The key is to fish away from the crowd. Barely 200 feet from where the dedicated woman angler was going without fish on the Maury, a couple of fishermen had waded into the river. They steadily reeled in sunfish and small bass. In fact, swimmers can often improve downstream fishing. By stirring up the bottom, they send the creatures that live there to fish waiting for an easy meal.
Many casual fishermen put little thought into the size of the floats they use.
When it comes to suspending a bait or lure, bigger isn't better. A float should be barely large and buoyant enough to suspend the bait or lure you're using. That way, any fish that strikes feels little resistance as it swims away. If you need more weight to make a longer cast, add a split shot or two below the bobber instead. If the bait is being suspended by a float, chances are it's being held in a dead zone, far above the fish.