Can I mix Stotz and traditional shot?

Yes, though consistency matters. Most anglers use Stotz for finer adjustments near the hook and traditional shot higher up.

What line diameters work best with Stotz?

0.08–0.14mm for pole rigs. Always avoid crimping too tightly — Stotz grip well without excessive pressure.

Why is my float sinking slowly or rising?

You may have too much or too little shot. Re-test the rig in the margin — adjust Stotz until only the tip is visible.

How close should my droppers be to the hook?

Typically 4–6 inches apart, with the last dropper about 6 inches above the hooklength knot.

What float shape should I use on commercials?

Rugby ball or pear-shaped bodies handle most commercial conditions. A dibber works best for shallow margins.

What’s the quickest way to balance a float?

Place your rig in the margin and add or remove Stotz until the float tip just breaks surface tension. Record the pattern for next time.

How do I stop my float from drifting in wind or tow?

Use a float with a wire stem for added stability and switch to a bulk pattern to anchor the bait more firmly.

What’s the best shotting pattern for winter fishing?

In colder water, fish feed cautiously. A strung or bulk-and-dropper pattern allows your bait to fall slowly, keeping it in the strike zone longer.

Stotz Conversion & Shotting Patterns for Pole Floats — Complete Clubnest Guide

Master pole float presentation with this complete Clubnest guide. Learn how to convert Stotz and split shot sizes, choose the right float bodies and stems, and understand shotting patterns for every venue and season. Includes conversion charts, rig diagrams, and a printable cheat sheet.

Introduction

Pole fishing is all about balance and presentation. Getting your float perfectly shotted is the difference between a confident bite and a missed opportunity. This guide explains everything you need to know about Stotz conversions, shotting patterns, and float design — helping you create rigs that perform flawlessly in any venue or condition.

You’ll learn when to use bulk, strung, or combination shotting; how different float bodies and stems behave; and how to choose the perfect setup for canals, commercials, and rivers. Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or an experienced match angler fine-tuning your rigs, this guide will give you a reliable reference for every situation.

Understanding Shotting and Stotz

When you’re pole fishing, the way you distribute weight along your line controls how the bait behaves. Each shot or Stotz added to your rig changes how fast your float settles, how naturally your bait falls, and how sensitive your rig becomes to tiny bites.

Stotz are modern, precision-cut alternatives to traditional split shot. They’re flatter, grip line more securely, and can be moved without damaging your rig. Designed primarily for pole fishing, they make consistent rigs easier to tie and adjust.

Stotz vs Traditional Split Shot

Feature | Stotz | Traditional Split Shot
Shape | Flat-sided oval | Round or pear-shaped
Line Grip | Non-slip, gentle on line | Can pinch or weaken line
Consistency | Uniform weight | Slight variation between sizes
Ease of Use | Opens & closes easily | Requires pliers or force
Best Use | Pole rigs, soft lines | Heavier running line rigs

Stotz are especially useful with today’s fine diameters — 0.08–0.14mm — because they hold position securely without flattening the line.

Float to Shot Conversion Chart

Pole Float Size | Weight | Shot Equivalent
3×10 | 0.10g | 2 × No.10
4×10 | 0.15g | 3 × No.10
4×12 | 0.20g | 5 × No.10
4×14 | 0.40g | 6 × No.8
4×16 | 0.50g | 8 × No.8
4×18 | 0.75g | 3 × No.3
4×20 | 1.00g | 4 × No.3

Use this table as a starting point, then adjust by testing the float in the margins before fishing. The float should sit so the tip just breaks the surface tension.

Shot Weight Reference Table

Size | Weight (g) | Approx. Equivalent
3SSG | 4.8g | 6 × AAA
2SSG | 3.2g | 4 × AAA
SSG | 1.6g | 2 × AAA
AAA | 0.8g | 2 × BB
BB | 0.49g | 2 × No.4
No.1 | 0.39g | 3 × No.6
No.3 | 0.25g | 2 × No.6
No.4 | 0.20g | 3 × No.9
No.6 | 0.10g | 2 × No.10
No.8 | 0.06g | 2 × No.11
No.10 | 0.04g | 2 × No.12
No.12 | 0.02g | —

Common Shotting Patterns

Strung-Out Shotting

How it looks: small Stotz evenly spaced along the main line.
Purpose: creates a slow, natural fall through the water.
Best for: shy fish, clear water, winter or shallow canals.
Species: roach, rudd, skimmers, small F1s.

Bulk Shotting

How it looks: the majority of weight grouped 6–12 inches above the hooklength.
Purpose: gets bait down fast and stabilises presentation.
Best for: deeper pegs, rivers, windy conditions.
Species: bream, carp, tench.

Bulk & Dropper Combination

How it looks: one bulk cluster plus one or two droppers below.
Purpose: mixes quick descent with controlled final fall.
Best for: commercials or deeper stillwaters.
Tip: use No.10 or No.11 droppers spaced 4–6 inches apart.

Example Setups

Float | Pattern | Example Setup
4×10 | Strung | 4 × No.10 evenly spaced
4×14 | Bulk + 2 Droppers | Bulk 4 × No.8 + 2 × No.10 droppers
4×16 | Bulk | 6 × No.8 grouped 12" above hooklength
4×18 | Bulk + Dropper | 4 × No.6 bulk + 1 × No.10 dropper
4×20 | Heavy Bulk | 4 × No.4 10" above hooklength

Understanding Pole Float Construction

Pole floats come in a huge range of shapes and materials. Each design changes how your rig behaves in wind, tow, and depth.

Float Stems

Stem Type | Material | Use | Characteristics
Carbon | Graphite fibre | Slow fall, delicate rigs | Light, neutrally buoyant, follows bait naturally
Wire | Stainless steel | Windy or deep venues | Heavy, resists tow, keeps float stable
Fibreglass | Composite glass | All-round commercial use | Balanced between stability and finesse

Float Bodies

Shape | Description | Best Used For
Pencil | Long and slim | Calm, shallow water, delicate bites
Rugby Ball | Rounded with tapered ends | Versatile, steady presentation
Diamond | Wider shoulders | Deep water, medium flow
Pear | Smooth teardrop | Stillwaters and commercials
Dibber | Short and stubby | Margins, shallow pellet fishing

Full Pole Rig Layout

Typical components of a balanced pole rig:

Pole float matched to depth and bait size
Main line (e.g. 0.13mm)
Bulk shot or Stotz cluster 12–18" from hooklength
Droppers spaced 4–6" apart below the bulk
Hooklength (0.10–0.12mm) around 6–10" long
Hook matched to bait size (size 18–14 for most coarse fishing)

When and Why to Change Your Shotting Pattern

Situation | Best Pattern | Why
Fish feeding mid-water | Strung-out | Slower fall keeps bait in strike zone
Fish hugging the bottom | Bulk | Gets bait down quickly and stable
Cold water / winter | Bulk + Dropper | Slower final fall for shy bites
Deep venues | Bulk | Rapid descent to feeding depth
Wind or tow | Bulk + Wire stem | Cuts through surface drift
Shallow margins | Bulk short line | Holds bait tight to feature

Stotz Conversion Quick Reference

Float Size | Equivalent  Stotz
4×10 | 3 × No.10 Stotz
4×12 | 5 × No.10 Stotz
4×14 | 6 × No.8 Stotz
4×16 | 8 × No.8 Stotz
4×18 | 3 × No.6 Stotz
4×20 | 4 × No.6 Stotz

Key Takeaways

Use Stotz for consistent, line-friendly weight placement.
Match float size to water depth and conditions.
Choose stem material for stability vs finesse.
Bulk when you need speed and stability; strung-out for natural fall.
Always plumb depth and test your float before fishing.

Summary

Perfect float presentation isn’t about guesswork — it’s about balance. Understanding Stotz sizes, shot weights, and float materials lets you tailor every rig to the conditions in front of you.

With the charts, diagrams, and quick references in this guide, you can confidently adjust your setup to suit depth, tow, temperature, and target species — ensuring that every bite registers cleanly and every cast is under control.