general information
“Crucian carp killer” belongs to the group of non-sporting equipment designed for feeder fishing. Unlike the traditional version, where all movements of the fish are recorded by the tip of the form, and the angler is responsible for hooking the prey, a different principle is applied here. In order for the tip of the rod to respond to a bite, you need to wait until the crucian carp moves the structure on the bottom. And since it is problematic to move three heavy feeders with a load, he will feel the load and self-cutting will occur. It is precisely because of the self-hooking effect that the tackle cannot be called sports.
Fishing stores offer a large number of “crucian carp killer” options. At the same time, craftsmen modernize them in every possible way, equipping them with additional sliding weights.
The principle of operation of the equipment is quite simple: bait is placed inside 3 springs, and the hooks are equipped with bait. When the structure is on the bottom, the mixture begins to be washed away with water, causing the fish to become active. When the prey swallows the hook along with the food, it tries to free itself and spit it out, but it hooks itself. The fisherman’s task is to perform a control hook in a timely manner and successfully fish the trophy.
Attachments for crucian carp killer
A prerequisite for proper operation of the tackle is a floating attachment on the hook. After throwing the equipment to the fishing point, the mess from the springs is washed out, and the hooks should float nearby.
The following is used as a nozzle:
- foam balls;
- technodough;
- floating boilies;
- floating artificial corn;
- artificial floating baits such as dambels.
Foam balls are the undisputed leader among all attachments, especially since, unlike the technotest, they do not wash out even after being in water for a long time.
In addition, if an angler uses foam plastic, he is always sure that the bait is on the hook and has not been pulled off by roach or other small fish, as happens with maggots or worms.
Expert opinion
Vladimir Poltoranin
Fisherman - expert
This doesn't mean you can't use sinking or animal baits on a crucian killer, but if you want to increase your chances of catching a winning fish, baits should lift the hooks off the bottom and off the springs.
Each fisherman has the opportunity to experiment and come up with something of his own, but general recommendations are by no means superfluous, especially for those who are just learning to catch bottom fish using such rigs.
The floating bait raises the hooks above bottom debris and vegetation and the baits are clearly visible to the fish.
Advantages and disadvantages of equipment
The list of equipment advantages is quite extensive. It includes the following items:
- Possibility of delivering the bait mixture to the right place using three feeders. This reduces the number of casts and increases the chances of a good bite. But to prevent the bait from being washed out with water, it is important to choose the right consistency.
- Minimum probability of fish falling off the hook. The presence of three hooks minimizes the loss of prey when fishing.
- Versatility. “Crucian Killer” can be used not only for crucian carp, but also for other inhabitants of the deep, including carp, bream, roach and carp. Because of this, it is often called the “carp killer.”
The equipment was not without its shortcomings. Among them:
- Insufficient sensitivity. Since the tackle is not sporting, it is not able to respond to sluggish and weak fish bites. The tip will begin to move only after the crucian carp hooks onto the hook.
- Vulnerable to snags and intertwining of feeders or leashes with each other. To eliminate such troubles, you need to correctly determine the distance between the key elements of the equipment.
- Irrational design. Sometimes the use of a large number of feeders is not justified, because... You can get by with one hook and make the equipment sporty. In this case, she will receive improved sensitivity, but the volume of feed thrown will decrease. A good alternative to the “crucian carp killer” is the paternoster, which is intended for examining the muddy bottom. And if fishing takes place in strong currents, you will need to consider the option of a helicopter and two knots. These rigs involve moving the bait above the bottom, which is of particular interest to the fish.
In any case, the “crucian carp killer” is one of the best solutions for finding trophy specimens that are capable of making strong bites and differing from small crucian carp. Using three feeders, you can effectively feed a promising area and attract a school of large fish to it.
Disadvantages and advantages of gear
First of all, it is worth noting the versatility of the gear. After all, intensive feeding, as well as the subsequent supply of a large number of feeders and the volume of food, will always stimulate biting, if not for crucian carp, then for the fish present nearby. In addition to crucian carp, carp, tench and bream are successfully caught with this equipment. An important advantage is considered to be a simple installation design with inexpensive and widespread equipment elements, with which you can quickly make fishing equipment right on the shore of a reservoir in the field.
Among the shortcomings, I would like to note the roughness of the gear and the low information content of blind installations, which are not sensitive. All this provides the prerequisites for successful fishing only when there is high activity of fish and a large concentration of fish at the fishing point. The disadvantages include the noise of the gear when casting. This factor quite intensively scares away cautious and large fish, delaying the time of its repeated approach.
Features of the design of the tackle “Crucian carp killer”
Depending on the design features, the “crucian carp killer” can be deaf or sliding. The first option is equipped with three feeder weights, 3 hooks and a sinker. It demonstrates good efficiency with normal line tension. The sliding rig consists of three hooks and one sliding feeder.
Any modifications are based on the first or second type, or combine the functions of both options.
A key feature of the design is the presence of a large number of hooks and feeders. Sometimes it reaches 10 and 5 pieces, respectively.
If there are a lot of hooks, it is advisable to equip them with foam balls so that some baits do not reach the bottom, but linger in the water column.
Design of tackle for crucian carp with a feeder
This working tackle for crucian carp with a feeder belongs to one of the types of bottom fishing.
The design of the gear uses feeders or an open type feeder, most often of the spring type. Installation has two basic and popular design directions - blind and sliding type. In blind-type rigs, a sinker is added to the garland of feeders, which facilitates high-quality casting of the rigs. In a sliding rig, the role of a sinker is played directly by the feeder itself, which is more massive in appearance and capacity than the accessories used in a blind-mounted garland. Directly to the feeders themselves, leashes with hooks and an attractive-looking attachment are added, of which there can be from one to three pieces per element of the equipment. The rigs themselves are attached to the cord of the feeder rod, through which fishing is carried out. Fishing for crucian carp can be confidently classified as one of the varieties of feeder fishing.
DIY making
If you want to try out all the advantages of the equipment, you can buy it at a fishing store or make it yourself. The second option is more popular among folk craftsmen who are capable of making real masterpieces.
To create a “crucian carp killer” from scratch, you need to prepare the following components:
- Monofilament line with a cross section of 0.3 mm.
- Sinker with an eye (Weight varies from 30 to 50 g).
- Swivel with clasp.
- Feeding structures without load. It is allowed to use products with tubes inside. In this case, the feeder is fixed using rubber stop beads. If there are no longitudinal holes inside the feeder, the fishing line will need to be secured with a knot like a clinch.
- Hooks. Their size is determined by the expected production. However, do not be afraid of small models - sometimes they are much better than large products.
What is this
At first glance, the crucian carp killer tackle looks quite primitive - these are three springs with leashes next to each, attached to a piece of fishing line with a sinker at the end
. Yes, and the installation of this gear is quite simple, and its principle of operation, but we will talk about this below.
Tips for a fisherman: Which fishing line to choose for catching crucian carp - Answers for beginners
Some anglers say that two feeders and a pair of hooks will be more than enough, and I am also inclined to this opinion. But the number of hooks and feeders used is influenced by many factors, such as biting activity and fishing conditions.
Many fishermen have heard about the sensational equipment from Mikhalych, at first I thought of devoting a whole article to it, but then I decided that providing one video would be enough.
- monofilament fishing line or braided cord with a diameter of 0.3 mm;
- drop-shaped sinker with an eye weighing 40-50 grams;
- carbine with swivel;
- feeder, unloaded sliding feeders in the form of springs;
- hooks corresponding to the type of fish;
- pieces of fluorocarbon leashes for attaching hooks, 3 to 5 cm long.
Step-by-step assembly instructions
- First of all, you need to attach the swivel with a clasp to the sinker. It is connected to the spring using a 7-10 cm fishing line, maintaining a distance between each feeder of at least 7-10 cm. If there is a hollow through hole in the spring, you can do without a blind fastening, limiting its travel with rubber stoppers. The main thing is that the spring does not dangle along the fishing line. You can also use a clinch knot, which is suitable for securing a fishing line and a feeder.
- Following the instructions from the first stage, you need to tie two more feeders.
- At the end of the rig you need to attach a leash with a loop using a figure eight knot.
- Leashes equipped with hooks should be attached to each feeder. Their length is 3-5 cm, and it is better to use durable fluorocarbon as a manufacturing material.
Bait selection
When choosing a catchable bait for fishing with a “crucian carp killer”, you need to take into account the time of year and the activity of fish in a particular body of water. The following options are ideal for the warm period:
- Bread.
- Pearl barley porridge.
- Peas.
- Corn.
- Dough.
- Potato.
- Semolina.
With the arrival of autumn cold weather and early spring, animal baits perform well, including maggots, worms and bloodworms.
If there are no bites for a long time, you will have to re-cast the equipment. Experienced anglers maintain an interval of 10 minutes between each re-cast.
The presence of 3 hooks allows you to conduct various experiments using different baits. So, bread can be placed on one of them, maggots on the next, and pearl barley porridge on another. Such manipulations help determine what food is most interesting for crucian carp in a given reservoir.
How to properly catch a killer crucian carp
Fishing for crucian carp with killer gear is carried out using a wait-and-see tactic similar to the strategy of bottom feeder fishing. A convenient place for long-distance casting is selected on the shore, with the possibility of unhindered fishing for caught crucian carp. The rod installed after casting onto the stand is equipped with a bite alarm. Some secrets of preparing bait and promising types of bait will be discussed in further material of the article.
Bait for catching crucian carp with this tackle
As in a classic feeder, it is advisable to pre-feed a point that is promising for fishing, using initially crumbly starter food. When starting the main hunt with the supply of fishing equipment, bait for fishing with bottom tackle is made in the consistency of plasticine, which allows you to keep suitable fish at the feeders for a long time.
Important! As a rule, the required viscosity of the mixed mixture is achieved by mixing boiled millet and pearl barley porridge with purchased feeding mixtures.
The bait should remain on the spring frame for a long time without being washed out or destroyed as a result of casting.
Fishing technique
The specifics of catching crucian carp using the crucian carp killer rig looks quite simple and is practically no different from fishing with a feeder.
- First you need to conduct a visual inspection of the water area and identify a promising area for casting.
- Next, you need to determine the depth in the reservoir by dragging a sinker along the bottom. To fix any unevenness, holes or other terrain features, you will need to use a marked float.
- When making the first cast, you do not need to use hooks. To improve the accuracy of delivery of equipment, it is recommended to be guided by a horizontal plane or an object on the opposite side of the reservoir.
- For reliable fixation, the rod is placed on a stand, and the fishing line is clipped to the spool.
By following these tips, you can send the spring exactly where you originally planned. When performing subsequent casts, the blank is held in a vertical position without tension until the line is on the clip and the impact occurs. Next, the rod needs to be lowered forward and placed on the stand. Such actions will eliminate the need to constantly rewind the fishing line after lowering the springs to the bottom.
Considering the large weight of the equipment, it will be problematic to determine a weak and sluggish bite of crucian carp. The key signal that the fish has been successfully hooked is a sharp jerk with slack in the line.
A properly configured “crucian carp killer” provides excellent results when catching this inhabitant of the depths, but deprives the angler of the main fascination and excitement of fishing. The technique is intended for catching large trophies, so fans of sport fishing are better off considering the classic feeder option.
Tackle structure
“Crucian carp killer” tackle can be bought in stores. It is divided into:
- Silent option . Three feeder springs-feeders connected with fishing line up to 0.5 mm. Leashes with hooks are attached to springs. You can also attach additional weight there. The length of the leash should not exceed 7 centimeters.
- Sliding option . The feeder is secured with a bead, and a small leash with two hooks is knitted nearby. As a rule, several more leaders can be placed above the feeder next to the stop beads. This type of gear is considered more sensitive than the first, since the biting signal is immediately transmitted to the rod. We will also discuss the manufacture of the sliding version in this article.
Blind variants of the “crucian carp killer” Sliding equipment for the crucian carp killer
Tips for a newbie
To simplify the process of learning to fish for the “crucian killer”, just follow these tips:
- The equipment can be installed on both spinning rods and float rods. But the first option is superior to the second in reliability and functionality.
- To attract fish, it is better to place different bait compositions in each feeder.
- Experienced professionals recommend placing foam on the hook. It does not prevent the fish from quietly eating complementary food, but hides the sharp product. As a result, a hungry crucian carp will unnoticed swallow the camouflaged hook and end up in a trap. You can also use foam balls to keep the hooks above the bottom, which increases the chances of a good bite. As an alternative for this material, you can use foam dough, which is sold in various fishing stores.
- As a bait mixture, you can use mastyrka, hominy, store-bought products, or homemade porridge. It is important that the composition is washed out well with water and emits a pleasant smell for crucian carp. To improve the effectiveness of the mixture, it is advisable to add flavored additives and attractants to its composition.
- Hercules porridge can serve as a binding element for bait.
- When choosing hooks, you should focus on models numbered 6-8. However, in this matter one should be guided by the amount of expected production.
- If the springs have the same mass, this can lead to tangling of the equipment. To prevent this problem, you can attach a sinker to one of the feeders.
- Experts recommend feeding a promising location a day before going fishing.
- Shop equipment is subject to independent improvement. So, if the hooks are secured not with a blind method, but with the help of swivels with stopper beads, the design will become more sensitive. When using a sliding installation, it is better to equip the structure with lead pellets, which will limit the movement of the feeder on both sides.
- In addition to the classic “killer” version, a popular modification is the so-called pacifier. It is created on the basis of a spring feeder, a plastic plug and a lead plate. Several hooks are attached to two nipples, and tasty bait is stuffed inside. The tackle performs well not only when catching crucian carp, but also when searching for other freshwater fish.
- Avid fishermen also use the “cork” tackle for their favorite pastime. It consists of a plastic cork with lead weighting, winding rings, fishing line, three short leashes and hooks.
“ Crucian Killer ” is a truly unique and highly effective fishing device that allows you to catch large trophies in any body of water, in any weather or fish activity. To comprehend all the delights of this method of fishing, it is important to carefully familiarize yourself with the design of the equipment, the principle of its operation and the fishing technique.
How to make tackle with your own hands
To make a crucian carp killer in a home workshop, you will need components purchased in the store (swivel, hook, leader material, fishing line), as well as springs that you can make yourself.
Dummy springs are also sold in stores, but when making them yourself, the fisherman chooses the sizes he needs, varies the number of turns in the feeder, as well as its diameter.
How to make springs for a crucian carp killer
To make your own pacifier spring you will need:
- copper or welding wire of the required diameter;
- pliers;
- hollow metal tube 10 cm long;
- hacksaw for metal.
The tube is selected with the diameter that the future spring should have (10–12 mm). A notch is made in the tube with a hacksaw 2 cm deep.
Spring manufacturing procedure:
- cut a piece of wire 20 cm long;
- using pliers, make a loop with a diameter of 0.5 cm at one end;
- loop the wire inside into the slot of the tube;
- wind 10 turns of wire around the tube;
- cut off the excess wire, leaving a straight piece of 5 cm;
- use pliers to make a loop at this end;
- bend the ends with the loops so that they are located opposite each other.
The spring for the crucian carp killer is ready, and to reduce or increase its diameter, the appropriate tube is selected.
Sizes of springs used
The issue of choosing the diameter of the tube, and therefore the size of the feeder, as well as the distance between the turns deserves special attention. As practice has shown, large springs are inconvenient, since when casting, the tackle with a light load gets tangled and, when it gets into the water, does not straighten out, especially when fishing in a standing position.
It seems to novice fishermen that the larger the size of the spiral, and accordingly the more bait that can fit into it, the higher the likelihood of attracting fish. But, in addition to the issue of attraction, it is necessary to solve the problem of the correct position of the crucian carp killer equipment in the water and convenience when casting, so it is not recommended to make and install large springs.
The optimal spring diameter is 10–12 mm, length 25–30 mm.
Installation of gear with three such spirals will provide:
- convenience when casting;
- correct position of the equipment in the water;
- attractive to fish.
When fishing in a current, the load is chosen to be heavier, and because of this, all the equipment turns out to be more cumbersome, and you also need to take into account the weight of the bait in the springs.
In this case:
- reducing the number of pacifiers from three to two;
- We accurately select the weight of the cargo for the existing conditions;
- We find a place to fish where the current is less intense.
When fishing on a river with a strong current, the installation of a crucian killer shows good results, but it must be balanced so that, on the one hand, the flow of water does not carry away the equipment, and on the other hand, it is convenient to cast it.
Base materials
The question of choosing the material on which the tackle will be knitted also plays a big role both in terms of reliability and performance of the assigned functions. First of all, you need to decide whether the springs will be fixed or slide along the main line.
A braided fishing line is suitable for making a blind rig, but after it gets wet in water it becomes more tangled and before casting it is necessary to control the position of the springs and leads. The sliding equipment is knitted on a monofilament line with a diameter of 0.3-0.35 mm, or fluorocarbon 0.35-0.40.
Fluorocarbon is even preferable, because this material is more invisible and stiffer than monofilament and will not curl after several fishing trips.
When tightly tightening knots on fluorocarbon and monofilament, it is necessary to wet them so as not to burn the line.
Leashes and hooks
Leashes for crucian carp killers are knitted only from braided or soft leash material. After sinking to the bottom, the leaders must float freely next to the dummies, and the hooks are raised above the bottom by floating attachments, so monofilament line or fluorocarbon are definitely not suitable.
Hook numbers 8–12 according to the European classification, nickel or Teflon coating. During fishing, the hooks experience serious stress; they cling to stones and aquatic vegetation. As a result, before each cast, you need to make sure that the hooks are sharp, because the performance of the entire equipment depends on this.
If at least one hook becomes dull, it should be replaced or sharpened.
It is difficult to predict in advance which hook the fish will bite on, top, bottom, or middle, so they all must be fully prepared. It is advisable to have equipment with bright, red or golden hooks in stock; it sometimes helps out when there is no bite, although it is mainly bream and roach that are caught.
Expert opinion
Vladimir Poltoranin
Fisherman - expert
The length of the leash is no more than 3–5 cm, because the hooks should be next to the spring into which the bait is hammered.
Solid installation
A blind installation is knitted from several pieces of braid with pre-tied springs and leads, for this you need:
- to a 10 cm piece of braid, on one side, attach a fastener for the load, on the other, a spiral pacifier;
- tie a 10 cm piece of braiding with a pre-attached spring to the first spring;
- tie a 10 cm long piece of braiding with a pacifier to the second spiral;
- tie a piece of braiding 10 with a loop to connect to the base to the last pacifier;
- Tie leashes with hooks directly to the springs.
Attaching hooks to spiral dummies to some extent prevents them from getting tangled, and considering that crucian carp killers generally get tangled more often on braided lines, this becomes a determining factor. A blind rig is effective for active biting, but for catching cautious fish, choose a sliding crucian killer.
Sliding installation
The advantages of a sliding mount are that the springs move freely along the line, limited only by beads or stoppers, and wary fish do not feel resistance when eating bait. This type of gear is used both when fishing on lakes and rivers, and its catchability commands respect.
Even those who prefer not to use multi-hook rigs use the crucian carp killer on their fishing trips and achieve results.
When tying a sliding rig, float stops or beads are used to limit the movement of the spring along the line, especially since bright, multi-colored details act as an additional factor attracting fish.
To knit a sliding installation you will need:
- a piece of fluorocarbon fishing line 50 cm;
- three pacifier springs;
- weight on the clasp;
- three leashes with hooks;
- swivels;
- float stops or mounting beads.
The leashes are attached to swivels or directly to the main line, whichever is convenient for you.
Manufacturing process of the crucian carp killer sliding mount:
- tie a fastener to one end of the fluor to secure the load;
- tie a swivel 2 cm above the load;
- tie a bead above the swivel;
- put a dummy spring on the fishing line;
- At a distance of 10 cm from the load, tie two beads and a swivel between them;
- put on the spring;
- another 10 cm higher, tie another swivel between two beads;
- put on a pacifier;
- another 10 cm higher, also two beads and a swivel between them;
- make a loop at the end to connect to the base;
- Attach leashes with hooks to the swivels.
Instead of beads, you can put large float stoppers on the fishing line and stretch them to each of the swivels. This rig is used repeatedly and retains its physical characteristics on many fishing trips.
If necessary, replacing the leash with a hook will not be difficult, and the equipment will retain its functionality.
Despite the fact that ready-made installations of crucian carp killers are sold in stores, making it yourself allows you to choose exactly the materials and characteristics that will ensure the best result.
Homemade rigs can also differ in the length of the base, the size of the hooks and the length of the leaders, and even the number of springs, but we offer the option that really catches fish.
Expert opinion
Vladimir Poltoranin
Fisherman - expert
The length of the equipment should not exceed 40 centimeters, otherwise it will get confused when casting and create a lot of inconvenience. The same applies to the size of the springs, because pacifiers that are too heavy and also filled with bait are very inconvenient and get tangled both when casting and when playing fish.