🪶 Matchstick Float
The Matchstick pole float is one of the most underestimated patterns in modern angling. Light, sensitive, and precise, this small float excels in delicate situations where a natural presentation is essential — particularly on clear canals and shallow stillwaters.
🧪 Design and Features
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Material: Fine balsa body (2″–3″ long)
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Bristle: Nylon
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Base: Small wire insert for stability
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Shape: Simple matchstick-style, ultra-lightweight
This minimal design allows the bait to behave almost completely naturally, making it perfect for wary fish in pressured or clear venues.
🎯 When to Use It
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Canals and stillwaters:
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Far-bank fishing
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Squat, pinkie, caster, joker, and bloodworm presentation
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Laying on the shelf with caster or squatt
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Light tow conditions where natural drift is key
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Rivers:
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Fishing “up in the water” for dace, roach, and chub
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Excellent when surface-feeding fish are intercepting loose feed
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Ideal alternative to the waggler when bites are fast and hard to hit
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The float’s slow-sinking bait presentation is its biggest strength — especially when fish are shy or easily spooked.
🏆 On the Bank — Avon Dace Session
This method first came to me while fishing the Warwickshire Avon, where dace were feeding high in the water. Most anglers were using wagglers and missing bites. I switched to a 14 m pole and a matchstick float rigged on just the top two sections.
By holding the float back on the surface, the dace began hooking themselves, and I was catching a fish virtually every put-in. On some occasions, I even hooked and landed big chub on the same rig.
This method has since served me well on other rivers such as the River Thames, Bristol Avon, and many others.
🪝 Top Tips
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Let the float drift naturally in a tow — the bait will present beautifully.
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Keep shotting very light to preserve sensitivity.
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Matchstick floats are perfect for high catch rates in shallow water or when fish are feeding just below the surface.
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While originally made by Italian float makers, I’ve since adapted and used this pattern with great success across the UK.
✅ In summary:
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Ultra-light, sensitive float ideal for delicate fishing
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Excellent for canals, stillwaters, and surface river work
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Perfect for joker, pinkie, caster, squat, and bloodworm
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Proven method for dace, roach, chub and silverfish
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A float every serious match angler should have in their box
Some illustrations from the book
Now available in paperback: The Complete Float Manual. Over 169 pages of content
Click on the book to order from Amazon
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