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How to tie a stickfloat rig

That moment when a stick float slides away is what river fishing is all about. Here’s a quick, tangle-resistant stick float rig for trotting streams and small rivers.

by Jonathan Longden |

Published on25th February 2026 at 11.20am

Trotting a small river with a stick float is one of the quickest ways to get bites from roach, dace, bleak and chub. It is active, visual fishing, and when the float buries in a steady run it never gets boring. The key is a rig that casts cleanly underarm, settles fast, and falls through the water naturally without tangling. This is a simple, tangle-resistant stick float set-up that works on most small rivers and streams.

YOUR PERFECT TROTTING ROD IS IN OUR BUYERS GUIDE FOR THE BEST FLOAT ROD FOR SILVERS.

Start with a light floating mainline. A 2–3lb float mono is ideal because it lifts cleanly for mending, helping you keep control of the float, and makes it easier to hit quick bites. Fit a stick float with three rubbers, one under the tip, one mid-body, and one over the stem. This keeps the float stable on the cast. Plumb up, set the depth, then pinch on a single No8 shot directly under the float as a simple depth marker.

Now for the shotting pattern. A tangle-free stick float rig you want the bulk of the weight in the top two-thirds of the rig, with the shot evenly spaced down the line shirt button style. Using pairs of No8 or No6 shots spaced at regular intervals is a neat way to do it, and it helps the rig settle quickly while still falling through the water in a controlled natrual manner.

Finish with two single droppers near the hook, usually No8s, to slow the fall through the last foot of water and let the bait fall naturally. That last little flutter is often what turns interest into proper bites, especially from roach and dace.

Tie on a hook to suit your bait. For maggots and casters, a finewire pattern is usually the right call. If you are feeding bigger baits or expecting chub, step up to something a touch stronger.

When fishing feed little and often, mend the line to keep the float running straight, and hold back occasionally to make the bait lift and fall.

THE BEST FISHING REELS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR PAYING LINE WHEN TROTTING.

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