🪶 Long Oval Float
The Long Oval pole float is one of the most versatile float shapes ever produced. Traditionally recognised as a whip or pole-to-hand float, it also performs exceptionally well with a breaking down pole method — making it a valuable tool for both speed fishing and bagging sessions.
🧪 Design and Options
The long oval body is highly sensitive, lending itself to detecting even the lightest of bites.
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Bristles: Wire, cane, or nylon (depending on application)
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Stems: Wire, cane, or carbon
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Shotting: Can be spaced with styles for a delicate fall, or bunched for a faster, more direct presentation
Smaller versions excel on canals and intimate venues, while the larger floats shine on big natural waters when bagging larger fish.
🎣 On the Bank
One winter league match on the Kennet and Avon Canal remains one of my favourite demonstrations of this float’s flexibility. I was catching steadily on a breaking down pole, but knew I needed to speed things up on small blade skimmers. By adding extra line and switching to a float-to-hand method, I managed to catch over 300 fish for a final weight of 17 lb.
It’s the only float pattern I know that works equally well for pole-to-hand fishing and conventional section-down pole tactics.
🌍 Match Success Abroad
This shape has served me just as well internationally. I’ve used it extensively in Ireland and Denmark, taking match weights of 142 lb and 136 lb respectively on the River Blackwater (County Cork).
One of my proudest wins with this pattern came at the Boyle Angling Festival in 1989, where a large Long Oval float was central to my pole-to-hand approach.
🧭 Usage Guidelines
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Smaller floats: Ideal for canals and stillwaters
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Use wire bristles and reducing-size style leads
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Larger floats: Ideal for rivers and big bagging sessions
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Use nylon or cane tips with reducing-size split shot
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📏 Sizes: From 4×18 up to 10 g, covering everything from delicate canal work to heavy natural river fishing.
✅ In summary:
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One of the most versatile float patterns available
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Works equally well as a whip/pole-to-hand float or a breaking down pole float
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Proven on canals, rivers, and international venues
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Perfect for silver fish speed work or big weight bagging sessions
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A must-have in any serious match angler’s tackle box
Illustration from the book
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