marker floats.

O.k Never used a marker float before ,i understand the principal of it. But watching a dvd the other day i saw that some anglers still fish with the marker float out .Is this the norm or do you checkout whats on the bottom first with a feeler lead, mark it on your line and then attach your spod ,for those of us without 10rods.But when you are ready for fishing do you leave your marker float out there or just use the line clip and a far bank marker for accuracy.And what about fishing at night whats the easiest way of hitting your target everytime as you cannot always see your marker .especially if theres no light pollution around.

chuck out the float, and wind it down so you feel it hit the lead.

Then either a) walk backwards a few metres at a time feeling the line or b) Place the rod to one side and pull the lead in using the rod, watching the tip, in both cases reel up the slack and repeat!

If you find a feature, allow the float to come to the surface, then you can cast to your float, or clip your line and put your spod on the same rod.

For night, you can put tape or a couple of stop knots on your line in front of your buzzers when the leads are already in position.

When you cast out after dark you will hear the tape go through the rings, feather the line then pull or reel the leads back to the right spot, you'll get it spot on after a few tries!

Rik.
Start by following Eddie's advice, and when your marker float comes to the surface, cast your actual fishing rod to the marker float. You now have the exact distance on your fishing rod. Tie a piece of number 4 pole elastic on your mainline at the end of your fishing rod, use a sliding stop knot for this. And reel in the marker rod.

Now reel in your fishing rod, and when you cast out again, you will feel or hear the stop knot going through your rod rings. This is the time to start feathering (slowing your line down) by touching the inside of your spool with your finger.

Also find a feature on the opposite bank such as a tall tree, or a gap in a hedge that you can line up against in the dark. Then you will be hitting the same spot every time you cast.