Built for anglers, by anglers
Everything You Need To Get Started.
This page exists because most fishing guides are either too basic or buried across five different YouTube videos. We've pulled it all into one place — pole floats, shotting patterns, feeders, waggler, hooks, terminal tackle and the tools to put it all together.
Whether you're setting up your first commercial rig or trying to remember which stotz size matches a 4x14 float, it's all here. Each section covers what the tackle is, when to use it and how to get the most out of it — with links to buy what you need.
We're adding to this page regularly. If something's missing or wrong, let us know in the community.
Section 01
Pole Floats & Rigs
The right float changes everything. Below are the key patterns for commercial fishing — what they're built for, how to shot them, and which hook to use.
Preston Innovations
F1 Fine
Size
4x16
Hook
Size 18 SLF-B
Bristle
1.2mm Hollow
Stem
Carbon
Shotting
Bulk + 2 droppers
Best for: Roach, F1s, silverfish — maggot, pinkie, caster, 4mm expander
Preston Innovations
F1 Maggot
Size
4x12
Hook
Size 16 GPM-B
Bristle
1.5mm Hollow
Stem
Carbon
Shotting
Bulk + 2 droppers
Best for: All-round commercial — maggot, caster, worm, smaller baits
Preston Innovations
F1 Pellet
Size
4x16
Hook
Size 16 GPM-B
Bristle
1.5mm Hollow
Stem
Niti Wire
Shotting
Spread bulk
Best for: F1s and carp in cooler months — 2–6mm pellet, corn, maggot
Preston Innovations
Carp Pellet
Size
4x14
Hook
Size 14 GPM-B
Bristle
2.0mm Hollow
Stem
Niti Wire
Shotting
Strung bulk
Best for: Carp on the method — 4–8mm pellet, meat, corn
Preston Innovations
Diamond
Size
4x14
Hook
Size 14 XSH-B
Bristle
2.0mm Hollow
Stem
Fibreglass
Shotting
Bulk + droppers
Best for: Short pole line — big pellets, meat, corn, worm, paste
Preston Innovations
Edge
Size
4x16
Hook
Size 12 XSH-B
Bristle
2.5mm Hollow
Stem
Fibreglass
Shotting
Bulk
Best for: Margins — big pellets, meat, corn, worm, paste
Preston Innovations
F1 Shallow
Size
4x16
Hook
Size 16 GPM-B
Bristle
1.5mm Hollow
Stem
Carbon
Shotting
Bulk
Best for: Shallow fishing for F1s — maggot, pellet, caster, worm
Matrix
Shallow Dibber
Size
0.1g
Hook
Size 16 MXC-6
Bristle
Dibber
Stem
Carbon
Shotting
No.10 + No.11 bulked under float, 6" hooklength
Best for: Mugging / shallow without feed — 2 bait boxes deep
Section 02
Shotting Patterns
How you distribute shot on your rig controls how your bait falls and how bites register. Get this wrong and you'll miss fish or spook them entirely.
Shot Sizes
No.8
0.07g
Bulk on heavier rigs
No.9
0.05g
Bulk or heavy droppers
No.10
0.03g
Most common dropper
No.11
0.02g
Light droppers, sensitive rigs
No.13
0.01g
Ultra-fine silverfish rigs
Stotz & Olivettes
Stotz are Preston's alternative to shot — a hybrid between shot and styls with a larger split, making them easier to put on thicker lines. Olivettes replace a bulk entirely with a single compact weight, ideal for getting bait down fast in deeper water or with floats over 1g.
Bulk & 2 Droppers
The most common commercial pattern. Bulk of shot grouped together mid-line to get bait down quickly, with two droppers below to slow the fall near the bottom and indicate shy bites.
Setup
- —Bulk of No.9 shot grouped together
- —2x No.10 droppers below
- —First dropper on hooklength
- —Then 5 inches, then 6 inches apart
Best for: F1 Maggot, F1 Fine — maggot, caster, worm on commercial fisheries
Spread Bulk
Shot spread out over a longer section of line rather than grouped. Gives a slower, more natural fall through the water — ideal when fish are feeding on the drop or being cautious.
Setup
- —No.9 or No.10 shot spread evenly over 8–12 inches
- —No single bulk
- —Optional single No.11 dropper below
Best for: F1 Pellet — F1s and carp in cooler months, fishing on the drop
Strung Bulk
Similar to spread bulk but with shot strung in a line across a specific zone. Registers bites that would otherwise be missed — each shot settling individually gives multiple drop-back and lift indications.
Setup
- —No.9 shot strung across 4–6 inches
- —No droppers — the strung bulk does the work
Best for: Carp Pellet — pellets, meat, corn when bites are subtle
Single Bulk
All shot grouped as a single bulk, usually close to the hook. Gives a very positive, fast presentation with minimal fall time — bite indication is direct and aggressive.
Setup
- —All shot grouped as one bulk
- —Positioned close to the hook
- —No droppers
Best for: Edge, F1 Shallow, Carp Shallow — margins, shallow, mugging
Need shot or stotz?
Pick up Stotz, Olivettes and split shot for your next session.
Section 03
Shot & Stotz Conversion
Use these charts to work out the correct shotting for any pole float or waggler, and to swap between shot sizes when you don't have the exact size to hand.
Pole Float Size → Shot Required
Float Size
Weight
Shot Equivalent
3 x 10
0.10g
2 x No.10
4 x 10
0.15g
3 x No.9
4 x 12
0.20g
5 x No.10
4 x 14
0.40g
6 x No.8
4 x 16
0.50g
8 x No.8
4 x 18
0.75g
3 x No.3
4 x 20
1.00g
4 x No.3
5 x 20
1.25g
5 x No.3
6 x 20
1.50g
6 x No.3
Shot Size → Weight & Equivalent
Shot Size
Weight
Equivalent
3SSG
4.80g
6 x AAA
2SSG
3.20g
4 x AAA
SSG
1.60g
2 x AAA
AAA
0.80g
2 x BB
BB
0.40g
2 x No.4
No.1
0.30g
3 x No.6
No.3
0.25g
2 x No.6
No.4
0.20g
3 x No.9
No.5
0.15g
2 x No.8
No.6
0.10g
2 x No.10
No.8
0.06g
2 x No.11
No.9
0.05g
—
No.10
0.04g
2 x No.12
No.11
0.03g
—
No.12
0.02g
2 x No.13
No.13
0.01g
—
Section 04
Feeders
From method to cage — the right feeder for the right situation. All feeder rigs must be free running on UK commercials. No fixed leads.
Method Feeder
The go-to for commercial carp fishing. A flat-sided feeder packed with method mix or groundbait, short hooklength buried in the mix. Fish graze on the feeder and pick up the hook bait.
Sizes
15g – 60g
Hooklength
4–6 inches (free running, no fixed rigs)
Best For
Carp on commercials — pellet, corn, meat, wafter on the hook
Tips
- —Use a bait band or hair rig for hard pellets
- —Mould mix firmly so it holds on the cast
- —Match feeder weight to distance — heavier for far bank
- —Always fish free running — no fixed leads
Hybrid Feeder
A cross between a method feeder and a cage feeder. Open ends allow groundbait to escape quickly, creating a cloud of feed around the hook. Popular on fisheries where a tight method ball spooks fish.
Sizes
15g – 45g
Hooklength
4–6 inches (free running)
Best For
F1s and wary carp — works well with wetter, faster-breaking groundbait
Tips
- —Use a wetter mix than you would for a method feeder
- —Good for silverfish too — try maggot on the hook
- —Less visual impact than a solid method ball
Banjo Feeder
A flat, open feeder with a D-shaped frame. Mix is pressed onto the flat face, hook bait sits on top or buried underneath. Very close-range presentation — popular on short pole lines and margins.
Sizes
10g – 30g
Hooklength
4 inches minimum (free running)
Best For
Short range carp — pellet or corn hookbait on a flat groundbait presentation
Tips
- —Press mix firmly onto the flat face
- —Hook bait can sit proud on top of the mix
- —Works well when fish are tight to the bottom
Pellet Feeder
An open cage feeder designed to be filled with loose pellets. Pellets fall out freely once it hits the bottom, creating a pile of feed around the hook bait. Simple and deadly on pellet-dominated commercials.
Sizes
20g – 60g
Hooklength
6–12 inches (free running)
Best For
Carp and F1s on pellet — 4mm or 6mm feed pellets with matching hookbait
Tips
- —Dampen pellets slightly so they compact in the feeder
- —Longer hooklength works better as pellets spread out
- —Change hook pellet size to match feed pellet size
- —Cast to the same spot every time to build a feed area
Cage / Open-End Feeder
The traditional open-ended feeder. Packed with groundbait or loose feed, plugged at each end with groundbait. Feed disperses quickly on the bottom. Used for roach, bream and silverfish as well as carp.
Sizes
15g – 60g
Hooklength
12–18 inches for silverfish, 6–8 inches for carp
Best For
Bream, roach, skimmers — maggot, caster or worm on the hook over groundbait
Tips
- —Plug ends tightly with stiff groundbait for distance
- —Wetter mix breaks down faster — good for silverfish
- —Longer hooklength gives a more natural bait presentation
Section 05
Waggler Fishing
Wagglers are attached bottom end only and cast with the rod — unlike pole floats. Mastering the lock shot and sinking the line are the two fundamentals that separate good waggler anglers from the rest.
Straight Waggler
A simple, straight bodied float attached bottom end only. The bulk of shot is locked either side of the float base, with droppers below. Fishes on the drop or settled on the bottom.
Size
2AAA – 4AAA
Shotting
Lock shot either side of float base, 2 small droppers below
Hook
Size 16–18 for maggot/caster, 14 for worm
Best For
Roach, skimmers, bream at medium range — rivers and stillwaters
Tips
- —Lock shot tight to the float base for casting stability
- —Sink the line after casting to avoid drift
- —Slow the fall with lighter droppers for wary fish
Insert Waggler
A straight waggler with a thin insert tip, giving far more sensitivity than a standard waggler. The insert sits low in the water, registering the slightest lifts and dips. Ideal for shy-biting silverfish.
Size
2AAA – 3AAA
Shotting
Lock shot at base, single No.10 or No.11 dropper
Hook
Size 18–20 for pinkie/maggot, 16 for caster
Best For
Roach, rudd, silverfish — light bites at range on stillwaters
Tips
- —Set depth so insert just shows above surface
- —Even a small lift is a bite — strike immediately
- —Use lighter line to avoid dragging the float under
Adjustable Waggler
A straight waggler with adjustable weights to fine-tune buoyancy and presentation. Highly durable and versatile across seasons, suitable for carp in summer through to shy-biting roach and bream in winter.
Size
Adjustable
Shotting
Locking shot or float stop kit, adjust weights to suit conditions
Hook
Size 14–16 for pellet/worm, 16–18 for maggot
Best For
All-round waggler fishing — carp, roach and bream across seasons
Tips
- —Use adjustable weights to fine-tune depth and presentation
- —Compatible with locking shot or a pellet waggler float stop kit
- —High visibility tip aids bite detection on long casts
Pellet Waggler
A short, thick-tipped waggler designed for fishing a pellet or corn hookbait near the surface on commercials. Cast beyond the feed, retrieve slowly back into the zone. No groundbait — loose feed only.
Size
2AAA – 4AAA
Shotting
All shot locked at base — no droppers
Hook
Size 14–16 banded for 8mm pellet, 16 for 6mm
Best For
Carp and F1s on the surface — pellet, corn, meat
Tips
- —Feed little and often with a catapult
- —Fish shallow — 6 to 18 inches deep
- —Strike at any movement, not just a full submersion
- —Cast past the feed and bring back into the zone
Section 06
Match & Coarse Hooks
Hook choice matters more than most anglers give it credit for. Wire gauge, gape width and point style all affect how baits sit, how bites register and whether fish stay on.
Guru
MWG
Sizes
10–18
Wire
Medium wire
Pattern
Wide gape, micro barb, straight point
Best for: All-round commercial — pellet, corn, meat, worm, maggot
Tips
- —The most versatile commercial hook going
- —Wide gape holds pellets and corn securely on a band
- —Micro barb keeps soft baits like worm on without damage
- —Size 16 is the go-to starting point on commercials
Guru
LWG Feeder Special Eyed
Sizes
10–20
Wire
Medium-heavy wire
Pattern
Wide gape, in-turned beaked point, eyed, black nickel
Best for: Hair-rigged baits — worm, corn, pellet band, bream on naturals
Tips
- —Eyed version of the Feeder Special — stepped-up wire gauge for bigger fish
- —In-turned beaked point gives excellent hooking on ledger and feeder rigs
- —Hair rig corn or worm for bream, or a banded pellet on rivers
Guru
QM1
Sizes
10–18
Wire
Medium wire
Pattern
Straight eye, micro barb, in-turned point
Best for: Method feeder and pole — bait band fishing with pellet, corn, meat
Tips
- —Designed specifically for bait band fishing
- —In-turned point increases hook-up rate on the method
- —Straight eye makes it easy to attach a bait band
- —Paired with Guru bait bands for best results
Guru
Kaizen
Sizes
10–18
Wire
Medium-heavy wire
Pattern
Wide gape, beaked point, micro barb
Best for: Carp pole fishing — pellet, meat, corn, worm in margins or at distance
Tips
- —Beaked point penetrates and holds better on hard-mouthed carp
- —Heavier wire handles bigger fish and stronger hooklengths
- —Good for fishing at range where a positive hook set is needed
Preston Innovations
GPM-B
Sizes
12–20
Wire
Medium wire
Pattern
Wide gape, micro barb, spade end
Best for: Commercial pole rigs — maggot, caster, pellet, worm
Tips
- —Used on all Preston commercial pole rigs as standard
- —Reliable all-round hook for F1s, carp and silverfish
- —Size 16 with maggot or 4mm expander is a proven combination
Preston Innovations
XSH-B
Sizes
10–16
Wire
Heavy wire
Pattern
Wide gape, strong wire, spade end
Best for: Big carp pole fishing — margins, pellet, meat, corn, paste
Tips
- —Heavy wire built for hard-fighting commercial carp
- —Used on Preston Edge and Diamond rigs as standard
- —Size 12–14 for margins and big bait presentations
Section 07
Terminal Tackle
The small stuff that ties it all together. Stops, bands, silicone, lines and the tools to rig them properly — get these right and everything else follows.
Stops & Bands
Guru / Preston
Speed Stops
Small rubber stops used to hold a pellet or bait on the hook without a band. Push the hook through the stop, then push the stop onto the pellet. Quick to rig and very secure.
Tips
- —Use the right size stop for the pellet — too big and the pellet spins
- —Hair stop style also works on corn and meat
- —Keep a few sizes in your box — 4mm and 6mm pellets need different stops
Guru
Bait Bands
Small elastic bands looped onto the hook bend to hold a hard pellet, meat or corn. The band stretches over the bait and holds it firmly without piercing it — essential for hard pellets.
Sizes / Strengths
Small (4mm pellet), Medium (6mm), Large (8mm+)
Tips
- —Match band size to bait — too loose and it falls off on the cast
- —Banded pellets spin less than drilled pellets
- —Change the band if it looks stretched or damaged
- —Pre-banding pellets saves time on the bank
Silicone Tubing
Preston / Drennan
Float Silicone
Soft silicone tubing used to attach pole floats to the line via the stem and body. Available in multiple bore sizes to match different float stem diameters.
Sizes / Strengths
0.5mm, 0.8mm, 1.0mm, 1.5mm bore
Tips
- —Use the right bore — too tight and it splits, too loose and the float slides
- —Three pieces of silicone: one on the bristle, two on the stem
- —Cut pieces cleanly with scissors — rough edges cause line twist
- —Drennan silicone is the most consistent for fine pole rigs
Preston
Micro Hook Silicone
Ultra-fine silicone tubing used to attach a hair stop, hold bait on a hook, or protect the line at the hook eye. Also used on waggler rigs at the float attachment point.
Tips
- —Slide a short piece up the shank to stop maggots bunching on the bend
- —Use at the float eye on a waggler to reduce abrasion
- —Cut cleanly — rough ends cause tangles on fine hooklengths
Lines
Preston Innovations
Reflo Power
A low-diameter, high-strength monofilament used as both mainline and hooklength on pole rigs. The standard line on all Preston commercial rigs.
Sizes / Strengths
0.08lb – 0.20lb (approx 1lb – 5lb)
Tips
- —0.10 – 0.12 for silverfish hooklengths
- —0.14 – 0.16 for F1 and carp hooklengths on commercials
- —0.18 – 0.20 for margin fishing and heavier rigs
Guru
N-Gauge
A supple, low-memory nylon line built for pole and waggler fishing. Knots cleanly and lies straight off the spool — less prone to coiling than cheaper lines.
Sizes / Strengths
2lb – 8lb
Tips
- —3–4lb for most commercial pole hooklengths
- —5–8lb for method feeder hooklengths
- —2lb for light silverfish rigs on insert waggler
Rig Tying Tools
Preston / Guru
Loop Tyer
A small tool that helps you tie consistent, neat loops at the end of hooklengths without fumbling. Essential for tying pole rigs quickly and accurately on the bank.
Tips
- —Wrap the line the same number of times every time for consistent loop size
- —Wet the knot before pulling tight to avoid weakening the line
- —Keep one in your rig wallet and one at your rig station
Preston Innovations
Loop Sizer
A stepped gauge that ensures every loop you tie is exactly the same size. Consistent loops mean your hooklengths always sit correctly and swap quickly on the bank.
Tips
- —Use the same notch every time for a given rig style
- —Small loops for pole rigs, larger for feeder hooklengths
- —Pairs perfectly with a loop tyer for fast, accurate rig tying
Preston Innovations
Rig Station
A dedicated rig tying board with winder slots, line holders and a measuring tape built in. Keeps everything organised when tying multiple pole rigs and stops line tangling.
Tips
- —Tie all your rigs at home using the station — saves time on the bank
- —Use the built-in measure to keep hooklengths consistent
- —Store finished rigs on the winders in the station
Guru
Rig Scissors
These stainless steel scissors will effortlessly cut through any of our hook link or main line materials and leave a very clean edge. The fluorescent handle is big enough even for those with larger fingers and bright enough to easily locate them on your side tray or if you drop them around your peg.
Tips
- —Always cut as close to the knot as possible
- —Keep them sharp — blunt scissors fray line and weaken knots
- —Attach to your box with a retractable reel so you never lose them
Matrix
Mini Shot Pliers
Compact aluminium shot pliers with an anodised finish, designed to accurately apply shot and cubes to your line. The bespoke grip shape makes applying shot more consistent, while soft spring-loaded handles reopen the head automatically. Small enough to sit neatly in a side drawer.
Tips
- —Use for precise shot placement — far more consistent than fingers alone
- —Spring-loaded head means one-handed operation while holding your rig
- —Compact enough to keep in your top kit drawer for quick access