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Terminal tackle · Pike floats · Our take
Fox Predator Deadbait Pencil Float
Fox Predator Deadbait Pencil Float
A proper pike float for fishing deadbaits over depth, with a slim profile, cracking visibility and a handy starlight option for after-dark sessions.
- Designed to present deadbaits over depth for pike fishing.
- Long, pencil-like body is strong and sensitive, with bites often lifting the float when set correctly.
- Bright orange tip and black band help with visibility in changing light.
- Removable orange top can house a starlight; starlight not included.
- Available in Large and Xtra Large sizes, with the Large listed as 20g.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Fox Predator Deadbait Pencil Float in Large and Xtra Large sizes. The Large version is listed as 20g, with product code FAC138; Xtra Large is FAC139.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A focused, well-thought-out pike float with strong visibility and a useful night-fishing feature.
- Product Quality9/10
- Performance8.9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.8/10
- Ease of Use9.1/10
- Value for Money8.6/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Pike anglers fishing deadbaits over depth. The slim body is built to show lift bites clearly while keeping the bait presented away from the bottom.
- Anglers doing evening or night predator sessions. The removable top accepts a starlight, giving you a straightforward way to keep track of the float after dark.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers fishing very rough, highly exposed water. A pencil float is better suited to controlled presentation than battling a big chop where keeping sight of the float becomes awkward.
- Anyone wanting an all-purpose coarse float. This is a dedicated pike deadbait float, not a general float-fishing option for silverfish or commercial carp.
The lowdown
Introducing the Fox Predator Deadbait Pencil Float
A proper pike float for fishing deadbaits over depth, with a slim profile, cracking visibility and a handy starlight option for after-dark sessions.
- Designed to present deadbaits over depth for pike fishing.
- Long, pencil-like body is strong and sensitive, with bites often lifting the float when set correctly.
- Bright orange tip and black band help with visibility in changing light.
- Removable orange top can house a starlight; starlight not included.
- Available in Large and Xtra Large sizes, with the Large listed as 20g.
Quick verdict
A sharp, simple deadbait float
If you’re presenting a deadbait over depth, this pencil float gives you a clear, sensitive indication without making the setup needlessly fiddly.
The removable orange top for a starlight is a proper bonus for night piking. Just remember the starlight itself isn’t included, and pick the size to suit the bait and conditions.
A focused, well-thought-out pike float with strong visibility and a useful night-fishing feature.
- Product Quality
- 9/10
- Performance
- 8.9/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.8/10
- Ease of Use
- 9.1/10
- Value for Money
- 8.6/10
Durable HD construction, clear markings and a practical starlight insert make it feel properly purpose-built.
The slim body should give sensitive lift-bite indication when the float is correctly cocked.
Clear depth control and visible bite indication can help you fish deadbaits more accurately and react to takes with confidence.
The visibility is strong and Quick Change Weight compatibility cuts down on bank-side faff.
It offers useful day-to-night flexibility, although needing to buy a starlight separately is a small extra cost.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Fox Predator Deadbait Pencil Float
Deadbaiting under a float is one of those pike tactics that looks dead simple, but the float makes a massive difference. Get it right and you’ve got a clear picture of where your bait is sitting, whether it’s over depth and, most importantly, what’s happening when a pike comes along. The Fox Predator Deadbait Pencil Float is built for exactly that job.
Its long, pencil-like body is the first thing you notice. That slim shape keeps the float sensitive, so a proper take can show as a lift rather than just a vague wobble. When a pike picks up a deadbait and moves it, the float can rise in the water. That’s the sort of bite indication you want when you’re watching a deadbait rod while keeping one eye on the other rods.
The trick is setting it correctly. You need enough shot or weight to cock the float properly, with the bait fishing at the depth you’ve chosen. Fox makes the float compatible with its Quick Change Weights, which is handy when you’re changing depths or moving between swims. Less faff on the bank means more time with the bait where you actually want it.
The bright orange tip is easy to follow in normal daylight, whether you’re fishing a margin line, an open-water shelf or a deeper channel. There’s also a black band to help spot movement in bright conditions. That might sound like a small detail, but glare can make a float top go a bit invisible, especially when the sun is bouncing off the water.
For pike anglers, this is a float for presenting deadbaits over depth rather than dangling a bait just under the surface. That makes it useful through a lot of the season. A static deadbait can be placed above a deeper feature, along a drop-off or near a patrol route, while you keep the rig visually controlled instead of guessing where the bait has ended up.
The float also has night sessions covered. The top orange insert can be removed so you can fit a starlight. That’s proper useful when the light fades and the pike start moving confidently. You’ll need to bring your own starlight, mind, as one isn’t included, but the option is there without needing a separate night float.
There are two sizes: Large and Xtra Large. The Large version is listed as 20g, while the Xtra Large gives you another option when you need a bigger, more visible profile. Your choice should come down to the deadbait, depth, tow and conditions. Don’t automatically grab the biggest one just because it looks more substantial.
The durable HD construction is another sensible touch. Predator floats get clipped into tackle boxes, moved between swims and generally treated with less ceremony than a delicate match float. A tougher body is welcome, particularly when you’re setting up in cold weather with numb fingers and a lively pike already waiting in the net.
On the water, the main appeal is clarity. You can see where the bait is, know when the float is properly cocked and keep an eye out for that lift bite. It’s not trying to be clever or overloaded with features. It’s a focused bit of pike terminal tackle that should make deadbait presentation easier to read, day or night.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Use
- Pike fishing with deadbaits over depth
- Body
- Long, pencil-like float made from durable HD material
- Visibility
- Bright orange tip with a black bite-spotting band
- Night use
- Removable orange insert accepts a starlight; starlight not included
- Sizes
- Large and Xtra Large
- Large version
- 20g, product code FAC138; Xtra Large product code FAC139
Specs checked with Fox, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Why the pencil shape matters
This is all about getting a deadbait fishing properly over depth while keeping bite detection clear. Set it right and a pike taking the bait will often lift the float, giving you a very obvious signal rather than a vague dip.
The bright orange tip stands out during the day, while the black band helps you track movement when glare makes a float top a bit naff to see. Add a starlight after dark and it becomes a very useful tool for quiet, low-light sessions.
The float itself
A clear, sensitive way to fish deadbaits over depth
The Fox Predator Deadbait Pencil Float uses a long, slim body to give a sensitive presentation. The bright orange tip is easy to pick out, while the black band helps you follow movement when bright sun makes the water a bit awkward to read. Set it correctly and a pike lifting the bait will often lift the float too.
The body is made from durable HD material, so it’s aimed at regular predator work rather than delicate float fishing. It’s available in Large and Xtra Large sizes. The Large version is listed as 20g, and both sizes are designed around presenting deadbaits over depth.
Worth knowing. The orange top insert comes out to house a starlight, which makes the float suitable for night piking. A starlight isn’t included, so pop one in your predator box before heading out after dark.
On the pike bank
A handy choice for controlled deadbaiting
This float suits anglers fishing a deadbait over a known depth, whether that’s beside a drop-off, over a deeper basin or along a likely pike patrol route. It’s especially useful when you want to keep the bait off the bottom and know exactly what the float is doing.
It’s also a good fit for anglers who like to fish into dusk and beyond. The daytime tip gives plenty of visibility, and the starlight option means you don’t need to swap the whole float when the light disappears. That’s dead handy when the rods are out and bite-time is approaching.
For size choice, think about the bait and conditions rather than simply choosing the biggest option. The Large is listed at 20g, while the Xtra Large gives you a larger alternative. Use enough weight to cock the float properly, but keep the presentation as tidy as the swim allows.
Quick answers
The bits you’ll want to know before buying
Is it just for daytime fishing? No. The removable top accepts a starlight, so it can be used for night pike sessions too. You’ll need to supply the starlight yourself, though.
What makes the pencil shape useful? Its long, slim profile keeps the float sensitive and gives you a good chance of spotting a lift bite when a pike picks up or moves the deadbait. Correct shotting and depth control are still vital.
Does it work with Fox Quick Change Weights? Yes. That compatibility makes it easier to alter the setup when you’re changing depth, moving swims or tweaking the float until the deadbait is sitting spot on.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Slim, sensitive design gives clear lift bites when the float is set correctly.
- Bright orange tip and black band are easy to follow in daylight.
- Removable top lets you add a starlight for night sessions.
- Durable HD construction should cope with regular predator-fishing use.
- Works with Fox Quick Change Weights for a neater way to set the float.
Worth knowing
- A starlight isn’t included, so night anglers need to buy one separately.
- The pencil profile is aimed at controlled deadbait presentation, not rough water or every heavy-duty float job.
- Choosing between Large and Xtra Large needs a bit of thought around bait size, depth and conditions.
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What is the Fox Predator Deadbait Pencil Float for?
What is the Fox Predator Deadbait Pencil Float for?
It’s designed for presenting deadbaits over depth when pike fishing. Set correctly, a pike taking the bait will often lift the float, giving you a clear visual bite indication.
02Can you use a starlight with it?
Can you use a starlight with it?
Yes. The top orange insert can be removed to house a starlight. The starlight isn’t included, so you’ll need to add one separately for night sessions.
03Which size should you choose?
Which size should you choose?
It’s available in Large and Xtra Large. The Large is listed as 20g. Match the size to the bait you’re using, the depth, the amount of tow and how visible you need the float to be.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a sharp, simple deadbait float. The strongest reasons to choose it are slim, sensitive design gives clear lift bites when the float is set correctly. and bright orange tip and black band are easy to follow in daylight.; the main trade-off is a starlight isn’t included, so night anglers need to buy one separately..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Slim, sensitive design gives clear lift bites when the float is set correctly.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Pike anglers fishing deadbaits over depth: The slim body is built to show lift bites clearly while keeping the bait presented away from the bottom.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “A starlight isn’t included, so night anglers need to buy one separately.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
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