I do a lot of float fishing for winter steelhead. I'm curious what lines people are using and if you're adding parafin, mucilin, etc. to mono. I was rubbing parafin to the first 30 feet of mono last year, but I started breaking off a lot of fish. I think it weakened the line. It did, however help keep the line floating and made mending much easier.
Thanks

I think that the object of fishing a float is to have the float move at the the same speed as the current it is in .I think that a long rod and a free moving reel aid in the float. I have found that the key to a drag free drift is to keep the line off the water.the gear that I have had the most luck with is a 11'6"rod with a centerpin reel
I also like to make my own balsa floats.

Personally I like running 30 lb tuff line as my mainline for 3 main reasons 1. it floats or somewhat floats. 2. there is no stretch so I can let my float drift a lloooonngg ways and still get a good hook set and 3. If I do hang up I usually get my float back with the heavier line. The down falls of using this as mainline is that with no stretch you MUST set a light drag since the leader takes all the abuse. Good luck.

Buzz

I use 8-10lb Ande either envy(flo-green) or reg.green.
I use muslin .....and this stuffs rocks!!!
make a long cast,then apply during the crank,once a day does it.It sure does make mending easy....Os

I run Izorline on my float rods. I use to use Mucilin and still do sometimes but it gets to be a hassle, I prefer to use a rod that is long enough to keep the line off the water without too much trouble.

Yes sir, a long rod is always better than a short one I use a 10 1/2 ft graphite with spinning reel and 12lb ultra-thin Izorline Platinum line.
I think ultra-thin lines give you the ability to 1. use a heaver wt. rating and
2. mend line better because it's lighter.

I've use this combo for about 3 years now and haven't had any problems. The only real problem is that Izorline doesn't make the 'Platinum" color any more!

I like to use my allstar 1263,64 or 65 with 20 lb power pro as my main line for steelhead fishing. I love the stuff because it floats and is super strong, but like mentioned above no stretch so watch yourself with the drag and the light leaders.
I have had my float as far as 40 to 50 yards downstream and still made the hookset and gotten the fish.
Peace Superfly

superfly,
SO! your that guy who's always letting your float drift right in front of the 30 or so guy's down stream from you!

I use 14 lb Fireline and after a while, the last 30 feet or so starts to get waterlogged and will drag on the surface of the water. I use Mucilin on that to make it float again. It works very well.

Well Papafish if they are not hooking any , somebody has to!!!
That is funny though
Peace Superfly

I usually don't use a leader, so I go with 10 lb. mono and apply mucilin to the first 10-20 feet of line. Makes it easy to mend, never noticed any weakness due to the line dressing.

Keep your hooks needle sharp, and the pull of the float toward the surface will get the hook started and allow you to pick up ALL THE SLACK before you set the hook.

I use 10 lb fireline or powerpro with a 10 lb ande leader for steelhead. I have been using fireline on my float rods for a couple years and would not change. The no stretch is great on my noodle rods. The small diameter makes long cast with light weight easy. Just have to remember not to grab the line when fighting a fish as it can cut pretty quick.

I use Power Pro for braid and Izorline for mono. Still use Maxima UG for leader. I recommend using at least the 20 lb. in the superbraids such as Power Pro or Fireline (I use 20 or 30 lb.), because they are still very thin in those weights and you can save your floats when the leader breaks off of snags. They cast and mend really well. The Izorline Platinum super mono is easier to cast with a spinning reel, without suddenly popping coils off the spool like stiffer lines such as Maxima sometimes do. And it is very close in strength to the UG, yet thinner.

RT