pencil float vs. round float

[Bream Master]

I was just wondering if it is just personal preference or if there is some reason for the two designs.  Also, how about those floats that have a wood color with the very, very skinny tip and then towards the middle is the round section.  

Thanks.

[RoLo]

The lesser the diameter and the more slender the float, the sooner it will telegraph a bite with the least amount of resistance.

In contrast, a wide diameter float will not begin to sink until a greater amount of force is applied.

The "Ball Float" suffers from two disadvantages:

1. It doesn't bob up-and-down as readily, making it harder to notice a light bite

2. It applies more resistance to the fish early-on, before the float is submerged.

When panfishing, "always" opt for the "Slim-Jim" style float.

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When fishing for 6 to 12 pound bass with live shiners, light bites and resistance are not an issue.

For this reason we normally use party balloon where the shape of the float is happenstance.

I generally tell my guest, blow it up to the size of a chicken egg (that'll work) ;-)

Roger

[Bud]

Like RoLo said the slim jim style will show a much lighter bite.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Gotta agree with Rolo.  For smaller fish all I use is thill pencil float.  Works great.