STILL-WATER-PEAR


🪶 Stillwater Pear Float

The Stillwater Pear is arguably the most popular float design for stillwater fishing — and for good reason.

Equally effective on canals, lakes, and commercials, this float’s pear-shaped body offers excellent stability against wind drift while remaining highly sensitive to shy-biting fish. It’s a true all-rounder that deserves a place in every angler’s tackle box.


📜 A Little History

Long before balsa wood became the norm, these floats were made using elder pith, which was easy to shape and naturally buoyant. With cane tips and bases, they were the forerunners of the modern pole float.

Over the years, the classic pear shape has evolved into various rounded, elongated, and squat forms — adaptable to different water conditions and angling styles.


🧪 Design and Materials

  • Body shape: Classic pear, with slight variations for different drift/tow conditions

  • Tip (bristle): Nylon, cane, wire, or glass

  • Base stem: Carbon, piano wire, cane, or glass

  • Float action: Stable against drift, yet sensitive enough for light bites

A smaller, rounder pear is ideal for waters with more drift or tow, offering greater control and balance.


⚖️ Shotting and Presentation

The basic shotting pattern for this float is:

  • A bulk (bunched split shot or an Olivette) placed 12″–18″ above the hook

  • Dropper shots or styles down the hooklength

Style weights — longer than standard split shot — offer several advantages:

  • Allow wider weight distribution along the line

  • Cause less line damage when pinched on (with a style plier)

  • Give a slower, more natural bait presentation

  • Reduce the number of “shot bites”, especially when fishing over hemp


🪝 Modern Line Technology

Modern fishing lines have come a long way since the early days. Their fine diameters and increased elasticity in hooklengths allow anglers to use stronger gear without sacrificing presentation.

I was one of the first anglers to introduce these fine line concepts to Britain in the late 1980s, working with the French company Waterqueen, who sponsored me at the time. Today, such lines are used nationwide, transforming how we fish with delicate stillwater floats.


In summary:

  • Classic, versatile float for canals, lakes, and commercials

  • Excellent stability in wind and tow

  • Sensitive bristle for shy-biting fish

  • Style weights offer superior presentation

  • A proven design with decades of pedigree

Illustration from the book


Now available in paperback: The Complete Float Manual. Over 169 pages of content

Click on Book to order from Amazon

📘 Download the Complete Float Manual – Instant Access

Bring decades of float-fishing knowledge straight to your screen.
Written by World Champion Clive Branson, The Complete Float Manual is a 167+ page eBook packed with practical techniques, classic float designs, diagrams, and championship-winning methods.

✅ Learn how to use wagglers, stick floats, pole floats and more
✅ Discover the history and evolution of float fishing
✅ Get pro tips and tactics used at the highest level
✅ Ideal for beginners and experienced match anglers alike

💻 Instant Download (PDF) — no waiting, no shipping
💳 Secure checkout with PayPal

👉 Order now and start reading within minutes.

error: Content is protected !!