I fish floats almost exclusively for steelhead. I like to open the bail and put my index finger on the top of the spool lightly. As in most holes there are usually 2 slow water areas and a fast water area. Fast USUALLY being in the middle and slow on the sides. When drifting the slower water your line tends to hit the fast water and it ruins a nice natural drift. Keeping the rod high as soon as the float hits the water will help this and stall the float as you probably know cuz your no dummy. But as the bobber passes you, open the bail, put your pole index finger on the bail and let out 3-5 foot sections of line out to continue the drift but "mend" your line like in flyfishing. Lift your pole high and throw a loop of slack line back upstream and you won't disturb the drift. Throwing the line upstream that is passing your bobber in the fast water really helps in a long uninterupted drift. When you drift a long ways, you "mend" your line to the opposite shore instead of upstream. And Just your finger on the spool easily creates enough tension for a good hookset without the bail being closed. Works great.