so what is your favorite thing to use under a float? i would have to say a jig or eggs. havent been fishn so i figure ill try to find something new to try next time im out + itll give me something to tie up while i watch football

I tend to lean towards a jig or pink worm, but one technique that is common in B.C. and almost never used here is a spin er. An Indiana type spinner can be effective under a float. Rig it like any other terminal gear and let it go. If you can hold back on the float just a bit the blades will spin. Even when free drifting the blades will flutter and sometimes that can be very attractive to steelhead.

when I am not throwing jigs for silvers I like using a float with herring.

I like sand shrimp or prawns (raw or cooked) for fresh fish, and eggs for fish that have been around a while. If that doesn't work out come the jigs, or tiny Dick Nites, or size 0 Mepps.

Micro -- Don't get me started on float fishing herring in the salt!!! Off the Whidby beaches, or motor mooching along the kelp beds. Absolute favorite....

Wolverine:

We are all ears. PLEASE tell us about float fishing herring off Whidby beaches and near kelp beds.

The KID I took steelheading earlier this week said that he talked to some guys on the bank that were using jigs tipped with bear meat. When I asked if he was sure they weren't pulling his leg, he said he had seen it first hand. So, I suggested he try tipping his jig with some of the sausage from his left-over Forks Cafe omelet that he had doggie bagged. Guess his hunger got the better of him before he could find out if it worked though. Anyway, in two days we get him hooked into 13 fish his first time out and of those only 3 are landed, but in 5 minutes these clowns had him utterly convinced that if we had brought along bear meat too we would have done even better. Lord, help me.

Now I'm no expert on this bobber fishing but my son-in-law is from Mississippi and he tells me that they favor dynamite below their floats. Says it works real good in the cricks and ponds and is equally effective for crappie, bass and cats. Usually clears out the snakes too.

Hay, Mooch can you get that bead meat at Sportco ?

I once fished live herring uder a bobber with a little lead to keep the herring down. We where fishing off the beach at the Bait Box next to Possesion. There is a place there that a guy raises herring. We didn't catch any but we did see some other people catch a few.

RDK,
As a matter of fact, I think Bill Herzog still keeps a reserved batch in the back for their "special" clients. But you have to speak to him personally and use the special password "bobber down" while you wink three times with your right eye.
Don't tell anyone else though.

I have to agree with some of these guys about the live herring. Used to fish a float, 2oz egg sinker, swivel and a live herring off some seattle area piers during the summer for Kings. With some success too.