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Rig · Beginner

The sliding float, and the fine line

The float slides up the line to the stop knot: you fish in midwater at the chosen depth, even deeper than the length of the rod. In a fixed, very fine version, it is the line for “carpes” (tilapia) and mullets.

Technical sheet
LevelBeginner
HabitatLagoon, mangrove edge
Target fish3 species
Knots usedThe improved clinch knot, Spade end hook knot, Uni knot

The sliding float rig
The sliding float rig 1 stop knot that sets the depth. 2 bead, which stops the stop knot from entering the float. 3 sliding float with the main line running through it: it slides up to the stop knot. 4 bulk shot under the float. 5 swivel. 6 fine leader. 7 fine hook baited with a pellet of paste.
Tackle and starting setup

Fine line: rod of 3 to 5 m, nylon 0.14 to 0.22 mm, fine balanced float, leader 0.12 to 0.20 mm, hook No. 8 to 14 (species sheets 62, 68, 69). Sliding float: stop knot, bead, tube float, bulk shot, swivel, leader.

The rig step by step

  1. Tie the stop knot on the main line at the chosen depth
  2. Thread on the bead, then the float
  3. Pinch the split shot on below the float, smallest last
  4. Tie on the swivel, leader and hook
  5. Balance it: only the antenna should show above the water

Bait: Bread paste, semolina, maggot, worm; groundbait lightly to hold the school of mullet.

Setting and technique: Shy bite: strike gently. Use the smallest float possible for the wind and current.

Which fish

The knots in this rig

Matching baits

All rigs · The technical notebook