Edible rubber: types, pros and cons of silicone baits

Size and Shape for Perches

Some anglers are skeptical about using silicone lures. However, such products show good efficiency and are affordable. Silicone bait is universal and suitable for any fishing. Perch have special food preferences. For example, in the morning he bites better on rubber twisters, and in the afternoon he prefers crayfish. The most catchy twister is considered to be a product with high elasticity and a small body. Creatures cannot boast of fast catching.

The dimensions of synthetic products are comparable to the dimensions of the fish itself. There are models around 2-3 inches. They are more suitable for individuals up to 200 g. Larger devices are only relevant for vibro-tail type baits. But creatures and crayfish should be smaller in size. The size of the silicone bait must be reduced if the fish begins to fight against it, and it is better to increase the intervals between postings.

What to catch

The weight of unloaded baits is only about 10-12 grams, but the tackle, despite this, must be strong. It must be said that sometimes up to 500 grams of unnecessary greenery is collected from the bottom, which significantly adds weight, so it will be problematic to pull out even a small pike.

It is best to use bass multiplier series of spinning rods, which have a test weight of 21 to 28 grams. Such rods are designed for this type of fishing, so they can withstand a certain weight. The length of the element should be from 2.1 meters to 2.3 meters.

The spinning rod should ideally be such that, after hooking, you can safely deliver your fish to the shore and not get caught on snags, get tangled in plants, or collect all the greenery from the bottom along the way. If this does not happen, then the fish will probably get away or simply break the line.

If you don’t want to use “multi”, it is recommended to pay attention to fashionable options, including the option for twitching, where there is an excellent reel with a size of 3000-4000.

As for fishing line, it is advisable to use cord. Although experienced fishermen often resort to fluorocarbon. True, in this case their fishing takes place within twenty meters. In this case, the elongation is the smallest.

Important! Fluorocarbon is a wear-resistant material, which is why many anglers prefer it.

Although, if you can’t buy one or just don’t want to, then a cord will do. As for the diameter, the cord has this mark, according to the Japanese numbering PE 1.5-2.0, and for fluorocarbon it is optional. This can be a cross section of up to 2.5 or up to 3.5.

Particular attention is also paid to the choice of leashes. They should be such that ideally they do not collect grass, and if they do collect it, then in the most minimal quantities. This is possible due to the absence of protruding fasteners.

Leashes made of string show good results. True, some fishermen complain that the element clings to dense grass and bends, and this sometimes leads to the fact that the part cannot be straightened and has to be thrown away.

If desired, it is possible to use fluorocarbon with a cross-section from 0.5 to 0.6 mm. True, after each bite you should definitely check it and see if any burrs have appeared. If such were noticed, then the element needs to be changed.

Varieties of edible rubber

These baits are made of flavored silicone. When the material is immersed in water, special enzymes begin to be released from it, attracting certain fish. The advantage of edible rubber is its durability. In addition, these products have a soft structure, so they will look quite natural to the fish. These baits are differentiated by:

• form,
• colors,
• level of aromatization.

There are several types of silicone baits on the market. The most popular of them are the following:

1. Twister. Elastic bait with ribbed sides and fins at the back. The tails have a special shape that attracts the inhabitants of reservoirs when moving. Twisters can be used in different equipment.
2. Vibrotail. It has an elongated design and an imitation tail fin. The most popular are products up to 10 cm in size.
3. Silicone worms. The appearance of such baits is very similar to the appearance of real worms. There are baits on sale in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors.
4. Slugs. Learning to fish with this type of bait requires a lot of time and experience. When wiring, it is necessary to use different manipulation techniques. This is the only way to choose the best wiring option for a particular gear.
5. Silicone crayfish. Lures with this shape are suitable for fish that prefer to eat crustaceans. When moving, such products raise mud from the bottom, attracting the interest of predatory creatures.
6. Frogs. A very popular bait among fishermen who catch catfish, perch and other fish. When carried in the water column, they begin to twitch their paws. Such movements quickly attract predators.

Basic types of bait installation

Retractable leash. It has a number of advantages, and here are a few of them. Easy to perform, does not require special skills and knowledge, and is universal. It is used both in current and in still water. It is easy to cast over long distances, especially important for wide rivers or lakes. Also, thanks to its design, it stays in the predator’s attack zone for a long time, which has a positive effect on the number of attacks and hooks achieved.

Perfectly provokes sluggish and inactive fish to bite. Let's highlight a few features that beginners should consider. The length of the leash should be at least 1 meter, this will ensure good play and activity. When there is wind, casting must be done with caution, as the gear can easily get tangled and if you do not notice this, there will be empty wiring. Do not forget that you should not overload the spinning rod with a sinker more than its test weight (indicated on the form).

Drop shot. An excellent choice for spot fishing small open areas of water. These could be windows in the grass, water lilies, snags, and so on. Its advantage is casting accuracy. If you know that you will be fishing at depth and not making long throws, a drop shot may be a good solution.

Installation is quite simple. The difference from most other rigs is that the bait is not in the same plane as the main line. At the end of the cord we tie a weight, then, retreating 30-60 cm, we knit a knot with a hook as in the photo, it is important that the offset machine is positioned with the tip facing up. All that remains is to equip it with the desired vibrating tail or twister.

Unloaded tires. Beginners have a lot of questions regarding installation using this method. From the name it becomes clear that sinkers are not used in this equipment; only the weight of silicone with a hook is used. Ideal for areas with thickets of grass or snags. As you know, these are the favorite habitats of perch and pike, but using standard loading methods is dangerous due to frequent breaks and snags.

A fishing line or braid is tied to the offset hook, then the bait is attached in the usual way, according to the type of hook-free hook. The sting is hidden in the body and directed towards the head. Thus, there is simply nothing to cling to; due to the lack of weight, it does not sink into the water. If you purposefully catch pike using this method, then do not forget to use a tungsten or metal leash. This way the gear will be attached to it.

When fishing in water lilies, professionals often use this technique. Throw the unloaded tackle directly onto a water lily leaf (they are quite large in the summer) and slowly pull it into the water. Perch often stands in such places, in whole schools, and instinct gives it a signal to attack a target that has fallen into the water. The fact is that beetles, dragonflies and other insects often fall from tree branches located along the banks into the water, the same applies to water lilies. Knowing this, the fish are on duty in such promising places.

Jig head. There are several basic types:

• Flexible or loose fastening. The most frequently used, an excellent option for beginners and professionals. The main advantage is that the bait in this case moves freely in the eye of the sinker, which gives it freedom of action and excellent play. Collapsible sinkers, also known as Cheburashkas, are used as weight. They are convenient because if you want to change the color of the silicone, this can be done in just a few seconds. There are several important points, one of them is the size of the eye of the hook. If it is narrow, it will not move easily along the eye of the sinker, getting stuck in one position and the wiring will become empty and unattractive. If the eyelet is too small, then use a winding ring, threading it through the offset machine - this will add flexibility. The hook can be used both single and double. The latter is often placed in clear waters, where the chance of getting caught is minimal. A frequently asked question is how to choose the correct offset press size for the tires. It happens that the manufacturer himself indicates the numbers on the pack, but if it is not there, then choose based on the size of the bait itself: the hook should be at least half the length of the bait, or a little more.
• Rigid mount. In this case, a jig head is used - an offset hook with a tightly attached weight. In this case, it will not be possible to change its weight, in comparison with the Cheburashka. It has a disadvantage: it is impossible to make a non-hooking fish out of it, which reduces the fishing conditions. Gradually, slowly but surely it is becoming a thing of the past.

How to enhance the smell of silicone baits

Over time, silicone gradually loses its pronounced odor. This is especially true when, after unpacking the rubber from the blister, an offset machine is mounted on it, and the tackle ready for fishing is sent to a box, where it can remain for years. To update the smell, you can go in several ways. The first of them is to send all the weathered baits into a pack with new silicones, and keep them there for as long as possible (the main thing is that the bag closes securely and tightly).

The second option is to purchase an attractant and apply it to the bait. Some of the most famous manufacturers of such chemicals are Mega Strike, no less famous Ecogear and Gary Ya-mamoto. The steps indicated on the labels look something like this: Everything that needs to be soaked is placed in a durable bag without holes. An attractant is added to it (about 0.3 ml per 10 silicones). Next, the bag is securely closed and all contents are thoroughly mixed. Done, they need to be kept in this form for 3 days. If the season is already over, then you can transfer the impregnated rubber to a blister, closing it tightly. Thus, the smell will not disappear anywhere, and next season you will be ready to fish.

The best twisters and vibrotails

When buying a silicone bait, you can easily get confused. But the following models of vibrating tails and twisters deserve special attention:

1. "Rocky Fry Megabass." These are twisters with a soft structure. Their dimensions do not exceed 3.5-4 inches. Mainly used for jig fishing.
2. "Avaruna Pontoon 21". Vibrating tail with very compact dimensions. Allows you to maintain active play. Can be used for different equipment.
3. "Tioga Lucky John." Their sizes start from 2.5 inches. They have a solid body. They show pretty good results. However, this edible bass silicone (“edible”) is intended solely for bass fishing. Although pike often react to it.

Fishing with edible rubber of these models mostly has positive consumer reviews. The high cost fully justifies their quality and efficiency. It should be noted that some of the baits can be combined with each other.

What is an unloaded elastic band?

An unweighted elastic band is a regular silicone bait, which does not include the lead weights that are familiar to many. Products with offset hook are used. The main advantage of the element is that it passes even where many unhooked ones do not pass. Almost all fishermen with such bait catch pike, which love to hide in “problem” areas. It's no secret that it is possible to find fish in thickets, bushes, where you can leave all the equipment, and similar areas.

Many fishermen who love silicone baits often use a slug or vibrotail. Although, if you go to a specialized store, you can see how many baits the manufacturer offers. You can experiment with them and try something new. Some fishermen praise crustacean silicone elements, which have recently been in great demand.

It must be said that if a person is going to fish for pike, then the size of the unloaded load must be selected accordingly. The most popular ones are those whose size is about 9-10 cm. You should not use too small products, such as 7.5, for example, because it will be very difficult to cast the bait over a long distance.

The same applies to spinning rods, which should not be ultralight, as well as dense cords, and not thin monofilaments.

If we talk about the vibrotail, then its size should be within 5-6 grams. This point is often overlooked by beginners who deliberately overload their fishing rods. It should be understood that the mass of the hook and leash will be added to the total weight.

Features of use

It is not enough to just buy a fishing rubber bait and start using it. Each model has its own application nuances. Thus, small twisters are placed on single hooks, and larger devices are placed on triple hooks.

Silicone worms are used for removal and are strung in the same way as ordinary baits. Slugs require professional and very competent wiring. Crayfish demonstrate maximum efficiency at the bottom. You can also use a triple or single hook for them.

Rubber scented frogs can also attract very large individuals, for example, catfish. But such baits are most useful in shallow water bodies without current.