Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
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A small jig can be hard to track when trout or panfish bite softly, especially in moving water or low light. The Trout Magnet E-Z Trout Floats are compact, slotted strike indicators that let you change fishing depth without cutting your line or removing your lure. This review explains how the 36-pack works, which rigs it suits, and where its light-duty design may feel limiting. Its strongest points are quick adjustment and bite visibility, but it is not made for heavy bait, long-distance casting, or large slip-float setups.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8.5/10
Best For: Ultralight anglers drifting small jigs or live bait for trout, panfish, and finesse-focused bass.
Bottom Line: The slotted body and removable shaft make depth changes fast, while the neon colors help you see light strikes. The tradeoff is limited carrying capacity, so heavier rigs need a larger float.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Trout Magnet |
| Maker | Leland’s Lures |
| Model | 87666 |
| Product type | Slotted fishing float and strike indicator |
| Pack quantity | 36 floats with 36 shafts |
| Color mix | 12 neon red, 12 neon yellow, and 12 neon green |
| Recommended presentation | Small jigs weighing 1/16 ounce or less, small lures, or live bait |
| Target fish | Trout, panfish, and bass on light tackle |
| Water use | Freshwater and saltwater |
| Depth adjustment | Slides to a new position without cutting the line or removing the lure |
| Country claim | Made in the USA |
| Warranty note | Contact the manufacturer for current warranty details |
What Are the Trout Magnet E-Z Trout Floats?
The Trout Magnet E-Z Trout Float is a compact bobber built for light presentations. Instead of threading your line through a fixed eye or cutting the rig apart, you place the line in the slot and secure it with the included shaft. You can then move the float up or down to change the depth.
This 36-pack is made for anglers who use small jigs, lures, or live bait. The float doubles as a strike indicator, so a dip, tilt, stop, or sideways movement can show that a fish has touched the bait. The neon red, yellow, and green mix also lets you choose the color that is easiest to see against the water and sky.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Trout anglers drifting jigs of 1/16 ounce or less
- Panfish anglers who need a sensitive, easy-to-see indicator
- Anyone who changes depth often while fishing creeks, ponds, or lake edges
Skip If
- You regularly cast heavy bait, sinkers, or jigs over 1/16 ounce
- You need a large slip float for deep water or long casts
- You prefer a weighted bobber that adds casting distance
Design and Features of Trout Magnet E-Z Trout Floats
Slotted Design and Fast Depth Changes
The slot is the feature that separates this float from many basic clip-on bobbers. You can add or remove it without taking off the hook or lure, which is useful when fish move higher or lower in the water column. Small depth changes can also help you keep a jig close to the bottom without dragging it through rocks or weeds.
The removable shaft holds the line in the float. Correct placement matters because a loose or poorly seated shaft can let the float shift during a cast. Check the connection after snagging, landing a fish, or moving the float several times.
Visibility and Bite Detection
The pack includes neon red, yellow, and green floats. This color mix is practical because glare, cloud cover, and background color can make one shade easier to track than another. Yellow or green may stand out on dark water, while red can be easier to see against pale reflections.
The compact body responds to light pulls that a larger, more buoyant bobber may hide. You still need to watch for more than a full submerge. A sideways slide, a pause in the current, or a float that suddenly stands at a different angle can also signal a bite.
Compatibility With Light Jigs and Live Bait
These floats are designed for small jigs weighing 1/16 ounce or less, along with small lures and live bait. That makes them a natural match for ultralight rods, thin line, and finesse presentations. They are not a universal answer for every bobber rig because heavier tackle can pull the float under or make it hard to read.
You can use them with Trout Magnet equipment or other light tackle that stays within the float’s carrying ability. The listing also identifies trout, panfish, and bass as suitable targets, but the rig should remain light even when you are fishing for bass.
Before You Buy: These are finesse floats, not heavy-duty bobbers. If your jig, split shot, bait, or hook pulls the float too low before a fish bites, move to a larger float rather than adding more weight.
How It Performs in Real Use
Drifting Trout Jigs in Current
In a creek or river, the quick depth adjustment helps you keep a small jig near the strike zone as the bottom rises and falls. The compact float also creates less resistance than a large bobber when a trout takes softly. You will get the best control with a balanced ultralight rig and a natural drift.
Fishing for Panfish Around Cover
For bluegill, crappie, and other panfish, the bright float is easy to follow near docks, brush, weed edges, and open pockets. It works well when you want to suspend a small bait above cover. The limitation is casting distance, since a tiny unweighted float does not carry as far as a weighted model.
Finesse Bass Presentations
You can use the E-Z Trout Float for bass when the lure or bait stays light. It can help suspend a small jig or live bait where fish are feeding near the surface or along shallow structure. It is less suitable for heavy cover, large hooks, or rigs that need forceful casting.
Light Saltwater Use
The Amazon listing identifies the floats for freshwater and saltwater use. They can suit light inshore bait or small-jig presentations, but their compact size is not intended for surf rigs or heavy current. Rinse the floats and shafts with fresh water after saltwater use, dry them, and inspect the slot before returning them to your tackle box.
How to Use the E-Z Trout Float Correctly
- Build a light rig. Tie on your hook or jig and keep the total presentation within the float’s small-jig design.
- Place the line in the slot. Set the float at the depth you want above the lure.
- Insert the shaft. Seat it firmly enough to hold the line without damaging it.
- Test the balance. Lower the rig into the water near you. The float should remain visible and react freely.
- Adjust as conditions change. Slide the float higher for deeper water or closer to the lure for shallow water.
- Watch the full drift. Set the hook when the float dips, moves sideways, stops unnaturally, or changes angle.
Pro Tip: Change float colors when glare makes the bobber hard to see. The best color is the one that creates the strongest contrast against the water from your viewing angle.
Care, Storage, and Durability
These floats are reusable, but small parts can be lost or damaged if they are tossed loose into a crowded tackle tray. Store the floats and shafts in a divided compartment or small container. Keeping a few shafts paired with each color also reduces setup time on the water.
After each trip, remove dirt, vegetation, and dried bait residue. Rinse after saltwater use and let every part dry before closing the box. Replace any float with a split body, widened slot, bent shaft, or weak grip because those problems can cause depth changes during a cast.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Slotted design allows fast depth changes without cutting the line
- Compact body helps show light bites on finesse rigs
- Three neon colors improve visibility in changing conditions
- 36-count pack provides backups for frequent fishing
- Works with small jigs, light lures, and live bait
Cons
- Not suitable for jigs heavier than the recommended 1/16-ounce range
- Small, unweighted design limits casting distance
- Separate shafts are easy to misplace and must be seated correctly
Customer Feedback
At the time of this review, Amazon displayed a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from 5,463 ratings. Buyers often focus on the easy adjustment, bright colors, and sensitivity with light tackle. Ratings and review totals change over time, so treat them as a snapshot rather than a fixed specification.
The main buying concern is not basic operation, but choosing the correct rig. These floats receive the most benefit from anglers who already use small jigs or bait. A buyer expecting the casting distance or carrying power of a larger weighted bobber may be disappointed.
Is It Worth the Price?
The E-Z Trout Float 36-pack sits in the budget tackle category and offers strong value for the price when you fish light presentations often. The bulk pack gives you spare floats for lost rigs, shared tackle boxes, and multiple rods without forcing you to buy a full lure kit.
It is worth considering if quick depth changes and bite visibility matter more to you than long casting distance. It is not the best fit if you need one float to handle everything from tiny trout jigs to heavy bait rigs.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Trout Magnet E-Z Panfish Float is slightly larger and may suit anglers presenting Panfish Magnet lures or other somewhat larger light baits. The Mini E-Z Float is smaller than the E-Z Trout Float and is intended for fly fishing or the Mini Magnet system.
For heavier crappie presentations, the brand’s larger E-Z Crappie Floats are a better comparison. The E-Z Trout Float makes the most sense when you want a compact, removable indicator for small trout and panfish rigs rather than a large-capacity bobber.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many floats are included in the pack?
The pack contains 36 floats and 36 shafts. The official color mix is 12 neon red, 12 neon yellow, and 12 neon green floats.
What lure weight works best with these floats?
They are designed for small jigs weighing 1/16 ounce or less, along with small lures or live bait. If the float sits too low before a bite, reduce the rig weight or choose a larger float.
Can you adjust the depth without retying the rig?
Yes. The slot lets you add, remove, or reposition the float without cutting the line or taking off the lure. Make sure the shaft is seated after every adjustment.
What fishing line size should you use?
The product does not state one required line-test range. Choose line that matches your rod, lure weight, target fish, and local conditions, with an ultralight setup being the most natural match for this small float.
Can you use E-Z Trout Floats in saltwater?
The Amazon listing identifies them for freshwater and saltwater use. Keep the rig light, avoid heavy surf applications, and rinse the floats and shafts with fresh water after the trip.
Are the floats reusable?
Yes. Clean and dry them after fishing, keep the shafts in a divided tackle compartment, and inspect the slot before reuse. Replace damaged parts that no longer grip the line securely.
Can you use them for bass?
Yes, when you use a small jig, lure, or live bait that stays within the float’s light-duty range. Choose a larger float for heavy hooks, large bait, strong current, or long casts.
Who should choose a different float?
Choose a different model if you need a weighted bobber, a large slip float, or support for tackle heavier than 1/16 ounce. The E-Z Trout Float is specialized for finesse fishing rather than heavy or deep-water rigs.
The Bottom Line
The Trout Magnet E-Z Trout Floats are a smart buy for anglers who drift small jigs or live bait and want fast depth changes with clear bite detection. Skip them if your setup needs heavy weight or long casting distance, but choose them when a compact, reusable finesse float fits the way you fish.