Every angler knows that there are no unimportant details in fishing. And the feeder is no exception. Usually, talking about feeder gear does not go beyond discussing fishing rods, reels, and feeders, and often simply forget about leashes and hooks. Many people adopt a simple but too crude rule: the longer and thinner the leash, the bolder the fish will take the nozzle. This is true, but each pond requires a special approach. The choice of leash depends entirely on the fishing conditions and features of the place. Let's see what points you should pay attention to when choosing or mounting leashes for the feeder.
Fishing line selection
To date, each company that produces fishing line has in its assortment a special series of leash lines. If possible, you can try the fishing lines of English brands, which were the founders of the industry for the production of feeder gear. Among these firms can be noted Drennan, Fox and Preston. They make the fishing line of the highest quality, only its price, according to many expert fishers, is still overpriced.
It is worth remembering that these companies, like others, do not make fishing line at their enterprises, but order it from Japanese factories. Therefore, it is highly likely that Preston fishing line, for example, is produced on the same equipment as Shimano. So it’s better not to spend serious money on a fishing line from global brands. Moreover, decent quality products whose price is much lower are quite widely represented on the market.
The fishing line for the feeder leash must be strong, stiff enough not to curl, and, of course, keep the knots well. The latter factor is especially important in cases where hooks with a spatula are used. Among anglers, fishing lines from firms such as Colmic and Shimano are trusted. They have an average price and quite acceptable characteristics. It is undesirable to take very cheap fishing lines for leashes, even if their quality is very beautifully sung on the packaging.
Should i use fluorocarbon
When the bottom of the fishing ground is covered with shell rock (the bream’s favorite parking spot), anglers often have to change their leashes, as they are quickly damaged. Fluorocarbon leashes help in part to cope with this problem. After all, this material is least exposed to mechanical stress. The question of its suitability in feeder fishing is rather controversial. According to many anglers, fluorocarbon is not suitable for the feeder, as it has high rigidity and guards the fish. Nevertheless, as practice shows, the number of bites on a snap with a fluorocarbon leash is no less than when using a simple fishing line. But overlaps fluorocarbon leashes for the feeder give much less. With all the advantages, this material has one drawback - it is inferior in strength to high-quality monoforks. It is worth focusing on the word “quality”. A good monofilament with a diameter of 0.15 mm has the same strength as a fluorocarbon fishing line with a diameter of 0.18 mm.
Braid (cord)
Many beginner feeders are wondering: is it possible to make leashes for the feeder from wicker fishing line? The answer is simple: possible, but undesirable. The difference between fishing cords and fishing line is strength and softness. It is because of the second property that they are unsuitable as feeder leads. When casting, the cords often overlap, and when fighting, they are confused.
Thin is not always better
It is immediately worth noting that there is no definite answer to the question of what should be the diameter of the feeder lead. It all depends on fishing conditions. On one river, the fish takes well with a lead diameter of 0.15 mm, on the other - no more than 0.10 mm. It all depends on the amount of pressure that fishers exert on fish in a particular body of water. The fewer fans of quiet hunting on the shore, the bolder the fish will be and the thicker you can put leashes. Conversely, when the load on the fish is large, it is worth giving it elegant gear.
Another factor influences the choice of the optimal diameter of the fishing line - the line structure. If the rod allows you to make lightning fast stripping, the thickness of the leash should be slightly overestimated so that it does not burst it a sudden movement. The main line also affects the choice of leash thickness. If it stretches well, the leash will not receive a load when cutting, if it is bad, it can break. Therefore, when using inextensible lines, they put leashes thicker.
Sometimes the leads for the feeder have to be changed right during fishing. For example, catching a bream on a tackle with leashes of 0.10 mm, after another energetic bite, the angler got a break. It turns out that a bream came to the fishing point. For him, a 0.10 mm leash is thin. You need at least 0.14 mm. A leash on a feeder for crucian carp often becomes the victim of an assertive carp. So the diameter of the leash always varies. It is important to learn how to choose it so that the tackle is as thin as possible from the point of view of maintaining strength in a particular place when catching a particular fish.
Feeder Leash Length
With the thickness sorted out, it's time to talk about the length. As you might have guessed, you can not unequivocally answer the question of how long the leash on the feeder should be. The leash length, as well as its width, is determined by the fishing conditions. It used to be that fish is afraid of a feeder, so the leash should be up to half a meter in standing water, and even a meter in the course. However, studies and underwater surveys have shown that fish are not at all interested in foreign objects appearing at the bottom. All her attention is focused on the stern. Therefore, it is recommended to start fishing with leashes 30 cm long, and then look at the behavior of the fish and its activity.
Be that as it may, working with a short leash is much more convenient. Therefore, even in the course, as a rule, a length of half a meter is quite enough. Someone may disagree with this, but practice shows that a short leash, ceteris paribus, works better than a long one. This is not about the number of bites - it is the same, but about the quality of the hooks. Making the right cut with a short leash is much more convenient.
Nevertheless, there are times when a fisherman is forced to lengthen his leash. This measure is necessary in stagnant water, on lakes whose bottom is covered with a thick layer of silt. The feeder sinks into the sludge and tightens the leash, which reduces the effectiveness of the gear to a minimum. The length of the leash for the feeder in such conditions can reach one and a half meters.
Tackle with a long leash is inconvenient to throw from a short fishing rod. However, anglers came up with a simple way to avoid annoying grass hooks. Behind their backs are some thick film. When the rod is pulled back, the leash simply rests on this material without any unpleasant consequences.
Leash color
The color of the leash determines whether the fish in the water column will see it. The fishing line is usually made transparent. She does her job well and is invisible in clear water. But much better results are shown by fishing line painted in shades of brown, blue, green and other natural colors for the reservoir. For example, when fishing in swampy shallow ponds, green fishing line works just fine, merging with muddy greenish water. Blue fishing line is perfect for fishing in clear river water. Well, dark fishing lines are not at all noticeable in the depths, where even in the afternoon there is insufficient lighting.
Hooks
Before you talk about how to knit leashes for the feeder, it is worth mentioning one of the most important details that affect the result of fishing - the hook. As in any other type of fishing, the basic rules for choosing hooks work in the feeder:
1. The size of the hook is proportional to the size of the desired prey.
2. The color of the hook matches the color of the bait / head.
3. The shape of the bend is selected according to the characteristics of the bait and the bite model of a particular fish.
Fishing preparation
Fishing is always full of surprises and surprises, so you never know which leashes for the feeder you need to take. When fishing, you may need leashes of various lengths and thicknesses, as well as hooks of several sizes and shapes. If you try to predict in advance all possible variants of events, you will have to tie at least a hundred leashes. However, only a few of them may be needed. Therefore, usually fishermen knit the necessary leashes right during fishing. It only takes a couple of minutes, and with sufficient dexterity even less. How to knit leashes for the feeder, consider below.
Leash Knitting
So, having learned what feeder leads are, it's time to figure out how to make leads for the feeder with your own hands. It is extremely simple. First you need to cut a piece of lead fishing line of the desired length. 10 cm on both sides should be added to the desired leash length. These segments will be needed for nodes. Now, on the one hand, you need to make a mount for mounting the leash to the snap. It can be either a simple loop, a swivel or a carbine. A hook is attached on the other hand. That's it, the leash is ready. To prepare the leads for the feeder with your own hands, you do not need to be an experienced angler.
Conclusion
Every angler knows how to make a leash for the feeder. But not everyone approaches this issue meaningfully and takes into account all the most important details. And this is bad, because the charm of fishing lies in knowing the nuances. Successful fishing and harmonious communication with nature!