Options for making a sensitive float with your own hands. Making a float with your own hands: making a cool homemade float for fishing Do-it-yourself catchy float

Most fishermen prefer to use homemade floats rather than purchased ones. The thing is that most fishing enthusiasts love the process of making various fishing accessories themselves. It’s not difficult to make a float, especially since any material that has positive buoyancy plus a little imagination is suitable for this. How to paint it is a matter of taste and color preferences. This article will help you decide on the type of float, its shape, as well as the material for its manufacture.

A float is an important element of gear that can be easily made by any fisherman with his own efforts. Of course, you will have to practice, because the first samples will be far from ideal. But over time, the floats will turn out better and better, after which the moment will come when your own variants of floats will begin to appear.

Maybe someone has already dealt with this process, then this article will help you identify the shortcomings and miscalculations, which will allow you to make a more perfect option.

What and what kind of float to make?

To make a float, any materials that do not sink in water and are easy to process are suitable. Such materials can safely include:

• feathers of birds (goose, swan, etc.);
• a plastic tube (from cotton candy, etc.);
• tree;
• Styrofoam.

The material is selected depending on what kind of fish you plan to go for. When choosing a material, one should take into account such a thing as the presence of flow. Any of the proposed float options will work perfectly in still water. As for fishing in the current, everything is much more complicated here.

Each material has its own buoyancy characteristics. This means that these materials can make floats of different sensitivity. If you plan to catch crucian carp or roach, then a float made of a goose feather or a plastic tube can easily cope with this task, and if you plan to catch more powerful fish, such as carp, perch, bream, then it is better to use less sensitive floats that can withstand powerful bites. Therefore, when starting to make a float, you need to clearly know why it is needed and in what conditions you will have to fish.

This float is the most sensitive, due to its lightness and unique shape, close to ideal. With its help you can record even ordinary fish touches, not to mention bites. Many fishermen began their fishing careers with this float, later giving preference to modern floats. The fact is that in the recent past, besides a goose feather float, it was difficult to find something more suitable. Making a float comes down to basic steps aimed at cleaning the body of the float from excess goose down. At the same time, it can be made somewhat shorter, shortening it a little if necessary. Cleaning should be done very carefully so as not to damage the float body or break its tightness. This can be done with a regular blade or a lighter, removing excess fluff. After this procedure, you will have to sand the body of the float with fine sandpaper, removing traces of burnt feathers.

All that remains is to attach the float to the main line, and it is ready for use. As a rule, for this they use a regular nipple, cutting off two rings about 5 cm wide. The nipple is easily put on the body of the float, but before that they need to be threaded through the fishing line. The use of a nipple has its disadvantages. Usually these rubber bands last only for one season, since the rubber loses its properties under the influence of sunlight. So what! Installing new rubber bands is not that difficult, but everything is very simple and accessible. In addition, rubber copes with its functions very well, compared to other materials.

The usual body color of a goose feather float is white, so it is not always noticeable, especially in cloudy weather. So that it can be seen at a considerable distance and without particularly straining your eyesight, the float can be painted. To do this, you can take regular nail polish, especially since you don’t need a lot of it and almost every family has it. The float should not be painted completely, but only the part that will rise above the water. In this case, the float can be noticed and the fish will not be wary.

As a rule, it takes a minimum of time to make such a float, and the result is not at all bad. By the way, goose feather floats can be purchased at a fishing store, which indicates their effectiveness.

Floats made of goose or swan feathers, in case of loss as a result of a cliff, are easily made near a pond. Why? Yes, because feathers are easy to find near a pond or lake. All that remains is to clean the feather and secure it to the fishing line.

Video “Feather float”

Such a straw can be found in crowded places where people spend their free time drinking cotton candy or waving flags. Similar tubes are used to hold balloons, etc. A float made from such a tube can be called an analogue of a float made from a goose feather, although it requires special modification. It differs from a goose or swan feather float in its greater strength and more modern appearance. In other words, a plastic straw is ideal for making a float.

The main task in making such a float is to make the stick airtight. To do this, you just need to heat the edges with a lighter and carefully seal the hole in the tube with some object.

A soldering iron is also suitable for such purposes. In this case, you can do without open fire. With some skill, you can solder the edges so that no one will notice.

There is another, simplest option - to introduce a drop of silicone into the cavity of the tube from one side and the other, and the problem will be solved. You just need to give it a little time for the silicone to harden. It is better to use colorless silicone, as it has the best adhesive effect.

Having made the tube waterproof, they begin to attach the future float to the fishing line. If the color of the float does not satisfy the fisherman, then it can be painted in the same way as a goose feather float. In general, the fastening technology is identical to the first option, although you can come up with your own fastening option.

Making a float from a plastic tube will take almost the same time as making a float from a goose feather. In both cases, you need to find a blank for the float body. This may be the only difficulty.

Video “How to make a float from a plastic tube”

How to make your own float from cork or polystyrene foam

The manufacturing technology of such floats is identical, despite the fact that different materials are used. The only difference is that cork is easier to process, and under certain conditions it is not necessary at all. The sensitivity of such floats is somewhat lower, but they are suitable for catching trophy fish or predatory fish. The fish must be strong enough to sink such a float. When fishing with live bait, such floats are ideal because they do not allow the fish to move across a larger water area. When a pike or pike perch bites, the float will immediately react.

Any fisherman who has at least some skills in working with tools and materials can make a float from foam plastic or cork. In this case, you should take high-density foam, otherwise you won’t get a normal float. First, you need to cut out a workpiece of a certain shape, after which it is cultivated on a sharpening machine or other suitable method. A hole is made in the center of the workpiece (can be drilled), through which, for example, a lollipop stick or the same stick as when making a float from a bird feather is inserted. The only difference is that such a tube does not need to be sealed, since buoyancy will be provided by the materials from which the float body is made (foam or cork). Next, a nipple is attached to the tube, and the float itself is attached to the tackle. After this you can go fishing. Painting is optional, depending on fishing conditions. For painting it is better to use waterproof painting materials.

Video “How to make a float from cork”

DIY wooden float

Despite the fact that wooden floats are very popular, making them yourself, without the use of special equipment, is quite difficult. The problem is also related to the fact that not every tree can produce a high-quality float that meets the fisherman’s requirements.

Many craftsmen have gotten used to grinding the float body using a drill or screwdriver, but this requires special skills. In any case, you can experiment on ordinary wood, and then move on to softer species from which you can make a float.

Alternatively, you can try to make a float from bamboo, but this also requires certain skills. Such floats either need to be made, but only high-quality ones, or not made at all.

Video “Wood float”

How to make a sliding float with your own hands

When you need to cast long distances or the fishing depth is greater than the length of the rod, then a sliding float is needed. How to make such a float or how to ensure the mobility of the float? This can be done simply by securing the float appropriately. The point of a sliding float is that the float slides along the line within two stops that control its movement. The lower stop prevents the float from descending very close to the weights, and the upper stop limits the fishing depth. The lower limiters allow you to make long casts without any problems. You can make your own limiters or purchase them in a store, especially since they are not expensive. Any type of float is suitable for such tackle, the main thing is to ensure that it glides. As an option, you can propose making a special float, inside of which there is a hollow tube through which the fishing line is passed. Thus, a sliding float is obtained; all that remains is to secure the limiters. Beads of a neutral color can be used as limiters (stoppers).

If you plan to make long casts, then the float must have a suitable weight, since a light float will not fly far.

Video “How to make a sliding float”

Despite the abundance of floats in fishing stores, amateur fishing masters continue to make homemade models. They differ in appearance, material and load capacity. Making a sensitive float with your own hands is not difficult. It is enough to decide on the type of product, select suitable materials and consistently perform all operations.

A DIY float can be used in different fishing conditions. Depending on the scope of use, appropriate materials should be selected.

• You can fish in the coastal zone with the lightest models weighing 0.2-0.8 g. Thanks to the low weight, it is possible to hunt fish species such as roach, rudd and crucian carp.
• For fishing in the current, a medium-weight float (0.8-2.5 g) is required. Equipment with such a signaling device can easily be cast to 20-30 m, where large fish such as bream, ide, and chub live.
• A heavy float weighing from 3 to 10 g allows you to perform ultra-long casting. Such models have a voluminous body, and flight characteristics reach 50 m. The antenna will be clearly visible from afar due to its large size. Such large representatives of ichthyofauna as carp, grass carp and silver carp will be interested in the bait.

Materials for manufacturing

If earlier fishermen were limited in materials, today the choice is quite large. Some of the materials are suitable for making a body, while others are better used as an antenna.

1. You can create a floating body using:

• polystyrene foam;
• wine or cognac corks;
• medical syringe;
• balsa;
• wood

1. The following may be suitable for the role of an antenna:

• waterfowl feather (from geese or ducks);
• cane;
• plastic tube.

To create a bite alarm, you may need various household materials:

• waterproof glue will help hold the individual elements together;
• wire 0.5-1.0 mm thick is needed for making rings and loops;
• acrylic paints will give the float individuality and good visibility;
• toothpicks will help process the body of the float.

For comfortable and fast work, you should have some tools on hand.

• The easiest way to make precise and even holes is with an electric drill and a drill set. In some cases it is more convenient to work with an awl.
• A chisel and a sharp knife will allow you to remove excess pieces of material when creating a fishing masterpiece.
• Using a file or sandpaper, you can give the float precise shapes and perfect smoothness.
• The easiest way to hold the material or tool being processed is in a vice.
• A ruler or caliper will help control the accuracy of production.

Technology for making a float from wine cork or polystyrene foam

To make a float with increased load capacity, it is necessary to form the body. It can be shaped like a ball, an olive, or a drop.

Minimal modification is needed when making a wine cork float. It has a cylindrical body, which remains to be slightly modified and polished.

1. A carabiner with a swivel or a wire loop is attached to the bottom of the antenna. All that remains is to decorate the body and antenna with paint or nail polish.

Photo 3. Cut off the rod tube. it turned out to be a sliding float.

Photo 4. Color the product.

Making a goose feather float

Every fishing enthusiast has several goose floats in his box. They often help out when fish bites are cautious and unnoticeable. Before making a float from a goose feather, you should properly prepare the material.

1. To collect feathers, it is better to go to a pond that is favored by geese or ducks. You can take 5-10 feathers with you, different in color and length. You should not start any processing on the shore. It's better to do everything at home.
2. Using a stationery knife, cut off the fluff on both sides.

Attention! The sharp blade of the knife should be guided in the direction of the fibers. This way you will be able to get rid of fluff without breaking the seal of the feather.

1. The remaining fluff can be removed using fire. To do this, it’s easier to use a lighter and walk the flame along the body several times. Fire will also help straighten a crooked feather.
2. Next, you need to coat the attachment points of the fibers with colorless varnish to seal microscopic holes and cracks.
3. The upper part of the feather is painted red or orange.
4. Knowing how to make a feather float, it is important to securely attach it to the fishing line. To do this, two cambrics from a tube from a dropper are placed on the feather. Alternatively, a thin wire loop can be made at the bottom end of the float.
5. Increasing the weight and carrying capacity of a goose float is quite simple. It is necessary to make a body from foam, balsa or cork. Then measure the thickness of the feather with a caliper and make a through hole using a drill. Its diameter should be 0.1-1.0 mm thinner than the thickness of the pen. The antenna is inserted inside and fixed with glue.

Making a long-range float

For ultra-long casting of equipment, you can create a float with a weight.

1. You can make an antenna from two plastic tubes. A tube 1.5 mm thick should be installed on top; a plastic product with a diameter of 3 mm is suitable for the lower part. Alternatively, bamboo or reed can be used.
2. The body is made of polystyrene foam. Body height is 40-70 mm, diameter at the top is 15 mm, at the bottom it narrows to 10 mm.
3. A hole 4-6 mm deep and 2.5 mm thick is made in the lower part of the body. A lead load is mounted in the hole, which is fixed with glue. It can be cast to the appropriate thickness by first installing a wire loop.
4. A wire ring for fishing line is attached to the upper part of the body.
5. The antenna is assembled with the body using waterproof glue. The final step will be to paint the float.

A fan of float fishing should have a rich set of bite alarms. Some floats are convenient to use when fishing short in calm weather. Other models will help deliver bait over long distances, allowing you to catch trophy fish.

Very often, fishermen prefer to use homemade floats; much less often they use store-bought ones. Most likely this is due to the love of fishermen for making their own gear. It’s very easy to make a float with your own hands; you just need to have a basic knowledge and the necessary materials, and a little imagination.

Coating the float with paint is possible based on everyone’s personal preferences. Let's take a closer look at the materials suitable for manufacturing, help you decide on the shape of the float and understand its manufacture.

The float is considered one of the main elements of any equipment, and its advantage lies in the ease of manufacture from improvised materials at home. True, if you make a float with your own hands for the first time, its appearance will be somewhat different from what you want, so training and unsuccessful experiments cannot be avoided.

But after you gain some experience in this matter, making a float will be quite simple, and even purchased gear will be envious of its appearance and shape. The advantage of homemade floats is the ability to independently select the shape, material and other parameters. After all, it is not always possible to find the desired tackle in the store.

Most likely, many of the readers have already done this, but if you visited the pages of our site, then problems with achieving the ideal shape and parameters could not be avoided. The most common mistakes are incorrect calculations, choice of shape and material for making the float.

In order to make a float, you can use any materials, the main thing is that they are easy to process and have positive buoyancy. The most popular are:

• waterfowl feathers;
• plastic tube;
• cork material;
• tree;
• Styrofoam.

The choice of material depends on the type of fish you plan to fish for. It is also very important to determine in advance the speed of the current in the reservoir. Making a float for fishing in a current with your own hands is somewhat more difficult than for fishing in a body of still water.

This is due to different buoyancy indicators for a certain material. In simple terms, then depending on the material used, the sensitivity of the float will change. For example, to catch cautious fish such as crucian carp or roach, it is better to use floats made of a plastic tube or goose feather.

And for fishing for fish that have quite powerful bites (carp, perch, bream), it is better to use materials with greater buoyancy, such as cork material or wood. Therefore, before you start making a float, you need to know exactly what kind of fish you are going to catch and in what conditions the fishing will take place.

From the pen

You can make a goose feather float with your own hands very light and close in shape to the ideal, which is why it is considered one of the most sensitive and best. Its sensitivity allows you to see the most precise touch of a fish.

For many novice fishermen, the use of such a float marks the beginning of a fishing career; with subsequent experience, it is replaced with more modern models. Just a couple of years ago, besides making a float with your own hands from a goose feather, it was not possible to use other equipment.

Making such a float yourself is very simple, you just need to clean the feather from the fluff and it is almost ready. If necessary, you can shorten the feather itself a little with a blade, this is also quite simple. The only thing you need to remember is carefully clean off excess fluff so as not to break the seal of the pen, it is best to use a lighter or blade for this. Then clean the burnt feathers using very fine sandpaper to bring the feather into perfect shape.

All that remains is to attach the sensitive goose feather float to the main fishing line with your own hands. It is best to secure it with two pieces of nipple, about 4 millimeters wide. The nipple is very easy to put on the feather, the main thing is not to forget to thread it onto the main line. But this mount is not ideal - it has several negative features. The nipple quickly burns out in the sun and will not last more than one year. But the simplicity and accessibility of such fasteners significantly covers its disadvantage.

When fishing in cloudy weather, it will be quite difficult to see an unpainted float made of such material, since the white color (namely, this is the color of a goose feather) is very difficult to see. It is best to paint such a float with your own hands so that it is easier to see it from a long distance and without particularly straining your eyes. The most common means of coloring is nail polish; every fisherman's wife, girlfriend, daughter or mother has it. Do not paint the entire length of the float; it is better to paint only the part that will look out of the water.

As practice shows, this is the best option for saving time. You will spend only a few minutes making it, and you will be satisfied with the quality throughout the entire fishing season, and maybe for many years.

I often notice such floats on the shelves of fishing stores, which means that they are really in demand.

Video

I think it’s better to watch a video about making such a float once and just repeat all the actions of the presenter. This way you will get excellent tackle that is suitable for catching cautious fish, such as crucian carp.

From a plastic tube

To make a float, a tube made of juice, a balloon, a flag or cotton candy can be suitable. Finding it is not difficult. This float is similar to the one described above, only the tube requires a little more modification before use. Its only difference from floats made from waterfowl feathers is its appearance and strength.

The main problem that fishermen face when they want to make such a float with their own hands is making the tube absolutely tight. But there’s nothing complicated about it, just heat the open edges of the tube with a lighter and seal the holes.

It is best to use a soldering iron to avoid leaving burns on your fingers. After all, an open fire is always an increased fire hazard. With a little experience, you will be able to seal the edges of the tube perfectly evenly.

Some fishermen prefer to fill the tube with liquid silicone or plug the holes with it. But such actions require silicone, which not everyone has, and additional time for it to cool. Transparent silicone is best suited for such purposes.

As soon as you make the tube airtight, consider that the float is ready, all that remains is to secure it to the main fishing line. If the color of the tube does not suit you, then again nail polish can come to the rescue. The homemade float is attached in the same way as the first option - on the nipple.

Video

It's worth spending 5 minutes of your time to watch a video on how to make a straw float in a matter of minutes. The tube from the flag was chosen as the main material. Just watch and repeat the actions after the leader.

Made from foam or cork

Almost all floats are made using the same technology, despite significant differences in the materials used. But such a material as cork has one significant difference - ease of processing, and sometimes its complete uselessness. Only such floats have rather poor sensitivity, but are very well suited for strong peaceful fish.

For the fisherman to notice a distinct bite, the fish must make a lot of effort. Such a float will be an ideal option for live bait fishing, since the movements of live bait under water will not interfere with recording a powerful bite from a predator.

Making a float from foam plastic with your own hands is quite simple and for this you need to have basic knowledge about working with tools and processing materials. The selection of foam is very important, be sure to take high-density foam, otherwise you won’t be able to make a normal float with your own hands.

First you need to cut the workpiece to the required size and shape, after which it needs to be processed using sandpaper or a sharpening machine. Now you need to make a hole exactly in the middle for attaching a stick or pen. Then simply slide the nipple onto the tube and main line, and secure the float to the rig.

The float should be painted only if there is a significant need for it. Any material that is resistant to water and moisture is suitable for painting.

Video

Now for a traditional video about making a wine cork float. Such a float has a minimum cost and maximum efficiency when catching trophy-sized fish.

Made of wood

Wooden floats are quite popular among fishermen, but making them at home is difficult. And even without special equipment, this process will take a lot of effort, and the appearance of the float will not have the best performance. And choosing a tree so that the manufactured float meets the fisherman’s requirements can be quite difficult.

Many of my friends give a wooden float the required shape using a drill, but not everyone can do it well the first time. But nothing comes easy, it is quite possible to practice on hard woods and then gradually move on to working on softer woods.

You can try to make a float with your own hands from bamboo, but as practice shows, this is also not an easy task. The peculiarity of a bamboo float is that it either does not work out at all, or it turns out perfect.

Video

Now it's time to watch a video on how to make a good wooden float yourself. I’ll say right away that without the necessary equipment you won’t succeed. Although you can listen to the advice of the author of the video and try to do this.

From reed

Many fishermen prefer to use a reed float to catch crucian carp, roach and bream. It is so easy to make that it can be made even while on the shore of a pond. All you need is to cut off the main part of the reed stem and process it. The main thing is to choose an undamaged area of ​​the plant so that it does not have cracks or other defects.

You need to choose the length of the float based on your own preferences and fishing conditions. Most often it is recommended to use 10-13 centimeters. To achieve the ideal shape, you can grind off the edges of the float and give them a cone shape.

Now you need to attach a small stick or tube to the top of the float. The inner part of the stem is very soft, so such manipulations will not pose any particular difficulties. All that remains is to paint the finished reed float with your own hands and let it dry.

It is very simple to fix such a float on the fishing line; it is best to do this using a nipple. Install one nipple in the middle, and secure the second at the very bottom of the float. Long service life, ease of manufacture and good sensitivity give this product an advantage over others.

Video

I think you will be interested in watching a video on how to make a float from reeds in a few minutes. Right? If this is the case, then I suggest that you start watching the video without hesitation and describe your experience in the comments.

Sliding float

Very often, fishermen are faced with the situation of fishing over long distances. In cases where it is necessary to cast over a distance significantly exceeding the length of the rod, only one thing can help -.

Let's look at how to make a sliding float with your own hands and ensure its movement along the fishing line. And this is done quite simply, the main thing is to correctly attach the float to the main fishing line. The movement of the float is controlled by two special stoppers on the main line, with the help of which the fishing depth is adjusted.

The task of the lower stop is to avoid contact of the float with the hook, and the top one is to adjust the fishing depth. The maximum flight range is achieved precisely due to the lower stopper. Fishermen make stoppers themselves or buy them in fishing stores. Due to the fact that the cost of such a product is extremely low, it is not worth fiddling with it.

In such equipment, you can use absolutely any float, the main thing is that it moves freely along the fishing line. One of the most common options is a foam float with a hollow tube passed through its entire length. You will only need to secure the silicone stoppers or tie a stopper knot.

A light float will be quite difficult to throw over a long distance. So you should be very careful when selecting the weight of the finished product depending on the casting distance required for fishing.

Video

Now I suggest you watch an interesting video on how to make a sliding foam float without much difficulty and effort. I guarantee that you will then be able to brag to your colleagues about your achievements in this area.

Match float

Making a match float with your own hands is quite simple, but this will require certain materials:

• 4 ear sticks.
• Heat-shrinkable tubing (shrinked diameter should be approximately 3 millimeters).
• Heat shrink tube with a diameter of 6 millimeters.
• A piece of wire with a cross section of about 1 millimeter.
• A wooden stick about 15 centimeters long (for the float antenna).

First you need to remove the cotton from the ear sticks. After this, two pieces (about 15 centimeters long) need to be cut off from the first (the diameter of which is about 3 mm) shrink tube. These sections need to be put on ear sticks and heated to form a monolithic long antenna.

This will be the main rod of the float; to make it completely ready for fishing, all that remains is to install the antenna for centering. It is best to attach a plastic cone-shaped form to the top; its weight should not exceed 0.5 grams.

Now you need to make the body of the float, it can be flat or cylindrical, it’s up to you. For this, foam or any other material that has positive buoyancy is best suited.

All that remains is to make a small hole in the base, fill it with waterproof glue and insert the antenna there. To make a sliding float, you need to attach a small swivel to the bottom of the base.

It is best to paint the float in a bright color that will be visible at long distances, since the finished product will have a fairly large mass and the possibility of long casts is not excluded. If you need to use a float during night fishing, you should use paint with phosphorus elements.

Video

Would you like to watch a video that provides step-by-step and clear instructions for making a match float? Then you are welcome to watch. Just repeat all the steps after the leader and you will get an excellent product.

Underwater float

An underwater float has many differences from the products described above, which are designed for surface fishing. The task of the underwater float is not to signal a bite, but to raise the leash with bait above the bottom.

Making such a float is quite easy. You will need to find a material that is lightweight and floats; it is best to use high-density foam for this purpose. Take a piece about 10 millimeters wide and about 40 millimeters long.

Now you need to give the workpiece a certain shape; it is selected depending on the fishing conditions and the fish you plan to catch. For example, an oval or round shape is better suited for catching catfish. After giving the workpiece the required shape, it needs to be sanded with sandpaper.

Now you need to make a through hole through the entire body of the float. The purpose of this hole is to fix the float on the fishing line. You can fix it in one position using silicone or rubber stoppers.

It is very important to completely paint the float and its entire interior to protect it from moisture ingress and accumulation. After all, he will constantly be in the water.

Video

Well, now the most interesting thing - a video about making an underwater float with your own hands at home. Clear, simple and understandable step-by-step instructions from a well-known presenter - Pal Palych.

Water-filling float

Has everyone ever bought shoe covers at a pharmacy and paid attention to the container in which they were packaged? From this plastic container you can easily make a water-filled float at home. It is transparent and has a rounded shape, which makes it an ideal material for such purposes.

The container even has a lid that allows you to easily change its load using water or lead directly on the pond while fishing. Even externally, this container is very similar to the well-known bombard, and they perform the same functions.

All that remains is to adapt the container for fishing. To do this, you need to make two holes on its bottom; it is best to make them parallel. Now you need to thread the winding ring through the holes on which the swivel is attached.

Since the container must be sealed, it is necessary to carefully treat the holes with waterproof glue.

You can load such a float directly while fishing, fortunately there is plenty of water there. For convenience, you can paint the product in any color using nail polish or any other waterproof material.

Video

And of course, a video about making a sbirulino liquid float at home. The truth here is not really about the container for shoe covers, but the principle is similar, so I recommend everyone to watch it.

We'll tell you how to make a float with your own hands at home without making much effort with the help of our article.

The homemade float is a success and is often used by fishermen. After all, it is made with soul, for various types of fish and from inexpensive, improvised materials. This article will tell you how to make a float quickly so that it pleases you, is noticeable and convenient when fishing.

A good quality float should be made from materials that easily float on the surface of the water. The most accessible and sensitive materials:

• Bird feather (duck, goose, swan)
• Plastic tube (cotton candy, flag, balloon)
• Styrofoam
• Small traffic jam

Before you make a float, you need to decide what kind of fish it will be designed for. For small crucian carp or rudd, floats made from a plastic tube or bird feather are a good option. And for predators such as perch or pike, a cork or foam float is more suitable. Such floats hold bait well and prevent it from tangling the fishing line. Therefore, powerful bites are always noticeable.

Considered the most sensitive bird feather float, thanks to its keel-like shape, it responds well even to light pushing of the bait by fish. This makes it possible to make a successful hook. In addition, it is easy to make, or rather nature itself made it, and you only need to improve it a little. Let's move on to the lesson on how to make a float from a bird feather.

1. We carefully clean the rod from fluff so as not to damage its water resistance. You can cut it with a knife and clean it with fine sandpaper or scorch it with the flame of a lighter or match.
2. To attach the fishing line, you need to put a rubber ring on the thin part at the bottom of the keel. It can be cut from a 5mm long nipple.
3. For better visibility on the water, our invention needs to be painted. To do this, use waterproof or regular paint, which it is advisable to varnish. But the best option is to borrow nail polish of a suitable color from your wife or daughter and cover the float. Usually two colors are applied, one part black, the other red or bright orange.
4. We stretch the fishing line, attach the weight and our float is ready.

P melt made from plastic tube, It is not inferior in sensitivity to a pen, but is more durable, has a proportional, attractive appearance. The manufacturing process is simple:

1. Measure the required length and cut it.
2. The edges of the tube must be sealed to prevent water from getting into it. To do this, heat one end of the tube at a distance of 5 mm from the edge, with a candle fire or a lighter, until the material softens.
3. As soon as a kind of bubble appears, twist the tube into a pigtail. After cooling, the seal is ensured. We perform the same procedure on the opposite side of the tube.
4. Then we take any edge and heat it again and flatten it with pliers.
5. We make a hole for the lock; a nipple will be put on it, through which the fishing line is pulled.
6. We cut off all the excess ends and paint the float.

P it's time to tell you how to do it float made of small cork or foam. Let's combine these two materials into one section, since their manufacturing principle is the same.

1. We cut out a blank from a wine cork or polystyrene foam and use a sanding machine with an emery attachment to give it a smooth look.
2. We make a through hole and insert an ampoule from a pen, a lollipop stick, a plastic tube or something similar through it. There is no need to seal the edges of the rod, since the buoyancy is provided by the foam itself or the cork.
3. We put a nipple on the stick and paint our float
4. Once completely dry, it is ready for fishing.

As you can see, making homemade floats is not at all difficult. Of course, the first copy may not turn out perfect right away, but you will be able to make the next one much faster and look attractive. The big advantage of such floats is that they can be made in large quantities in a short period of time.

Are you familiar with the situation when it’s difficult to choose exactly what you need in a fishing tackle store - either the size is wrong and the functionality is disappointing, or the price is significantly out of your budget? The easiest way out here is to make the gear yourself. Do you want to make a self-hooking float with your own hands, a homemade ultra-sensitive float with your own hands, or a nod float for summer fishing with your own hands? Welcome - study the information, manufacturing recommendations and you will probably be able to make them yourself. The materials from which floats are made can be freely purchased, and sometimes even found in the closet among things left there on the principle of “someday it will come in handy.”

Making your own floats yourself

When the decision to make a float yourself is made, it is worth carrying out careful preparation. At the preparatory stage, the fisherman needs to decide what kind of float he will make and figure out how to make a float with his own hands.

The fisherman needs to decide what material the float will be made of.

A successful choice will be made if the following parameters are taken into account:

• fishing method;
• the type of fish for which the tackle is designed;
• fishing conditions, in particular the presence of a current;
• intended type of bait.

In addition to these factors, the question of whether the float needs to be loaded is decided. And only after analyzing all the important parameters, a decision is made on what material to use to make a float with your own hands.

Properly selected and well-made ones largely determine its effectiveness, because a good float helps the angler see the bite, hook the prey in time and, even in long-distance casting conditions, should be clearly visible and quite informative.

It is possible that at first making fishing floats with your own hands will be quite difficult; the manufacturing process will take a lot of time, but professionals who have repeatedly practiced this claim that the result is worth it.

Determination of the material for making the float

High-quality homemade floats are made with your own hands from materials that are highly buoyant and capable of maintaining the desired position on the water even in unfavorable conditions.

Typically, floats are made from materials such as:

• cork (cork tree), wine bottle stopper;
• tree;
• plastic straws;
• Styrofoam;
• bird feather;
• cane.

A wide selection of materials is also associated with their different purposes - for fishing rods, nets or other fishing devices. Special antennas for floats, made by hand from plastic hollow rods or bamboo sticks that do not absorb water and have fairly high buoyancy, provide better visibility. The most affordable material for the antenna is a culinary accessory - kebab sticks, subjected to special processing.

Tree

Making a wooden float with your own hands without a special tool is quite problematic. The process of processing wood will require the fisherman to have certain skills in working with blanks; in addition, such a float can not be made from any piece of wood - the most suitable is balsa wood, a blank from which not every fishing enthusiast can find in the pantry. Another type of raw material for a good float is bamboo.

Wooden floats are characterized by high sensitivity, proper balancing and the ability to cast long distances.

Feather

A goose feather float is considered a classic option among the variety of floats, and almost anyone can make it with their own hands without much difficulty. With such a float, many fishermen begin their period of familiarization with fishing gear.

Feather floats have earned popularity due to their inherent shape, close to ideal, lightness and extreme sensitivity, the ability to record even minor touches of fish.

Foam or cork

Despite the differences inherent in materials such as foam and cork, the technology for making floats from them is almost identical. Even knowing how to make a foam float with your own hands, you must take into account that it will not be as sensitive as previous types, but more suitable for catching predatory and large fish, since in order to sink a float of this type, the fish must have sufficient strength.

When choosing polystyrene foam, be sure to pay attention to its density. The material should not easily fall apart, otherwise problems will arise with its subsequent processing. The best choice would be high-density extruded foam.

A homemade cork float has the property of porosity, as a result of which it becomes heavier when the voids are filled with water. To avoid this, large holes, and often the entire surface of the workpiece, are treated with water-repellent putty or highly crushed cork mixed with glue. After drying, the cork blank is sanded and painted with oil paint. In order for a cork float to float well on the water, it is surrounded by at least two weights, which with their weight sink it to the required level.

Plastic straw

A do-it-yourself float for a fishing rod, made from a thin plastic tube, has a fairly presentable appearance and, at the same time, is not inferior to a similar feather model in terms of sensitivity.

The difference from the feather one is that during manufacturing it is necessary to seal the ends of the plastic tube to prevent water from getting inside the float. Otherwise, the manufacturing process and the method of installing a float made from a feather and from a plastic tube on a fishing line are practically no different from each other.

Plastic holders for balloons, cotton candy, or any other plastic analogue of a goose feather are used as a blank.

Cane

Fishing floats made of reed are increasingly preferred for their inherent properties:

• do not make a loud sound when falling on the water;
• the ability to use this float with light loads, since it itself is surrounded directly during the manufacturing process;
• low degree of resistance in water, thanks to the cylindrical shape of the float;
• excellent resistance to currents and the appearance of strong ripples.

The materials needed for the work can be found in everyone’s home. The main condition for a successful result is the correct choice of a workpiece that is suitable in color, elasticity and length. Do-it-yourself fishing floats made of reed are painted in the desired color so that they meet not only functional requirements, but also have an aesthetic appearance.

Which homemade float is best suited for certain conditions?

Homemade floats for the current

The separation of floats for fishing on currents into a separate group occurred due to the inconvenience of using other types due to the following reasons:

• constant movement of the float downstream;
• the difficulty of observing the float, since the angle between it and the water surface is quite large;
• imitations of bites that occur when an ordinary float is immersed in water under the influence of underwater currents, drowning the bait and fishing line.

Homemade floats for the current

Floats for fishing in currents are divided into the following types:

1. Flat float.
2. Wagler type float.
3. Stick, or as it is called in fishing slang, “stick”.

A flat float for strong currents is made with your own hands in the form of a disk, equipped with an antenna on top and a keel on both sides, bottom and top. During the manufacturing process, they are given different shapes - pear-shaped with an expansion at the top or bottom.

In any case, such floats have the following advantages:

1. Constantly maintain the desired position on the surface of the water.
2. They glide easily against the current, practically without moving.
3. They have low resistance in water.
4. Convenient to use when fishing in strong currents.

Wagler type floats have an elongated shape and are equipped at the end with a replaceable antenna, the color of which is selected to contrast with the color of the water. They are used if fishing occurs in the middle current and at great depths. Wagler floats are indispensable in ponds with dense vegetation.

Sticks (stick floats) are used when practicing fishing from the shore at a depth of up to three meters. The floats of this type are designed for short casts. Their main advantage is that when in the water, the sticks practically do not tilt to the side and glide very easily.

Current floats are designed for short casts

Making a flat float used for fishing in strong currents with your own hands is not particularly difficult, since the material can be used plastic bottles, polystyrene foam or ordinary plastic.

Homemade floats for standing water

When making a float for fishing in still water with your own hands, it is better to make it with a narrow body, which will make it possible to reduce resistance when immersed in water. When making such floats, it is advisable to use a metal keel, which ensures a stable standing position even in windy weather.

It is better to make the antenna plastic and lightly weight the float itself, which will significantly increase its sensitivity.

Homemade floats for long casting

Do-it-yourself floats for long-distance casting must have the following properties:

• be light enough;
• have a narrow foam tip;
• reducing wind resistance, the float should not be wide;
• fastening must be done at one point;
• the total length of the float should not exceed 15 centimeters.

To make a budget match float with your own hands you will need:

1. 4 hygiene sticks (can be bought at any store or pharmacy).
2. Heat-shrinkable tubes that hold together parts of the antenna and form the body of the float.
3. Steel wire fastening loops.

Floats for long casting should be fairly light

Sliding float

Many fishermen are wondering how to make a sliding float with their own hands without spending a lot of money and time on it? A float of this type is simply vital in a fisherman’s arsenal if he is going to fish with long casts at great depths. The essence of the functioning of this float is that it can move freely along the fishing line. His freedom of movement is limited by two stoppers - one in the upper position and the other in the lower position. The upper stopper determines the fishing depth, and the float moves to the lower one when casting.

The float itself can be of any known type, which the fisherman can make on his own, and stoppers can be purchased at a specialized tackle store; they are inexpensive.

Underwater float

Such floats are most often used as a component of bottom tackle, wanting to catch trophy catfish and other large predators. A do-it-yourself underwater float for catfish is made from a wine bottle cork.

Used fireflies left over from night fishing are used as an antenna. If necessary, they are painted in a bright color or a bright crimp tube is put on them.

An underwater float is used as a component of bottom gear

Water-filling float

When making a water-filled float with your own hands, a fisherman can use a small transparent container with a colored lid (these are used to store shoe covers sold in pharmacies).

Using an awl or other sharp object, make a hole in the transparent part into which a ring of steel wire is mounted. Inside the container, a weighting agent is installed on a wire, which serves as a load on the float and helps it stay in the correct position on the water.

How to highlight a float

Fishermen are very passionate and enthusiastic people, so they do what they love not only during the day, but also at night. When fishing at night, luminous floats, made by yourself, are a very convenient thing and in some cases simply irreplaceable, as a fish bite alarm. Stores even offer battery-powered LED floats. But in addition to the fairly high price, purchased gear also has other disadvantages - bulkiness, only one-time use (like a firefly float) and the ability to find a fairly wide range of products for night fishing only in online stores.

Glowing floats are a convenient thing for night fishing

At the same time, almost any float tackle can be made independently at home. One of the easiest ways to make a glowing float is to attach reflective tape to a regular float and illuminate it with a flashlight. In addition, by modernizing the design of a lighter with a flashlight, you can make a night float based on it, powered by a miniature round battery. Schemes of such gear are often found on fishing forums or groups on social networks.

Painting the float

When the manufacturing process is completed, it’s time to paint the float. It begins, as a rule, by covering the sanded surface with varnish, which in wood fills the existing pores, and in foam plastic it will protect the material from the destructive effects of the paint itself. The process of painting a float can also be done at home with your own hands using the dipping method, as a result of which the paint applies evenly. If painting is done with auto enamel, then pre-coating with varnish is not necessary.

In most cases, floats are painted in bright contrasting colors to improve their visibility, and night floats are painted with luminescent or fluorescent paints. After painting, the floats are dried for at least a day and only after that the gear is assembled and installed.

Self-production of floats for nets

Many fishermen know how to weave a net, but few practice making net floats with their own hands, since such an activity does not tolerate the lazy and requires a sufficient amount of time and effort.

The most popular among them are floats made by hand from polystyrene foam, the advantages of which include high buoyancy and lower cost than PVC floats, although they are less resistant to aggressive ultraviolet rays and salt water.