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How to make a float from a wine cork? Homemade float for catching crucian carp with your own hands How to make a large float

In fishing stores you can find a huge variety of modern floats for fishing. Most people think that making such fishing gear is a waste of time. However, one may disagree here. After all, when making a thing for ourselves, we take into account our specific tastes, desires and preferences. And our imagination allows us to make fishing floats from the most unusual materials.

In this article we will look in detail at how and from what you can make a high-quality float for the current, winter floats, night floats, which will allow you to accurately see every bite.

Making your own floats

Making a fishing float at home is quite simple and does not take much time. You can cope with this even if you have no experience in making this thing yourself. An important point is that in material terms you will need a minimum of costs. To make a float, various available means can be used.

The material from which the float will be made is selected according to the type of fish to be fished for, as well as the characteristics of the reservoir, in particular the presence of a current on it.

Foam float

This type of float is the most popular among fishermen. It is characterized by ease of manufacture and availability of the required material. The float is sensitive and you can clearly see every bite. Typically, such a product is used when catching trophy or predatory fish (perch, pike).

  • High density foam;
  • Rod or stick;
  • Nipple;
  • Fine sandpaper;
  • Waterproof paint of any color, preferably not bright, or nail polish.

First you need to prepare the float blank. For this purpose, an oval, circle or other shape is cut out of foam plastic, which can then be beautifully sanded. This is done using fine sandpaper. A hole of suitable diameter is made in the center. A beech rod or stick (Chupa Chups is perfect) is inserted into it, onto which a nipple is attached.

Watch a video on making a foam float with your own hands:

If desired, the float can be painted with waterproof paint or regular nail polish.

After the paint has dried, you can attach the float to the gear.

Cork float

The technology for making a cork float is similar to the technology for a foam float. This accessory is also suitable for catching predatory fish.

For manufacturing we will need the following components:

  • Wine cork;
  • Rod or plastic tube;
  • Nipple;

A preliminary blank is cut out of the cork and given a smooth appearance. This can be done using a sander or sandpaper. Make a small hole in the center of the plug and insert a rod or any other plastic stick into it and carefully place the nipple on it. The float can be painted with non-bright waterproof paint. Once it is dry, you can use the product and attach it to the fishing rod.

Of all the fishing floats, the float made from bird feathers is considered the most sensitive. It is perfect for catching small crucian carp or rudd.

For manufacturing we will need the following components:

  • Bird feather;
  • Rubber ring;
  • Waterproof paint or nail polish.

Bird feathers must be carefully cleaned of fluff. Place a rubber ring on its thin part. The product can be painted with waterproof paint or nail polish. Typically, two shades are applied: black for the bottom and red or bright orange for the top.

Plastic tube float

Such a float is similar in sensitivity to a feather float and has additional advantages. The product looks more attractive and is more durable.

For manufacturing we will need the following components:

  • Plastic tube;
  • Lighter;
  • Pliers;
  • Nipple;

Cut the plastic stick to the required length. Its ends must be carefully soldered. This is done to prevent water from getting inside the float. To do this, using a lighter, the ends of a plastic stick are burned and twisted. After the stick has cooled, we heat the ends again and press them with pliers.

We make a hole and put on a bicycle nipple. If there is excess left, then carefully cut it off. We paint the product with waterproof paint or nail polish.

Video tutorial on making a float from a plastic tube for cocktails or juice:

Such a float can be built directly while fishing. Its advantages include the fact that it lies quietly on the water and is highly durable.

For manufacturing you will need the following materials:

  • Cane;
  • Barbecue stick;
  • Pencil sharpener;
  • Sandpaper;
  • Waterproof glue;
  • Threads;
  • Rubber ring;
  • Wire;
  • Waterproof paint or nail polish.
  1. First you need to select a reed. It must be dry, without scratches or damage. In appearance, reed is similar to bamboo. The diameter of the future float should be about 4 mm and 13-15 cm long. Based on these features, a reed stick is selected.
  2. Grind the reed blank using a sharpener. Using sandpaper, gently sand the ends. Cut 6 cm from a barbecue stick. Wrap a layer of thread on it and insert it into the reed. This will prevent water from getting into the float. At the other end, also insert a stick, but already 5 cm long, and notice a layer of thread on the rubber ring. It is through this that the fishing line passes. Lubricate the last stick with waterproof glue.
  3. Make a piece of wire like a pin. Attach it to the end of the stick and wrap it tightly with threads, grabbing the reed. You need to carefully go over the threads with a layer of waterproof glue. The same is done on the other side of the product. The float can be painted with paint or nail polish.

A simple way to make a reed float looks like this. Cut a stick 10 cm long from the reed, onto which you need to put two cambrics. That's it, the float is ready!

Video on making a float from reeds:

Match float

A match float is used in fishing for long casts.

  • Ear sticks;
  • Tube with a diameter of 3 mm;
  • Tube diameter 6 mm;
  • Plastic cone (no more than 0.5 g);
  • Wire with a diameter of 1 mm;
  • Wooden stick.

Clean four ear sticks from cotton wool. Cut two pieces of about 15 cm from a shrink tube of smaller diameter, put them on sticks and heat. Thus, you should get an antenna. A plastic cone is attached to it.

Take any floating material, for example, foam. The float body is made from it. You can use any form. A hole is made in the workpiece. Glue is poured into it and the prepared antenna is inserted. The float can be painted with waterproof paint or nail polish.

Connector for match float:

Float from a container for shoe covers

Even from such a non-standard material as a container for shoe covers you can make a wonderful float. It has a large load capacity, making it effective for long casts. Such gear must be used on standing reservoirs and in winter.


For manufacturing we will need the following materials:

  • Container for shoe covers;
  • Thin wire;
  • Silicone glue;
  • Small weight.
  1. Carefully twist the wire, leaving a small eyelet at the top.
  2. Make a hole in the lid of the container and insert the wire into it up to the ring.
  3. Lubricate the opposite side of the cap with silicone or waterproof glue.
  4. Pour water or put a weight inside the container.
  5. Close the product tightly with the lid.

How to make a sliding float

The peculiarity of the sliding float is that it can slide along the fishing line within two barriers in the form of limiters. You can make them yourself or buy them in a specialized store. Any type of float is suitable for such tackle, the main thing is that limiters are attached to the fishing line. Please note that for long casts it is necessary to use a float of the appropriate weight.


For manufacturing we will need the following materials:

  • Ballpoint pen refill;
  • Gel pen refill;
  • Styrofoam.

A blank is made from foam plastic and sanded using sandpaper. A hole is made in the foam into which you need to insert a stick and a gel rod 5.5-6.5 cm long. Insert a ball rod on the other side.

Video on how to equip such a float:

Thread the fishing line through the rods and paint the float in the desired color. It is recommended to use a red or blue tint.

Glowing night float


A luminous float, by the way, will come in handy when fishing at night. To make it you will need a regular float or a feather float.

  1. The float is coated with a luminescent solution.
  2. The float is covered with reflective paint or film.

There is also another way to make a night float, which is described in the video:


When fishing in currents, a flat float is ideal. Can be used in winter.

For manufacturing we will need the following materials:

  • Bamboo;
  • Styrofoam;
  • Clip;
  • Waterproof glue;
  • Nipple;
  • Ruler;
  • Sandpaper.

From polystyrene foam we make a blank in the form of a triangle with a thickness of 6-12 mm. It needs to be sanded using sandpaper. We make a hole in the middle of the workpiece, insert a bamboo stick into it and coat it with waterproof glue.

Insert a paper clip 15-20 mm long perpendicular to the bamboo into the foam and secure with waterproof glue. The resulting product can be painted with paint or nail polish.

  1. Use waterproof materials such as glue or paint.
  2. It is better not to paint the float with bright colors, as they scare away the fish.
  3. The size and shape of the float depends on the casting distance.
  4. The foam is selected with high density.
  5. A protective coating can be applied to the float. To do this, the product is coated with varnish or epoxy glue.
  6. It is better to paint the float in two colors. Use dark shades for the part immersed in water, and bright colors for the top.

Making homemade floats is not at all difficult. Of course, it may not turn out as perfect as we would like at first. As they say: “The first pancake is lumpy.” However, you will gradually get used to it and soon you will be able to make beautiful and high-quality floats.

DIY float. Homemade floats. Glowing float

The float is a constant companion for specific fishermen. This ancient invention is used if you set a goal to catch a bite just in time. Over time, the appearance, shape and materials where this tackle is made have changed a lot, but the principle of action has remained the same.

For successful fishing, the choice of floats is important. And from time to time, it is best to make them without the help of others. After all, for certain conditions of weather, depth, and fishing location, floats of various shapes, weights and sizes are used. If it is difficult to choose the best model, they make the float without the help of others, which saves quite a few, as the proverb says, there are cases left for our client. For this purpose, you will need ordinary tools, available materials, and your imagination.

Materials and tools

To produce floats, you cannot do without tools such as a caliper, a vice, or a hand vice, as it is also called an electronic drill. The materials used are polystyrene foam, tubes of various diameters, wire, paint, glue and much more.

Homemade floats made from natural materials, nettle, wood, bird feathers, porcupine quills, or balsa, are very popular. When using feathers, the main condition is to completely clean their surface from the fan, then cover it with varnish to prevent water from entering. Such homemade fishing floats are very light and are not suitable for any body of water.

Requirements for homemade floats

In general, making a float is quite easy, but this product must have certain properties, otherwise fishing with a child will simply be impossible. The main requirement is sustainability. You also need to make the float from the brightest materials or coat it with colored varnish. If this is not done, the tackle will be poorly visible on the water. Homemade fishing floats are quite strong, waterproof and not durable.

Any product that meets all the above requirements can be considered completely successful. And implement, naturally, the subsequent condition. This is the highest sensitivity, thanks to which it is necessary to naturally catch even the smallest touch of fish to the bait.

For you, making the float needs to be done quite economically. After all, if the creation of it requires the rarest tools, or expensive materials, the creation will be impractical.

Making a balsa float

Balsa is an ideal material for the production of floats of various types. The advantages include higher density, strength and durability. Already now, the dried balsa is very soft, and no special tools are required to work with it.

After producing the float body, a high-quality coating must be produced. It is true that balsa absorbs water in a short period of time, so you need to apply an initial primer with alcohol dye, followed by painstaking drying after a while. Not only at the bottom of all these manipulations, start painting the product. If it is not enough to perfectly paint the entire surface of the float, then when it comes into contact with water, its carrying capacity changes greatly, which affects the functionality of the tackle.

A float made of balsa alone is easy to make, suitable for all types of fishing and does not last a long time.

Foam float

The most popular material for the production of floats is polystyrene foam. It is recommended to use a material that has the highest density. What exists, what exists Styrofoam with small cells it is easy to process.

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The structure of this material resembles wood. Therefore, when in contact with water, the foam will absorb water, which has a bad effect on its functions. As follows, after producing the body of the product, you need to carefully coat it with varnish. As annoying as it may sound, you should avoid contact of the material with solvents that destroy it.

To make a high-quality foam float without the help of others, it is recommended to slightly burn the body of the product, reducing its water permeability. To compact the structure, it is natural to roll out the material between two boards.

Manufacturing procedure

First, you should make a preparatory drawing in order to maintain the dimensions of the gear later. Then you need to cut the blanks, taking into account the dimensions of the layout; in this case, it is better to make them a few mm apart than just.

It is most convenient to do this work if you have a machine with an electric saw. You need to attach a wire to another bicycle spoke in a stationary drill to make a hole. To produce the body of the tackle, it is better to use a chisel. To ensure that homemade floats are not inferior to factory ones, you should painstakingly sand them using sandpaper.

For the keel, wire is used, which must be tinned to protect it from corrosion, and finally coated with epoxy glue so as not to be stuck into the body of the product. All that remains is to paint our float. For this purpose, it is safer for you to use black nitro paint rather than light fluorescent paint. Snow-white, reddish, not dark paint is suitable for the antenna.

Extruded foam float with your own hands

DIY issue 21. Float from extrusion foam plastic, Can do it yourself, at home.

Floats made of bamboo sticks and foam. How to make a float with your own hands

Preparations for the 2017 season are in full swing. I prepare not only bait for predators, but also gear for peaceful ones.

Feather float

If you want to make a float with the greatest sensitivity, then you cannot find a better material than a goose feather. Thanks to its keel-shaped shape, such tackle is capable of transmitting the smallest touches of the fish to the hook.

To make one float on your own, you need to clean the feather from fluff, leaving only the shaft. It is of fundamental importance that it remains intact during cleaning, otherwise water will see inside. Therefore, it is best to singe the fluff over a small fire.

Next you need to put a rubber ring on the bottom of the feather, which will serve as a fastener for the fishing line. To ensure that the float is clearly visible in the water, its upper part should be painted in a catchy color. Your direction. combinations of contrasting tones, nettle, reddish not greenish, in other words dark not orange. You can only use waterproof paint, and on top of the product you need to open it with a layer of transparent varnish.

Tackle made from plastic tubes

Among the methods for making a float on your own, the most popular is making gear from plastic tubes. This material is similar to natural feathers, but it is smoother and not neat. A tube float has such properties as strength, high sensitivity and ease of production.

You should cut a piece of a suitable length from the tube without soldering the ends so that water does not get inside. One end of the tube is heated, a hole is made with wire, into which the fishing line is threaded. There is an option to put on a nipple. The float is painted in bright colors and is not varnished.

To produce such gear, expensive materials, as tools are also called, are not required, and the method will take a little time.

Wooden float

To produce wood gear you will need certain skills. This type of float is the most difficult to produce. Even now, if at the stage of production of equipment made of foam plastic, as the tubes are also called, it was possible to get by with the means at hand, then when working with wood, special tools will be required.

To carve the body of the tackle you will need an electric drill. Already now, the finished float needs to be painstakingly sanded and not painted. As for the tree species, there are no restrictions in the selection of its types. Fishermen often use reed, as it is quite easy to process. Even working with such ordinary material will take a lot of time and will not require patience or perseverance. If this is your first time trying your hand at art here, there is no point in grabbing stars from the sky. Try first do ordinary float. On your own, you can create a real masterpiece that can compete with store-bought models. But be prepared for the fact that this will not happen right away. Everything has its own free time.

How to make sliding floats with your own hands

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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”

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.

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.