Float Fishing For Steelhead 101

angler showing off his catch while float fishing for steelhead
The author used a float rig on this “chromer.”

Introduction to Steelhead Fishing

Each season, a new group of anglers ventures into the world of steelhead fishing, quickly discovering that it’s a far cry from chasing bass in a local pond. Steelhead fishing is a pursuit that demands patience, persistence, and a good deal of skill. For beginners, it can feel like an uphill battle—these elusive fish are constantly on the move, difficult to spot, and just as temperamental as any fish in the water. Many new anglers find themselves struggling to decipher the behavior of steelhead, and it’s easy to become frustrated when things aren’t going as planned.

The Float Fishing Technique Gives Anglers an Edge

Fortunately, float fishing offers a powerful technique that can help novice anglers get a foothold in this challenging sport. Float fishing for steelhead is an excellent way to level the playing field and significantly improve your chances of landing fish. It’s a versatile and effective method that allows anglers to cover more water and increase the likelihood of encountering steelhead.

The float fishing technique is a game-changer, offering several advantages for those just starting out. By suspending bait or lures at a specific depth, anglers are able to present their offerings more naturally and effectively. This method allows you to fish deeper sections of a river or stream without worrying about snagging or losing gear, which is a common issue for beginners using traditional bottom-bouncing techniques.

Another major benefit of float fishing is its ability to adapt to varying water conditions. Steelhead are known to frequent different depths at different times of day or in different seasons, and the float fishing technique provides the flexibility to target fish at various depths throughout the water column. Whether you’re fishing in fast-moving currents or calmer waters, a properly rigged float setup can help you find steelhead where they are most likely to be.

Why Float Fishing Works for Steelhead

Advancements in fishing technology and the availability of specialized gear have made float fishing for steelhead more accessible than ever. These days, novice anglers can easily get their hands on high-quality rods, reels, and float setups that make the process more manageable and enjoyable. The gear has come a long way from the rudimentary setups many experienced anglers had to use when they first started. What once required a lot of trial and error can now be tackled with the right tools and some basic knowledge.

In short, float fishing is an excellent starting point for any angler looking to dive into the world of steelhead fishing. With the right gear and a little practice, even a beginner can start to unlock the mysteries of these challenging fish. The learning curve is still present, but technology and improved equipment have made it easier to get started and increase your chances of success on the water. Whether you’re fishing for the first time or just looking to improve your technique, float fishing can give you the edge you need to land steelhead and build confidence as an angler.

The Basic Supplies For Your Float Fishing Setup

Spin Fishing Gear

Spinning gear would be the best place to start with your steelhead float fishing setup, since their design makes them the ideal reel to cast light float rigs a long distance. Make sure you have a spinning reel with a smooth drag; cheap spinning reels with sticky drags will lead to break-offs and utter steelhead float fishing frustration. A float fishing reel that can hold at least 150 yards of 8 pound line is a necessity as fresh steelhead can take a lot of line in a hurry.

High-Quality Line

Speaking of your float fishing line, be sure to spend the money and fill your reel with high quality monofilament line that has high tensile strength and low memory. Float fishing gear puts a lot of stress on the main line as you’ll be moving the float and shot up and down the line, not to mention dealing with slack line during the drift; I can’t stress enough how crucial this component is to your success and enjoyment on the stream while you’re float fishing for steelhead.

Float Fishing Rod

I hate to sound like some old geezer, but when I started float fishing for steelhead, there wasn’t a commercially made float rod. You had to get a custom rod built in order to float fish. Boy, how times have changed! Now there are a myriad of commercially built float fishing rods that will fit just about any budget.

Match the rod length to the water you plan to float fish for steelhead.  A 13 foot rod will be ideal for all medium to large streams, while a 10 to 11 foot rod is better suited to small water. Make sure to choose a rod with plenty of backbone as the power in the lower half of the rod is required to wear down a big fish quickly while steelhead fishing.

Tackle for Steelhead Fishermen

An angler showing off his first successful catch while float fishing for steelhead
Ohio native Trevor Shaheen with his first steelhead from the Salmon River courtesy of an egg sack and a float.

The terminal tackle needed for the basic float fishing rig is the float, split shot, swivels, hooks, and leader material. Basic stuff, but it’s the right stuff that will get you connected consistently, a winning combination.

Raven Tackle has the most expansive float line up in the market today, and three of their float styles are well suited for the majority of the Lake Ontario watersheds:

The SS series in the 3.0g size is a great float for smaller rivers and streams. It holds enough weight to get your offering down to the fish but is stealthy enough not to spook fish upon entry. This series is sure to help you catch steelhead on your float fishing rig.

The FM series in the 6.2g size is one of the most popular in the Great Lakes region today. This float supports an ideal amount of weight for most rivers and streams you’ll encounter, and its high visibility top makes it easy to see in choppy runs or low light conditions. Float fishing for steelehead with this series is a fantastic way to catch your Great Lakes steelhead.

The FD series in the 11g size is useful to have in high water or big stream situations while float fishing for steelhead. You can cast this float a mile and get down in the deep, gnarly holes! River fishing requires the right float while float fishing steelhead.

Split Shots

Split shots are a crucial component for weighting your float rig, ensuring that your bait reaches the fish-holding zone where steelhead are likely to be. They provide the necessary weight to get your bait down to the proper depth and allow for a more accurate presentation, especially in deeper or faster-moving waters. To set up your rig, carry a range of split shots, from size 7 to 3/0, to use as keel weight just below the float. Typically, two or three pieces are sufficient to balance the rig and provide the necessary weight for casting distance. BB and B-sized shots are ideal for sinking the bait without creating too much disturbance in the water, which is critical in clear water when targeting steelhead.

Stagger the Shots

To achieve the best results, stagger the placement of your split shots along the main line, starting from the leader and working your way up towards the float. The number of shots you use will depend on the size of the float, but usually, 6 to 12 pieces will do the trick. The key to this rigging method is positioning the lighter shots and bait ahead of the float. This way, the steelhead will encounter the bait first, with the terminal tackle (such as the hook and line) following. This subtle approach is what makes float fishing especially effective in clear water, as it minimizes the visibility of your tackle and gives the bait a more natural presentation, increasing the chances of attracting fish.

Swivels, Hooks, and Leaders – Oh My!

Now that you have your shot placement sorted, it’s time to focus on the terminal tackle. Swivels, hooks, and leader material are all integral to a successful float fishing rig. Small swivels, like the Raven Micro Swivel, are essential for preventing line twists, which can cause your setup to perform poorly. These swivels also make it easier to tie leaders and switch out rigs quickly if needed.

When selecting hooks, match the size to your fishing environment. For small streams, size 8 to 10 hooks are ideal, while size 4 to 6 hooks are better suited for larger bodies of water. A bronze or black nickel finish will help the hooks blend into the water, and a chemically sharpened point ensures better hook penetration. For steelhead, I highly recommend using the Raven Specialist hook, known for its reliability and strength.

For the leader material, fluorocarbon is the way to go. It refracts light, making it less visible to the fish, which is especially important when fishing in clear water. Fluorocarbon is also stronger and more abrasion-resistant than traditional monofilament, giving you added durability when fishing around rocks or other rough environments. A 6-pound test is suitable for most situations, but for small streams or ultra-clear water, you may want to go down to 4-pound test for the best results. Investing in high-quality leader material will make a noticeable difference in both performance and fish retention.

Take It From The Top

Float fishing is ideal for fishing pools where steelhead rest during their migration upstream. If you have the luxury of having the water all to yourself, start at the top of the pool and work your way down. Be sure to work your way across the pool on successive drifts. This insures you are covering the water properly which leads to finding the sweet spot in the hole that the fish are holding in at that moment.

Keys To Success

An angler on a small stream, showing off his success while float fishing for steelhead
The author used a stealth float fish to land this big “chrome” from a small stream.

When it comes to float fishing for steelhead, two critical factors play a huge role in your success: line management and rig depth. Mastering these elements will help you keep your bait in the strike zone longer and increase your chances of hooking into those elusive fish.

Line Management

Float fishing works effectively because it allows your bait to move naturally with the current, mimicking the behavior of prey steelhead are hunting. However, the key is to avoid holding back on the float during the drift, as this causes the rig to drag and the bait to lift out of the strike zone. To keep your rig properly positioned, it’s important to feed line out in short intervals, opening the bail on your reel. This will ensure your float moves freely with the current, maintaining the natural presentation that steelhead are drawn to.

Too much slack in the line will cause you to miss strikes, so it’s essential to keep in constant contact with the float. Stay focused and watch it carefully—when the float suddenly dips below the surface, it’s time to act. Being ready and alert is crucial for making a successful hookset, so don’t let your attention wander.

Go Deep

One of the most common mistakes new float anglers make is not fishing deep enough. If your bait isn’t close to the bottom, where steelhead often feed, you’re unlikely to get a bite. To fix this, keep adjusting your float until it begins to tick the bottom, signaling that you’re fishing in the right depth. Once you’re close to the bottom, you’ll be in the zone where steelhead are most likely to strike.

When the float goes down, don’t hesitate—set the hook hard and fast. If you wait even a moment, the fish may feel the tension and spit the bait before you can reel it in. As west coast angler Bill Herzog famously says, “jerk or be one!”

Learn More About Float Fishing

Want to take your float fishing game to the next level? Check out the Raven Tackle website at www.raventackle.com for more tips, tools, and tackle designed to help you become a better steelhead angler.

Original Article By Brian Kelly

About The Author

Brian Kelly has chased steelhead from British Columbia to New York and enjoys teaching others about this great sport, as well as testing his skill on new waters.

Share:

Related

Egg drift fishing helped this angler catch this huge steelhead

Egg Drift Fishing for Steelhead Tips and Tricks

Salmon Fishing on Lake Ontario Tributaries Mid-October marks a bustling period for anglers fishing the...

two men on a boat barely visible behind a gigantic salmon caught using fire brine.

Fire Brine for Trolling Salmon, Steelhead and Browns

Out With The Old, In With The New Fire Brine For over 20 years, I’ve...

Man posing with catch while spring steelhead fishing.

Spring Steelhead Fishing Tips to Land a Big One

Prime Spring Steelhead Fishing: The Ultimate Guide to Success Spring is undoubtedly one of the...

Man posing in front of a snow covered river bank with large steelhead while winter steelhead fishing.

Winter Steelhead Fishing NY Salmon River Pulaski Tips

Winter Steelhead Fishing Attracts New Anglers In recent years, winter steelhead fishing has seen a...