How to Make Fishing Floats

Fishing floats are typically used for suspending a hook with bait or a lure at a specific depth in the water. Floats are often used when fish are known to be at certain depths and this allows the fisherman more control in presenting the bait. Floats are also used as indicators to show when a fish has taken the bait and the line should be retrieved. Making a fishing float can be a simple project with some basic parts.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Small diameter styrofoam ball White and red plasti-coat dip Drill and drill bit (size bit depends on the float being made but use a 11/64 bit as a rule of thumb) 1/2-inch piece of wood or plastic to fit in drilled hole to act as a stopper Hobby knife
Small diameter styrofoam ball
White and red plasti-coat dip
Drill and drill bit (size bit depends on the float being made but use a 11/64 bit as a rule of thumb)
1/2-inch piece of wood or plastic to fit in drilled hole to act as a stopper
Hobby knife

Step 1

Use a drill and bit, about 11/64 or so, and drill a hole completely through the center of a small styrofoam ball. The ball should be about 2 inches in diameter.

Step 2

Use white plasti-coat to either spray or dip the ball. Plasti-coat is available as a spray or dip and this is up to the individual. If dipping, thread a 1 to 2 foot piece of fishing line through the hole and tie a toothpick to the end to act as a stop, then dip the ball. The plasti-coat will act to coat the ball with a thin plastic coating and also provide coloring.

Step 3

Allow the white coating to dry and then spray or dip only the top half of the ball in red plasti-coat. If spraying it will be easier to do if a strip of tape is wrapped around the ball to serve as a paint guide. The red should be on top and will act as a signal when the bait is taken.

Step 4

Allow the coating to thoroughly dry. Use a small hobby knife to trim any excess coating or drips from the base of the float especially. Use the knife to open the holes which were drilled as they will most likely be filled to some degree with coating.

Step 5

Thread the fishing line through the hole and situate on the line at the proper distance from the hook. Use a short and small diameter piece of plastic or wood to peg the float in place on the line. Insert the peg in the top of the float to secure the line and prevent the float from sliding.

Tips & Warnings

Experiment with styrofoam ball sizes as well as color choices to customize floats.

Make sure to use plasti-coat paint in a well ventilated area.

Article Written By Tara Dooley

Tara Dooley has written for various websites since 2008. She has worked as an accountant, after-school director and retail manager in various locations. Dooley holds a Bachelor of Science in business management and finance.

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