The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Morning All, I'd appreciate your learned views on the best float design for the lift method (tench specifically)- straight peacock, or bodied waggler, or is it simply more important to get the set up correct? Regards Cat

Any float that's over-shotted by the bottom shot will show a lift bite. Close in a length of peacock quill is ideal. For a longer cast, cross-winds or an undertow, step up the float size and an antenna helps to stabilise it all.

The bottom shot depends on the fish's sensitivity and can vary from a swan shot down to a No4. Practice and results will make you an expert in no time.

Thanks Dave...appreciated.

A small crow quill over shotted with 1BB under the rod tip will usually do the trick….
No bait boats required….

I could be described as over keen on the lift method! Whilst I completely agree with Dave, close in, without wind or undertow, I really like using a reverse quill. If you are making your own, Seagull is particularly good as you can pretty much achieve a tip as fine as you want.

Phil

I'd rather eat my own hair than use a bait boat.

RBTraditional wrote: ↑Wed Jul 12, 2023 6:48 pm A small crow quill over shotted with 1BB under the rod tip will usually do the trick….
No bait boats required….

totally agree with you here 100% Rob, a small Crow quill over shotted is the best way to go in my opinion

Cat wrote: ↑Wed Jul 12, 2023 7:03 pm I'd rather eat my own hair than use a bait boat.

Battered bait boat can be good

I tend to use a bodied antennae in any sort of breeze.I may be barking up the wrong tree but I think the extra bouyancy in the base of the float causes the lifts to show up more positively.In really calm conditions or close in I also like to go with a quill.
The real trick is to get the shotting just right as Tench can be the most finicky rascals.

I have tried lift without much success.
I am wondering do you knowledgable ones vary the distance of the bottom shot from the hook depending on how finicky the bites are?
In the same sense as changing tell tale shot when normal float fishing, or link length when legering?