Catching sabrefish with an elastic band: making tackle, fishing technique

Chekhon can be found in all large bodies of water with running water. It belongs to the carp family, and is distinguished by omnivorous and biting activity. She is caught on any tackle with a hook and bait. Before the start of spawning, sabrefish gather in flocks. During this period, she is caught with bottom gear, including on “gum“. It makes no sense to explain what a “gum” is, since this simple and effective tackle is familiar to every amateur angler. To fully understand the technique of using this gear, you need to know the behavior of the sabrefish.

Where does the chehon live

In almost all large rivers flowing into the Azov, Black or Caspian Sea, sabrefish is found. This fish is thermophilic, so the boundary of its habitat ends with the Gulf of Finland. At the same time, it can be found in the Baltic Sea basin, as well as in the tributaries of the Syr Darya, Don and Volga rivers. In small rivers, it is practically not found. She loves the depth, where she stays constantly, sometimes going out closer to the surface to find fry or various insects that have fallen into the water.

What does the sabrefish hunt for?

The sabrefish is no exception and feeds throughout the year, like all cyprinids. Her diet may include:

• zoo- and phytoplankton;
• worms of various origins;
• larvae of many insects;
• directly insects;
• molluscs and crustaceans;
• fish fry.

Until the age of 3, the sabrefish is considered not a predatory fish, and after that it begins to chase the fry of various fish, turning into a predator. For normal life, sabrefish feeds day and night, constantly migrating through the reservoir.

Where to catch sabrefish

Chekhon loves space and prefers open areas of the reservoir. It can be found:

• at the depth of reservoirs and rivers, in the presence of a current;
• in places where direct and reverse currents converge;
• deep-water backwaters occupying small areas;
• in pits with a rocky bottom or a pile of snags;
• during spawning, these can be floodplains of rivers and lakes;
• on river banks;
• at the depth of rivers and lakes, not overgrown with algae.

When choosing a fishing spot, you should consider what time of day and year. Like all fish, sabrefish bite best in spring, before spawning. This period is celebrated at the beginning of May. Hungry, flocks of sabrefish rise closer to the surface in search of food and you can count on successful fishing. If you get on a flock, then you can catch all the individuals, to the last. Being at some distance from the coast and not feeling any threat, the sabrefish actively pecks.

After spawning, the sabrefish somewhat reduces its activity, but the biting does not stop until the very frosts.

After a certain decrease in water temperature, sichel go to the depths, gathering in flocks. At the same time, it can rise from the depths, especially during warming, to chase the fry.

What does the sabrefish peck at

Since the sabrefish is omnivorous, it can be caught on any natural or artificial baits. These can be worms, live bait or vibrotails and twisters. Sometimes, she can covet a bare hook tied with colored thread. When catching this fish, the following baits are used:

• maggot;
• muckworm;
• various insects;
• larvae of various insects;
• fish fry.

And yet, maggot is considered the best bait. Maggots are fly larvae that attract sabrefish with their smell and are clearly visible at depth. In addition, one maggot can catch several fish. A dung worm is considered a universal nozzle, which is successfully used to catch this fish. In May, the emergence of various insects begins, which are included in the diet of the sabrefish. Therefore, during this period, attention should be paid to the use of insects or their larvae as bait.

The sabrefish is also caught on live bait, but only in the autumn, when many insects are gone, and she needs to feed her nutrients before wintering.

The best tackle for sabrefish

This tackle is known to all anglers and it is called “gum”. In fact, this is a bottom tackle with a rubber shock absorber. Its convenience is that you do not need to constantly pull out all the tackle from the water, but only its part, where the hooks with the nozzle are located. At the same time, it is convenient to use it, since you do not have to constantly throw it. The fact is that the hooks, when released, themselves under the action of a rubber shock absorber, go to the depth. Unfortunately, it is only effective in areas where there are no algae.

“Gum” is used in the spring, pre-spawning period, when its activity is highest. Using such tackle, you can catch a lot of sabrefish, but you should not take more than you can eat. As a rule, various bans on fishing apply at this time. In addition, the “gum” is successfully used for catching roach, crucian carp, perch, silver bream, etc.

How to make a rubber band

Given the fact that it will not be possible to buy it in the store, you will have to do it yourself. This is due to the fact that this tackle is not sports. In extreme cases, it can be purchased on the market, but the ease of manufacture allows you to do it yourself. This will require the following components:

• fishing line, 0,3-0,5 mm in diameter and 40-50 m long;
• fishing line for leashes, 0,25 mm in diameter;
• swivels for attaching leashes;
• aviation gum, 15-25 m long;
• cargo weighing up to 1 kg;
• strong rope, up to 1 m long;
• hooks, 5-6 pcs No. 6-No. 8;
• clockwork rings or clasps;
• reel;
• bite alarm;
• float, if needed.

A load weighing about 1 kg is tied to a strong rope, the length of which is approximately 1 m. With the help of this piece of rope, the “gum” is thrown into the reservoir. Loops are formed at the ends of the elastic, through which, as well as with the help of fasteners and clockwork rings, it is connected to the rope and the main fishing line.

After that, leashes are made from fishing line of the appropriate diameter. The length of the leash can be in the range of 30-50 cm. A hook is attached to one end of the leash, and a loop is formed at the other end, to which a carabiner is attached.

Then, on the main line, at a distance of 50-70 cm from each other, loops are knitted. There should be as many of them as leashes. Leashes can be fastened with carabiners or using the loop-in-loop method. After that, we can assume that the tackle is ready. If the leashes are fastened with fasteners, then they can be installed after casting the tackle, which facilitates the process of casting and transportation. Leashes with hooks simply will not be a hindrance, as they can be transported separately by attaching them to the leash.

Rubber band fishing technique

To use such gear, you will need to find a suitable place. It should not have thickets of aquatic vegetation, otherwise, if possible, you will have to make a kind of “path” for gear. If this is not done, then using an elastic band will be problematic. Of course, a clean shore is better, with a gradual decrease in depth.

“Gum” can be cast manually or delivered by boat. Naturally, it is unlikely that it will be possible to cast far by hand and one should not count on a good catch. To cast manually, you need to carefully lay out the tackle on the shore so that it cannot overlap during the cast. If the casting is successful, then you can proceed to the installation of leashes with hooks and baiting. After that, the baited hooks, one by one, are lowered into the water. Under the action of the rubber band, they will reach a certain point, where the biting of the sichel will take place.

After the hooks take their position, the tackle is pulled up a little and fixed, as a rule, by a reel that is stuck into the ground. In conclusion, a bite signaling device is installed on the tackle, in the form of a bell or other device.

At the sight of a bite, you should cut, sharply pulling the main line. If the fish is spotted, and this will definitely be felt, then it is pulled out of the water slowly, without sudden movements. At the same time, it should be remembered that sabrefish is a frisky fish and, having grabbed the bait, it will try to go to the depth.

If we analyze the process of catching sabrefish, we can say that there are no particular difficulties and anyone, even a novice fisherman, can catch sabrefish. In doing so, you need to remember that:

• You should always take several varieties of bait with you.
• The worm is mounted so that its parts do not hang down, otherwise the sabrefish will easily remove it from the hook.
• Live bait is used only fresh and active.
• For tackle it is necessary to use only high-quality and durable rubber, otherwise you can be injured during a break.

Going after the sabrefish and choosing tackle to catch it, you should also know that the sabrefish takes bait only in the water column. She cannot take it from the bottom, due to the biological features of the structure of the mouth. Therefore, in order for sabrefish to be caught and pecked, it is necessary to ensure that the bait with the hook is not at the bottom, but in suspension, in the water column. This question is very relevant when fishing, for example, with a feeder. Such buoyancy can be provided to the bait by using foam balls. In such cases, it is better to use hooks with a long shank so that both the ball and the bait fit on it. For a better game of bait and greater lifting, leashes are used, up to 2 meters long. Naturally, this complicates the process of casting tackle, but the result will not be long in coming.

As additional information, we can recommend purchasing foam balls in a special shell and having a different color, which additionally attracts sabrefish. Colors like red, green, and orange work well, with garlic or anise flavors, if desired.