Frequently Asked Questions

  Q:  What is the purpose of having two different shapes of indicators? When would you choose a round indicator over the teardrop shape indicator?

  A: Round indicators work very well in a flowing current that is of a consistent flow, also easier to cast during windy conditions as they have less surface area of the same size in a teardrop shaped indicator. A teardrop shaped indicator will support  just a fraction more weight than a round indicator of the same size. The teardrop shape has more surface area to it and the tapered cone part which when set right is below the water's surface, will help you track a more consistent drift in an interuppted surface flow, such as pocket water, riffles or crossing currents. With practice you may find that you will mend your line a bit less to hold a more consistent drift with a teardrop shaped indicator.

  Q: Why is there so many different sizes?

  A: There  is a specific reason for different sizes of strike indicators. It all boils down to the amount of weight you add to your line to get your presentation down to the preferred depth of where you intend to fish in the vertical water column. Things that you need to take into consideration to put this all together are, The speed of the current, The depth you want to fish, How quickly you would like to reach this depth, and how much weight you need to support with the indicator. When you consider all of these common factors, this will help you decide what size indicator to choose, to do the job.

  Q: What advantage is it to the angler to have so many different color choices of indicators?  How do you decide what color of  indicator to use?

  A: Float Master Products offers Seventeen Different Color Choices in their product line. They start off with four different bright fluorescent colors and also a bright white. The reason behind this is it's a proven fact that not everyone's vision is quite the same. Under different light levels of the day, some colors are more easily seen by some people than others. I like to use the Fluorescent Green or Fluorescent Yellow under low light level conditions. This usually occurs during the first part of the morning or late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky, or when we have a sky full of clouds. There are three different choices of colors for the lower half of the indicators to help you minimize the chances of  the fish seeing your indicator. When I fish a bubble line or a seam, I like to use a white bottomed indicator to blend in with the bubbles and foam on the water's surface. I like to use the River Camo shaded grey bottom indicators when fishing with an overcast sky above. I will use an indicator with a black bottom  when I discover an above average amount of debris in the water, or wanting to appear as a piece of debris. Things such as leaves, sticks or anything else that leaves a shadow effect in the water. If the water is a bit stained then I'll choose a solid fluorescent colored indicator and let the amount of  light in the sky dictate the color I can see the easiest. Stained waters are my favorite conditions to fish in. It hides so much of what's above and on the water surface. My most successful days on the water have been under conditions where I were able to blend in with the natural surroundings of nature, and being undetected by the fish.

  Q: What can an angler do to enhance the vision, to spot the indicator on the water with ease?

  A: I carry two different types of polarized sunglasses with me on the water at all times. My first pair has an amber colored lens and my second pair is a dark grey lens. During low light level conditions I will wear the amber colored lens. This enhances the color of the yellow or green indicators and makes it easy to see thru my eyes. When we have partly to mostly sunny skies I will wear the dark grey sunglasses to cut the glare from the water. It is necessary for me to use a bright red or bright orange indicator during these conditions so I can see my indicator and to tell what's happening with my presentation.

  Q: With all of these changing conditions in atmosphere and water, how can an angler be prepared for all this?

  A: My recommendation to this question is to be as prepared as possible for all the changing conditions. Your time is limited on the water as it is and you want to be successful when you do get the opportunity to go. Check into any of the Three Flowing Waters Kits listed on the Products Page on this web site. They are specifically designed to cover many changing fishing conditions.