CR,

Actually I mean with a float (bobber) , not a float tube, though you could
do both if it was necessary.
I float fish 90% of the time and it has paid off for me big time. I let the
conditions dictate exactly what methods I have to use. Ultra clear water
(gin) I will use 2lb fluoro leaders with a 1/32 ounce hair jig or 1" plastic
craw. As the water gets darker I move to darker or bright colors and bigger
baits (2", sometimes 3").
All my floats are custom made by a friend (I will be selling them). They
are designed specifically for fishing rivers.
I can tell you that this method works, and it works most of the time. Not
to say that another method wouldn't work better at the time, but this is the
method I enjoy the most.

Hope this helps.

Chris
"CR" wrote in message
om...
"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
...

Personally, I would stick with float fishing and run a Case Hellgie 2"
(natural colors) on a 16 ounce jighead.
Also I would spool with P-Line fluorocarbon (6lb) and use a 4lb fluoro
leader.
That is how I usually deal with that situation. Other baits I have had
good
success with (float fishing for smallies in clear streams) are hair
jigs, 1"
Berkley power tubes (natural colors), and 1" berkley craws (natural
colors).

By float fishing do you mean in a float tube? The reason I ask is that
I had a crazy idea to try the float'n'fly technique on streams.
Actually I already tried it. I tied a 1/16 float'n'fly jig on my line,
then put a bobber about 3 feet up. I got upstream from a pool and cast
it out and kept the bail open to let it just drift in the current. It
looked like it might work but the conditions were bad so it wasn't a
really good test (water temp 47, super bright blue skies).