5g Float, Worm Bait, Double Hookup on Mud Minnows: My Slider Float Fishing Trials

Let me tell you about my latest fishing experiment—turning a dusty old 2.7m sea rod into a slider float rod. Spoiler: It was a mix of frustration, tiny victories, and a whole lot of questions. First, let’s set the scene: this sea rod was originally bought as a cheap “spin rod” wannabe, but it’s been gathering dust for months. I couldn’t bear to take it out for spin fishing anymore—it’s just too bulky. But then I thought, “Hey, its big spool might work for slider float fishing!” So I ordered a slider float rig online, dug up some old 3lb monofilament line (waste not, right?), and got to work. Let’s just say the reality didn’t match the dream.

Why the 3g Float (Wait, 5g? Wait, No—Wait, Float Confusion)

First, let’s clear up a confusion: I grabbed a “5g” float… or wait, is that the buoyancy? Wait, no—wait, in fishing terms, “5g” usually refers to the weight the float can support, so it’s a 5g buoyancy float. But let’s be real: that thing is thick. Like, super thick. I should’ve known better, but I grabbed it anyway. Why? Because I thought, “Bigger float = better for distance.” Spoiler: Nope. Not with my setup.

My Slider Float Setup: A Hot Mess (But Let’s Break It Down)

Let’s talk about the rig I put together. I went with a double lead setup—something I’d read about for better presentation. Here’s the breakdown:

• Top lead: 3g (fixed above the float)
• Bottom lead: A quick-change Japanese-style lead (so I could adjust easily)
• Total weight: More than 5g (so the float would sink when both leads were in)

My tuning method? Let’s just say it was trial and error (mostly error). Here’s what I did:

1. Cast both leads and the float into the water. The bottom lead pulled the float under.
2. Slid the stop beads up until the float showed 2 eyes (wait, no—”eyes” is slang for “tips” or “marks”—I meant 2 marks on the float).
3. Took off the bottom quick-change lead, then slid the stop beads down by one hook length. The idea was to have the top 3g lead suspended, and the hook just touching the bottom. Sounds good on paper, right?

But here’s the first problem: that 3g top lead? With the 5g float? It felt like the float was dragging the lead down, not the other way around. And the hook? It was barely touching the bottom—maybe, if the current was calm. But calm water? Not where I was fishing.

The Worm Bait Choice: Why Worms? And Why It’s a Double-Edged Sword

I chose worms (nightcrawlers, if we’re specific) for one big reason: I was scared product baits (like boilies or pellets) would dissolve right after hitting the water. But man, worms are a double-edged sword. Here’s why:

Pro: Worms Catch Small Fish (Like, A Lot)

Worms are like fast food for every tiny fish in the water. Within 2 seconds of casting, the float would start bobbing. Tiny bites, tiny tugs—you could tell a school of small fish was going crazy for the worm. And that’s how I got my surprise double hookup on mud minnows! Let me tell you about that: I felt a tiny tug, then another, then I lifted the rod, and boom—two mud minnows on the hook. Tiny, but exciting! Those little guys fight way harder than they look.

Con: Worms Are a Pain (And Wasteful)

But here’s the bad part: every tiny fish takes a bite, and then the worm is either gone or in pieces. I spent more time re-baiting than fishing. Like, no joke—10 casts, 10 times I had to re-thread a worm onto the hook. It’s slow, it’s messy, and it’s exhausting. By the end of the afternoon, my fingers were covered in worm slime, and I’d gone through half a tub of worms. Not ideal.

And then there’s the float issue with the tiny bites: the 5g float is so thick and heavy that the tiny fish can’t pull it down. They peck at the worm, the float wiggles a little, but that’s it. I was waiting for the classic “big fish” signs—like the float lifting then dragging sideways—but I never saw that. Just constant tiny wiggles from the mud minnows and other small fry.

The Line Problem: 3lb Mono = A Disaster for Slider Float

Oh, the line. Let’s talk about the line. I used old 3lb monofilament line—thick, stiff, and full of memory (meaning it kept coiling up like a snake). Here’s the two big issues with that:

• Can’t cast far: The stiffness and memory made it impossible to get a good cast. I was lucky to get 20 meters, and that’s if the wind was behind me. Normally, slider float is for long casts—this was a joke.
• Wind knots (and no hookset): The line coiled up so bad in the wind that I couldn’t keep the line tight. And if you can’t keep the line tight, you can’t set the hook when a fish bites. I missed so many bites because I couldn’t feel the tug fast enough—by the time I reacted, the fish was gone.

Let me tell you about one time: I saw the float wiggle a little, then start moving slowly. I lifted the rod, but the line was so coiled that it took half a second to tighten. By then, whatever was on the hook was gone. Frustrating? You bet.

The Current Problem: Float Moves Faster Than I Can Cast

Another big issue: the 5g float is so light (wait, no—thick, but light buoyancy) that it gets pushed around by the current like a leaf. I’d cast to a spot, turn around to grab a drink, and when I looked back, the float was 10 meters to the right. No way to fish a spot—no way to keep it in a “swim” or a “hole.” It was just floating wherever the current wanted it to go. And that means I couldn’t target specific fish—just whatever was in the path of the float.

And that’s a big problem for slider float fishing, which is supposed to be about targeting specific fish in specific spots. With this setup, I was just floating aimlessly. It’s like trying to hit a dartboard blindfolded—you might get lucky, but it’s not exactly effective.

The Tiny Victory: Double Hookup on Mud Minnows

Okay, let’s get to the good part. After hours of frustration, I finally got a double hookup on mud minnows. Let me paint the picture: I cast the rig, let it sink, and within 10 seconds, the float started bobbing like crazy. Then it went under for a split second, and I lifted the rod. I felt a tiny tug, then another, and when I reeled in, there were two mud minnows on the hook—one on each hook of the double hook setup. They were tiny, maybe 5cm long, but they fought like crazy. It was a small win, but it made the whole afternoon worth it. I even took a photo (you can see it below—wait, no, the photos are in the original, but let’s just say it’s a cute little double hookup).

Why I Still Want to Do Slider Float Fishing (Even After This Mess)

Okay, so the setup was a disaster. The float was wrong, the line was wrong, the bait was a pain. But here’s the thing: I still love the idea of slider float fishing. Why? Because:

• Less gear: You don’t need a big rod, a big reel, or a ton of tackle. Just a rod, a reel, a float, some leads, and bait. Perfect for quick trips.
• Fast setup and takedown: No messing around with rod stands or multiple rods. Just cast and go. And when you’re done, just reel in and put it in the car.
• Versatile: You can fish near or far. Want to fish 10 meters out? No problem. Want to fish 50 meters out? Just adjust the float. That’s the beauty of slider float—you can cover a lot of water.

So even though this first attempt was a flop, I’m not giving up. I just need to fix the setup.

What I Need to Fix (And What I’m Asking For)

Let’s be real: my setup was garbage. Here’s what I need to change:

• The float: Ditch the 5g thick float. I need a thinner, more sensitive float—maybe 3g? Wait, no—wait, in metric, 5g is 0.17oz, but maybe I need a float with more buoyancy but thinner? Or maybe a different style—like a long, thin float that’s more sensitive to bites.
• The line: Ditch the 3lb mono. I need a thinner, more flexible line—maybe 1.5lb fluorocarbon? Or braided line? Braid is thinner and has less memory, which would help with casting and hookset.
• The leads: Maybe a different setup. The double lead was okay, but maybe a single lead with a smaller weight? Or a sliding lead setup that’s more sensitive.
• The bait: Maybe switch to product bait. Even if it dissolves, it’s faster to re-bait. Or maybe a smaller worm—like a red worm instead of a nightcrawler—so it’s less likely to be pecked at by tiny fish.

But here’s the thing: I’m not an expert. I’m just a guy who likes to fish and try new things. So I’m asking for help. If you’ve done slider float fishing, what rod do you use? What line? What float? What bait? I’d love to hear your tips. Because I know this setup can work—I just need to get the right parts.

And hey, if you’ve had a similar disaster (turning a bad rod into a slider float rod), let me know. Misery loves company, right? But also, it’s fun to hear about other people’s fishing fails. Because let’s be real—fishing is 90% waiting, 9% frustration, and 1% tiny victories. And that 1% is why we keep doing it.

So that’s my story: 5g float, worm bait, double hookup on mud minnows, and a whole lot of questions. If you have any tips, drop them in the comments. I’m ready to try again—next time, with a better setup. Wish me luck!