This type of tackle is the crown of float fishing. A number of features and advantages make this fishing rod unique. There was a time when the Bolognese fishing rod was banned at international competitions, due to the fact that it gave an undeniable superiority compared to the fly fishing rod. A fisherman who has mastered the Bologna method of fishing will never be left without a catch.
Features of the Bolognese fishing rod
The Bolognese fishing rod is a type of float fishing rod. It is equipped with rings and a reel seat, which means casting fishing. There are two types: telescopic and plug-in. The first, the most common, and the cheapest, the second are extremely rare and cost more due to the larger number of fittings. The rings have a fairly high fit. Their number corresponds to the number of tribes.
To make fishing easier and reduce the load on the rod, two additional sliding rings are used. The essence of the Bolognese fishing method is that this tackle allows you to catch fish in any conditions, without limiting the fisherman’s casting range. The presence of a reel and a supply of fishing line allows you to fish at a fairly large distance, which is impossible for fly and plug rods.
Another advantage is that large fish are easier to catch, thanks to the presence of rings that evenly distribute the load over the entire blank. A reel with a properly adjusted clutch will not allow large specimens to break your rig. And the most important thing is that with this tackle you can fish both casting, at a distance of up to fifty meters, and at a short distance.
"telescope"
The next type of rod used by anglers to catch everything is a 4.5-meter fiberglass “telescope” with rings. This tackle is quite suitable for long-range fishing, and it is better to choose a 4-meter rod rather than a 5-meter one, since it has a better structure and weight.
Buying a match rod is a difficult and responsible task. First, decide on the fishing conditions: where, what kind of fish you will catch, casting range and financial capabilities. With little money, you need to sacrifice the price and, accordingly, the quality of the reel, the price proportion is 1:5 in favor of the rod, naturally.
When purchasing a fishing rod, you must assemble it and check the joints of the knees, there should be no extraneous knocks when slightly shaking, all rings must be intact, even one chip of the ring insert can damage the entire line after several casts. We also recommend reading the article about match reels.
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Check the rod blank, especially the upper leg, to see if there are any defects there. By paying attention to this issue, your rod will serve you long and faithfully. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the material on float equipment.
Bolognese fishing spots
Absolutely any body of water is suitable for fishing with a Bolognese fishing rod. Be it a river with medium or moderate current, the seashore or an ordinary lake. The most important thing is to make the most of this equipment.
Try to position yourself on the shore so that you can cover several promising points at once. These are holes far from the shore, boundaries of direct and reverse currents, shore edges, junctions of water and algae. In one cast, you can easily go around all of them, from the deepest to the shore.
Application options
If experienced fishermen ask why such devices are needed, most will answer: “So as not to limit yourself in possibilities!” Bolognese fishing rods, due to their versatility, can be tested in practice almost everywhere:
- on large rivers and small rivulets with small currents;
- on the lake;
- on eriks with depressions and channels where the current is moderate;
- on the shore of a reservoir or using a boat, even in the presence of strong gusts of wind.
The reel helps cast the bait over a considerable distance, and even with a light-class design you can catch big fish. It is worth paying attention to the fact that for a successful catch you need to choose the right reel and fishing line, taking into account the characteristics of the blank.
For avid fishermen, such a device is a real find. If you choose the right place and cover several promising points at once (cobblestones, holes, snags, and so on), then the design can show hidden potential on the very first day of fishing. This is facilitated by adjustable tackle, which will help you throw a hook with bait at the selected point, regardless of whether it is located two meters from the shore, or thirty, under hanging tree branches or behind thick grass.
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Strong gusts of wind will not become an obstacle to the fisherman if a person perfectly learns to control the Bolognese fishing rod. The main condition is that the fish must be fed, using special slingshots for this purpose or doing it manually.
Rod selection
When choosing a Bolognese fishing rod, you should be guided, first of all, by the places of intended fishing, and the size of the fish living there. For large bodies of water, with depths and currents above average, you should choose a long rod. The optimal length would be six to eight meters.
It will allow you to make long and very accurate casts. For small bodies of water, it will be important to choose a small fishing rod that will allow you to adapt to any shore conditions. You can easily cast even in conditions limited by grass and bushes.
Pay special attention to the material from which the form is made. Conventionally, they can be divided into composite materials and carbon fiber:
- Composite fishing rods are heavier and more rigid, but are relatively cheaper than carbon fiber. They should be used for fishing mainly large fish. This material is able to withstand heavy loads, handling any powerful blows. Less suitable for frequent casting and catching large numbers of small fish.
- Carbon fiber has significantly less weight, is more “biting”, and is capable of throwing the lightest equipment far. Perfectly handles the sharp blows of an average fish. Thanks to its flexibility, it allows you to make jewelry presentations of bait at medium and close distances. Less suitable for fishing large fish due to its fragility. The price is significantly higher than composite fiberglass. For example, your body of water is a small river or lake. The fish that live in this reservoir have a maximum weight of two kilograms. For these conditions, it makes sense to purchase a carbon fiber rod five meters long. Which will allow you to fish casting and under the shore, like a regular fly rod.
The next important parameter is the structure of the fishing rod. Conventionally, there are four tunings: ultrafast, fast, moderate, slow. When choosing a system, proceed from the following:
- Slow build. Suitable for fishing at close distances. The cast will be smooth, the hook will be a little blurry.
- The medium action of the blank is suitable for fishing at a distance of more than twenty meters.
- Fast and ultra-fast, used over long distances. These types of formations are capable of producing the longest cast possible, and significantly facilitating hooking at maximum throw.
Medium action, suitable for most conditions. The rod test is a parameter that indicates what maximum and minimum weight of equipment can be used on a given form. The balance of the rod is a very important parameter; it determines how comfortable it will lie in your hand. To check it, assemble the fishing rod and place it on your finger.
Try to find a position in which the form will take a strictly horizontal position. If this place is as close as possible to the reel seat, you can fish for hours without feeling tired.
Bolognese fishing rod set
In addition to the rod itself, for Bolognese fishing you need: a reel, fishing line, float, sinkers, hooks. Let's talk about them further:
- Coil. In principle, any inertia-free reel with a wide spool and a precisely adjustable clutch will do. The ideal solution would be a rear-friction reel with a wide spool and a high gear ratio. The spool must hold at least one hundred meters of fishing line.
- Fishing line. Its length must be at least one hundred meters. Diameter 0.14–0.18. The line for leashes is no thicker than 0.12. During currents, use a “floating” line, and “sinking” in still water. Fluorocarbon is an excellent choice.
- Floats. In Bolognese fishing, two types of floats are used, sliding and stationary. Sliding floats have only one point of contact with the fishing line and move freely along it. The range of movement is determined by the installed silicone stops. The advantage of such a float is that there is no need to constantly select the depth; it self-adjusts depending on its location. A distinctive feature is its fairly large size, and a large, bright tip, which is clearly visible from afar. The disadvantage is low sensitivity when biting carefully. Stationary floats are much more sensitive to the slightest movements of fish. They have three points of contact with the main line. You should choose drop-shaped and pear-shaped floats. Floats of this type significantly limit the ability to adjust the fishing depth; they limit it to the length of the rod. You need to have several types of floats in stock to easily adapt to any conditions.
- Hooks. The requirements are the same as for any other float fishing. The hook must be sharp and match the size of the fish living in the pond.
The best Bolognese rods for 2021
This type of equipment, such as Bolognese rods, is used during float fishing on rivers, lakes, stakes or reservoirs. The sizes of such fishing rods vary from 4 to 9 meters. As a rule, most of these gears have a telescopic type design (folding). However, there are also “lapdogs” of a composite, plug-in type on sale.
This tackle is equipped with guide rings located on each individual section, as well as the possibility of additional installation of inertial or inertia-free reels, which are equipped with fishing line from 0.14 to 0.16 mm. The first two legs of such a fishing rod are equipped with special movable rings.
Which company is better, where can I buy it and how much does such a fishing rod cost? “Bologna dogs” of both Russian and foreign origin are very popular among domestic consumers. However, recently, Chinese-made models, which can be ordered through the online store on the Ali Express website, are in increasing demand. It is worth noting that most lap dogs produced in China have good functionality, technical characteristics, low cost, modern design and appearance.
Bolognese fishing rod rig
There are two types of equipment for Bolognese fishing, blind and sliding. Deaf, suitable for fishing in shallow areas without current. Sliding, used at great depths with currents. The main difference is the way the float is attached. In the blind, the float is attached to the main line “tightly”, securely fixed with two cambrics, top and bottom. When sliding, the float moves freely along its entire length.
Let's look at the installation of each equipment in more detail:
- Blind equipment. First of all, you need to thread the cambric onto the main fishing line, then place a float on the fishing line, passing it through a special fixing eyelet. Then thread the lower cambric, which should be at least 5 cm. This is one of the tricks used to ensure that the excess cambric hanging from the bottom of the float serves as an anti-twist, and you will never over-thread the float when casting. Then, the main, heaviest sinker is installed on the fishing line, which must correspond to the loading of the float. Below it, there is a series of smaller weights that serve to accurately adjust the displacement of the float. Next, a swivel is mounted, which is necessary as an adapter between the main line and the leash, and also serves as an anti-twist. A leash is tied to the bottom of the swivel, made of fishing line no thicker than 0.12 mm, at the end of which there is a hook.
- Sliding equipment. Thread the silicone stopper along the main line. Next, wind the float by passing it through a special winding eyelet, which is located at the bottom of the float. On some sliding floats, there are two attachment points, top and bottom, then you should pass the line first through the top attachment, then through the bottom. Next comes the installation of the main sinker, which, with sliding equipment, should account for ninety percent of the total weight of the load. The rest of the required weight is added with small weights. The next thing, like the blind rig, is the swivel, then the leash.
Popular rod models
The leaders in the production of Bolognese fishing rods are the following companies:
Milo. This company produces some of the most expensive fishing rods, which are distinguished by their stable quality and excellent ergonomics. There are practically no budget models produced. The following models are worth highlighting separately: Koex 9000, this five-meter rod, weighing 167 grams, is perfect for fishing at short and medium distances. Approximate cost: 17–18 thousand rubles. Spider Koex 2006 8 m is suitable for fishing at long distances. Despite the large length, the weight is only 325 grams. The price is about 19,000 rubles.
Trabucco. The rods of this company are quite functional, and there are quite budget models. Some of them are: REVENGE WRC BOLO, a six-meter fishing rod made of composite material, perfect for a beginner angler. The price is around 1800 rubles. EXPANDER BOLO, 4 meters long, will allow you to fish at an average distance with a moderate current. The cost is around 1000 rubles.
Shimano. A company that produces high-quality, functional fishing rods in the mid-price range. The CATANA EX TE GT 5-800 model is eight meters long, has excellent rigidity, high-quality fittings, fast action, which is what you need for long casts. The price is about 10,000 rubles. The Alivio CX TE GT 5-500 is great for short and medium distances. The cost is within 5,000 rubles.
Daiwa. A very interesting company that novice fishermen should take a closer look at; its difference is that for relatively little money you can buy a fishing rod of acceptable quality. Sprinter Bolo SPRV 50G is a five-meter fishing rod with excellent characteristics. Made of high-modulus graphite, equipped with a reel shock absorber, which is found only in premium fishing rods from other manufacturers. The average price is 3000 rubles. Crossfire Bolo CFV-60G-AR is ideal in terms of price-quality ratio. High-quality fittings, fast construction, light weight. This fishing rod will delight you for many seasons. Its price is approximately 4500 rubles.
How to fish with a Bolognese fishing rod?
Imagine, you come to a pond, the first thing you have to do is collect gear, then you need to find out the fishing depth. You can use an echo sounder for these purposes, which will accurately show the bottom topography with all the details, right down to the presence of fish in the holes and edges. If this technical tool is not available, use a depth gauge. Use any sinker that is slightly larger than the maximum load capacity of the float.
Attach it to the hook and start making test casts. If, when lowering the tackle into the water, the float goes to the bottom, you need to increase the distance from the hook to the float, or move up the locking ring for sliding floats. Having decided on the depth, you can proceed to the next stage, feeding. Bolognese fishing requires much more bait than any other float tackle, remember this.
At the very beginning of fishing, about a third of all complementary food is consumed. They feed the route of the float, or the total area in which it is planned to fish. In fishing jargon this is called: feeding the “road”, or shelling (bombing) the “penny”. When your promising place is fed, we put bait on the hook and start fishing.
You should only fish in the places where you fed them. If you are fishing at a short distance, you can use a Bolognese fishing rod like a regular fly rod. When casting, use a spinning technique. On the reel, open the line holder, press the main line to the rod, swing it briefly, and release your finger.
Try to make the rig fly at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizon, this will ensure maximum casting length. With a little practice, you will definitely succeed! Having mastered casting, move on to the next part - wiring. They can be divided into continuous and with pauses. Continuous retrieving is the simplest; to do this, throw in the rig, and after waiting half a minute, start reeling it out at a slow pace.
Wiring with pauses is done by alternate reeling and stopping. The frequency of pauses must be selected according to the situation; it is difficult to give specific recommendations, since it is not clear in advance what the fish will like more. Next, when there is a bite, hook briefly and sharply, and begin to reel in the line at a medium pace. Keep a landing net ready; use it to get the fish out of the water. Next, remove the hook, change the bait, and continue fishing.
Fishing technique with Bolognese tackle
The simplest method of casting when fishing with a Bolognese fishing rod is from yourself, when the casting distance is determined by the length of the rod. In this case, the wiring is stable, easily controlled, and feeding is simple.
It’s worth fishing with a lapdog from a boat in the same way. Using the trajectory of the rig's passage, we identify the depth and places where the bottom rises and falls. promising points and, of course, possible hooks. A few idle runs, and the bottom relief appears in full view. To control, you can take several measurements and a little further, where there may be a break and where the bait may fall. Working with tackle in this manner is very effective: with it, holds of varying strength are easily performed, which always provokes the fish to bite. For roach, ide. For chub, light holds are often sufficient; for bream and silver bream, more rigid ones are required, up to a stop.
It is a little more difficult to perform casting wiring. For successful fishing, you need to choose a clear landmark on the opposite bank, and cast to the same distance. You shouldn’t try to fish far; a casting distance of one or two rod lengths is often optimal. In this case, the tackle should be carried away from the fisherman and downstream. With such wiring, holds are also performed, but it should be taken into account that the current during holds will shift the rig in an arc towards the shore. Spring fishing on newly opened rivers, in my opinion, is the best time for fishing with Bolognese fishing tackle. The fish is actively moving, the angler must look for it, catching all the most interesting places, and a fishing rod and reel provides an excellent opportunity for this, since such tackle is universal and mobile.
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Tips for beginner fishermen
- In Bolognese fishing, a leash is a consumable item; prepare several in advance. And secure them to a special reel, then in case of a break, replacement will be made in a matter of seconds.
- Use an extractor that will allow you to release the hook with minimal loss when the fish swallows it deeply.
- Try not to skimp on the reel and rod. With proper care and proper use, the gear will serve you faithfully for a long time; cheap ones, even if treated well, can fail at any moment.
- Constantly monitor the position of the clutch on the reel; if it is incorrectly adjusted, it can not only interfere with successful hooking, but also damage the rod when biting a large fish.
- Use soft lead weights; they significantly extend the life and reliability of the fishing line.
- When connecting the swivel and the leash, use self-tightening loops. This will significantly save your time on replacing leashes.
- Feed the fish every 15 minutes, in small portions, regardless of whether you are biting or not.
- Do not use metal cages; hitting the fish you catch against its walls will scare away other fish.
Having properly mastered the Bologna method of fishing, new horizons of float fishing will open up for you, previously inaccessible.
