What is a marker float, a marker float is a robust
float which is rather on the large size and bears a swivel in the
centre at the bottom end, at the top end of the float there are in
most cases a type of dart flight attached this helps the float
travel when it has been cast out looking for features. The marker
float is a very important piece of equipment any carp angler can
have in his possession, not only can you tell what kind of bottom
the water is but how deep the venue is as well. Marker Floats will
help you find features in the water such as gravel bars, clear
patches in weed and of course the deepest depths the water holds.
Please find below from top left different types of marker floats,
pictured middle is the equipment needed to set up a marker float and
pictured right is the run ring and weight which is already being
attached to the main line.
Thread your run ring and weight on to your main line
as I have done pictured above right, you will notice in the picture
above right that there is a length of braided line which is attached
between the run ring and weight, this is to help the marker float
travel through heavy weed with relative ease. Once you have added
your run ring and weight to the main line simply add the bead and
thread on your marker float and tie it on using your preferred
method of knot as I have in the picture below right.
Ok you have now tied your knot and the rig is ready
to use, in the picture below left is showing how the marker float
hangs once it has been set up properly, the bead is to protect the
knot which you have tied to the swivel and to prevent the run ring
from tangling round the marker float. Finally pictured middle below
is the rig ready for action and to inform you of what is lurking on
the bottom of your local venue, this marker float can and will help
you put fish on the bank.
How to set up a marker:
When setting up a marker float its always a good idea to use braided
main line, this will help you to get a true feeling of the bottom of
the lake bed. Once you have threaded your main line through your rod
rings place a 3/4 oz weight on to your main line followed by a large
rubber bead. You can now tie your marker
float to the end of your main line using a
grinner knot.
Casting out:
This is were you need to have the skill of a "water
technician" Trust me once you have tried it a few times you will get
better. Now that the marker float is somewhere in the middle of the
lake, you can begin to reel all the slack line in until you feel
your weight on the bottom of the lake. Very gently and all in one
action pull your rod to the side.
The different types of bottoms:
If you find your having to pull very hard on your rod its
most likely you are pulling your end tackle through heavy weed.
If its very easy when you are pulling your rod you will have
found a clear patch, carp like to feed on clear patches on the lake
bed. If the bottom feels very bumpy when
you are pulling then you are probably be pulling your end tackle
over gravel, another good place where carp like to feed. If you get
a dense feeling when you are pulling your rod, your end tackle will
be going through silt. With a marker float the list is endless of
the features you can find, such as gravel bars, ledges and you can
feel were the snags are to.
Depth testing:
Once you have found a feature with your marker float, you can
test how deep the water is by simply pulling line out from your reel
at 2 feet at a time.When you see the
float appear, count how much line you have pulled off your reel and
that will tell you how deep you are fishing. It is also very
important to negotiate what shape or what size weight your going to
use for the particular type bottom your going to fish on... Example,
if your fishing on a drop off or a ledge, you don't want to use a
round weight other wise it will probably roll off. Weights can play
an important part when fishing for carp, make sure you choose the
right ones for the right job,
use the shape of the weight to your advantage example! it's no good
to put a round weight on your main line if your fishing on a
ledge... Commons sense remember. (Pun intended)
