Marker Float Set Up

[crusian]

Hi Everyone .

I'm thinking about using an ESP Marker Dart Float in the small size with a 2oz lead to quietly check out margin spots on short sessions i.e. I don't want to disturb the swim too much .

What shape of lead should I be looking at please ? .

Ta . 

[framey]

If you haven’t spent yet 

could do worse than one of these at short range 

https://enterprisetackle.co.uk/product/et86-plumb-eze

 

back to the dart I used a dumpy pear.

[greekskii]

Uncoated lead so you can feel more through it. I’m pretty sure you can get hold of small marker style leads. 
I often use a sea fishing breakaway lead, cut the arms down and cable tie them in position. Very useful for picking out debris or minor weed clearance in the margins. You can get them in all sizes fairly cheaply too on eBay. 

[yonny]

9 hours ago, crusian said:

What shape of lead should I be looking at please ? .

I'd just grab the first lead I could find. I don't think at such close range it makes any noticeable difference. Maybe some prongs if you want to check for specific debris or silk weed.

[crusian]

9 hours ago, framey said:

If you haven’t spent yet 

could do worse than one of these at short range 

https://enterprisetackle.co.uk/product/et86-plumb-eze

 

back to the dart I used a dumpy pear.

That could be just the job , Framey . I have used polaris floats previously . I'll  look more closely later . 

Thanks very much .

[crusian]

Thanks , everyone .

I have used " prongs " before , but I can't remember why I stopped ? ,I may well have another go .

[elmoputney]

If you want to get a bank loan for leads the fox gripper leads are good. 

If not any will do I found the ridgemonkey ones awful though I couldn't feel the drop with those for some reason. 

I quite like a coated lead but the rough sort as they pick up any clay off the bottom. But basically any will do. 

[salokcinnodrog]

15 hours ago, crusian said:

Hi Everyone .

I'm thinking about using an ESP Marker Dart Float in the small size with a 2oz lead to quietly check out margin spots on short sessions i.e. I don't want to disturb the swim too much .

What shape of lead should I be looking at please ? .

Ta . 

I nearly always use a tournament or plain pear lead on the marker rod.

 

6 hours ago, greekskii said:

Uncoated lead so you can feel more through it. I’m pretty sure you can get hold of small marker style leads. 
I often use a sea fishing breakaway lead, cut the arms down and cable tie them in position. Very useful for picking out debris or minor weed clearance in the margins. You can get them in all sizes fairly cheaply too on eBay. 

I've always got some handy for a bit of clearance, a couple of 3's and 4oz.

[crusian]

4 hours ago, salokcinnodrog said:

I nearly always use a tournament or plain pear lead on the marker rod.

 

I've always got some handy for a bit of clearance, a couple of 3's and 4oz.

Ahh , I feel a plan forming ! . 

I've got a Weed Rake , but I can never throw it out as far as I want . So go Breakaway Lead with the prongs and I just might clear a neat little path for my line lay .

[crusian]

8 hours ago, crusian said:

That could be just the job , Framey . I have used polaris floats previously . I'll  look more closely later . 

Thanks very much .

I've just ordered the small version of the Plumb-Ezzee , Framey . Looking at the video it could solve the problem I sometimes have with Polaris floats when my mono has gone crinkly and the float jams . Or I could just use braid .

[elmoputney]

2 hours ago, crusian said:

Ahh , I feel a plan forming ! . 

I've got a Weed Rake , but I can never throw it out as far as I want . So go Breakaway Lead with the prongs and I just might clear a neat little path for my line lay .

You can get castable weed rakes 😉 

[crusian]

On 24/03/2026 at 23:27, framey said:

If you haven’t spent yet 

could do worse than one of these at short range 

https://enterprisetackle.co.uk/product/et86-plumb-eze

 

back to the dart I used a dumpy pear.

Hi Framey .

I've recently used the small  Plumb-Ezee ( with a dumpy pear ! ) and it certainly pops up to the surface locked to the depth it has found .

However , it seems that it will still come to the surface even if it lands in the middle of a weedbed . What I did notice though was that sometimes when it surfaced bubbles erupted around it , so maybe that's where the weed is ? . 

I'll have a twiddle , then it should be just the job .

😃  

[salokcinnodrog]

I think that it may be an idea to go through my marker float and spod set-up again.

For years I used a specific spod rod, and a specific marker rod, however plenty of bankside features have meant that I can now use one rod and spod rod for both.

My standard marker rod set-up is 50lb 0.36mm braided line, with a 30lb Amnesia leader, a run ring and an Amnesia lead link of around 150mm, or 6inches, and the leader going to a ball bearing swivel and a Breakaway spinlink clip to take the float. Don't forget a buffer bead or couple of large beads.

I vary the float size on distance needed to cast, visibility etc, so  I would use the ESP Mini Marker for close in with a 2.5 or 3oz lead, going to a big (both found) Korda or MCF float for longer distance with a 4 or even 5oz lead.

 

If I switch to Spombing or spodding then I attach that to the end of the line spinlink clip, and clip the lead link clip through the spod swivel and the other spin link.

The leader gives enough elasticity not to crack off the spod, and at 4turns on the reel and casting drop does not reduce the sensitivity of the marker float set-up. The lead link I think also allows the float to come up most of the time, it is down to feel whether you can put a bait in it.

 

I have found numerous spods and marker floats, and every single one was attached straight through to braid, so the mono leader, I think is important, unless you go to silly braid strength, like 80lb!