Posts: 230
Post #1 4 May 2026 07:51
1
Morning all what are you tried and tested floater fishing hooklength choices

I'm looking at diameter , strength and buoyancy ...

Do any of you use fly fishing tippets etc ..

essesxandy essesxandy
Posts: 3,197
Post #2 4 May 2026 09:49
1
In reply to Post #1
By far and away the best floater hooklink I've ever used is Kryston Multistrand. Unfortunately it's near impossible to find now.
If anyone has a spool they don't want please let me know.
whataclonker whataclonker
Posts: 365
Post #3 4 May 2026 10:14
2
In reply to Post #1
Drennan Double Strength coated with Vaseline. 8-12lb depending on the conditions.
Ged
Posts: 477
Post #4 4 May 2026 10:41
1
In reply to Post #1
I used to use Dennan sub surface leader material, but nowadays I tend to use whatever mono I have to hand, in the right breaking stain. I will usually apply a floatant to most of the hooklength, but make sure the last few inches sinks.

I often used a short tippet of Multi-strand if the fish were being a bit cagey. I think I've still got a well tangled spool of the original 70lb version in a garage draw, might dig it out, see if any is salvageable.
vossy1 vossy1
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 9,046
Post #5 4 May 2026 11:30
1
In reply to Post #1
For decades I used my mainline, Daiwa Sensor in 15 & later 12lb, buoyancy aided by a wipe of a finger on the nose or behing the ear....Carp Tax free

When Fox introduced Zig & Floater I tried the 12lb but had real issues with it snapping, the diameter of the stuff back then was smaller than it is now, so I swapped to 15lb instead, it was fine.

Around 4 or 5 years ago I tried and have stayed on Gardner HD Floater in 12 & 15lb but mostly use the 12lb. Due to a interest in fly fishing I also use mucillin to aid buoyany when I can be bothered.

Hooks, until 2 years ago it was a size 8 Fox Series 1B but I'm near out so started trying others. The ESP Cryogen Floater were a lovely hook but dreadful out of the packet re burred points. I think 8 out of 10 were over, when I contacted the shop I bought them off same thing in their packs. ESP never replied to my query so I won't use them.

Since I've tried Korda Floata hooks, seem very like the Fox, not failed in use but in a hold situation I'm not convinced though may be wrong. Preference at the mo is for Nash Floater Claw which seem very strong. I know a fly hook which appears very similar to the Fox & Korda at some point I'll order some for comparison as they're a lot cheaper.

Bait is always banded on, John Roberts type tabbed band which holds the bait slightly off the shank, tab glued to eye. Bait sometimes a mixer as I like my bait to sit lower in the water but quite often I'll use a small section of DNA stick nowadays, or top a mixer with it as a site indicator.

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