Float Fishing with Livies as Bait: A Complete Guide for Australian Rock Pier and Jetty Anglers

From the swirling whitewash of ocean-facing rock ledges to the calm tidal draw of estuary jetties, one technique consistently outperforms others for shore-based anglers targeting pelagic predators: float fishing with live bait or livies as they are also called.

Whether you’re chasing powerhouse kingfish, fast-running salmon, or high-action tailor presenting a live yakka or mullet beneath a well-balanced float is one of the most reliable — and visual — ways to hook up. Using livies for kingie bait works! It’s a method steeped in tradition but with the right setup it’s just as deadly today as ever.

Float fishing with iso style floats or eva foam slip floats works well off the ocean rocks as it allows easy casting and high visibility. It presents bait just where it needs to be and it allows for perfect bait presentation.

And it’s not just about kingies. The same float fishing technique (with a few tweaks) works brilliantly for catching drummer, luderick, bream, mullet, yakka, and garfish using our stick floats and finesse hooks.

In this complete guide, we’ll break down the full rig, offer expert tips, and show you how to fish smarter — all with gear available right here at ReproBaits.com.au.

🎯 Why Float Fishing with Lives Works

There’s a reason this method has stood the test of time: it suspends your bait exactly where the fish are feeding, keeps you out of snags, and lets you see the bite before it happens.

✅ Top Reasons to Use Floats with Live Bait:

• Keeps your bait in the strike zone longer

• Minimises snagging and lost gear

• Visually exciting — watch the float go down!

• Ideal for both salt and estuary environments

• Easy to adjust depth with float stops

Float fishing isn’t just for pros — once you understand the rig it’s approachable and incredibly effective. With a few of our tips you'll master it in no time.

🧰 The Float Fishing Rig: How to Set It Up Right

Let’s break down the float fishing rig we recommend for kingfish, tailor, salmon, and mackerel off rocks, jetties, piers, and harbour walls.

🎣 Rig Components:

• Mainline: 12–30 lb braid or mono

• Rubber Float Stops: Buy Here →

• Slip Float or Stick Float Kit: View Floats →

• Bead (optional but recommended)

• Ball Sinkers: Just enough to balance your float

• Swivel or Snap Swivel

• Leader Line: 40–100 cm fluorocarbon

• Live Bait Hook: See our Luderick & Bait Hooks →

🧵 Step-by-Step Rigging Instructions

1. Mainline → Float Stop #1
   Slide a rubber float stop onto your mainline. This sets your maximum depth and can be adjusted depending on where the fish are holding.

2. Add Your Slip Float or Stick Float
   Choose a float appropriate for your bait size and water conditions. For using a live yakka use a slip float. For luderick, mullet, or garfish, use our stick floats.

3. Float Stop #2 (optional)
   A second float stop below your float prevents it from sliding into your sinker or bead. It also saves your float in case you break off your hook. You probably won't lose your entire rig.
   

4. Add Bead + Sinker
   Place a small bead under the sinker to protect your knot. This is crucial to avoid break-offs from the weight banging into your swivel. A float stop can also be used but beads offer better impact protection.

5. Attach Swivel/Snap Swivel
   Tie your mainline to a swivel or snap swivel — this helps reduce line twist and makes leader changes easy. Rock fishing can chaff your leader so check it often and replace it when it's nicked or damaged.

6. Add 40–100 cm Leader
   For most rock and pier setups a metre of leader is ideal — but you can shorten it if casting space is tight or current is light.

7. Tie Your Hook
   Use a live bait hook matched to your target species. For yakka, mullet, or garfish, use ReproBaits Luderick Hooks.

8. (Optional) Add a small split shot or ball sinker near the hook to keep the live bait swimming lower and reduce tangling.

🐟 Best Species to Target with Float-Live Techniques

Float rigs with live bait aren’t just for kingfish — though they shine in that arena.

🎯 Primary Targets:

• Kingfish – Peak season: spring to late summer

• Tailor – Especially in whitewater and surf edges

• Australian Salmon – Winter schooling along NSW and VIC coasts

• Spotted or School Mackerel – Northern estuaries and inshore rocks

🎯 Secondary Targets (with stick floats):

• Drummer – Near wash zones with peeled prawn or cunje

• Luderick – Estuaries, breakwalls; cabbage or weed bait

• Yakkas – Catch your own lives for bait or to eat under a stick float with bread

• Garfish & Mullet – Use tiny hooks and float down baited bread paste

🧠 One rig. Multiple species. Learn to float fish, and your tackle box just got lighter and smarter.

💡 Float Fishing Tips from the ReproBaits Crew

• Use a Float Stop + Bead Combo — Your knots will thank you.

• Watch the Drift — Let the current work with you, not against you.

• Adjust Depth Constantly — Float stops let you explore the full water column.

• Use Strong Swivels — Especially when targeting kings or mackerel.

• Match Float Size to Bait — Too heavy and it sinks, too light and it tips.

🛍️ Float Fishing Essentials: Shop ReproBaits Gear

🧰 Build Your Rig with the Right Gear:

• ✅ Float Fishing Kit – with Stick & Slip Floats

• ✅ Rubber Float Stops (Multi Pack)

• ✅ Chemically Sharpened Luderick/Bait Hooks

• ✅ Distance Casting Kit with Trigger + Clips

📦 All orders ship fast across Australia. Built for real fishos.