How to Make Floats for Fishing

How to Make Floats for Fishing

All images and illustrations by Daniel Ray

Visit your local tackle shop and you will notice a wide variety of fishing floats for purchase. Although these floats will work in most situations, there are times when you may wish to make your own float for fishing. Whether the reason is monetary or to simply meet your needs, it is easy to make a reliable float that is functional and inexpensive. For just a couple of bucks, a package of toy balloons will make enough floats for months.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Toy balloons Barrel swivel Leader Short section of light line Nail clippers
  • Toy balloons
  • Barrel swivel
  • Leader
  • Short section of light line
  • Nail clippers
Step 1
Choose a brightly colored balloon. Red works well because it is highly visible on the water. Stretch the balloon several times to make inflation easier.
Step 2
Inflate the balloon until it is large enough to carry your bait. Tie an overhand knot in the balloon's lip so it will not deflate.
Step 3
Overhand knot
Overhand knot
Tie the overhand knot by making a small loop with the line or balloon lip. Run the tag end through the loop. Pull on the tag end and the standing line until the knot is snug. Trim the tag end as needed with nail clippers.
Step 4
Rig up the leader with a barrel swivel. The swivel eyelet will give you an attachment point from which to tie the balloon. Use a short section of the light line to tie the balloon's lip to the swivel using several overhand knots.
Step 5
Tie the balloon tightly to the swivel so it will not be lost and pollute the water. When a fish is hooked, the balloon will burst. The fish can now be fought without any drag from your balloon float.

Tips & Warnings

 
Use a Uni-Knot to attach the leader to the swivel.
 
Use caution when working around hooks.

Article Written By Daniel Ray

Daniel Ray has been writing for over 15 years. He has been published in "Florida Sportsman" magazine. He holds an FAA airframe and powerplant license and FCC radiotelephone license, and is also a licensed private pilot. He attended the University of South Florida.

Write for Trails.com
  • Editor's Pick

    Backcountry Camping Tips

    Backcountry Camping Tips

    You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...

    More Backcountry Camping...
  • Popular Article

    Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

    Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

    Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...

    More Beach Camping...
  • Featured Video

    Common Sense Hiking Tips

    Common Sense Hiking Tips

    The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.

    More Camping Basics...

Outdoor Gear & Equipment

ALL NEW Trails Gear Store powered by:

Trail Finder

US Map

Search by Keyword