The Lift Method
Rediscovering the Old-School Float Fishing That Still Hooks Big Memories
There’s something magical about the way childhood memories can shape our passions. For many anglers who grew up in the 1980s, the thrill of traditional float fishing wasn’t about chasing trophies or posting catches on social media—it was about the promise of a warm summer day, a few curious fish, and a packed lunch that usually included a spam sandwich and a bag of crisps, lovingly slapped together by Mum.
Picture this: A young boy, dressed in all the wrong colours—striped socks, short shorts, an A-ha T-shirt, and a pair of plimsoles that had seen better days—walking the familiar path to a nearby pond. A fibreglass rod in one hand, an old biscuit tin of maggots in the other, and a loaf of bread squashed flat under the weight of a bottle of orange squash laced with enough E numbers to power a small disco. It wasn’t high-tech. It wasn’t trendy. But it was perfect.
Back then, one of the most exciting techniques we used was the lift method—a classic stillwater fishing tactic that’s fallen out of favour in modern angling circles. But for those in the know, this nostalgic method still has plenty of bite, especially when targeting tench, carp, and bream in still waters.
What Is the Lift Method in Float Fishing?
The lift method is a sensitive and visual form of traditional float fishing, designed for bottom-feeding fish. The idea is beautifully simple: a large shot—typically an AAA or SSG—is placed around three inches from the hook, anchoring the bait to the lakebed. The float, ideally a peacock quill, is positioned on the line using a rubber band and cocked perfectly so that only the tip shows above the surface.
This bottom-feeding fish method relies on a classic cue—when a fish lifts the bait and shot, the float suddenly lies flat or lifts out of the water. That’s your signal to strike. It’s a moment that never fails to raise the heartbeat.
It’s subtle, it’s effective, and it demands that you pay attention—something modern methods don’t always require.
Why the Lift Method Still Works for Coarse Fishing and Beginners
The lift method isn’t just about catching fish—it’s about learning patience, observation, and timing. It teaches you to read water and float indications in a way no bite alarm ever could. And for the purist or the nostalgic, it brings back all the charm of a slower, more deliberate kind of fishing.
It’s also ideal for fishing for beginners. The visual nature of the bite detection makes it accessible, engaging, and rewarding. There’s something special about watching a float twitch and then glide or lift that hooks you just as much as the fish.
It also works. Particularly well. Tench and carp are naturally cautious feeders, and they often test bait delicately. The lift method picks up on these tentative takes brilliantly, converting more of them into hook-ups.
Best Fishing Gear for the Lift Method: Travel Rods and Minimalist Setups
That’s exactly why the Rigged and Ready travel rods really appeal to me. They take me right back to those simpler times. Compact, lightweight, and built to be taken anywhere, they remind me of those early days of fishing when all you needed was enthusiasm, a worm, and a bit of patience.
One of the best rods in the range for this kind of classic coarse fishing is X-max. It’s a proper all-rounder—strong enough to handle carp, tench, and bream, but still compact enough to stash in your pack. Whether you’re float fishing in the margins or dropping a bait just off the reeds, the X-max delivers on both nostalgia and performance. It’s also a perfect travel rod—a brilliantly compact fishing rod that’s quick to set up and tough enough to handle surprise runs from stubborn fish.
What You’ll Need for Float Fishing with the Lift Method
Here’s your essential tackle list to get started:
• Float: A peacock quill float is the traditional choice. Lightweight and sensitive, they offer excellent bite detection and a touch of old-school charm.
• Rubber Band or Float Adapter: Used to hold the float in place and make quick depth adjustments.
• Weight: An SSG or AAA shot is ideal, placed around 2–3 inches from the hook. This weight should be heavier than the buoyancy of the float.
• Hook and Bait: A size 12 to 16 hook baited with sweetcorn, worms, or bread flake. A worm-and-corn cocktail is a classic tench treat.
• Plummet: A lead plummet is crucial for getting your depth exactly right. You want your shot resting on the bottom, with the float just cocked at the surface.
Tuning the Lift Method for Success
The key to the lift method is plumbing the depth accurately. Unlike other float styles, this method demands that the weight sits on the bottom—not mid-water, not dragging. The float should be shotted so that it stands upright with just the tip above the surface, perfectly balanced and ready to give that unmistakable flat-lay signal when a fish takes.
I’ll never forget those early morning sessions on the weekend—getting up at the crack of dawn, walking down to the pond with my gear slung over one shoulder, checking the depth with a plummet, and casting out into the misty water. There was something magical about feeling the sun’s warmth creeping through the overhanging willow branches, the world silent except for the occasional splash of a fish. Then, suddenly, that rush of adrenaline—the float laid flat on the surface, and I’d strike into something heavy that just bolted off like a runaway train. Pure magic.
Those were the childhood days of not having a care in the world—apart from earning enough money to replace the float now stuck in the tree and making sure I had a pint of maggots ready for next weekend. That’s why fishing, to me, is more than just catching fish. It puts my mind at rest, allowing me to sink back into that carefree, no-worries frame of mind that we all had as children, when the biggest concerns were whether your line would get tangled, if someone nicked your spot on the bank, or what excuse you’d come up with for not being home before the street lights came on.
It’s a great stillwater fishing tactic that rewards quiet mornings, patience, and precision. And the moment that float changes position—you’re wide awake, fully present, and ten years old all over again.
Also Read: THE BEST CARP FISHING RODS FOR ACTIVE & TRAVEL ANGLERS
Final Thoughts on Float Fishing with the Lift Method
Fishing isn’t just about catching—it’s about connecting. To the water. To nature. To our younger selves. And nothing does that quite like the lift method. It’s a beautiful throwback to a simpler time, and it still catches fish like you wouldn’t believe.
Paired with the Rigged and Ready X-max rod, it’s a blend of old-school charm and modern performance. Whether you're reliving your youth, just getting into fishing, or simplifying your setup with minimalist fishing gear, grab your float, shot, and quill, and rediscover the joy of watching a float lie flat.
Because sometimes, going back to basics is the best way forward.
