Gold Medal Floats

Maggot Feeder Waggler

THE MAGGOT FEEDER WAGGLER

🐉 MAGGOT FEEDER FLOAT

(Invented by Clive Branson – Newport, Gwent, 1971)

The Maggot Feeder Float is one of my proudest creations — an idea born from a practical problem at a classic South Wales match venue: Woodstock Pond, Newport, Gwent.

This medium-sized lake has an island at its centre, and the fish — roach, rudd, skimmers, crucians, and tench — were holding tight to the island margins. The only way to catch consistently was to feed and fish right up against the island, with pinpoint accuracy at around 45 yards.

Loose feeding pinkies at this range was near impossible. Sticky maggots, groundbait and standard feeder floats all fell short — literally. A traditional Dave Thomas feeder float offered a partial solution, but it dumped its contents on entry, giving no continuity of feed. I needed something better.

So in 1971, I invented a float that would feed and fish at the same time.

🧰 Design & Function

  • Base Float: Large clear crystal waggler

  • Feeder: Small plastic feeder body (weight removed)

  • Join: Float glued through centre of feeder

  • Tip: Long plastic antenna (for maggot weight compensation)

By super-gluing a crystal waggler through the centre of a plastic feeder, and adding a long insert, I created a float that allowed a measured release of maggots during the cast and as the float settled.

The antenna was made deliberately long to compensate for the weight of the maggots inside the feeder. As the maggots slowly trickled out, the antenna rose gradually in the water — and when a fish took the bait, the float dipped or vanished instantly.

For heavier presentations, I removed the insert and used a straight waggler through the feeder instead.

🌊 Why It Works

  • 🎯 Pinpoint accuracy when casting tight to island features.

  • 🪱 Constant trickle feeding of pinkies or maggots to hold fish.

  • 🪝 Instant bite indication as the antenna rises or disappears.

  • 🧠 Simple, elegant design that solved a real problem.

This was the original maggot feeder float, long before commercial imitations appeared. It proved its worth on stillwaters and canals — anywhere where accurate feeding and presentation mattered.

🏆 Clive’s Match Memory

I first tested the maggot feeder float at Woodstock Pond, casting to within a foot of the island. By delivering loose feed right on the mark while fishing, I out-caught everyone else on the lake.

The controlled feed line pulled the fish in — and kept them there. It worked so well that I later wrote an article about it in a national angling paper. Before long, other anglers were making their own versions. Many tackle companies have since tried to copy the concept — but this was the original.

🧭 Rigging Tip

  • Shot the float like a standard waggler, allowing for the maggot weight.

  • Cast accurately to the feed line — the feeder releases steadily on impact.

  • Watch the antenna: rising = feed releasing, disappearing = bite.

  • Ideal for pinkies, maggots, and light loose feed work on stillwaters and canals.

🕰️ 🎣 Clive Branson Innovation – Newport, Gwent (1971)

“Necessity on Woodstock Pond inspired this invention. A float that feeds while it fishes — simple, effective, and ahead of its time.”

🎨 Illustration Box:

  • 🧔 Inventor: Clive Branson

  • 🪶 Float Type: Maggot Feeder Float (crystal waggler + feeder body + long insert)

  • 🌊 Venue: Woodstock Pond, Newport, Gwent

  • 🐟 Target Species: Roach, rudd, skimmers, crucians, tench

  • 🪝 Best Use: Casting tight to features with continuous feed trickle

  • 📏 Range: 40–50 yards

  • 🧪 Key Feature: Antenna rises as feed releases — bites are clean and clear

📘 For diagrams, DIY build instructions, and advanced feeding tactics, see Clive Branson’s Float Fishing Manual (Paperback & PDF Download).

See More in The Float Manual with instructions

 

 

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