How to make a balsa waggler fishing float

(Image credit: Angler's Mail)

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Here’s how to make a balsa waggler float which is ideal for fishing a few rod lengths out.

(Image credit: Angler's Mail)

1 To make this kind of fishing float you will need sanding sealer, 3 mm or 4 mm diameter balsa wood dowel, black and green paint, a razor knife, Araldite glue and emery paper, fluorescent paint, a bait drill and cocktail sticks.

(Image credit: Angler's Mail)

2 Using the sharp knife cut a piece of the balsa dowel to length. This is normally 5 to 7 inches. The bait drill is then used to drill holes in both ends of the dowel to take parts of the cocktail sticks.

(Image credit: Angler's Mail)

3 Mix the Araldite glue and glue in a short length of cocktail stick pointed end first to take the float adaptor. Then glue in a longer section to form the tip of the float. Leave to let the glue set.

(Image credit: Angler's Mail)

4 Smooth the float using emery paper to remove any edges on the glue and then apply a coat of sanding sealer and allow it to dry. Once fully dry give it a light flatting over before applying a second coat and flatting again.

(Image credit: Angler's Mail)

5 Using correction fluid give the tip an undercoat of white.

(Image credit: Angler's Mail)

6 Paint the body of the float black. To get a neat finish to the edges or black rings it is best to hold the float against a rigid flat surface and place the wet paintbrush over the top. Then rotate the float to complete the circle.

(Image credit: Angler's Mail)

7 Paint the tip with fluorescent paint. You’ll notice this float has a black section under the coloured tip and then a white section which is done to improve visibility of lift bites.

(Image credit: Angler's Mail)

8 The black body is given a stipple over with green paint.

9 The body and tip is given two coats of varnish to finish off the float.

Angler's Mail

Running from 1964 until 2020, Angler's Mail was the UK's leading weekly magazine devoted to coarse fishing, telling readers everything they needed to know about which fish to catch, where to catch them, and what kit they needed to do it. Now, loads of the magazine's expert advice can be found on Advnture.com, as a helpful resource for angling newcomers and experts alike.