Picker selection
Among rods designed for bottom fishing, the picker, which differs from the feeder in its increased sensitivity and compactness, takes pride of place. A picker rod is suitable for fishing from the shore in a small body of water where long casting is not required. Picker has proven itself well in hunting roach, white bream, silver bream, bleak, and crucian carp.
Such a rod with the appropriate equipment will come to the aid of the fisherman in cases where casting feeder gear is too complicated by environmental conditions. Also, a picker is also a good alternative to a match-type float rod.
When choosing a picker rod, you need to understand that the picker is suitable for fishing with small loads (up to 50 grams) at a short distance from the shore. The picker is especially good for small fish, as it is very sensitive and perfectly transmits bites from even the smallest fish.
For more information about length, test, action, tips and other aspects of choosing pickers, read the article “How to choose a picker.” Also in the article you will find an interesting video review of an inexpensive picker rod from SALMO.
How to choose equipment for picker?
When you go fishing with a picker, in principle you can use the same equipment that is used for the feeder.
It could also be a symmetry. and asymmetrical loops, paternoster, equipment with a tube, as well as the “method”. It is very simple and convenient to use a Gardner paternoster for picker. In addition, this equipment is very sensitive and reliable, and its main advantage is that it does not have additional parts that usually complicate the fisherman’s life. The paternoster gives you the opportunity to quickly change the feeder, sinkers or leash without any problems. Such equipment will behave well in both strong and weak currents. You can knit a paternoster on the main fishing line, and after the fishing is over, the leash, feeder and sinkers are removed, it can be wound on the spool. This type of rig consists of only two loops, so it easily passes through the rings on the rod. Thus, both preparing for the start of fishing and getting ready after its completion will take a minimum of time and effort from you.
You can also use the “method” equipment only in combination with light feeders. Here the situation is somewhat more complicated; components such as a swivel and a damper appear. Replacing them accordingly takes more time. There is one more nuance: all the same, in terms of sensitivity and reliability, the “method” will still be inferior to the paternoster. But there are some cases when it is still better to give preference to the “method”.
- 1. Sometimes you need to feed the bait very close to the groundbait, then it is advisable to install a short leash. The length can be 5 cm, so everything is very close to each other.
- 2. Catching bleak in the upper or middle layer of water. Although pickerel is a specialty of bottom fishing, in the fall the bleak reaches the size of a good roach and cannot leave the fisherman indifferent. For bleaking, you can take the “method” and a light match sinker of about 5g. and 80 cm leash. A small sinker goes to the bottom, lowering the leader and hook, and the bait naturally sinks. You can notice that the bite comes right away, sometimes with quite impressive force. To save yourself from line tangles, hold the line where it leaves the spool.
Picker shimano
The picture above shows a wonderful picker rod from the famous company Shimano . The rod is called Super ULTEGRA Winkle Piker 240-270 . It is made on a high-tech carbon blank, and thanks to an additional section it can be extended by 30 centimeters.
This picker is ideal for fishing with small loads at a distance of up to 50 meters.
The rod comes with three interchangeable tips. The kit also includes a convenient case with a recess for a small reel. The optimal reel size for this rod is 2500.
Parameters of Shimano Super ULTEGRA Winkle Piker 240-270:
- Unfolded length: 240-270 cm.
- Folded length: 113 cm.
- Weight: 154 grams.
- Number of sections: 4+3 tips.
- Casting: 40 grams.
Picker reel
The requirements for the picker coil are the same as for the feeder. But there are also nuances. Since the picker is not intended for catching trophy specimens, the rear drag on the reel is most likely not useful. In addition, a picker is a delicate tackle and a bulky heavy reel is of no use here. Especially if the picker has a short handle.
For example, for a picker 2.4-2.7 meters, as for me, the optimal coil size is 1500-2000. Although this is very individual, you need to keep in mind that the weight of reels of the same size from different manufacturers can vary significantly.
Picker feeders
Often, the picker test does not exceed 50 g, and it follows that the feeder should have a minimum weight. After all, we throw a feeder filled with food, and if the empty feeder weighs 30 g, then the food in it weighs 10-30 g, and in total we get 60 g, which exceeds the maximum picker test.
It follows that an empty picker feeder should weigh around 10-30 g.
Maximum range and accuracy are achieved when the weight of the cast equipment is equal to ¾ of the maximum test of the rod.
One more important note! If fishing takes place at a short distance, and it is possible to cast bait by hand, then the feeder can be replaced with a weight. The sinker should be streamlined so that when it enters the water it does not create much noise.
You can find out more about the types of feeders in the article on feeder feeders.
Equipment for picker - Gardner paternoster and Inline
The main feature of the Gardner paternoster is its simplicity and reliability.
Offering to watch the installation of equipment is always better than forcing you to read. Therefore, I suggest that you watch the video with all the stages of manufacturing the Gardner paternoster and the In-Line feeder equipment.
The only moment. When describing the Carrot knot, the cone of the knot needs to be knitted in the opposite direction.
And in conclusion, an interesting video from a professional pickerel fisherman describing the main points of fishing.
NHNCH. Sergey K. Krasnoyarsk
Opinions between amateurs and professionals often differ. This is what feeder fishing pro Normunds Grabovskis said on the pages of salmoru:
Picker line
Both regular monofilament and braided line are suitable for the role of the main fishing line, although the second is more sensitive. Leaders are made of monofilament or fluorocarbon with a diameter of 0.1-0.12 mm.
You choose the length of the leash yourself, from 20 cm to one and a half meters. Lengthening the leash will increase the time it takes to fall to the bottom, thereby increasing the animation time of the bait in the water column. We recommend lengthening the leash when the bite is sluggish.
Shortening the leader will likely reduce the number of bites, but increase the chances of catching larger fish. This is due to the fact that if a large fish comes to feed, it will disperse the small fish. Small fish will stay in the water column, that is, a long leash will fall to the bottom for a long time, and most likely will be immediately attacked by small fish located higher above the bait.
Fishing line for picker tackle
When fishing for pickerel, monofilament with a cross-section of 0.14-0.17 mm is most often used as the main line, but some experts advise using exclusively “braid”. In fact, you can use any fishing line as long as it sinks quickly, has good shock absorption and can withstand frequent and multiple casts. For the leash, monofilament with a thickness of 0.1-0.12 mm is used. Its length can vary from 20 to 80 cm at the discretion of the fisherman.
How to feed
Picker fishing is not complete without preliminary bait in the area where fishing is planned in the future. In this case, the feeding process does not cause any difficulties, since the casting range will be short.
Read about how to make the right bait in the article: “Preparing bait for the feeder.”
Casting bait can be done in three ways:
- manual throwing of feed;
- use of feeders;
- use of a special bait slingshot.
Feeder equipment for picker
Method feeder for catching very wary fish
Picker fishing allows the use of standard feeder equipment:
- symmetrical loop;
- asymmetrical loop;
- tubes with anti-twist;
- equipment "method";
- inline;
- helicopter;
- combine;
- paternoster (Gardner rig)
The latter option, being the easiest to manufacture, has gained the greatest popularity. In addition, it does not require any additional devices in the form of swivels, fasteners, dampers and is considered the most sensitive gear.
Paternoster
Even a beginner can install such gear at the fishing spot without much difficulty. At the end of the main line, a loop for the leash is knitted with a regular knot. At a distance of 15-25 cm from it, another loop with a diameter of about 20 cm is made in the same way (the diameter can be any at the discretion of the fisherman, depending on the characteristics of the bottom). The body of the feeder is attached to this loop. For convenience during transportation, the feeder can be secured via a carabiner with a swivel. This will make it possible to remove it from the main gear at any time.
How to fish with pickerel
Before casting, it is necessary to carry out starting bait in a promising area of the reservoir. If you plan to throw bait by hand, then 4-5 balls will be enough, for a special slingshot - about 10-12 shots. After 5-10 minutes you can start casting.
If you think that the fishing spot is well fed, you should replace the feeder with a streamlined sinker, which will make less noise when it hits the water. This technique will reduce the timidity of the fish, which will have a positive effect on the rate of pickerel fishing. Subsequent feeding can be done either by hand or with feeders.
For picker fishing to be truly effective and subsequently effective, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the gear.
It is extremely rare for a fish to hook itself, so the fisherman must always be ready to make a good hook.
Hooking, especially using braid, should not be too sharp, otherwise instead of a fish you will only get its lip.
Don't forget about replaceable tips. In calm conditions and in calm water, use a soft tip; in strong winds or currents, use a harder tip.
If you use bloodworms or maggots in bait, they should not be too large. Place more appetizing bait on the hooks, which will surely attract the attention of the fish. You can also spray the nozzle with special dips (flavors). This will make your bait stand out from the general background of bait.
Choosing a picker rod
The picker rod usually does not exceed 2.7 m in length and consists of two legs. Its maximum test is no more than 40-50 g.
- It is easy to distinguish a picker rod from a feeder. Well-known manufacturers such as Drennan, Shimano, Hardy or Preston simply add the word “picker” to the name of the gear.
- Another distinctive feature is the short handle, which allows you to cast with one hand.
When purchasing a picker, the first thing you need to do is check the balance of the rod. The center of gravity should be in the grip area, which places the reel leg between the middle and ring fingers. Typically, balance is checked by placing the fishing rod where the center of gravity should be, on your finger. If balance is maintained, then the tackle is normal.
Picker rods, like all others, have a structure that is differentiated by their ability to bend when casting or under load. There are four types of fishing rods for picker:
- slow or parabolic, in which the entire rod bends;
- medium, providing for bending from the middle of the structure;
- fast, when only the tip bends;
- super-fast, in which only part of the tip bends;
In addition, you should pay attention and select several tips that correspond to the class of the rod. A good quivertip and well worth it. The thinner, softer and stronger it is, the more expensive it is. But in no case should you skimp on it, because the tip for a picker is its main component, on which the fishing result largely depends.
