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Wagglers are the most versatile float to use with rod and line on still waters like ours. However wagglers come in all shapes and sizes and differing materials so it can be confusing choosing the right one. For general Stillwater running line float fishing situations I would advise a straight peacock waggler and these come with or without a tip insert. A thinner insert makes a float more sensitive and the fish do not have to bite so boldly to make the float disappear. This means you can see takes from the shy biters and the bold ones too! As for size I have selected a 4AAA insert pattern which is an ideal general float for our White Acres lakes.
Lines
With a lot of good sized hard fighting fish like carp in our lakes I would advise a main reel line of a 4 to 5lb breaking strain like Maxima or Drennan Super Specialist which are good strong and durable.
Reels
The best type of reel is an open faced model and the spool needs to be filled with line to within an eighth of an inch of the lip which will allow the line to peel freely when casting.
Rods
Float Links
Attach the float to the line using a rubber float link instead of the fixed eye in the base of the waggler. Drennan Float links have a swivel at one end and a silicon sleeve which is pushed over the base of the float to secure. The reel line is threaded through the eye of the swivel. These links are very flexible and allow the float to collapse easily on the strike, the swivel avoids tangles and the real benefit is that you can change floats without taking all the shot off the line.
Shot
Having threaded the float onto the the line the waggler is locked in place with two AAA shot (called the locking shot) leaving a short gap between them which lets the float hang down freely when casting and collapse without resistance on the strike. Jamming between the two shot creates more resistance and the float will not work properly. One mor AAA shot is placed next to the lower locking shot, and an AB (slightly smaller than an AAA) shot next to that. The result is one shot above the the float and three below which is important to eliminate tangles when casting. In this case four number 10 dust shot are needed to trim the float down to the fluorescent tip. I place these ten’s on the line which will then be adjusted so that they are spaced out evenly to achieve a natural fall of the hook bait through the water. (see rig diagram) After adding what you think is the right amount of shot test the float in the swim and add or subtract shot as necessary.
Hooks
The hook trace needs to be thinner and lighter than the reel line in order to achieve natural bait
How to use Hooks