Crucian carp on donka - how to make it yourself, how to catch, equipment and crucian carp killer

Catching crucian carp with a donkey is a prey method. It is especially good in windy weather on reservoirs where crucian carp are kept at a fairly large distance from the shore, and strong winds or currents do not allow the use of float gear. In addition, with the help of a donkey it is easier to fish in cloudy, rainy, cool weather, when the fish go deeper in search of warmth.

Almost all types of donkeys are suitable for catching crucian carp. Plus, recently they have been using developments used in carp fishing, ranging from hair equipment to special forms of feeders.

Fishing tackle

There are several types of donks for catching crucian carp:

Donka on a reel
The simplest (oldest) donka, which can be used on all types of reservoirs with the exception of those in which the silt layer exceeds 25 cm. Consists of the following elements:
leashes (length up to 30 cm, cross-section up to 0.14 mm)
hooks (No. 14 – No. 8 according to the European classification)
sinkers
Donka with shock absorber, which is used on reservoirs with a flat, preferably hard, bottom. Consists of the following elements:
leashes (length up to 30 cm, cross-section up to 0.14 mm)
hooks (No. 14 – No. 8 according to the European classification)
rubber shock absorber (section up to 5 mm)
sinkers
Donka with a feeder (including feeder tackle), which can be used on all types of reservoirs and consists of the following elements:
leashes (length from 10 cm to 1 m, cross-section up to 0.14 mm)
hooks (No. 14 – No. 8 according to the European classification)
feeders (various weights and body shapes)

Currently, a modern donka is understood as tackle that includes:

a fishing rod (specialized, standard with guides or a spinning rod) equipped with a bite alarm;
reel with fishing line;
a feeder equipped with a built-in sinker and hook(s).

Mechanical and electronic equipment can be used as a bite alarm. Mechanical ones include a quiver in feeder and picker rigs, and a bell.

In each tackle, you can use an anti-twist tube to connect the leads with the main line and the swivel.

The feeder can be plastic or made of metal. Container type or frame.
The first type is used mainly either for feeder fishing or for feeding with animal bait. Method type frame feeders are gear for catching large crucian carp or carp mainly on the silted bottom.

How to make a donka for crucian carp?

To make a classic donka for crucian carp, we will need:

Rod - feeder, regular plug or any other suitable spinning rod, 2 - 3.5 m long, with a test weight of 50 - 120 g.
The reel is inertia-free, simple, no frills, with three bearings, with a fairly large spool that holds all the necessary fishing line.
The main fishing line is 100-150 meters of fishing line 0.2 - 0.3 mm or braided cord 0.1 - 0.15 mm.
Leashes - fishing line 0.1 - 0.2 mm, braided cord 0.07 - 0.1 mm or fluorocarbon thread 0.2 - 0.3 mm.
Hooks - for donkeys for crucian carp are suitable with a medium shank, rounded in shape, with a slightly deflected sting curved inward, No. 6 - No. 12 according to the international classification or No. 4 - No. 7 according to the domestic one.
carabiners and swivels for quick installation and prevention of line twisting.
Alarm - any, be it the tip of a fishing rod, a bell, or an electronic device.
Feeder or sinker - selected depending on the gear we want to mount:

sliding feeder, usually open type, in the form of a wire spring;
feeder-type mesh container, open or semi-open;
flat, Flat type.

Donka can be equipped with up to three hooks at the same time. When choosing the length of the leashes, you need to take into account the sensitivity of the entire tackle, the bait used and the fishing circumstances. The feeder is attached either to the end of the main fishing line or in a sliding manner. Sometimes on a separate leash, depending on preferences and fishing circumstances.

Video

You will learn a simple way to create a donkey for crucian carp in this video:

The choice of gear depending on the fishing location and the size of the bait

For bottom fishing for crucian carp on rivers, all types of bottoms are used, including feeder equipment. On the river, you can use coarser tackle, increasing the thickness of the main line to 0.25 mm and the length of the leads to 1 meter in rigs without a feeder. When using the last element of the equipment, filled with porridge, the length of the leash can remain the same (up to 10 cm)

Most rigs with a feeder are distinguished by the shape of the feeder, which can have:

Cylindrical shape. Such feeders are good to use on ponds without a current with a hard bottom.
The shape of a parallelepiped with a square section , which are used in feeder fishing in reservoirs both with and without current.
The shape of a parallelepiped with a triangular cross-section. Such feeders are used in reservoirs with strong underwater currents.
Spindle shape , which is most often used in reservoirs without a current.

Plastic feeders may have:

spindle-shaped;
cylindrical.

By definition, they have less weight, so they can be used mainly in calm water.

To catch crucian carp in calm water bodies, you can use:

any metal feeders, if the bottom of this reservoir is hard;
any plastic feeders, especially if the bottom is heavily silted;

On such reservoirs you need to use the thinnest possible main line and inconspicuous leashes, which are always shorter than “river” ones.

Bait is of little importance in choosing gear:

In any case, first of all, the hook must be suitable for the bait.
Delicate baits require greater sensitivity of the bite alarm.

On the river, you can use coarser tackle, increasing the thickness of the main line to 0.25 mm and the length of the leads to 1 meter in rigs without a feeder

Types of catchable bottom gear

The age of bottom fishing rods is comparable to the age of float fishing rods - they have been known for hundreds of years. For a long period of time, these gears practically did not change their design, however, due to the development of the production of fishing attributes, their species diversity has increased noticeably.

The following options are available:

classic donka;
"pacifier" or plug;
with rubber shock absorber;
Donka with a feeder;
traditional snack.

Each species has distinctive characteristics in its structure.

Important! Crucian carp is careful and reacts sensitively to “rough” equipment - if it suspects danger, it will instantly leave. That is why the thickness of the fishing line is important for all types of equipment.

Classic dong

A standard donkey is a monofilament line 0.25–0.3 mm thick, wound on a reel made from a piece of wooden plank. Instead of wood, you can use a regular inertial coil. The length of the fishing line does not exceed 40 m, since it is technically difficult to cast even 25–30 m. A sinker is attached to the end of the fishing line. Sometimes metal rivets are used for fastening, which makes it possible to replace loads.

It is better to use the classic version of the tackle in clean and shallow waters, avoiding potential danger to the fishing line. For example, for a stationary body of water, a load weighing up to 50 g will be sufficient, but for fishing in strong currents, a weight of up to 200 g may be needed. On the main part of the fishing line, loops are made every 1.5–2 m (usually no more than 5 pieces), into which they are woven leashes made of thinner fishing line (up to 0.18 mm). You can limit yourself to one leash - it all depends on the activity of the fish and the experience of the fisherman. The intended fishing area must be fed in advance.

With pacifier

A donk with a nipple is a medium-sized, half-closed container. Leashes are attached to it, on which hooks are located, and inside there is a mixture of thick consistency, where the hooks are also disguised. The fish draws them in, eating the treat, hooks itself and is ready to fish.

Did you know? Crucian carp is distinguished by a developed sense of smell - it easily detects parts per million of various substances released by living organisms in a reservoir.

The advantage of this type is that the bait can be the most accessible things, for example, a piece of foam. The variety is aimed at heavy prey, for which the appropriate size of hooks is chosen. Can be used for fishing in reservoirs with a heavily overgrown bottom covered with a layer of silt.

With rubber shock absorber

A rubber shock absorber can be placed after the main cord and before the sinker. The ability of the rubber to stretch and contract allows you to cast only once, and then simply reel it in to check or replenish the bait. The size is calculated based on the length of the main fishing line. The length should allow the elastic to stretch from the load to the angler, and then return the line back. Most often, this figure is 1.5–2.5 m. There are usually at least three leashes.

Find out how crucian carp differs from carp and other fish.

Their length is 0.3–1 m. It is important to consider that it cannot exceed the distance between them. A bell is most often used as a bite alarm . This type of bottom tackle makes it possible to fish in heavily overgrown reservoirs, in which there is a high probability of fishing line getting tangled, but preliminary feeding will be required. The disadvantages of the “elastic band” are its large size and low sensitivity, so it is recommended to use it where the flow is not too intense.

With a feeder

The most common option is the classic form, where the feeder replaces the load. A fairly heavy container is filled with complementary food, so the immediate catch area is constantly fed. To cast the specified equipment, use a bottom rod with a reel so that the throw is as far as possible.

Important! A feeder is a modern version of a bottom fishing rod with a feeder, which is a mesh container.

The simplest example of a donkey with a feeder is the makushatnik . A weight and “spiky” leashes are attached to the main cord. The sinker is complemented by a piece of cake. The same fishing line is quite suitable for this. You can also make a hole in the crown and pull the cord through. Hooks are inserted on the sides of the piece.

Zakidushka

The oldest form of donka is called “zakidushka”. In fact, this is a piece of fishing line, weighted with a weight, with one or two hooks, and a reel is suitable for installation. The tackle is sent into the water by hand throwing. How far the fishing spot will be from the shore depends on the weight of the cargo used and the skill of the fisherman.

Donka "crucian carp killer"

This bottom equipment is not considered sporting. It is prohibited in spring crucian fishing. In summer, its use is regulated by local legislation. In many regions of Russia, this type of donka is generally prohibited for use.

The peculiarity of this type of bottom equipment is the unusual design of the feeder. It consists of three small springs, which are connected in series with each other using a braid. Each of the springs is equipped with a hook on a leash short to 5 cm, made of thin braid.

This feeder is attached to the main line using fasteners with swivels. The design also contains a sinker, the weight, shape and size of which depends on the characteristics of the reservoir.

The feeder in such a donk is filled with viscous bait, into which a hook with a nozzle is pressed. The crucian carp, having discovered food, begins to eat it. Sooner or later he finds the bait. The moment the bait enters his mouth, an involuntary hooking of the fish occurs. It is detected by a bite alarm.

The angler can only make a short hook.

Installation (equipment) of donkeys for crucian carp

When making a donkey, there are many types and methods of mounting equipment. The choice of design, first of all, depends on the preferences of the fisherman, and on the expected fishing conditions.

Without a feeder

This is the easiest way to assemble equipment. A regular sinker is tied to the end of the main line, and up to three leashes with hooks are tied 10–50 cm above it, depending on the casting method. If the tackle is cast by hand, then the hooks are tied further away so that they do not interfere and do not dig into the hand when casting. When fishing with a rod, the hooks are placed closer to the sinker for convenience. Tackle without a feeder is usually used in a place that has been fed for a long time or in small bodies of water without a current with a stable bite.

With a feeder

Feeding containers, flats and other fixed feeders are mounted at the end of the main line, just like a regular sinker. Much more often, sliding feeders are used on donks. In this case, when installing the equipment, everything depends on the number of leads used. The following options are possible here:

One leash - it is placed at the end of the main fishing line under the feeder. During a normal bite, the fishing line is pulled through the feeder, and it remains in place.
Two leashes - the second leash is attached to the main line, above the feeder, using a special wire outlet, or under the feeder on a special wire rocker. The leashes should not touch.
Three leashes - combining the previous assembly options, two leashes are attached to the rocker arm, and the third one is attached to the outlet above the feeder.

Other options for a donkey with a feeder are knitted using one of the previously listed methods.

On the current

Crucian carp rarely bite in the current, but there are situations when you need to be prepared for such fishing. For example, in the heat or when draining water from reservoirs and ponds.

In such gear, feeders are used that will not roll along the bottom under the influence of the current. These are flat, rectangular feeder and sliding with a load (in the form of blades or rings).

The leashes are kept short - 10 - 15 cm. They are attached to the main line through a swivel to avoid it from twisting. The installation methods themselves are the same as before.

Methods for fixing the swivel to the fishing line.

Lure

Various baiting methods are used, which vary depending on:

season;
weather conditions;
preferences of crucian carp in this particular body of water

in spring

To catch crucian carp on a donk in the spring, you need to use bait, which consists mainly of small fractions. The best basis for such bait is a mass of plant origin crushed in a coffee grinder, or purchased bait such as “Crucian carp” or “Crucian-Lin”.

As a filler, you can add boiled buckwheat or pearl barley crushed in a coffee grinder. It is better not to use flavorings at this time, but pieces of the main bait will be a good addition to the bait.

In summer

During this period, the crucian carp needs to be fed abundantly, so you need to add a rich filler to the base (purchased). When fishing with a feeder, boiled millet is most often used as a filler.

in autumn

The basis remains the same. Filler too. To activate the bite, you need to add pieces of freshly cut worms or crushed bloodworms to the filler.

It is better not to use flavorings in the spring, but pieces of the main bait will be a good addition to the bait

Choice of line/braid

There are several options for fishing line suitable for use in crucian carp fishing:

monofilament,
wicker,
fluorocarbon.

Each has its own pros and cons. Braided fishing line has virtually no stretch, so the use of this type makes the tackle as informative as possible. But poor stretchability of the braid is not always good. If you are lucky enough to catch a large fish, the braid may break due to lack of stretch. The use of braided fishing line is only possible when using a reel with a correctly adjusted drag and a fishing rod. The main advantage of braided fishing line is its strength.

Fluorocarbon is the most expensive type. The material is practically invisible in water and this is the main advantage. Monofilament is the most popular, common among fishermen. This is explained by its low cost, good stretchability, and a large number of color and diameter options.

What to choose is decided by the fisherman based on his requirements, capabilities and what the equipment of a bottom fishing rod with a feeder for crucian carp will be like. It is important to pay attention to the diameter of the fishing line. Since crucian carp is picky, the fishing result will depend on the diameter of the fishing line. The thinner and more delicate the equipment, the more bites there will be. It is important to remember that there should be enough opportunities for fishing. It is believed that crucian carp has the ability to distinguish colors. The best option would be to use brown and colorless fishing line. These colors are easier to camouflage in the water at the bottom and catching crucian carp on a donk will be successful.

Making bait

It is necessary to pour the bait base into a bucket or other container , which must be thoroughly mixed while still dry;
Pour the bait with water from the reservoir , mix, let the bait brew, and then sift through a sieve;
Add the pre-prepared filler to the container and mix again;
Add soil from the shore of a pond (or molehill) and flavoring. Mix the bait thoroughly and let it brew.

How to catch fish on a donk with a feeder

Fishing begins with choosing a place. For fishing with a feeder, it is better to choose places with a flat and hard bottom. It is desirable that there be some anomaly near the fishing spot that attracts fish - a hole, an underwater mound, a channel edge. For fishing, choose places where there are no blind hooks.

Before starting fishing, they usually make 10–15 bait casts. In the future, the tackle is rethrown every 5–7 minutes, even if there are no bites. The consistency of the bait should be such that it can withstand casting, but is completely washed out during the time between casts.

A bite may appear as a shaking of the rod tip or as one or more strong strikes. You need to hook the fish with a quick, smooth movement. Pulling too hard can cause the leader to break or tear the fish's lip.

Sliding installation of the feeder

Throwing a feeder into the same place

Fishing results are improved if the bait is concentrated in one point rather than scattered over a large area. To cast the feeder to the same place, you need to select a landmark - a tree on the opposite bank, a buoy, an island of reeds, etc. When the feeder falls to the bottom after the first cast, you need to take out the slack in the fishing line and secure it with a clip on the spool or an elastic band. When making subsequent casts, to avoid a sharp jerk from stopping the feeder, it is necessary to lift the rod vertically during the flight of the equipment and hold it in a relaxed hand. This will make it possible to absorb the shock when the line is pulled by the feeder and pulls the rod.

Read Echo sounders for fishing from the shore

Is it worth using any bite indicator?

When bottom fishing, the bite manifests itself as movement of the fishing line and vibrations of the rod tip. If the fish is active and bites are clearly visible, there is no need for an additional bite indicator. However, for cautious bites, it is better to use a pendulum or nod alarm, since the flexibility of the tip of a heavy spinning rod is not sufficient to detect a bite.

The use of bells when fishing with a feeder is justified only at night, or if it is necessary to take a break from the gear. To prevent the bell from ringing while landing fish, it is tied with a thick fishing line to a rod stand or a specially driven peg, and attached to the tackle using a paper clip in plastic insulation. At the moment of hooking, the line tightens and pulls the bell off the rod. She doesn't let him get lost.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=4lxhirgVrAI

What kind of fish can you catch with this type of gear?

Any fish from bleak to catfish can become a trophy for bottom fishing, of course, if it lives in the fishing area. In ponds and lakes, crucian carp and carp are usually caught using a bottom with a feeder. Sometimes when fishing for them you come across tench.

In the spring, in rivers and reservoirs, a donk with a feeder is used to catch fish during their mass movement, such as roach, bluegill, sabrefish, and bream. In summer and autumn, they often catch silver bream, bream, ide, and carp. Perch, ruffe, chub, and catfish are caught as bycatch. Occasionally, pike perch or pike may bite on the worm. True, a pike bite most often ends with a bitten off leash.

Originally posted 2018-03-14 12:26:09.

Quantity of bait

In spring and autumn, a lot of bait is not required. For bait on a regular bottom with a feeder, you will need a maximum of 2 kg for 8 hours of fishing. For a feeder feeder, you will need more bait - up to 5 kg.

In summer bottom fishing, crucian carp will have to be fed generously, so the base and filler are mixed in a 1:1 ratio, and flavoring is added to the bait. The total weight of the bait that may have to be used can vary from 5 to 10 kg, depending on the type of reservoir and the activity of the fish at a given time.

The device of a spinning donkey with a feeder

We won’t reinvent the wheel; we’ll start with the rod and end with the actual installation of the equipment.

Spinning rod for donkey with feeder

Despite the fact that virtually any spinning rod (with the exception of an ultra-light rod) can be adapted for a rod, it would be more practical to consider rods that meet the following criteria:

Elegance and modularity of the form are useless. Aluminum, fiberglass (the same Crocodile. Although it is heavy and oaky, but as an option it is already popular), a Chinese “telescope” or a plug. Size depends on taste. I'm cuter than a stick at 240 centimeters tall. The cast is sufficient and compactness is guaranteed.
Based on the fact that a feeder will be used as a load, the test range at the top is from 30 to 50 grams. From experience, I will say that more mass is rarely used. This is mainly when fishing in the current. And for standing reservoirs or with minimal water movement of up to fifty grams, this is optimal.

For those fishermen who want to “get infected” with bottom fishing, I can give advice - do not spend money on buying rods with the characteristics described above. It’s better to save money and buy the feeder’s younger brother, the picker.

Many manufacturers have fairly budget-friendly lines. Mikado, Salmo, for example. There are many good reviews about Volzhanki. The thrill from fishing with more specialized fishing rods is greater.

Read How to make a homemade fishing rod at home

If fishing is carried out in order to catch fish, then do not bother.

Coil

The reel serves not only to place the fishing line. Convenience for casting and landing fish, sometimes not small ones, and minimizing the appearance of a “beard” - this is what you should strive for.

Inertial reels are not bad, but, according to statistics, not all fishing enthusiasts are currently able to handle them. The selection of inexpensive inertia-free devices in the store is off the charts. “Cobra”, “a la Daiwa” made in China - cheap and cheerful.

It is not necessary to have a baitrunner. But the work of the clutch - look here. You can’t expect the finest tuning from consumer goods devices, but minor adjustments and adjustments to increase resistance should be present.

fishing line

The taste and color, you know. I prefer to use monofilament line with a diameter of 0.2 to 0.35. It all depends on the expected production. When pulling a stubborn large fish out of the wilds of vegetation, the monofilament perfectly absorbs jerks, and the adjusted clutch releases a piece of fishing line at the right moment.

The braided cord, although it slightly increases the overall sensitivity of the gear, is something the toad presses to purchase specifically. You can’t take a bad one, but a normal one costs an average of “a grand.” I’d rather take a braided line to chase pikes on a wobbler. But if anyone has the desire to spend money, I can recommend SunLine Super PE number 1 or 1.2 according to the Japanese classification. A cord that has been tested for years.

For leashes it is definitely monofilament. You can’t do it in one size, it’s better to have a reserve of 0.1 for a spruce tree to 0.16 for a seasoned “bream” frying pan.

Hooks

Hooks are matched to the bait (bait). Sharpness and strength are the key to success. You shouldn’t assume that with a small hook it’s impossible to catch a large fish, but you shouldn’t go to extremes and go catch crucian carp with a swallow, or vice versa with a burbot hook.

Donkey feeder

So we got to the key element of the donkey from a spinning rod - a container with bait.

In classic bottom fishing, metal weights of different weights and shapes were initially used. Who and when was the first to introduce a donkey feeder into the installation - Neptune knows him, but we can say for sure that he was the same simple and passionate about fishing (like you and me) person, who for some reason could not afford to buy a real feeder rod, but took over parts of the equipment and installation.

The shapes, sizes, purpose of feeders - it’s impossible to describe them in a nutshell. To say that feeding containers are divided into metal and plastic, open and closed is rather vague. And reading (I know from experience) can be tiring. It’s better to watch and listen to what professionals—feederists—say.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XQDH5v8IVHs

I’ll add on my own behalf that you can buy the first feeders. Later, when you “stick” to fishing, you will definitely start making containers yourself. To suit your needs, from scrap materials. Which certainly won't hurt your pocket.

Lures for crucian carp

Crucian carp is omnivorous. Experts say that in winter it can feed on its own young, but this is rather an exception to the general rule. In spring and autumn, this fish prefers animal baits to baits of plant origin.

Nozzles of plant origin include:

cereals (barley, millet, semolina);
dough (all types, including protein and mastyrka);
grain (young wheat, green peas, canned corn);
dough.

Nozzles of animal origin include:

red worm (as well as earthworm, crawler, dung, subleaf, green)
maggot (white and colored);
bloodworm;
sandwich (bait in various combinations)

In relation to the seasons of the year, you need to use the following baits:

Spring

Before spawning, the main baits will be bloodworms, shitik, maggots, red worms, and burdock moth larva. If it is possible to cast over short and medium distances, you can use protein dough as a bait.

After spawning, the main baits are bloodworms, pearl barley, corn, and thick dough. Large crucian carp may still be attracted to baits of animal origin - worms, insect larvae.

Summer

The majority continue to fish with bait of plant origin - porridge (barley, wheat, hominy), semolina, boiled medium-sized potatoes, fresh grain from the surrounding fields. During this period, abnormal heat may interfere with crucian fishing. Here you can try fishing with small boilies or use “technoplankton” type bait, which is used for catching silver carp.

Autumn

At this time, you can fish with donka using almost all possible baits of both plant and animal origin. Throughout September, crucian carp actively feeds. With the onset of cold weather, the bite will weaken, regardless of the bait used. In most reservoirs, the bite stops completely with the onset of freeze-up.

What types of donks are used for crucian carp

Crucian carp fishing is democratic and the following types of donks are used:

equipment with wire springs;
makushatniki, or “satellites”;
multi-hook rigs of the “Japanese” type;
rubber donkeys;
crucian carp killers with small springs;
donkey nipples;
installations with classic method feeders;
equipment with flat method feeders.

The designs of bottom equipment differ from each other, but at the same time they solve the same problems, namely:

attract fish to the fishing point at the bottom of the reservoir;
offer her an attractive bait;
provoke a bite;
calmly place the trophy in the landing net.

Therefore, the basic requirements for crucian carp donka:

reliability;
stealth;
ease of use;
compactness;
durability.

Crucian carp fishing sometimes takes place in difficult conditions, and the gear must work at 100%. Nowadays we often see this picture on the shores of reservoirs, when a fisherman places at least a dozen fishing rods in the hope of catching more fish. But in fact, one correctly made donk will be more catchy than three or four incomprehensibly connected rigs.

So don’t chase quantity, but make maximum demands on the quality of the bottom gear that will be used to catch crucian carp.

Another important point is that the choice of a specific installation of the donkey depends on:

type of reservoir;
presence of current;
fishing distances;
nozzles used.

On reservoirs with a bottom current, the elastic band is useless due to the shock absorber being pulled out by the water flow. And flat-method feeders are not used in such conditions, since the bait will be washed out of the feeder in a few seconds, and the desired effect will not be achieved.

But the “crucian carp killer” or “makushatnik” show themselves perfectly in any conditions, just like the “Japanese”, and, of course, the “nipple”, but which was caught by our grandfathers.

There are separate articles on the site about “makushatniks”, “crucian carp killers”, method and flat-method gear, but we will tell you in more detail about the classic donkey for crucian carp with a spring, “Japanese” and “nipple”, because these are budget equipment that provide excellent catches both on standing reservoirs and on rivers with strong currents.

Classic crucian donka with a spring

A donka with a spring is the most common tackle for catching bottom fish, including crucian carp.

Advantages of this gear:

ease of manufacture;
low cost of equipment elements;
Possibility of use on any type of reservoir with any bait and attachments.

A donka with a spring is catchy both on the river and at the collective farm headquarters, it is quickly and easily tied, and its manufacture does not require expensive components, which is of great importance for many fishermen. Not everyone can afford to purchase an elite feeder or carp fishing rod, but for such a rod a regular “telescope”, easy to transport and use, is suitable.

Scheme for making a donkey for crucian carp with a feeder:

budget telescopic fishing rod;
spinning reel 2500–3500;
main line with a diameter of 0.20-0.30;
spring feeder;
leashes with hooks number 6-10;
additional sinker when fishing in the current.

The reel is selected depending on the fishing conditions, or rather, even the casting distance. When fishing at a distance of up to 60 meters, a reel with a 3000 spool is quite enough. The main line is monofilament, since when fishing with a cord, problems arise with the warp getting tangled.

When fishing in the current, at a short distance, the fishing line is taken thinner, because even trophy crucian carp rarely weigh more than 2-3 kg and a thick fishing line only complicates fishing. Spring feeders are made independently, or bought in stores, because their cost is very low.

Donkey leashes are knitted from braided fishing line or monofilament, although the first option is preferable specifically when bottom fishing for crucian carp.

The fish approaches the feeder and begins to suck the bait out of it, and the hook with the nozzle is in close proximity and acts as an additional irritant. The bait must float freely in the water column, so soft leader material or braid have advantages.

Hooks for crucian carp on the bottom must have a wide hook and a sharp, bent inward sting, then they do not get dull on the stones at the bottom and instantly detect the fish. An additional weight is used when fishing with a donkey on a river and its weight depends on the strength of the current, the main thing is that the spring with bait remains in place.

Attention! Bait for fishing on a donkey with a spring should not be too dense and viscous. It should “gather dust” in the water column and attract even the laziest crucian carp.

Donka nipple

Donka nipple has been used for catching crucian carp for many years, because it is a simple and catchy equipment that is not at all difficult to make with your own hands. The operating principle of this gear is based on the feeding habits of crucian carp, which sucks up bait from a feeder or a plug.

For fishing with such tackle, plasticine-like baits are used:

hominy;
corn flour;
wheat flour with semolina.

A plastic bottle cap acts as a feeder, and the leashes are tied directly to this cork. They fish on the nipple using a rod, or throw the tackle by hand. When fishing without a rod, the line for the nipple is wound on a wooden or plastic reel, and the equipment is compact and easy to transport.

To make a pacifier you will need:

plastic stopper;
3–5 leashes made of braided fishing line, 3–5 cm long;
lead in the form of a plate;
a piece of monofilament fishing line 50 cm with a diameter of 0.3 mm.

Before making the equipment, it is necessary to cut a circle from lead according to the shape and size of the cork and glue it to the bottom. If there is no waterproof glue, the lead is attached to the cork using a self-tapping screw, but the installation will be rougher.

Loading the plug is necessary to cast the tackle, and its weight depends on the presence and strength of the current in the reservoir. After casting, the equipment should lie in one place and wait for the fish to bite.

To make donkey pacifiers with your own hands you need:

in the side of the cork, use an awl to make holes for tying leashes at an equal distance from each other;
one more hole must be made for tying the fishing line;
tie the fishing line to the cork, and at the other end make a loop to connect to the base; tie leashes to the cork.

All that remains is to tie the equipment to the main fishing line, fill the plug with bait and attach baits to the hooks. It is best to use foam balls as bait, then small fish will not peck them, and the hooks will float next to the cork. Some fishermen generally fish with bare hooks, sticking them into bait.

After the fish begins to absorb the bait, the hook or hooks enter its mouth and are caught on the lip. The tackle is called a nipple because the crucian carp sucks the dough in the cork and gets hooked. Using a rod makes it more convenient to fish with a nipple, but this is not necessary; even when fishing by hand, the result will be no worse.

The frequency of re-casting the tackle depends on the size of the plug, the consistency of the bait and the strength of the current in the reservoir.

Important! For fishing on the bottom nipple, only short leashes are used, only in this case the crucian carp sucks them in along with the bait and is hooked.

Japanese donka for catching crucian carp

If you catch not only crucian carp on a donka with a spring, but also bream, roach and even carp, then the Japanese donka is a purely crucian carp rig, especially catchy in late spring - early summer, after the fish has spawned and “been ill”. The Japanese fish is used to catch fish that actively move around a body of water in search of food.

Fishing with this bottom tackle is especially effective in the evening and at night, although it also shows good results during the day. The main feature of the Japanese bait is the bait used, which has the consistency of plasticine. The bait is wrapped around the spring, and the hooks are hidden inside the soft and tasty treat.

When fishing with Japanese bait, no baits are used; in extreme cases, a foam ball is placed on the central hook. The basis of the Japanese spring is a spring in the form of a pyramid, to the top of which leashes with hooks are attached.

It turns out that the leashes are in the middle of the spring, an asterisk is molded from the bait, and the hooks are hidden in the tops of this asterisk. The central leash is longer than the others and, after preparing the sprocket, remains outside, floating on the foam next to the spring.

To make a Japanese fish, you need to buy the appropriate springs, or make them yourself, just like for a crucian carp killer, or for a standard tackle with a spring. The consistency of the bait is dense and sticky, and the tackle stands in the water, waiting for a bite for at least an hour, or even more.

When fishing with Japanese bait, the bites are sharp and the fish can be caught well with several hooks at once. It’s difficult to miss such a bite and the fisherman just has to make sure that the trophy fish doesn’t drag the fishing rod into the pond.

To make a Japanese donka for crucian carp you will need:

a pyramid-shaped spring with 5–7 leashes on a thread;
sliding lead sinker weighing 70–90 grams;
a piece of fishing line 50 cm, diameter 0.25-0.3 mm.

Even if the purchased spring has more than seven leads, it is better to cut off the extra ones, because they will only interfere with fishing. The choice of lead weight depends on the strength of the current and the casting distance of the tackle.

To make a Japanese donkey for crucian carp with your own hands you need:

tie a spring with leads to the fishing line;
thread the lead sinker onto the fishing line;
tie a loop at the free end of the fishing line to connect to the base.

The Japanese line is also knitted on the main line, but in case of a snag, a large section of the warp is lost, and to avoid this, we recommend that all of our rigging be knitted on a piece of fishing line, and on a pond, mounted on the base using the loop-to-loop method.

This ensures ease of transportation, quick installation of gear and safety of the main fishing line. When casting a Japanese bait after sculpting the star, the sinker slides down to the spring and fixes the equipment at the bottom after it hits the bottom of the reservoir.

Sliding installation ensures that when the crucian carp calmly sucks the star, it does not feel the weight of the sinker and is not afraid. The spring lies freely on the bottom and any pull is immediately transmitted to the alarm, so that the fish is hooked in a timely manner. But even if the fisherman is distracted for some reason, self-striking will occur, which is also one of the important advantages of the gear.

The shape of the sinker does not play a determining role, the main thing is that it “holds” the bottom well and does not allow the rig to drag along the bottom. The Japanese bottom fish is fished in a reservoir with a clean bottom, since if there is vegetation, the spring will fall into the grass and it will be more difficult for crucian carp to find it.

This is where the role of the aromatic bait increases, attracting fish from long distances. Crucian carp is a lover of corn and corn flour, and to increase the attractiveness of the bait, the flour is fried before cooking.

Tricks for crucian carp

Zakidushka got its name from the word cast and this term rather denotes a method of fishing rather than the design of the equipment. Both the Japanese and the nipple and the spring are caught both with the help of a rod and by throwing the tackle from the hand, and this is all called casting.

The advantages of the cast are that the main line is wound on a wooden or plastic reel and takes up very little space in the fisherman’s bag. Having arrived at the reservoir, all that remains is to attach the pre-tied rig to the main fishing line and start fishing.

After the end of fishing, the process is repeated in the reverse order and after 5–7 minutes all the gear is wound up and ready for transportation. The disadvantages of the cast, or rather, the lack of a rod blank, affect when manually fishing for large fish, because the strong resistance of the trophy becomes the reason that the main line cuts your hands when reeling in the equipment.

And it’s inconvenient to use a landing net while hand fishing, so you have to fish with a partner. Although it must be admitted that trophy crucian carp, the kind that offer strong resistance, are still rarely encountered.

It is also more convenient to make long casts using a long rod, although most often crucian carp fishing takes place at short and medium distances. When fishing with hooks, a bell or some other mechanical alarm is used as a bite alarm; its functionality is quite sufficient for registering a bite of crucian carp.

Donka gum

Donka rubber differs from other types of bottom tackle for crucian carp by the presence of a rubber shock absorber, which, due to its stretchability, pulls the equipped tackle to the fishing point. Up to a dozen hooks are knitted on such equipment, but there is no feeder with bait, so you have to feed it manually or with a slingshot.

Fishing with an elastic band is effective in reservoirs without a current, although it cannot be said that a large number of hooks significantly increases the size of the catch. Large fish are easy to spook while tightening the tackle, and numerous hooks unmask the tackle. But it’s very convenient to catch small crucian carp on a rubber bottom, even if you have to spend time baiting a dozen hooks.

A serious drawback of the elastic donkey is that you need a boat to bring in and pull out the gear. It is difficult to throw an elastic band while standing on the shore from your hand over a long distance, and when pulling out the gear at the end of fishing, the shock absorber often breaks. In addition, when reeling out the equipment, numerous hooks cling to the grass and fish may escape.

Donka "satellite"

Donks “satellites”, or makushatniks, are more effective when fishing for crucian carp at night, because they use cubes of makukha or pressed sunflower cake as bait. Such a block dissolves in water for a long time and the dust that attracts fish is washed out of it.

It must be admitted that crucian carp is very fond of and actively responds to makukha, and given that large fish also come closer to the shore at night, one can hope to catch a real trophy.

“Sputnik” is also a nozzle-less equipment and this is its advantage, because the fisherman is always confident that the equipment is in working condition, the nozzle has not been washed away by water, and small fish have not pulled it off, as happens when using technotest or maggot. The makushatnik can also be fished with a rod and by hand, so this tackle is universal.

When fishing for crucian carp, each angler chooses the tackle that is most convenient and effective. Tying a donkey with your own hands is absolutely easy and preparing it for fishing takes very little time.

Fishing technique

Selecting a location and preparing it

To fish with a donkey, you need to choose a suitable place on the shore. The base - the place where the rod stand will be installed - must be level, as dry and clean as possible. If necessary, the patch on the shore must be cleared, especially from branches and grass.

For normal casting, it is necessary that there are no obstacles behind the angler in the form of bushes or trees at a distance of up to 7 meters.

At the bottom you need to find a place interesting for crucian carp. You can use a depth gauge for this. In order not to lose your place, you can use a tool from the carp angler’s arsenal. For example, marker equipment. The place needs to be fed.

Lure

You can use the feeder bait method. Divide the prepared bait into two equal parts. Place one half in the chosen location using a large, voluminous feeder. You can feed the area by making balls of groundbait or using pressed bait. The latter works well in the summer heat.

In the future, you need to use bait at regular intervals. For example, every 30 minutes. You need to cast at least 3 bait balls the size of a medium orange.

Casting

There are not so many ways to cast bottom tackle. The simplest of them is the method of casting from behind. The rod, equipped with bait and bait, is placed behind the back. Choose the direction of casting (some landmark on the water, on the opposite bank, or a marker float on the water).

The protective frame is removed from the reel, and the free line is held by hand. In this position, it is necessary to check whether the line is caught on the tulip (the upper throughput ring of the rod). Then a short swing is made.

At the moment when the feeder flies out from behind the back under the action of the rod, when the direction of movement of the feeder has already been set, the line at the reel is released. At the moment of casting, you only need to control the line coming off the reel by slightly braking it with your finger.

Catching

The rod is placed on a stand. A bite alarm is installed on the fishing line or rod tip. The rod must be installed in such a way that the angle of incidence of the fishing line in relation to the blank is at least 45 degrees.

Next, the fisherman will have to wait for a bite, which a mechanical or electronic bite alarm will tell him about. During weak pulls, it is difficult to choose the moment to hook. It’s worth waiting for a confident bite. In this case, you need to raise the rod and make a short amplitude, but sharp jerk of the rod towards yourself.

You need to fish for crucian carp in accordance with its size and strength of resistance. Large crucian carp can behave like carp, acting quickly and aggressively. It is necessary to immediately loosen the friction brake of the reel, having first stopped the first jerk of the fish, making sure that the fish does not go into cover. Next you will have to fight, allowing the clutch to release the line at the moment when the crucian carp tries to escape, reeling it towards the shore.

Medium and small fish must be immediately removed from the feeding area, actively working with the reel. As a rule, they do not offer strong resistance. Near the shore, small crucian carp can be picked up in the water by hand. Large ones need to be taken into the landing net.

Then you need to refill the feeder with bait, add fresh bait and repeat the whole cycle. If the fisherman caught a small-sized crucian carp, the next bite may follow immediately after throwing in a new batch of bait. You'll have to wait until the next big crucian bites. It’s worth calmly feeding the place again, and only then throwing out the tackle.

Types of bottom tackle

The most common types of donks for crucian carp are:

tackle with a spring;
“satellite” with crown;
multi-hook “Japanese” equipment for dough and hominy;
rubber;
"crucian carp killer";
"pacifier";
tackle with a triangular feeder "Method".

Donka for crucian carp has a number of advantages over other types of equipment for catching this fish, but its main advantage is its budget. Catching crucian carp with a rubber band or another type of donkey gives excellent results, and the low cost of the gear emphasizes its advantages.

Catching crucian carp on a donk with a “Method” feeder gives advantages in still water; this tackle is easy to install and easier to tie than making a “crucian carp killer”. In order to catch crucian carp on a donk, you must have:

carp rod or spinning rod;
a reel with a 3000−4000 spool, equipped with a fishing line 0.22−0.28;
bottom equipment (elastic band, “satellite”, etc.);
bait;
nozzles

Our grandfathers caught crucian carp using bottom gear without using a rod, throwing them into the reservoir by hand, but this was inconvenient. Modern fishermen use spinning rods or rods.

The procedure for installing and using the donkey:

the reel with fishing line is mounted on the fishing rod;
bottom equipment is tied to the main line;
bait is clogged into the spring;
a nozzle is put on the hook;
the tackle is thrown into the water at the selected point.

fishing line

River and lake crucian carp are smaller in size than carp or grass carp, and delicate gear is used to catch them. The main line on the bottom should be 0.22−0.28 in diameter, transparent or green, well camouflaged in the water. Leashes are made from monofilament fishing line with a diameter of 0.10−0.18. The length of the leash depends on the type of equipment.

Hooks

Large crucian carp reaches 1.5−2 kg in weight, but such specimens are rare. To catch this fish on the bottom, there is no point in using large and thick hooks. The choice of hook depends on the type of equipment and the type of bait.

It is difficult to put a dung or earthworm on a very small hook, but large hooks are not necessary. The optimal choice is hooks 8-16 numbers according to the European classification, material - black nickel or steel with Teflon coating. For the “crucian killer” donkey, you need hooks with a wide grip, size 10-12. The hooks must be sharp, and if during fishing one of the hooks becomes dull, the entire leash should be changed.

How to make a donka for crucian carp with your own hands

Equipment for crucian carp, sold in specialized stores, is inexpensive, and if you wish, it is easy to make them yourself at home.

Donka for crucian carp with a spring (feeder) is the simplest. To make it you will need:

a lead-loaded spring, which is a spiral of copper wire with a plastic tube;
a piece of fishing line 50 cm, diameter 0.25−0.30 mm;
leash made of fishing line 0.14−0.2, length 5−15 cm, with hooks 8−14 according to the European classification;
2 swivels 7 numbers;
stop bead or rubber stopper.

The procedure for making a donkey with a spring:

the fishing line is inserted into the spring tube, and a swivel is tied to one of its ends;
a leash with a hook is tied to the swivel;
a bead or stopper is put on the opposite end of the fishing line, at a distance of 15-20 cm from the lower swivel;
a second leash with a hook is tied 3-4 cm above the bead;
Above this leash, a swivel is tied to connect to the main line.

This donka can be used both in still water and in currents.

Important!
Due to the lead weight, the springs have different weights, and when fishing in the current, you should select such a spring weight so that the equipment does not drift away from the casting point.

Rubber band for crucian carp

It is more effective to catch crucian carp with a rubber donkey than with a spring due to the fact that such equipment involves the use of several leashes (5-10). But when using an elastic band, the load must be brought in by boat or thrown by hand. Casting by hand over long distances is difficult, so you should use a boat.

To make rubber donkeys for crucian carp you will need:

rubber for aircraft modeling or fishing 20 m;
a piece of fishing line with a diameter of 0.28−0.3 mm and a length of 10 m;
5−10 leashes 5−10 cm long, with hooks 8−14 numbers according to the European classification;
12 swivels number 7;
a load weighing at least 2 kg.

The procedure for installing an elastic band on a crucian carp:

tie swivels at both ends of the fishing line;
starting from the lower swivel at a distance of 50-70 cm, tie 10 swivels (according to the number of leashes)
attach leashes with hooks to the swivels (except for the lower and upper ones);
tie an elastic band to the lower swivel;
Attach a weight to the second end of the elastic band.

To prepare the rig for use, tie the main line to the upper, free swivel. The load is transported by boat to the fishing point at a distance of a fully stretched elastic band. Usually one angler remains on the shore and holds the equipment in his hands, controlling the stretch of the rubber, while the second one brings the load in the boat.

After the load is lowered, a nozzle is put on the hooks, and the tackle is launched into the water. The elastic band pulls the equipment to the fishing spot, and all that remains is to wait for the bite. On the shore, the fishing line is fixed on a stand, and a bell is put on it, signaling a bite.

Important! The elongation of rubber is 1/3 in relation to the fishing line, that is, 20 m of rubber will require 60 m of fishing line.

The advantages of using an elastic band are that:

the equipment is constantly in the same point, attracting fish;
due to the elasticity of the elastic band, the equipment does not need to be constantly rethrown;
a large number of hooks placed at a distance from each other increases the chances of a good catch.

Catching crucian carp on a donk with a feeder allows you to change the fishing distance and the direction of recasts. The elastic is always in the same place and there is no need to rethrow it.

Bottom tackle “crucian carp killer”

One of the modifications of the gum is the “crucian carp killer” donka. To install it you need:

sliding lead sinker;
5 swivels 7 numbers;
2 unloaded springs;
A piece of fishing line 50 cm, diameter 0.28−0.3;
3 braided leashes 5 cm long, with hooks number 8-14.

To install the “crucian carp killer” you need:

tie a swivel to the end of the fishing line;
put a sliding sinker on the fishing line;
above the sinker, tie a swivel at a distance of 5 cm;
tie a leash to the swivel;
put the spring on the fishing line;
tie a swivel at a distance of 10 cm above the spring;
tie a leash to the swivel;
put on the second spring;
tie a swivel at a distance of 10 cm above the second spring;
tie a leash to the swivel;
tie a swivel to the free end of the fishing line to connect it to the main fishing line;

The “crucian carp killer” rig should be tied to the main fishing line, the bait is hammered into the spring, the bait is put on the hooks, and the tackle is thrown to the fishing point.

Important!
Leashes for the “crucian carp killer” should be made of braid or soft leash material. The crucian carp, sucking the bait from the spring, retracts the hook and is thus hooked.

Pacifier for crucian carp

Donka-nipple for crucian carp shows good results in still water. For its installation you need:

plastic stopper;
swivel;
a piece of lead in the form of a plate;
self-tapping screw;
a piece of fishing line with a diameter of 0.28−0.3, a length of 20 cm;
3-5 leashes made of braided fishing line with hooks 8-14 according to the European classification.

Procedure for making a pacifier:

cut a weight from lead in the shape of a cork;
using a self-tapping screw, screw the lead to the plug;
make holes in the sides of the cork for leads;
make a hole in the side for the fishing line and tie it;
Attach a swivel to the free end of the fishing line.

To prepare the nipple for use, you should tie the main line to the swivel, hammer sticky bait into the plug, hide the hooks in the bait and cast the tackle to the desired distance.

Important!
The bait for the cork should be sticky, then the crucian carp will suck it in longer and swallow the hidden hook.

Secrets of fishing

We must remember that crucian carp is a slow fish. He is never the first to come to the bait, especially since splashes of water at the time of feeding frighten him. Small and fast fish always come first for bait: roach, bream, bleak. They eat up all the small food. Therefore, it is necessary to include large fractions of ingredients in the bait, of such a size that small fish cannot swallow them;

The bites of crucian carp on the donk are sharp and rapid only during periods of gluttony. On other days, he pecks cautiously and self-hooks extremely rarely.

Sometimes, to activate the bite, you need to pull the tackle a little closer to the shore.

Fishing for crucian carp at different times of the year

Winter

You can catch crucian carp all year round and winter is no exception. Young individuals burrow into the silt and wait out the winter in this state, while larger ones continue to feed. When severe frost sets in, large crucian carp lie down on the bottom and only when it gets warmer do they leave the pits and come closer to the shore in search of food. His favorite places are reed or reed thickets. It is at times of warming that the winter bite of crucian carp is observed.

Spring

With the onset of spring, when the water warms up to +8°C, crucian carp begins to become more active in search of food. From this moment, somewhere in mid-March, its bite begins, although it is not stable, just as spring weather is not stable, when temperature and atmospheric pressure constantly fluctuate. By the time of spawning, at the end of May, the crucian carp stops pecking and goes to spawn. It spawns in places where the water has already warmed up well. After this period, which lasts about 2 weeks, a period of active biting begins, when the crucian carp is able to swallow any bait, being hungry after the mating season.

Summer

In the summer, when warm summer weather has set in, crucian carp actively bites in the morning and evening hours. During the daytime, it goes deeper in search of cooler water. During summer periods of cooling, the activity of crucian carp also decreases.

Autumn

When autumn comes and the water begins to cool, crucian carp ceases to lead an active lifestyle and you should not count on a good catch. When warm autumn weather sets in, when the water in the shallows warms up somewhat, crucian carp also come out to warm up and then they can be successfully caught. He not only warms himself, but also looks for food.

Features of catching crucian carp on a donk

The bite of crucian carp is influenced not even by the season, but by the temperature of the water and air on a given day. The activity of the fish affects the intensity of the bite.

In cold spring weather, you need to look for crucian carp at depths. During this period, you can feed him only bloodworms in small quantities. You can’t expect active bites even with the most delicate bottom equipment.

During the thaw, during the period of ice melting, when the sun warms up the shallow waters first, you need to fish in the shallows. It makes no sense to feed him seriously during this period. During this period, you can catch it without a feeder. Tackle is selected based on the turbidity of the water. The more transparent it is, the thinner the tackle should be.

During the period when the water temperature exceeds 10 degrees, crucian carp begins to actively feed. This fish can and should be fed. You can use not only classic donks, but also bottom gear equipped with feeders.

In summer, all types of bottom gear can be used to catch crucian carp. The bite will largely depend on weather conditions.
Therefore, the fisherman will have to experiment with bait and bait. In autumn, the activity of crucian carp gradually decreases. But until the coldest weather, you can use all types of donks for catching crucian carp. You can't feed the fish as much as you did in the summer. The bait must be energetically valuable.

Baits and groundbaits for fishing for crucian carp

To be successful in fishing, you need to know what to feed the crucian carp.

Important! Bait based on fish feed, breadcrumbs or bread must be prepared 2-3 hours before casting. The mixture should be quite thick.

Bait must be selected taking into account the structure of the selected gear and fishing options:

To fill simple mesh feeders, a mixture of loose consistency is suitable.
For manual feeding, when using a classic donkey or tackle with an elastic band, the mass should be well formed, but at the same time easily divided into small particles, reaching the bottom.
Feeders based on the "nipple" principle require a mixture resembling viscous dough or plasticine so that the fish have the opportunity to suck it.
The filling of the makushatnik is cake, cut into a rectangular piece.

The composition of the bait mixture depends on the time of fishing. With the onset of spring, the food should be fine-grained with expressive aromas.

In the summer, when the spawning period is over, you can add the following to complementary foods:

barley;
wheat;
corn;
millet;
peas.

With the arrival of autumn, cereals need to be replaced with bloodworms, maggots or chopped worms. The main component of the mass is soil taken from a reservoir. You can also purchase ready-made soil mixture. Baits and attachments for crucian carp are varied, but are also seasonal.

Did you know? In Germany, crucians were nicknamed “peasant carps.”

During the cool season, it is most effective to use:

bloodworm;
maggot;
dung worms;
semolina with or without garlic.

In summer, plant attachments are most relevant.

Fish bite on:

bread crumb from any flour;
dough with different composition (can also be in the form of a finished product, for example, pancakes);
boiled (steamed) cereal grains;
boiled peas (whole or in the form of porridge);
sweet corn;
hominy and semolina.

Increasingly, fishermen are experimenting with unconventional, newfangled baits, trying, for example, fishing plasticine. The balls made from it are securely placed on the hook.

We advise you to learn how to prepare wheat for crucian carp fishing.

Blitz tips

In the heat of the day, crucian carp may practically not respond to either bait or complementary food. You can replace the feeder with pressed bait, which will create a cloud in the water that imitates the movement of zooplankton. In this case, the bite may intensify.
Large crucian carp can be tempted to bite with a small boilie using a classic hair rig;
On many bodies of water, fish only react to bait with which they are familiar. You need to use worms from the shore of a reservoir, caterpillars from the leaves of trees growing near the water.

Hook selection

The best hooks are No. 3-7, if you use the domestic classification. The shape depends on the chosen nozzle. If you use a worm for live bait, you need a hook with a shank that has a bend so that the worm does not look straight. When using plant baits, you can ignore the shape. It will be a big plus if the hook tip is curved towards the fore-end, which guarantees no fish escapes. Color does not matter in this type of fishing.