In certain situations, such as rudd fishing, it's recommended to have a falling bait with no shot on the trace, and my understanding of waggler fishing in lakes is that the heavy shot should all be around the float with only very light tell-tale shot taking the bait down to the fish. However, I've always questioned this on the basis that, if the heavy shot are only half-way down the line from the float, they won't actually effect the descent of the bait. For example, if you are fishing at 6 foot, with the shot 3ft down, the shot can have dropped to 3ft and the bait will still be on or near the surface, ready to start it's slow descent. I've preferred to have the shot half way down the line, as it makes casting a bit easier, and the float seems to hit the water with less of a bang.

However, I started fishing for rudd yesterday on the recommended pattern with no shot below the float which was self-cocking, and was getting a bit a chuck - only small ones, admittedly. Then I lost my float in a tree (!) and switched to my usual pattern, but after one bite they dried up. Of course it could have been coincidence, but I'd be interested in others' views on shotting the float in still waters.

With roach & dace, unless you want the tiddlers, I'd shot to get my bait down pretty quickly. Only a generalisation but seems to hold true up my way. As for rudd, a fish of my youth, long departed, I don't know the answer, sorry.

shot halfway down the line will affect the fall of the bair when fishing "on the drop"

assuming you feather you cast so that the end tackle lands in a straight line the shot halfway down will sink is an arc, ending up directly below the float, ie - away from the bait. this causes the bait to sink in a very unnatural way through the surface layers as it gets pulled diaganally through the water by the shot!

Good point, Mat! thanks

If i were you mate i would shot your line up so the your line drops as soon as possible, this time of year tench and carp will be on the go and you wil;l get many undetected lift bites if your not careful