🪶 Long Shoulder Pear Float
The Long Shoulder Pear is one of my personal favourites for fishing running water. With its streamlined body, it resembles a stick float, but with the added control and sensitivity of a pole float.
This design features an elongated pear shape with a high shoulder, wire or carbon stem, and a nylon bristle — giving it the perfect balance of sensitivity and stability.
📜 A Little History
I was first introduced to this float by Phil Brisco of Leeda Tackle while filming a video with Paul Gascoigne on the South Forty Foot Drain.
Although we were using it on a deep canal-style venue, I soon discovered that the float truly comes into its own on rivers.
🎯 Presentation and Technique
Stringing out shots in reducing sizes creates a lovely slow-drop presentation. As the float is held back against the flow, it gently lifts the bait off the bottom, imitating a natural movement that fish find irresistible.
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Ideal for loose feeding hemp and caster or maggot
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Works beautifully in deep water
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Great for fishing “on the drop” through the water column
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Slight overshotting helps maintain a smooth, controlled trot
This float has been a match-winner for me on:
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🏞️ Bristol Avon — Southern Pole Championships winner with 16 lb of prime roach
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🏞️ Warwickshire Avon
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🏞️ River Thames
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🏞️ River Severn
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🏞️ River Wye
The method is simple but deadly effective: catapult loose hemp and caster or maggot, then allow the float to trundle naturally through the feed. As it settles, the takes are usually decisive and positive.
🧪 Design and Shotting
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Sizes: 0.75 g to 1.5 g
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Originally manufactured by Colmic (Italy) — I later made my own refinements to the design, resulting in more control and even better presentation. (Winning an Evesham qualifier with 16 lb of roach was proof enough for me!)
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Works best with styles on the line rather than round split shot — this helps slow the bait’s descent and reduces phantom bites, especially when using hemp.
✅ In summary:
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Elongated pear shape with high shoulder for controlled presentation
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Ideal for trotting on rivers and deep canal-style venues
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Perfect for fishing “on the drop” with hemp, caster, or maggot
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Proven match-winner with outstanding roach-catching ability
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Stable, sensitive, and highly versatile
Illustration from the book
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