Floating baits

[devocean]

Anyone use floating baits if so what depth do you allow them to sink to and what type of fish do you catch at those depths? I realise water depth is an issue and different species require different techniques but any inside info would be helpful.

[Mick]

Do you mean floating baits or unweighted baits Devo? I am guessing you mean unweighted baits.

I think knowlege of the targeted specie is a major factor. For example, fish that scavenge for food or opportunistic feeders may take anything in their way, including floaters and unweighted baits, but more fussy/particular fish won't.

I think more patience is required when not using a sinker.

[agnes_jack]

Often fish an unwieghted pillie out the back of the boat in a berley trail for macks, or let a squid float down to the bottom for snapper and nannigai and sweeties.
Can be very effective sometimes.

Regards, Tony

[kleiny]

i do the same as agnes jack for macks, tried with & without weight i seem to get more fish without weight, so that's what i always try first, have caught a few big golden trvally this way also, this is out from Hervey bay.

[Sergio_kutz]

Generally bread will get you some bream, but it's easier to cast of you add a float onto it. Also a good way to get mullet if you prefer catching them rather than throwing a net over them. Hope that can help you to catch a big one lol

[Birdy]

Devo,

Mate i am usuming you mean a lightly weighted bait that is sent down an established burley trail in some current?.If so this is the definition of the fishing style we on the nthn coast of NSW call the floater.
Basically use just enough weight to get your bait to the desired depth but clear of the bottom,say in 3 knots of current i would use a small marble size ball sinker on 20 lb braid and leader to get the bait to the desired depth.The secret is the burley and keeping the weight just enough so that your bait follows about the same drop rate as the burley does.
Depths can vary i take a marker with me and on the line put a mark where i get the fish from i.e. when ya get nailed have the marker in ya pocket and do it then.
Then i drop to that depth,when you're not sure where the fish are i usualy send the line out in say 5 metre leghths at a time and then put the reel into gear and hold it there for a while and then a bit more and so on.
I fish in the 50-80 m range off shore mostly and target medium to large snapper on that system ...works a treat.
One last thing.....don't put it the rod holder like most do and put the racket on ,hang onto the thing and actively fish it as it is much more productive.

Hope that helped.

Birdy

[devocean]

Actually guys I mean floated baits on floats

[Birdy]

Devo,

Ok.
In that case no idea mate !
I don't use them apart from live baiting mackerel and tuna with live slimies and such.
In that case the livie is only a metre or so under the float and has no weight on it at all ,the float is only there to keep the bait from swimming down to the bottom and keps the livie in the Mack's eye line.

Birdy

[whiteman]

Tuna, trevally and mackerel. I attach the ballon or float at the leader join so about 1-2m below the water for the bait. Drag set to minimum but ratchet on. Lazy man's fishing but great fun, particulary when you see the baloon moving around before a solid strike.

[Aaron_Fogarty]

basic rule of thumb that applies to most species from whiting to snapper "fish as light as possible, The less weight the better." I recent years Ive learnt to fish offshore, floating baits and have had a great deal of success doing so as opposed to just bottom bashing. Most reef fish will rise in the water column to check out a berley trail, Including snapper and sweetlip. Fishing mid water using bait runners allows you to fish lighter line so therefore more hookups also a fighting snappers only got two good runs in him, so getting to the bottom to bust you up is difficult.

Highly recommended style of fishing with the results speaking for themselves.
Regards
Aaron