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Basically, anglers are divided into 2 groups: float fish and bottom fish. The basis of float gear is considered to be a float, which signals the behavior of fish under water. As soon as the float dives into the water, then you need to cut. The more sensitive the tackle, the more successful fishing can be. As for the bottom fish, everything is somewhat more complicated here, since you have to use various devices to determine whether the fish took the bait or not. Often you just have to follow the movements of the rod tip. Recently, electronic devices signaling the moment of bite have become widespread.
Modern technology makes it possible to manufacture various, very sensitive bite alarms for feeders, such as quiver types. At the same time, there are other, more versatile products that can be used for various fishing conditions. Firms have not forgotten about winter fishing, releasing special indicators of bites – nods. They are also used in summer fishing conditions, if tackle with a side nod is used.
Advantages and disadvantages of electronic signaling devices
Such devices are used by experienced anglers in conditions when it is necessary to catch a trophy specimen. The peculiarity of electronic devices is that they can recognize true bites from false ones and react to the slightest movement of gear. Therefore, to miss the moment of bite is simply unrealistic. Some models may take into account the strength of waves, currents, etc.
If we analyze what the advantages and disadvantages of electronic signaling devices are, then it is worth taking into account not cheap Chinese models, but products of well-known companies. As a rule, cheap models of dubious manufacturers do not meet the stated requirements. They also do not differ in reliable operation and reliability, which cannot be said about real proprietary developments.
The advantages of electronic signaling devices include:
- Very high sensitivity.
- The absence or minimum of false positives in difficult fishing conditions.
- The ability to adjust the tension of the fishing line in windy conditions and the presence of waves, the presence of a strong current or the movement of a load along a slope.
- When fishing with several rods, it is easy to determine where, on which rod, the fish took the bait.
The disadvantage of such devices is their high cost, which limits their use for some categories of anglers. In addition, fakes are possible or, in other words, you can purchase counterfeit products. In addition, special stands for fishing rods are needed, and these are additional costs. Some feeders use regular posts, although at least two are required. It still works out cheaper though.
Electronic fishing alarms are used by avid feeder fishermen. Models with a pager are good for carp anglers: after carefully feeding a promising place, you can go to the tent and have a little rest. Catching trophy carp has its own characteristics: there can be no more than 3 bites per night. In this case, it makes no sense to sit near the fishing rod all night waiting for bites.
Electronic and visual bite alarms for killer carp fishing.
Types of models
Depending on a number of features, electronic signaling devices can be divided into 3 groups:
- According to the method of fastening.
- According to the mechanism for determining bites.
- By the nature of the signals.
Depending on the method of mounting the device are:
- Models that are attached directly to the handle of the rod. At the same time, they are not large in size and not high in price. Devices are fixed using special clips or using ordinary adhesive tape.
- Devices that are mounted on rodpods or on racks with which rods are fixed.
Depending on the bite detection mechanism, devices are:
- They react to the vibrations of the rod, while there is no direct contact with the fishing line.
- Responds to the force of the tension of the fishing line. As a rule, they use a swinger, a bite signaling device. It allows you to more accurately determine the nature of the bite.
- combined action.
Depending on the nature of the signals supplied, the products are:
- They give light signals.
- Give sound signals.
- They give both light and sound signals.
- Pagers.
Bite alarm, LED from aliexpress for feeder
Portable electronic alarms
Naturally, the functionality of portable devices is very limited, although they are inexpensive and do not take up much space. For night fishing, you can offer the Strike Alert model, at an affordable price. The body of the device has special grooves, which allows you to quickly and effortlessly attach the signaling device to the tip of the rod.
In standby mode, the indicator emits a green light, but when the fish is on the hook, the indicator lights up in red. The bite is determined by the intensity of the vibration of the rod. In addition, the alarm ignores the strength of the wind and the presence of waves. If the wind is strong, then false alarms are possible.
It is worth paying attention to the Russian development “Megateks” Soyka 3. The signaling device can be used for catching fish at any time of the day. The device has 5 levels of sensitivity adjustment. In conditions of fishing, when there is no current and wind, the most sensitive levels are used, and in conditions of wind and current, levels 2 and 3 are used. The device has a function to adjust the sound intensity and change the tone. All functions are selected with a single button. When you press the button, the device turns on, and if you press the button again, it turns off.
If you press and hold the button, the device starts emitting characteristic signals (beeps). Each sensitivity level is set after the next signal. The nature of the sound signal can be changed on the seventh, eighth and ninth signal.
To disable all functions, just wait for the 10th signal. To change the tone, you must hold the button for about 20 seconds, after which the device starts to sort through and play melodies. To select your favorite melody, just release the button. On the one hand, this is a modern, advanced device, and on the other hand, it is not entirely practical, due to the fact that all modes have to be selected with one button.
How the indicator reacts when biting
There are a huge number of indicator models presented in retail outlets. However, each model can work differently. Before you install on a fishing rod, you need to familiarize yourself with the principle of operation of the device.
Model “Megatex” Jay 3, in case of a bite, emits a sound signal and light. The LED emits a light signal, lasting about 2 seconds, with a repetition period of 5 seconds. The duration of the sound signal is about 4 seconds.
An electronic signaling device is attached to the blank of the rod. The first knee is suitable for this, since at the moment of hooking the device automatically turns off so as not to waste power in vain. In addition, it allows you to get rid of the constantly emitted device signals. Those who used the Megatex Soyka 3 device claim that the device is reliable and can last up to 5 years without any problems.
The model does not react to the force of the wind and the action of waves.
Chinese Bite Alarm. The cheapest Bite Alarm.
Clamp signaling devices
When choosing a bite signaling device for yourself, it is advisable to pay attention to models that use clips for fastening. There are a lot of similar models, so there should be no problems with the choice. The principle of fixation on the rod blank is simple – due to special clamps. At the same time, it is desirable that the clamps be with rubber seals for more reliable fastening. On the body of the product there are grooves, as well as a wheel or hook, with which the fishing line is fixed.
When the fish takes the bait, the tension of the fishing line appears, as a result of which the signaling device begins to emit a sound and light signal. If the fish, after a bite, starts moving towards the shore, then the signaling device does not react to such bites. In such cases, it is better to use a swinger.
When choosing such a device, you should pay attention to models with manual volume and tone adjustment. Such functions are indispensable if fishing is carried out on several rods.
A light signal will not interfere, which will help to more accurately determine the rod where the bite was. This is especially true in the dark.
At the same time, one should not expect anything beyond natural from such devices, since such models do not differ in great functionality. If the fishing conditions are difficult, then frequent false positives are possible. When catching small fish, and especially in conditions of active biting, it simply does not make sense to use such signaling devices, since they are not designed for such conditions. Their purpose is to catch trophy specimens.
How to choose a fishing bite alarm
To choose such a device for yourself, you need to have at least a minimum of information about such devices. You need to know how this device works and its functionality. After that, you can go to a specialized outlet and start choosing.
Models that are installed on stands and rod pods are more acceptable, as they have a wide range of functions. Naturally, they cost more. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of workmanship, choosing fixtures from well-known manufacturers.
For example:
- The signaling device must be in a sealed housing and not leak moisture. As a rule, anglers fish in any weather, so rain is not a problem for them. Rain can be a real problem for an electronic device. In addition, there is always high humidity near the reservoir, plus fog and dew. Even the appearance of condensate can harm the electronic circuit.
- The device must be made of durable plastic. The device must be resistant to mechanical stress, as any situation is possible on fishing.
- The device should be sold in a case so that it can be easily transported over long distances. Moreover, the case should also be made of impact-resistant material.
- The device must be characterized by low power consumption. It is better if it is powered by a battery, then you do not have to buy batteries every time. In any case, the batteries can be replaced at any time, and charging the battery in field conditions is a problem.
- The device is selected in such a way that the power sources are commercially available. Batteries are not always available, and they cost ten times more than AA batteries.
Additional points
There are a number of other important factors that may influence the choice of this device. That’s why:
- It is equally important to pay attention to ease of use. As practice shows, it is convenient to use the device if toggle switches and other switches are installed on it, instead of, for example, one button, when you have to select parameters for a long time, listening and counting the beep of the device. This is especially true in conditions where you need to quickly change, for example, the sensitivity of the device.
- Depending on the nature and direction of the bite, the signaling device should emit different signals. It is important to immediately understand where the fish is heading, taking the bait – from the shore or towards the shore.
- The presence of a function for adjusting the sensitivity of the signaling device, which allows you to catch not only trophy specimens of carp, but also other, smaller fish, such as crucian carp.
- The signaling device must have connectors for connecting swingers.
- When fishing with several rods, it is very important that you can quickly change the tone. It is equally important to adjust the volume of the sound signal, otherwise you can just scare away all the fish.
- A very important element is the presence of a light signal. It should be bright even in the daytime, not to mention other periods of the day.
- The signaling device should notify the angler of a bite until he picks up a fishing rod. Naturally, this should not be a continuous signal: it can be repeated every 5 seconds. In this case, the signal will not be annoying, and the capacity of the power sources will not be wasted.
When you know what you need, then choosing the right device will not be difficult, especially when there is even the slightest information about the models that can be purchased at the outlet. An electronic bite alarm is a completely different, more modern level of fishing. This has become a reality thanks to the latest achievements of the radio-electronic industry and the use of modern element base. As a rule, everyone who has used and uses such devices points to a number of advantages of the device: high functionality, ease of use, durability and reliability.
Unfortunately, the high prices for some models do not allow many amateur anglers to use such an assistant. Therefore, they put bells on their rods or track bites along the tip of the rod. In some cases, such a device is simply not needed, and in some cases, when bites follow one after another, such a device will simply interfere with gambling fishing. In other words, it is always necessary to act wisely when analyzing fishing conditions. It will not be superfluous to look into your wallet: sometimes fishing turns out to be “golden”, if you calculate how much it costs, along with electronic signaling devices. On the other hand, it is unlikely that anyone will save on vacation, and even more so on fishing.
Overview of bite alarms for feeder and bottom rigs