Gold Medal Floats

Big Barbel Waggler

🐉 BIG BARBEL WAGGLER

The Big Barbel Waggler is a specialist float I developed for dragging hard along the riverbed — designed specifically to target powerful, bottom-feeding barbel.

This beefed-up version of the classic balsa river waggler carries between 8–16 swan shot, giving it the strength and buoyancy needed to hold station and work the bait slowly along the bottom of a fast-flowing river.

Ideal for big rivers such as the River Wye and River Severn, this float excels where lighter wagglers or stick floats simply can’t cope. By laying a couple of feet of line (including hooklength) on the deck and stringing out BB shots, the float allows your bait to bounce and drag naturally through the swim — a deadly tactic for drawing in big barbel and chub.

🧰 Float Design & Setup

  • Material: Solid balsa dowel, tapered at the base for improved hydrodynamics.

  • Tip: Extra large and highly visible to keep the rig steady against heavy drag.

  • Attachment: Bottom only, using stopper shots on either side of the eye.

  • Shotting: A string of BB shots below the float to achieve the right bounce and pace.

The heavy buoyancy of the float means that when a barbel takes the bait, the float automatically sets the hook as it plunges under — a fantastic advantage when trotting at distance.

🪱 Baiting Tactics

  • Large bunches of maggots or casters are ideal.

  • Pellet baits can work superbly in the right conditions.

  • Allow the bait to trundle slowly along a clean gravel run or sandy bottom.

⚠️ Warning: Always make sure the riverbed is clear of snags or sunken obstacles before fishing this method.

🏆 Clive’s Match Tip

For best results, position yourself slightly upstream, mend the line carefully, and let the float work the bait through the holding areas. When the float disappears, it’s usually a solid fish.

📘 For more advanced waggler techniques and full shotting diagrams, get the complete guide in Clive Branson’s book or instant PDF download.

An illustration from the book

 
 

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