Rod/reel for slip floats

[CrappiePappy]

Why are you guys using such long poles when using slip floats? I'm not questioning your tactics, I'm wondering what I'm missing by using a 5' or 5' 6" pole which is what I typically use with a slip float.

To take up more line when setting the hook, with a lot less effort, and from a greater distance (when applicable).

To apply more hookset power from a distance. Consider this : your line runs from your rod tip to the slipfloat, then from the slipfloat straight down to whatever depth you have your bait set to be. The slipfloat is not a "stationary" object, so when you set the hook it will be pulled towards you, dampening the power of the hookset. The shorter the rod, the less line taken up when raising the rod, therefore you're not always applying enough pressure to the hook to stick the fish.

This is mostly dependent on "distance" (of float from rod) .... because a shorter rod is still fairly effective if the float is relatively close to the rod tip.

[deathb4disco]

This is kind of a long video, but you might find it interesting. It's the 2016 world championships in float fishing. If you skip to about the 19:00 mark, you'll see Alan Scotthorne (the same guy in the knot-tying video.)

Everybody is using slip floats and 12-14' rods.

[FurFlyin]

Never thought about the longer pole taking up more line on the hook set but that make a whole lot of sense.

[Granite]

I use slip floats a lot. My set up for the last 15 years has been a 12 foot euro match rod and reel of your choice, I have switched to 5 # K9 braid , it is high vis . Four # flouro for leader and 15 # mono for a stop knot. I have two of these setups and they have served me very well . I prefer euro floats with the loop at the bottom. I test the floats as to how much weight it takes to get it to settle to my liking and mark each float.