Balsa pole-floats

[Struckanov]

I know that all of us must have tried this at some point..!

Balsa floats that take on water!
It's frustrating and it quite surely ruins your catch-rate/rhythm...

I just wanted to ask what you people do about the problem?
Personally I lacquer almost all my pole-floats and I still have water-logged floats in my box every time I return from a session...

Am I doing everything possible to stop this from happening?

Alternatively I've tried EVA/Foam floats and I must say they take a pounding!
But I haven't found the right models and sizes etc. for all my fishing...

Can anyone give my some good tips or perhaps lead my to the right float make that has all the right models and sizes?

Thanks in advance/forum/smilies/big_smile_smiley.gif

 

[George387]

Silly Question but got to ask,is the lacquer you are using waterproof?

Reason I ask is most arent although they claim to be. Best to use a waterproof PVA glue.

I use UHU wood Glue which is waterproof and it seals all the balsa, you can either paint it on with a brush or use your finger, it dries totally clear.

 

[Struckanov]

I would asume it is... I use some hobby-shop thing made for remote-control model ships?

It's what I thought would do the job...

Doesn't anyone use EVA/Foam floats..?

 

[MCMILLIGAN]

i make stira foam floats and coat them in water resisitant laguer they work a treat

 

[Beecy]

i dont think there is an answer to this problem, everybody gets it

only thing you can do is buy good quality floats, and as you say, give them another coat of lacquer/dope or similar

main things to watch out for are not to damage the bits wher the stems amd tips enter the body. for instance, when changing depth, hold the body of the float rather than pulling on the stem/tip as these are the easiest seals to break

dont use rubbers that are too tight, as these can cause the line to cut into the body of the float when sliding up and down the line

have a look at the 'gerrys of nottingham' web site and get some of thier floats mail order to try, they are the best finnished floats ive used

 

[Struckanov]

Will have a look!

Thanks Beecy/forum/smilies/smile_smiley.gif

 

[chavender]

if your after buying some top quality floats ,then i know just the right people ,the first three are the leading indipendant floatmakers in the country ,their floats used by the top match anglers in the country .and the other two are also top floatmakers ,but i don't personally know them ,but just via reputation

http://www.floatman.co.uk/store/

http://www.hillbillyfloats.co.uk/

http://www.malmanfloats.com/

http://www.ourholidayhome.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mofloats.htm

http://www.freewebs.com/ackoos--floats/floatdescriptions.htm

 

[Struckanov]

I found the malmanfloats.com to my liking and have ordered a few...

Thanks everyone/forum/smilies/smile_smiley.gif