 I was recently asked why do fish let go when the float goes under? It's because fish feel resistance from the buoyancy of the float it doesn't feel right and they don't want to get caught. So why use a light float? Because the fish is less likely to feel it. This is a light float on a pole but it hasn't been set up properly. The main body is the most buoyant part so it causes most resistance. You'll notice how it bobs and that bites are cautious and uncommitted. Too much float out of the water means considerably less bites. Here a small split shot weight placed a few inches away from the hook brings the body of the float below the surface so just the narrow orange antennae is above the water. There's a lot less resistance and the bites are immediately obvious. The small split shot acts as an early indication as the float rises slightly if a fish lifts the bait up. Properly weighted floats can be very sensitive to bites. Watch how to pick a float to ensure you're picking the right float for the job. How much tip should be showing on a float as little as possible?