A Comprehensive Guide to Float Fishing In New York
Float fishing in New York is an accessible and effective angling technique for all skill levels. This guide offers comprehensive information on techniques, equipment, and safety for navigating New York’s diverse waters.
Inside, beginners will find clear explanations on rigging, presentation, and basic boating skills, while seasoned anglers can dive into advanced techniques, specialized rigs, and strategies for targeting trophy fish.
With tips on equipment, safety, and location-specific advice, this comprehensive guide has everything you need to plan and enjoy successful float fishing adventures across New York’s scenic landscapes.
What is Float Fishing?
Float fishing, also known as bobber fishing, is a versatile angling method used across a wide range of New York waters, including the Salmon River, Lake Erie, the Fulton Chain of Lakes, the Niagara River, and the Finger Lakes.
At its core, float fishing involves suspending bait, flies or lures at a predetermined depth using a buoyant float or bobber attached to the fishing line.
This float serves as a visual indicator, alerting anglers to bites or strikes from fish. The fishing line extends from the float to the terminal tackle, which includes hooks, sinkers, and swivels. Hooks secure live bait or artificial lures, while sinkers provide weight to ensure proper depth control. Anglers cast their rigs into the water, allowing the bait to settle at the desired depth beneath the float.
Vigilantly observing the float, anglers await any signs of movement, indicating fish activity.
When the float dips, disappears, or moves unnaturally, it usually indicates a bite. How you respond depends on the species you’re targeting.
For example, when fishing for trout, a quick hook set by lifting the rod is often effective. But for species with softer mouths or those that tend to mouth the bait, a slower, steady reel-in is better to avoid pulling the hook out too soon.
Why is Float Fishing Popular?
Float fishing is popular for several reasons, making it a go-to method for anglers of all skill levels.
Its accessibility and simplicity appeal to beginners and seasoned anglers alike, offering an easy-to-learn technique that can be quickly mastered. This method’s effectiveness in various water environments and for targeting a wide range of fish species adds to its popularity.
The use of a float allows anglers to present bait or lures at precise depths, increasing the likelihood of enticing fish to strike.
Additionally, float fishing is highly versatile and can be adapted to different fishing conditions and locations.
The visual feedback provided by the float, indicating fish activity through dips and bobs, enhances the excitement and anticipation of fishing.
Moreover, float fishing requires minimal equipment, making it a cost-effective option for anglers.
With basic gear such as a rod, reel, line, hooks, and floats, anglers can engage in float fishing without the need for elaborate setups or specialized gear.
Overall, the accessibility, effectiveness, versatility, and enjoyment associated with float fishing contribute to its popularity among anglers worldwide.
Popular New York Float Fishing Species
Float fishing in New York offers anglers a diverse selection of species to target, each presenting unique challenges and rewards. Among the most sought-after species are trout, including brook, brown, and rainbow trout, abundant in the state’s renowned trout streams like those found in the Catskill Mountains and the Adirondack region.
Panfish such as bluegill, sunfish, and crappie are plentiful in New York’s lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers, making float fishing a favorite pastime for anglers of all ages.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are highly sought after in freshwater lakes and rivers throughout New York, providing anglers with exciting opportunities for successful float fishing outings.
Walleye, known for their delicious flavor and challenging fight, are prevalent in lakes like Erie, Ontario, and the Finger Lakes, offering anglers ample chances to hook these fish.
Moreover, northern pike and muskellunge, apex predators found in many of New York’s larger bodies of water, require strategic presentation techniques and sturdy tackle, rewarding anglers with the thrill of landing one of these powerful fish.
New York’s waters also harbor a variety of other species, including carp, catfish, and various freshwater panfish, that can all be target using float fishing setups, typically on coarse terminal tackle.
New York’s Popular Float Fishing Locations
New York offers unique float fishing spots, each with distinct charm and opportunities. The Salmon River in Oswego County is famous for world-class steelhead and salmon fishing.
The Great Lakes, including Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, provide trophy-sized trout, salmon, walleye, and bass fishing with stunning views.
The Hudson River offers diverse fishing, from striped bass and bluefish in the lower reaches to bass and panfish upstream.
Long Island’s coastal waters are rich with fluke, porgy, and striped bass.
The Finger Lakes region, with deep, clear waters, offers exceptional fishing for lake trout, landlocked salmon, and trophy-sized bass.
Key Equipment
Float fishing requires several key pieces of equipment to ensure a successful and enjoyable angling experience. At the core of float fishing are floats or bobbers, which keep the bait or lure suspended at the desired depth in the water.
Anglers can choose from various shapes, sizes, and materials to match the fishing conditions and target species. Complementing the float is a suitable fishing rod and reel combination, selected based on sensitivity and strength requirements for the intended fishing.
Fishing line is another crucial component, with options including monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided lines, each offering different properties in visibility and strength.
Terminal tackle, such as hooks, sinkers, and swivels, completes the rig setup, with hooks matched to bait size and fish species, sinkers providing weight for bait descent, and swivels preventing line twist.
Bait and lure choices depend on the target species and local fishing regulations. For trout and salmon, anglers often use natural baits like live worms, salmon eggs, or artificial trout beads. Panfish such as bluegill and crappie respond well to small minnows or waxworms suspended under a float. For bass, soft plastic worms, creature baits, or small jigs can be highly effective when drifted or twitched beneath the surface. In murkier waters, brightly colored lures or scented baits can help attract strikes from species like catfish or walleye.
A well-organized tackle box is essential for storing and accessing gear efficiently while on the water. Polarized sunglasses help reduce glare and provide eye protection, aiding in fish visibility and bite detection.
Additionally, fishing nets are useful for safely landing and releasing fish, particularly larger species like carp, promoting responsible catch-and-release practices.
To optimize tackle organization, tackle boxes with separate slots for swivels, bobbers, and other terminal tackle components facilitate efficient access and organization on the water.
Recognizing float fishing’s typically static nature, anglers benefit from rod setups that minimize wrist strain. Rod holders or rod tubes offer sturdy support, allowing anglers to set rods securely and comfortably. Furthermore, angler may benefit from purchasing a portable fishing chair while spending significant time float fishing.
Best Times to Float Fish in New York
The best times to utilize float fishing in New York can vary depending on factors such as bait presentation, time of day, and fish behavior.
When encountering issues with crabs consuming baits presented on surfcasting sinker rigs, employing small floats on traces can elevate the bait off the bottom, allowing it to suspend freely in the water and out of reach of crabs.
A great tip is to add weight to the float bait, helping to reduce the risk of hooking seabirds, a common accident when float fishing.
While float fishing can be done at any time of day, early morning and late evening—especially around sunrise and sunset—are often the most productive times. Many fish species are more active during these cooler, low-light periods, making them ideal for float fishing. These quieter times also offer a chance to slow down and enjoy the calm, helping anglers relax and stay focused.
For targeting larger fish like carp, float fishing remains effective with the right setup. Fishing well over-depth allows the hook bait to sit below the float, making the rig less visible.
Carp can approach the bait more confidently, and bites are often signaled by the float tipping or lifting slightly—subtle signs that can lead to big rewards.
When selecting the best weight for float fishing, factors such as water conditions come into play. In rivers with high, fast water, larger floats weighing 10 grams or more may be suitable, while in low, clear water, smaller floats ranging from 6-10 grams are preferable.
Advanced Float Fishing Techniques
Advanced float fishing techniques for longer-range fishing involve several key adjustments and considerations.
Mastering your casting technique is essential, as increasing your casting range magnifies any defects. It’s crucial to practice accuracy at shorter distances before attempting longer casts and hitting bites become more challenging as range increases.
The size of the float governs your fishing range, influenced by bait and weather conditions, with 20 meters typically the limit.
Experimenting with different floats and shotting patterns optimizes casting distance. In deeper water, traditional rig setups may become tedious; using a heavier float with a small bulk of shot down the line improves bait presentation and deters smaller fish.
Slider floats are ideal for fishing in very deep water, though they require skillful casting due to their weight. Wind and water drift can pose challenges, but increasing the float depth and allowing some line to rest on the bottom can help keep the float stable.
On larger or wind-affected waters, windbeater floats are a great option—they’re designed to stay visible and steady in choppy conditions. Pole floats, while traditionally used with poles, can also be adapted for rod-and-reel setups. When paired with a centrepin reel, they offer a simple, tangle-resistant solution suitable for various fishing situations.
Float Fishing Safety
Prioritize safety when float fishing. Wear a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) to ensure buoyancy in case of accidents. Check weather conditions to avoid severe weather and inform someone of your plans. Be aware of water depth, currents, and underwater obstacles. Handle tackle carefully to prevent injuries. Use sun protection like sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing, and stay hydrated.
When handling fish, use tools like landing nets and fish grips to avoid injury. Dispose of waste properly to prevent pollution.
Always remember to avoid fishing during thunderstorms and stay clear of power lines.
