Catching on a leash: tips for beginners

Increasingly, for catching predatory fish, spinningists use a retractable leash. Athletes use this equipment, as it allows them to catch a predator under any conditions and on any horizons.

Although, many experienced anglers have used such equipment for a long time, even before it received official status.

Retractable leash: what is it?

This type of equipment is also called Moscow and it differs in that the hook with the nozzle and the load are not on the same line – that is, they are spaced apart. In this case, the load is attached to the end of the fishing line, and above it is a leash with a hook and bait. As a rule, a predator located near the bottom is caught on a diverting leash.

Mounting options

Blind mounting

This is the simplest installation, when the load is fixed at the end of the main fishing line, and above it, at a distance of 20-30 cm, a loop is formed, to which the leash with a hook is attached.

More complex ways

The design of the fastening of the load and the leashes can be modified. A double swivel is attached above the fixed load. A leash is attached to this swivel.

Alternatively, you can attach a triple swivel in such a way that the main fishing line, leash and sinker are attached to each eye of each swivel. This is not a bad option, especially if you have to fish in the current. The presence of swivels does not allow the equipment to twist, and in case of a hook, you can lose one thing.

sliding mounting

This rig is a mirror image of the previous one, as a leader is attached to the main line and the weight is placed on a separate leader that slides along the main line. The length of the leash is chosen within 20-30 cm. To do this, you need to take a swivel and place it on the main fishing line. A leash is attached to the same swivel, at the end of which another swivel is fixed, to which the load is connected. On the main line, below the attachment point of the swivel, you need to install a stopper.

This mounting method allows you to swap the load and the leash. And yet, such equipment has its drawbacks: when casting, the load will always fly first. To limit the sliding of the load along the fishing line, it is enough to install another stopper above the attachment point.

Elements of equipment of a branch leash

Spinning

Such equipment is characterized by the fact that the bait is always in limbo and it is difficult to control its play. In this case, it is necessary to have a very sensitive rod with a fast action. Only with the help of such a rod you can understand how the bait behaves.

If fishing is carried out from a boat, then a rod is enough, from 2 to 2,4 meters long. When fishing from the shore, it is better to take a rod up to 2,7 meters long. The spinning test is selected depending on the fishing conditions, or rather on the weight of the load. If there is a current, then a solid load will be required, weighing up to 70 grams, or even more. Accordingly, the rod test is also selected.

It is desirable that the weight of the rod be minimal, otherwise there will be no pleasure from the fishing process. This is due to the fact that fishing for spinning requires constant control of the gear. And this means that the rod is constantly in the hands of the spinner. A rod that is too heavy will quickly lead to hand fatigue.

Coil

The reel for tackle is selected depending on the size and characteristics of the rod. There are no special requirements for it. The main thing is that the reel is reliable and can withstand constant casts.

main line

It is advisable to use braided fishing line, since it does not stretch and will be able to transfer the slightest bites to the tip of the rod. Its diameter depends on many factors, such as the presence of a current, the weight of the cargo, and the size of the catch. When fishing on the current, it is better to opt for a braided line. It is stronger, which means you can use a smaller diameter line to create less resistance to the flow.

Leave

To make a leash, you can take a regular monofilament fishing line. Its breaking load should be less than the breaking load of the main line. This is necessary so that in the event of a hook you do not have to lose your equipment.

At the same time, it should be remembered that monofilament fishing line has a memory, so it is used at one time. For the next fishing trip, it is advisable to tie up the leashes, using fresh fishing line.

Recently, almost all anglers use fluorocarbon as a leash. It is invisible to fish in the water and is slightly stiffer than monofilament, resulting in less overlap during casts.

The size of the leash for the load is 20 or 30 cm, the size of the leash with a hook is from 50 to 150 cm. Its diameter is selected in the range of 0,16-0,2 mm. If there is a high probability of pike biting, then it is better to put a metal leash.

Silicone bait

Baits can be made from conventional or edible silicone, into which, during its production, attractants are introduced. The choice of such baits is so great that it is immediately difficult to stop at some choice. Especially important is the use of edible rubber when fishing for perch. In general, if there is a choice, it is better to give preference to edible rubber.

Hook

When using equipment with a diverting leash, the same hooks are used as when fishing with a jig. If the bottom is clean, then you can use ordinary hooks that have a long forearm. If there is a possibility of hooks, then it is better to take offset hooks and mount non-hooks.

Types of sinkers

Various forms of sinkers can be used in equipment, depending on the nature of the bottom of the reservoir.

Bullet

This type of sinker is quite similar to a bullet. Under certain conditions, the bullet is capable of withstanding most holds.

Drop shot

This is a special type of sinker designed specifically for drop-shot rigs. This is a load elongated in shape, to the end of which a fishing line is attached. A special type of attachment allows you to very quickly increase or decrease the distance to the hook.

Tyrolean wand

In such equipment, a Tyrolean wand can serve as a load. This is a hollow tube, at one end of which a load is fixed, and the other end is hermetically sealed and serves as a fastener for the fishing line. Once in the water, it assumes a vertical position, as a result of which its permeability increases. This factor also helps to reduce the number of hooks and keep the bait at a certain height from the bottom. The technique of fishing with a Tyrolean stick is very peculiar and requires certain skills. And, nevertheless, the Tyrolean wand is quite catchy.

Long

Here the load is pear-shaped, which allows you to cast the bait far enough. Carp anglers very often use a similarly shaped weight.

Baits

The main type of baits that are ideal for fishing on a retractable leash are silicones. There is a huge selection, depending on the color, size and purpose. The most suitable are twisters, vibrotails, worms and fish. Although it is possible to use other baits imitating various crustaceans, bugs, etc. Recently, silicone baits have been used so widely that it seems that other baits do not exist.

Sometimes, but very rarely, light, spinning or oscillating baubles are used. Equipment with a retractable leash involves the use of very light baits, so the oscillators and spinners are practically not practiced. It is practiced to use such artificial baits as flies, which have a minimum weight, which allows them to be in the water column, in suspension. Moreover, you can catch any fish on flies, and not just predatory ones.

Ways of attaching a leash

There are several options for attaching a leash to a rig. For example:

• The loop-to-loop method. A loop is formed at the end of the leash, which is threaded through the loop on the main fishing line, after which, a hook is threaded into the same loop. Finally, the connection is tightened. The disadvantage of this option is the fact that it is impossible to quickly change the leash. Despite this, there are no problems with the removal of the leash.
• Attaching the leash with a swivel. This method minimizes overlaps.
• Attaching the leash with a clasp (carabiner). This is the most progressive option that allows you to easily change the leash to a new one, since you often have to experiment.

Snap Advantages

The use of a retractable leash provides a number of advantages compared to other snap-ins:

• The bait can be cast over a considerable distance without any problems.
• When casting, the wind has no effect.
• The equipment has sufficient sensitivity.
• Allows you to use most baits.

Snap Disadvantages

In addition to the advantages, it will not be superfluous to note the disadvantages of such equipment. Here they are:

• Mounting equipment takes a lot of useful time.
• Increased posting time.
• Frequent overlaps of equipment.
• The impossibility of controlling the behavior of the bait.
• High probability of hooks and false bites.

What kind of fish is caught on a retractable leash?

It is believed that equipment with a retractable leash is the most effective when catching perch. Despite this, other fish, not only predatory, are also caught on a diverting leash. It all depends on the nature of the bait, since both artificial and natural baits can be put on the hook.

perch fishing

Most spinners use a retractable leash to catch perch. Edible silicone is used as nozzles, as it is more catchy. As a rule, twisters, worms or vibrotails are used, but as practice shows, crustaceans or beetles made of the same silicone are no less catchy. As for the color scheme, here you have to experiment.

For catching a standard size perch (medium), lures 2-3 cm or larger are suitable. A large perch can easily attack a worm up to 12 cm long. The length of the leash is also selected experimentally and can be from 1 meter to 1,5 meters long. Sometimes a leash length of 30-40 cm is enough. You can catch perch on such equipment throughout the daylight hours. Perch can be found near pits or on rifts, as well as on the border of two currents.

zander fishing

Pike perch, which leads a benthic lifestyle, is also successfully caught on a rig with a diverting leash. The only thing you need to use powerful offset hooks, while sharp enough. This is due to the fact that the mouth of a pike perch is strong and can only be broken through as a result of a decisive cutting.

Pike fishing

A pike is also caught on a diverting leash, but measures must be taken to ensure that it does not bite off the bait. To do this, a metal leash, up to 30 cm long, is added to the main leash. Silicone is used as baits, in the form of twisters or vibrotails, up to 8 cm long. As for their colors, it is better to experiment to find out the preferences of the pike.

Types of wiring using a branch leash

Bait play may differ from various accepted standards and may not be systemic.

Conduction by dragging along the bottom

This is one of the simplest and most effective postings when the load is pulled along the bottom. Keeping the line tight, you can make it so that all the work on playing with the bait will be done by the current. As for standing water, everything is somewhat more complicated here. The load, which will raise a cloud of turbidity behind it, will certainly interest the predator. In addition, it will make characteristic noises.

Dotted line animation

This type of wiring is characterized by stretches and pauses. The duration of stretches and pauses is set experimentally, in the process of posting. Alternatively, you can use the classic jig step. The alternation of these elements resembles a dash-dotted line.

Aggressive jerky wiring

In the process of catching fish, if no methods of posting work, you can try aggressive jerky movements carried out with the help of a rod. When organizing pauses, it is desirable to animate the bait with barely noticeable movements of the rod tip.

Catching with a leash in the current

Fishing on the course has its own specifics. Firstly, such an installation is necessary in which the fishing line does not overlap under the action of the current. Casts should be carried out downstream, at an angle of 60-70 degrees. Casting upstream will have no effect. It is very important to tighten the line so that the load is at the bottom, creating turbidity and attracting fish.