Making Your Own Fishing Floats

Photo by C. Storm.

When it comes to fishing, a fishing float--or bobber--can be an extremely useful little tool. For one, it makes it easy for you to know where your baited hook is located at all times. Secondly, a fishing float can give you a heads up that something is nibbling on your bait--often before your line is even pulled taut by the potential catch. Making your own fishing float is simple.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Cork Neon yellow paint Sewing needle Superglue
Cork
Neon yellow paint
Sewing needle
Superglue

Step 1

Obtain a cork. The ideally-sized cork should be at least an inch in diameter--big enough to easily support the hook and sinker below the surface, but not so big that it acts as a deterrent to fish. Shape doesn't really matter--squarish, cylindrical or spherical, it's all the same.

Step 2

Paint your cork. Neon yellow is a good color, since it will make spotting your float simple but any other bright or highly noticeable color will also do. Actually, most floats are white or red--or both. Select a color that works for you, then paint the cork until it is completely covered.

Step 3

Use a long sewing needle, connected to your fishing line, to pass through the center of your cork completely--and pull it all the way out of the opposite end. Your fishing line should now course through the very center of your painted cork.

Step 4

Pull the fishing line as far out as you like. Some fisherman don't like more than 6 inches between float and sinker. Others prefer more like 12 inches. Whatever your preference, pull the appropriate amount of line through the cork.

Step 5

Use a generous amount of superglue to fasten both the entering line and the exiting line to the painted cork. Simply apply the glue into the holes on either end of the cork. Let the cork sit undisturbed for at least two hours afterward. Your painted cork, now a fishing float, will attach itself firmly to the line during that time.

Tips & Warnings

Do not use the cork as a floater in the water for at least 24 hours. This will allow the superglue enough time to cement the float to the line.

Article Written By William Jackson

William Jackson has written, reported and edited professionally for more than 10 years. His work has been published in newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals, high-level government reports, books and online. He holds a master's degree in humanities from Pennsylvania State University.

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