How to Make a Styrofoam Float

You can make almost any type of float from Styrofoam. Large floats, like those on gill nets, use high-density industrial Styrofoam that can hold up to rough treatment. Small floats, or "bobbers" like those used for fishing, can be mass-produced using craft Styrofoam. These can be used for crappie, trout or any other fish that doesn't routinely feed off the bottom. You can pick up all sizes and shapes of Styrofoam at any hobby shop and create different sizes of floats for smaller pan fish, such as crappie, or larger fish like trout or bass.

Things You'll Need

  • Dowel, 3/8 by 2 1/2 inches
  • Cordless drill
  • 1/16-inch drill bit
  • Styrofoam craft ball, 1-inch diameter
  • Modeling cement
  • 2 snap swivels, 1 1/2 inch
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the dowel flat on a worktable. Drill a hole through the dowel 1/4-inch from both ends. Use a cordless drill and 1/16-inch bit.

    • 2

      Hold the Styrofoam ball with one hand. Push the dowel through the center of the hole so the dowel extends equally through both sides of the ball.

    • 3

      Run a heavy bead of cement around the perimeter of the dowel where it emerges from the ball of Styrofoam. Let the cement dry for 15 minutes.

    • 4

      Insert one snap swivel through each hole.