A pellet waggler is a short, thick float, used by anglers when fishing for carp and other species of fish that are feeding on or near the surface of the water.

What is a pellet waggler ?

a selection of different types of pellet wagglers

Fishing the Pellet Waggler

These floats are made from materials such as balsa wood, plastic or high density foam. This makes them ultra buoyant which helps to lessen the diving under the water when cast.

Pellet wagglers are used on many commercial fisheries and have accounted for some massive weights in fishing matches and for pleasure anglers.

About the pellet waggler

The main purpose of the float is to present a bait in the top 2 or 3 foot of water. If fishing deeper than this then a normal fishing waggler may be better.

A selection of types of pellet waggler.

Almost any bait can be used with the wag such as sweetcorn, meat, particle baits, maggots and some anglers stand by sinking pellets as the best bait for this type of fishing.

When set up, if you find the float sinks or doesnt sit right in the water you will have to change the top shot for a smaller one.

If you are not getting bites the float can be moved up or down to shorten or lengthen the depth of fishing.

Notes.

When attaching the float, some anglers like to leave a half inch space between the shot. This is said to make a larger splash which attracts the carp.

5. Attach your bait and that's it, all set up.

Feeding and fishing when using the pellet waggler

A guide to fishing floats for beginners to Angling

Since the emergence of the pellet waggler, manufacturers have come up with a number of different styles.

Another version has a flat base, similar to a washer placed at the bottom of the stem.

The theory for this is that it will aid in stopping the float from diving under the surface like a normal pellet waggler, thus not as likely to scare the carp or other fish that are feeding on the surface

Pellet wagglers can be purchased either loaded or unloaded. There are pro's and cons for both and the choice is the preference of the individual angler.

Some floats have a flight built into the top of the stem similar to the flight of an arrow. The reason behind this is that when casting the float, it will travel through the air straighter.

Although called a pellet waggler, pellets are not the only bait that can be used with them.

First choose the float you are going to use. For example I will use a 2SSG

3. Fold the end of the line over a couple of inches (5cm) and tie it into a loop. This will be used to tie your hooklength to.

Setting up a pellet waggler rig

There are a few ways to set up a pellet waggler, loaded and non loaded, with and without hair rigs but I will describe a very simple method for a non loaded float.

see diagram below

2. Pinch an SSG shot onto the line under the float eye in this position and then pinch another SSG shot above the float eye (trapping the float).

1. Thread your main line through the eye at the end of the float and slide the float up about 2ft (60cm)

The hook you use will depend on what bait you will be using and what fish you will be targeting.

4. Using a short hook length (with a lesser breaking strain than the main line) of around 6 inches (15cm) with the appropriate hook, tie this to the loop.

Using shot can damage or weaken line. To give the line some protection you may want to use some Micro Silicone Tubing such as the Guru 0.3mm to pinch the shot onto. This will act like a cushion and help protect the line. If you decide to use the tubing it will need to be placed on the line prior to the shot.

The idea is to get the fish into your swim and feeding.

Feeding is an important part of fishing the pellet waggler and must be done correctly, Feed - Cast - Feed

Using the 'little and often' technique fire out between 6 and a dozen pellets, or the bait you are using, every minute or so.

The noise of the bait hitting the water and constant stream of bait falling through the water should attract carp or other fish into the area.

You may see swirls on the surface as the fish start feeding and competing for the bait.

Cast over the baited area and be prepared for a bite. These bites can be hard and fast with the carp tearing away.

1. Using eyed hooks. Tie your hook with a clinch knot and use the surplus line to tie the bait band to

If you want to fish with a bait band on the hook, the simplest way is -

2. Using spade end hooks do not cut off the surplus line after tying, use this to tie the bait band to

Tying a bait band to a hook using a Clinch Knot

1 .Pass the end of the fishing line through the eye of the hook and pull about 4 inches (10cm) through.

2. Double back and make about five turns around the line.

Using a bait band

3. Hold the 'turns' so that they don't undo and thread the end of the line through the first loop next to the eye and then through the large loop.

4. Lubricate with saliva and slide the 'turns' down tight against the eye to pull the knot into place.

5. Onto the surplus line slide a small piece of micro silicone tubing

6. Double this line over and slide the tubing onto the point of the hook and work it round to the shank. This will hold the line in place against the hook

7. Next, tie your bait band to the surplus line at the distance from the hook you prefer. (usually from just touching the bend of the hook half an inch long)

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How to Tie a Clinch Knot