Types and structure of gear
There are two types of nipple fishing tackle. The first type of equipment is made in the form of a spring. The fishing trap is designed for catching crucian carp and crucian carp. It can have from 3 to 5 hooks - it depends on the desire of the fisherman.
In specialized stores you can purchase a ready-made metal spring, and only then attach a sinker and a certain number of hooks to it. Also available for sale are professionally assembled nipples. The principle of operation of such a trap is to fill the tackle with bait, which is not immediately washed away with water, but dissolves at the casting point. Thus, a lot of bait mixture is saved. As mentioned above, 3, 4 or 5 hooks can be tied to the spring, which are suitable for baiting and catching medium or large river fish.
The “pacifier” can be attached to the fishing rod with a fishing line or placed on a movable mount. The second option allows the spiral to “walk” along the gear. Movement limiters are small beads or slings. A “nipple” made from a spring allows you to create a cloud of bait in the water and thus attract a large number of fish.
The second type of fishing feeder is a plug nipple. It is made independently. Lids from milk containers, juice bottles or water bottles are suitable for this. Holes are made in it for hooks. Be sure to attach a lead sinker to the cork.
Some fishermen use a “nipple” together with a donka. It performs two functions at once - a feeder and a sinker. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the thickness of the fishing line of the selected bottom tackle. It should be no less than 0.3 mm. The filling of the feeder is selected depending on the type of fish that you plan to hunt.
Regardless of what tackle you use, the “nipple” copes equally effectively with self-hooking fish, because the hooks are hidden inside the feed. It should be remembered that this is not sports equipment.
Regardless of what tackle you use, the “nipple” copes equally effectively with self-hooking fish, because the hooks are hidden inside the feed. It should be remembered that this is not sports equipment.
Spoon
The basis is a simple tablespoon, or a piece of sheet metal suitable in size and shape. The handle of the spoon is carefully cut off, and the edges are carefully processed with sandpaper. Any hangnail, even invisible to the eye, can tear the fishing line.
A hole is drilled in the center of the workpiece for attaching the load to the outside. Another 6 holes are drilled around the perimeter. Two at opposite sharp ends and two on each side of the flat ends.
Wire is threaded through the holes on the flat sides. On the working side it should form a small arc that will hold the bait in the feeder. From the back side the wire can be twisted or pressed with a lead plate.
The main line is attached to one hole in the sharp side. The first leash with a hook is tied to the hole on the opposite side. The rest are attached directly to the wire arches.
Instead of arcs, the wire can be given the appearance of a spring
All three types of “pacifiers” are easy enough to make that you can do it at home without any difficulty.
The attractant can be added at any stage. The main thing is that it is evenly distributed throughout the entire mass of bait.
What is a pacifier
By nipple (nipple, sucker, sucker, etc.) professional and amateur fishermen mean a special tackle used for baiting and hooking crucian carp, as well as other bottom-dwelling fish of freshwater bodies. It is one of the varieties of feeder equipment and the so-called “donkey” with some characteristic differences. Its basis is a small, often miniature feeding container, weighted with a load, with several leashes and hooks.
This device works quite simply - the container is filled with bait, into which hooks on leashes are hidden, and then the tackle is thrown into the reservoir. Further, the design works on the principle of a suction bait. Due to the characteristic dragging of food by carp fish, the crucian carp also absorbs a small hook along with complementary foods. After this, the angler just needs to get the fish. This method of fishing makes it possible to achieve a good catch not only simply, but also on almost any body of water.
This device works quite simply - the container is filled with bait, into which hooks on leashes are hidden, and then the tackle is thrown into the reservoir. Further, the design works on the principle of a suction bait. Due to the characteristic dragging of food by carp fish, the crucian carp also absorbs a small hook along with complementary foods. After this, the angler just needs to get the fish. This method of fishing makes it possible to achieve a good catch not only simply, but also on almost any body of water.
Brief description of pacifiers
Fishing gear constantly underwent changes, modernized and became more catchy. And if we talk about the nipple , then it is one of the most effective fishing tools that demonstrate good performance under a wide variety of conditions. The invention was created for the passive capture of bream, crucian carp and other species of fish living in our reservoirs. A distinctive feature of this device is the ability to catch large prey, since small fish are simply not able to swallow bait and a large hook. The pacifier can also be used for places where there is very little current or none at all.
The high chances of catching a real trophy are due to the operating principle of the gear, which sinks directly to the bottom - directly into the “home” of large fish. And making a device with your own hands is incredibly simple, because all you need to do is find a suitable feeder, fill it with bait, and also equip it with hooks and leashes. Good ready-made solutions are available at any retail outlet, although real fishing masters do not accept purchased products, because they know how to make a pacifier with their own hands, believing that the homemade version is much better than even the most expensive store-bought one.
The principle of catching carp on a nipple (or any other fish) remains extremely simple: sharp hooks are placed along with the bait, and the inhabitant of the depths, carried away by the aroma of food, greedily swallows it, not noticing how he finds himself in a trap.
Tackle
There are no special requirements here.
- Rod. When fishing at short distances, any stick of the required length will do. If you intend to cast long distances, it is better to take a spinning rod with a length of 2.5 to 3.5 meters.
- Coil. Any, easy to use.
- Fishing line. At close range, mono fishing line with a thickness of 0.3-0.4 mm works well. At the far end, it is better to use braided line, which better transmits the bite signal and allows you to hook without taking extra steps back.
- Leashes. There is only one requirement for them - their length should not exceed 6 cm.
- Hooks. No. 3-5 with a short fore-end.
The “pacifier” itself can be purchased in specialized stores already equipped, but most fishermen prefer to make them with their own hands.
Types of devices
Currently, there are several main types of pacifiers:
- Pacifier-feeder on a spring. It is a common spring in the fishing world, which can have different sizes. The product is highly convenient, because when filling it with bait, the fisherman can be sure that all the internal contents will dissolve in the place where it is needed. To make the nipple more functional for fishing in strong currents, the spring is often equipped with lead.
- Pacifier plug. The advantage of this tool is the effect of self-hooking prey, due to which even the most cunning and cautious underwater inhabitants find themselves hooked. The tackle cannot be used for sport fishing.
Both varieties are equally popular, so if you don’t know which option to choose, try testing two at once, and then choose the one most suitable for your fishing conditions.
Varieties
This concept is very relative, since it is based only on what is used as a feeder. The principle of fishing and the actions of the fisherman while fishing do not change at all.
The appearance of the 'pacifier' and the materials from which it is made do not affect the bite.
There are three most common varieties:
- Cork.
- Spring.
- Spoon.
The imagination of some fishermen tells them other options, but these time-tested ones, which do not require any improvements, work great and, if handled correctly, will ensure the capture of good crucian carp, and possibly carp.
Preparing for fishing
You can use the pacifier with any type of fishing rod , for example, a spinning rod, or a simple float rod. Of course, maximum fishing convenience is possible when using a feeder rod with a good spinning reel, because this option allows you to cast the bait far and successfully retrieve large prey from the reservoir.
The optimal length of the blank varies in the range of 2.5-3.5 meters, and the reel must meet high build quality and reliability. As for the equipment, any options are used here, because they all imply the presence of a feeder, short leashes and sharp hooks that are hidden inside the structure along with the food.
As a fishing line, it is preferable to use a monofilament product with a diameter of 0.3−0.4 millimeters. Braided cords also work well, which significantly increase the number of bites and protect the fisherman from unexpected large prey falling off the hook.
The main key to successful nipple fishing is the correct choice of a promising place. It is also important to secure the bait wisely, using a number of fishing tricks.
Choice of bait
The success of nipple fishing largely depends on bait. Only high-quality food can interest fish, and this is the main condition for a good bite. Often, all kinds of vegetable mixtures with boiled cereals are used for this. In this case, the main requirement is for the consistency of such porridge. In order for fish to be caught without any problems, the bait must be uniform, soft, but dense and not stringy.
Find out also how to deliciously cook crucian carp in the oven.
The best basis for bait are the following cereals:
- corn-wheat;
- millet;
- pea-semolina.
To achieve the required density, the base is thoroughly mixed with crushed breadcrumbs. At the same time, all kinds of flavorings are added (1:10). Anise oil, cocoa, ground coffee, vanillin, and oilseed cake work best for this purpose.
Tips for Effective Rigging
When planning to go fishing with a nipple, decide in advance on the appropriate equipment . You can use any existing varieties, as long as they are reliable and effective:
- The first option involves the use of “moving” equipment. To perform it, you need to take an 80-centimeter piece of fishing line and make a loop based on it. Then the inside of the spring should be covered with a PVC pipe and a fishing line should be stretched. In the upper part, it remains to tie a loop, which must be attached to the locking ring using a carabiner. As a result, you will be able to create a good floating feeder.
- The second option, called “blind” equipment, is particularly simple in terms of implementation. It is enough to attach several leashes equipped with hooks to the feeder, and securely tie the feeder itself to the main fishing line. Then they stuff the bait into it and hide all the hooks.
Equipment "pacifiers"
It is even easier to equip the tackle or put it into working condition. The bait is stuffed into the feeder, and the hooks are sunk into it. You can attach small round pieces of foam to them or even attach some kind of animal bait. Whether the point of the hook sticks out does not matter.
The second version of the “nipple” equipment has its own nuances. A portion of bait is placed in the “nipple” a little more than half. Hooks are carefully inserted into it. Then they are closed with another portion of bait. In this case, it is recommended to make small indentations in the places where the hooks are placed.
Recipe for good bait
When choosing bait, you can use store-bought products, for example, so-called crucian or carp killers, but it is much wiser to try to prepare it yourself . By the way, some homemade porridges are so versatile that bream, carp, and any other peaceful fish bite perfectly on them. An example is the following recipe:
- Take 3 cups of water and pour into a saucepan, bringing to a boil.
- Add a glass of peas and a spoonful of soda to the boiling liquid to more effectively dissolve the component.
- Half an hour after adding the previous ingredient, add 2/3 cup of millet grits, and after waiting for it to boil, add the same amount of corn grits. During the cooking process, the mixture must be stirred to avoid burning. If you miss this, it will turn into a useless compound.
- At the last stage, pour 4 tablespoons of sugar into the saucepan.
Also popular is a unique bait mixture based on bread, flour, potatoes and vegetable oil.
So, first you need to boil the potatoes and macadamia, and then grind them into small particles in an electric meat grinder. After this, they are diluted with the pulp of black bread and vegetable oil. The composition is thoroughly mixed until a thick consistency is formed, which can be stuffed into the spring. If fishing will take place in an unfamiliar place, and the habits of the local fish are unknown to you, it is better to prepare two different mixtures so that you can experiment.
Lure
There are even more varieties of bait used when catching crucian carp using the nipple. They are mostly made by fishermen themselves, and those bought in specialized stores must be supplemented with the necessary components, depending on the preferences of the fish in a given body of water.
The difference from bait, which is used in feeder fishing, is that for the “nipple” the consistency of the bait should be more viscous. If the bait from the feeder feeder must be washed out relatively quickly in order to attract fish from a long distance and keep it at the selected point, then with the “nipple” it is somewhat different.
A strong aroma (anise, garlic) works mainly to attract fish. The bait itself must stay in the feeder long enough for the crucian carp to come up and start sucking on it.
The so-called fishing clay is best suited for these purposes. It is made as follows:
- Boiled 200 gr. Grind corn kernels in a blender.
- Add 200 gr. rye flour and mix thoroughly.
- Add water if necessary to prevent the dough from thickening too much.
- Divide the resulting mass into two plastic bags.
- Place the bags in boiling water and cook for 20-25 minutes.
- Take out the bags and open them to let the dough cool.
- Transfer the dough into clean bags and tie it tightly so that it does not become airy or dry out.
The attractant can be added at any stage. The main thing is that it is evenly distributed throughout the entire mass of bait.
In spring, crucian carp prefers pungent odors. In summer - sweets Cooking semolina for crucian carp (video)
Another option for bait with semolina:
- Gently pour semolina into boiling water, stirring constantly.
- Continuously stirring, bring the mixture to a homogeneous consistency.
- After this, the container with the resulting dough must be wrapped and allowed to brew for half an hour.
- An attractant is added to the cooled mass.
- The resulting bait should be placed in a plastic bag and tied tightly.
Bait is also made from:
- Boiled potatoes.
- Breadcrumbs.
- Oatmeal.
- Steamed millet.
In addition to flavoring, it is recommended to add a raw chicken egg to these mixtures for binding.
Using baits and baits
For fishing using a nipple, you can use almost any bait that can interest peaceful fish. Among them:
- A maggot or blowfly larva with a characteristic white body color. Most often, this bait is taken for catching crucian carp, as it demonstrates good performance throughout the summer period. To successfully deliver the creature to a pond, find a glass jar in advance, place several larvae in it and cover the container with a damp cloth. Try to protect it from contact with direct sunlight, otherwise it will lead to their death.
- Bloodworm. It is characterized by many delicious qualities, but it is especially interesting to fish for it only in the spring, since in the summer most species of peaceful fish switch to plant foods. Fishermen treat bait with special respect because of its beautiful game and specific smell, which attracts even the laziest prey.
- Earthworm. Demonstrates excellent efficiency almost all summer. To ensure successful fishing, you should choose large-sized earthworms. Their lifespan is very long, and for storage it is enough to take a rag bag, put a little damp earth there, and then the bait itself. Iron cans are not suitable for this purpose.
- Semolina chatter. A highly effective attachment, however, it does not work in every body of water. Bread pellets, which are created on the basis of Borodino bread, with a characteristic aroma, are famous for a similar effect.
When preparing baits and bait mixtures, do not forget to use time-tested flavors. For the porridges used, almost any natural scents that fish like are suitable. Among them: honey, garlic, vanilla, anise, strawberry, cinnamon and dill. If you want to increase your chances of successful fishing, try to experiment with tastes, because some inhabitants of the depths can be extremely selective and capricious.
When using a pacifier, it is not necessary to hide the hooks under the nozzle. They can be completely naked, but in order not to cause increased caution in the fish, it is better to equip them with a foam ball.
Catching crucian carp on a nipple
Content:
Experienced fishermen know that crucian carp is a cautious fish, and it is not easy to catch it with a fishing rod. In the summer she spends all her days buried in the mud. At this time there is plenty of food in the reservoirs, and silver beauties are extremely reluctant to bite on a hook. To enjoy a rich catch, you need to think in advance about what gear to take with you. One way to improve the bite is to use a method such as catching crucian carp on a nipple. This equipment is suitable for passive fishing for large fish in water bodies of different regions. It has proven itself especially well on lakes and ponds with standing water.
The design is very simple and highly effective. It is a feeder with a dough-like treat in which hooks are hidden. Crucian carp loves to suck on soft, sticky food, so it will not refuse a tasty-smelling treat. Therefore, the tackle is also called “smoktukha”. Fishermen invented the feeder 50 years ago, and to this day it is considered one of the most effective.
Bait for nipples
To charge the pacifier, any porridge, whether you cook it yourself or buy it in a store, is suitable. At the same time, you can bait the hook with:
- Maggot;
- Dough;
- Dung worm;
- Mastyrka;
- Styrofoam;
- Barley;
- Corn.
Crucian carp is a rather finicky fish, therefore, when going fishing, it is better to take several baits and, as a result of experimentation, choose exactly the one that the crucian likes most.
First you need to find a place to feed, after which the nipple is filled with porridge, bait is attached to the hooks and the tackle is thrown into the water.
Which gear should you prefer?
Fishing with a nipple can be done close to the shore. In this case, a fishing rod with a blind rig can be selected. However, experienced fishermen advise paying attention to the donka for crucian carp with a reel. In this case, you can count on long-distance casting of tasty treats in the form of bait. As for the fishing rod, it can be anything. It is desirable that the element be compact, but at the same time dense. Everything else is not significant.
There are fishermen who, using a nipple for crucian carp, use a monolithic spinning rod, the length of which is about 1.5 meters. However, if possible, it is better to take a telescopic fishing rod made of fiberglass, the size of which is from two meters with dough to forty grams. Due to the long whip, it will be possible to make a longer cast.
Important! If a fisherman wants to fish further from the shore, then he cannot do without a rod more than three meters long.
Speaking about the coil, it is worth noting that you can use any one at your own discretion. If you decide to use inertial, then it is advisable to choose a rotary one.
In cases where there is a possibility that carp may start to bite, it is recommended to stock up on a large and powerful reel.
If we talk about the main line, it can be either braided or monofilament. Usually fishermen do not take more than 50 meters. As for the diameter of the element, you can safely take products with a cross section of 0.2-0.3 mm. Braided fishing line has higher sensitivity, but it also costs more.
As a bite alarm, you can use either an electronic special alarm or a bell.
The nipple for catching crucian carp can be used in coastal thickets, on the boundaries of holes, near the edges, as well as in areas where there are sharp changes in depth. In order to know exactly where to fish, you should use a stepped spinning line, a marker float or an echo sounder.
How to make mastyrka quickly, cheaply and at home
There are many recipes. Perhaps the simplest one will be described here, but it definitely works for crucian carp.
We will need a stove, a saucepan, water, oatmeal and black bread (any kind).
Put the water on the fire. To understand what to do, let’s immediately designate oatmeal to bread in a 1:1 ratio. While the water is boiling, you can prepare the mixture. Pour oatmeal into an empty (without water) pan. Next we need the pulp of black bread (without crusts). We take out the pulp, break it into small pieces, approximate size, 1 cm squares, add them to the oatmeal and mix.
When the water boils, the most important moment comes. Hot water should be added to our mixture gradually, a little at a time. If we over-moisten, the mastyrka will not stay in the nipple and we will be left without crucian carp. Adding water, knead the dough each time, checking the consistency. Mastyrka should be like plasticine, the stickiness of black bread will easily provide this for us.
Making your own cork pacifier
To install a homemade cork pacifier , you should use the following materials and tools:
- Drill or nail.
- A five-ruble coin or a lead plate.
- Wire of small thickness.
- Winding ring.
- Bottle cap.
Before you start assembling the gear, you need to take a lead sheet and cut out a circle from it that matches the diameter of the lid. If you cannot find lead, any metal washer with a suitable diameter will do. For example, you can take several coins and connect them together. Try to do this before you start making the pacifier.
Using a drill or large nail, make matching holes in the plug and washer. After this, they must be connected using a thin wire.
Next you need to take an awl or thin nail and make holes on the sides of the cork. They will be intended for fixing leashes. Also in one of the holes there is a winding ring.
It is very good if proven braid is used as a fishing line. It is characterized by a large breaking load and increased strength. At the same time, such a product retains flexibility and improves the comfort of catching prey.
"Nipple - plug"
A "nipple" plug is a plastic plug drilled through the center to load the rig with a small amount of lead. Lead is needed so that when the feeder falls into the water, it will lie on the bottom with the hooks facing up. This model can be used both in still water and in currents, thanks to the lead weight. The principle of the “nipples” is not to feed the fish, but to attract them to the fishing site by slowly eroding the food.
Dry bulk food cannot be used in such equipment; the texture should be sticky and viscous for the longest stay at the bottom. It is good to use such baits as mastyrka from peas and semolina, semolina, flavored plasticine for fishing with a different smell.
The design of this feeder is simple: after weighing it down with a weight, you need to make 4-5 holes for leashes with hooks.
It is very important to take a responsible approach to the choice of leader material. This can be braided fishing line or strong monofilament. Hooks can be used in different sizes. Durable and practical hooks are produced by MARUTO in sizes No. 6-8.
Fishing leashes should be no more than 5 centimeters in length and thinner than the main fishing line. If it gets caught on a reed or snag, only one hook will break, and the entire equipment will be preserved. To connect the “nipple” feeder to the main fishing line, a swivel with a carabiner attached to it is used. This assembly will speed up the dismantling process if the feeder fails, and will free the main line from twisting.
The process of catching bream
It’s no secret that with the help of a nipple you can catch not only crucian carp and carp, but also bream . This deep-dweller grows from 1 to 3 kilograms, although fishermen often manage to get 5-kilogram trophies out of the water. In fact, fishing for this fish is not much different from carp, but choosing bait requires a slightly different approach. Instead of classic barley, you need to use the so-called pea “monastery”. Peas are a favorite food item for bream, so it will not be able to swim past such a delicacy.
Foam should be used as bait, preferably with a flavor. It is important to understand that bream can be found not only in holes and depressions, but also in the middle layers of water. This is how it differs from carp.
What is a pacifier
By nipple (nipple, sucker, sucker, etc.) professional and amateur fishermen mean a special tackle used for baiting and hooking crucian carp, as well as other bottom-dwelling fish of freshwater bodies. It is one of the varieties of feeder equipment and the so-called “donkey” with some characteristic differences. Its basis is a small, often miniature feeding container, weighted with a load, with several leashes and hooks.
This device works quite simply - the container is filled with bait, into which hooks on leashes are hidden, and then the tackle is thrown into the reservoir. Further, the design works on the principle of a suction bait. Due to the characteristic dragging of food by carp fish, the crucian carp also absorbs a small hook along with complementary foods. After this, the angler just needs to get the fish. This method of fishing makes it possible to achieve a good catch not only simply, but also on almost any body of water.
Did you know? Fishing is considered one of the oldest human activities. It was widespread already during the Paleolithic, and the oldest artifacts date back at least 40 thousand years.
Advantages and disadvantages of gear
Like any device or technical object, a fishing nipple has all sorts of advantages and various disadvantages. They allow us to fully characterize all the features of its application, as well as its feasibility in a particular case. Therefore, not only novice fishermen, but also professionals should definitely get acquainted with this information.
- The undoubted advantages of such equipment are the following:
- high efficiency;
- prostate in use and care;
- the possibility of catching crucian carp in aquatic thickets;
- allows you to successfully catch fish even at night;
- the use of a nipple eliminates the need to pre-feed the fish;
- allows you to catch not only crucian carp, but also other carp and bottom species.
- The pacifier also has some disadvantages:
- not suitable for bodies of water with strong currents;
- it cannot be used in sport fishing;
- the need for additional purchase and installation of a bell;
- the tackle only works at depths of more than 1 m;
- You need bait of the right consistency.
Fishing seasons
Fishing for crucian carp with a spring is carried out mainly in the summer, when the fish reduces activity after spawning and needs to be offered something more tasty and interesting.
Therefore, it can be argued that it is advisable to start using the pacifier at the end of May and end in October.
In early spring, before spawning, crucian carp does not need large portions of porridge, preferring mainly animal food; the same is observed when the water cools in autumn. Fishing in October requires a minimum of bait, or is carried out without it at all.
"Nipple" - spring
One of the first feeders in fishing began to use nipple-springs. This equipment varies in shape and size. The most common are oval and conical springs.
Type of gear installation:
Sliding installation along the main line
Blind equipment.
Blind installation is quite simple. The main fishing line and leashes are tied to the spring. To slide the spring along the main line, a plastic tube with rounded edges is used, and rubber stoppers are used to fix the equipment.
You can buy a nipple spring in fishing stores, or you can make it yourself using copper or brass wire.
Selection of equipment
You can experiment with options for installing equipment for the zakidushka. There are several ways to diversify the usual bait: make a sliding sinker or feeder, choose a “helicopter”, “inlight” rig and the like. For throwing on an elastic band, it is recommended to choose dense rubber without cracks or abrasions. It must be regularly inspected for damage and replaced from time to time. The length of the leashes plays an important role; it is selected according to the size of the hook and the type of fish.
Hooks
The size of the hook depends on the fish you plan to catch. For crucian carp, hooks with a rounded hook and a short shank are best suited. The optimal size is hooks No. 9–11. The length of the leash should be 20–40 cm, diameter - up to 0.16 mm.
Sinker
Installation is carried out in two ways: the role of the load is played by the feeder and directly by the sliding sinker itself. The universal weight of the weight used is from 40 to 60 g. This equipment is excellent for standing reservoirs, rivers with slow and medium flow.
Feeders
For fishing with bait, a necessary condition is the creation of a feeder.
To do this you need to do the following:
- Cut the mesh into a rectangle shape and roll it into a tube.
- Cut a piece from the lead plate that will be suitable in weight, tighten the ring for the fishing line and tighten the wire into the bend. Create a hole in the double strip for attaching a screw.
- Insert the mesh frame, give it the necessary weight and attach it to the body.