Float Fishing: Do you submerge your line or keep it in the air?

[James Sands]

I'm starting to get into float fishing and have a couple of questions for the seasoned float fishermen.   Is it better to submerge the line (from your rod tip to the float) or should you try to keep it in the air?  

On some floats the line attaches at the top and bottom (e.g., Thill Shy Bites) or, in the case of slip floats, the line goes in the top of a tube and exits the bottom.  For both of these, the place where your line first connects with the float is above water.  When using these floats, should you try to keep your line up out of the water as much as possible?   

Some floats (both slip and fixed) attach to the line just at the bottom of the float (e.g., Thill Stealth or wagglers or Gapen).  With these, the place where the line connects with the float is underwater.   With these, is it best to keep your line submerged (by keeping your rod tip under water) or letting the line sink naturally?  Or should you also try to keep as much of your line up out of the water as possible? 

Lastly, when using slip floats, why would you prefer a slip float where the line goes through a tube (the more common center slider slip floats) versus a slip float where the line goes through a ring on the bottom (like a waggler)?  

Thanks for your advice.

Jim

[James Sands]

One more question:  when you use fixed floats, what are the advantages of the kind that attach at both the top and bottom (like the Thill Shy Bite) versus a fixed float that attaches just at the bottom

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Evening James......I float fish 90% of the time mainly with artificial jigs and bugs from both telescopic poles and spin casting gear.  I fished fixed floats and indicators and I don't worry much about the line between the pole and the float.....The waters I fish are dark tanic and brackish for the most part so I don't have the concerns that one fishing in gin clear water might have....I personally want the smallest float I can get away with when the fish go shallow so I can ease it in the strike zone...I often just use a strike indicator smaller than a dime....just look for movement.....often this piece might sit just below the surface.......Good luck float fishing and show us your results!

[Joe Angelucci]

James

I usually use the fix float method since most of my fishing is done from the bank in water 5 feet deep or less. I keep the line submerged when the water is choppy or if the wind is very strong. This allows for better positioning of the float since it's easier to keep the float steady and control it's movement.  .

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I almost exclusively use the submerged eye style float for bluegill, either with live bait or when jigging beneath a float for them.
I will use a large center tube float for catfish, though.

[James Sands]

Thanks for your reply.  So why do you prefer the submerged eye style of slip float over a slip float where the line goes through a tube?

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

The line stays out of the wind, and the float is more sensitive.