Straw: "I use different colored floats based on the day and how fish are reacting to the float. On bright days, I prefer orange or pink floats. Under low light conditions and on cloudy days, chartreuse tops are easier to see. In clear calm water when the fish are ultra spooky, I like to use clear plastic floats, casting bubbles. Some companies make clear plastic floats with a hint of red or chartreuse and a few make clear floats with the just a small portion of the top painted orange, like Redwing Tackle's Phantom."

Lighted slipfloats designed for nightfishing also work well on dark days or in waves. Most common are those with lithium battery inserts that cause a diode to glow red at the tip of the float. Several companies also make attachments that allow you to add a replaceable cyalume light stick to your favorite float. There are also floats coated with phosphorescent paint, but they must be recharged with a flashlight or camera flash at frequent intervals.

Fine-tuning any fishing presentation is the key to making it more effective. Selecting the right float based on fish behavior, water and weather conditions, and the panfish you're trying to catch is likely going to increase the number of times fish pull your float under. And when it comes to catching panfish, few things bring back that giddy inner-child feeling like a disappearing float.

SELECT PANFISH FLOAT OPTIONS

Bagley -- For light-biting panfish, the Bagley Shivers Float, designed to match European competition floats, is ultrasensitive and ideal for panfish. Their Night Rider float features a removable fluorescent stem that can be replaced with a chemical lightstick. Along with a variety of other panfish floats, Bagley makes a nice Bodied Waggler for combating windy conditions.

Betts -- Weighted and unweighted BillyBoy Balsa Floats are available in pencil, cylinder, and oval shapes that are ideal for panfishing. The Float-a-Bubble is a stealthy slipfloat casting bubble ideal for targeting panfish in the shallows or ultra-clear water.

Carlson -- The aerodynamic Wing-It float is designed to cast far and accurately. Fixed and slipfloats available.

Eagle Claw -- Eagle Claw offers a selection of panfish style balsa stationary and slipfloats. They also make a 1-inch clear Plastic Spin float ideal for launching light lures a long distance.

Gapen -- The Crappie and All-Panfish floats feature brightly painted long stems for visibility. Both float styles feature the Gapen Slip-in-Lock system that allow you to use them as either slip or stationary floats. To use as a slipfloat, simply insert the line through a slot on the bottom of the stem and pull the rubber sleeve just over the slot opening. To rig stationary, wrap the line around the stem slot and slide the entire sleeve over the slot.

Northland -- The Lite-Bite balsa slipfloat is a good all-around float that has a fluorescent stem for visibility.