Methods for rigging a bottom fishing rod. Bottom fishing rods How to make gear for bottom fishing
The design of the bottom tackle is extremely simple. The fishing line is wound on a spool or reel, has a large sinker, above which there are several leashes with bait.
The presence of a large sinker is necessary for long casts by hand and holding the bait motionless on the bottom even with a strong river current.
LINE FOR TACKLE
When casting, significant loads are placed on the bottom tackle, so it is recommended to choose a fairly thick fishing line. The minimum diameter is 0.35 millimeters. Since fishing with bottom tackle primarily involves large-sized trophies, the use of thick and strong fishing line will allow you to confidently catch even large and strong fish.
SELECTION OF SINTER
The optimal shape of a sinker for a donkey is a teardrop shape, which allows for the longest cast. The weight of the cargo can range from 30 to 100 grams. It should be noted that heavy sinkers are easier to cast, so they are more suitable for fishing in fast-flowing rivers. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the greater the weight of the sinker, the more noise it makes when entering the water. Consequently, cautious fish may leave the fishing spot for a long time. Therefore, if possible, we recommend using weights weighing 30–50 grams.
SELECTION OF LEASERS
The main trophy when fishing with a donk is a large fish, so the angler must choose appropriate large and high-quality hooks. It is optimal to use hooks with a self-hooking effect; in some cases, even large-sized doubles are used.
CHOOSE BAITS
Bait selection is one of the components successful fishing fish. The choice of one bait or another directly depends on the fish you are going to catch and the characteristics of a particular body of water. It is also necessary to take into account the presence of a current at the fishing site. Remember that the best bait will become a familiar food for fish. This is why using expensive feeder attachments on a remote river or lake will not give the desired effect. The fish are simply not accustomed to such a bait, and will refuse to peck at it.
Try to expand the selection of attachments used as much as possible. These can be various cereals, peas, grains, dough or attachments of animal origin. It would be optimal if you use several leashes with different attachments on the donk at once. This way you can significantly increase your chances of catching. By determining the preferred bait for fish in a particular body of water, you will subsequently be able to catch the largest and rarest trophy specimens.
FISHING ON THE DONKA
As a rule, anglers who fish with bottom gear use not one, but several bottoms at once. This allows them to occupy a large area of the shore, which increases the chances of catching.
A donkey reel or a reel with a small spinning rod must be carefully secured to the shore. Since fish can bite sharply and intensely, an unsecured reel can simply be pulled into the water. If possible, it is recommended to braid the fishing line behind bottom snags on the shore or small trees.
When choosing a fishing area, you need to give preference to places without snags and algae. Also not recommended is a rocky bottom, where the likelihood of snags increases. The optimal time for fishing is evening, night and morning. It is recommended to install donks in the evening and check them in the middle of the night.
In most cases, there are no difficulties with casting. It is necessary to swing the heavy load like a pendulum and release the fishing line. Pre-wind the required length of fishing line from the reel and lay it in neat rings. It is quite possible that initially you will have some difficulties with casting, but after a little training you will be able to cast the sinker 50 meters or more.
USING DONKS WITH RUBBER SHOCK ABSORBERS
Many anglers, when using a donkey, have encountered the problem of silent casting. The solution to this problem was the use of special rubber shock absorbers, which made it possible to silently make repeated casts.
Advantages of donks with rubber shock absorbers:
- You can deliver bait to one place you feed.
- Completely silent repeated casts.
- Possibility of the so-called bait game.
- There is the possibility of spot feeding.
- A large number of leashes on the donk increases the chances of success.
Among the shortcomings, it is only necessary to note the fact that the rubber quickly breaks down and needs to be replaced.
This gear consists of:
- Safety line with a cross section of 0.5 millimeters.
- A heavy sinker on a nylon meter leash.
- Shock-absorbing rubber with a length of about 10 meters.
- Lines with leashes at a distance of several meters from each other.
- The main line with a diameter of 0.35 millimeters.
Possible difficulties may arise only when casting the sinker for the first time. In this case, we can recommend that you use a boat that will allow you to silently lower a heavy load to the desired fishing spot. Don’t forget to tie a foam float to a heavy sinker, which will allow you to retrieve the tackle if it breaks. After finishing your fishing, you can safely row your boat to the foam float and take out your gear.
Before you start fishing, you need to properly prepare your gear. A donkey with an elastic band has two reels, on one of which there is a fishing line with an elastic band, and on the second there is a safety rope. It is necessary to place the reel at a distance of 5 meters from each other. Calculate the required number of turns of fishing line that you will need for an accurate cast. It is necessary to lay the turns of the line in such a way that when casting, the upper turns begin to unwind, which will avoid the possibility of tangling the line. Do not forget about the presence of insurance, which unwinds several meters more than the main fishing line with an elastic band.
“Remember that it is necessary to place a fishing line with bait after casting a donkey with an elastic band”
The connection is made using carabiners, and after fishing is completed, the carabiner is unfastened. All you have to do with the help of insurance is to get the cargo out of the water. Store elastic rigs on separate reels. This will ensure its safety and durability.
SPINNING RODS FOR DONKA
Initially, the classic donka was an exclusively hand-made tackle. However, later spinning rods, the reel of which was actually used instead of a reel, became very popular.
With minor modifications, the donkey spinning rod began to be called a feeder. This type of tackle is very popular today and allows you to catch a variety of large fish. The popularity of the feeder is explained by the ease of fishing, the availability of gear and the ability to catch maximum trophies. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account that the feeder is a rather specific piece of equipment, which in unfamiliar conditions on new lakes and rivers may not give any results at all. But in those places where anglers often fish with a feeder, its effectiveness is at a high level.
Using a spinning rod for donkey allows you to significantly simplify the process of throwing bait. In this case, there is no need to use expensive reels, which are necessary for classic spinning. We also note that the process of landing fish has been significantly simplified. If previously, when using a reel, everything actually had to be done manually, then with the use of a spinning rod and reel you can optimally catch even the strongest fish. The risk of fish falling off the hook is reduced, since you can optimally select the line tension when landing fish.
About 50 meters of fishing line with a thickness of 0.3 meters is wound onto the reel. The leashes are attached to the main line using a carabiner, and the heavy weight makes it easy to cast to the maximum possible distance. In total, when purchasing Chinese reels, the total cost of the gear can be several tens of dollars.
DONKS WITH FEEDER
When casting far, which is practiced when fishing with a bottom, the angler may encounter the problem of baiting fish. How to accurately deliver bait to the site of an abandoned donkey? As a result, the idea was born to modernize the gear, which received a small feeder attached with a carabiner.
SPRING
Many fishermen made primitive homemade feeders from small springs. Today, such spring feeders are effectively used for bottom fishing.
The main object of fishing with spring feeders is white fish. Such fish include bream, bream and carp. In rare cases, crucian carp and silver carp are caught using springs. The choice of bait and bait for fishing largely depends on the specific characteristics of the reservoir and the preferences of the local fish.
FEEDER
In specialized stores you can find dozens of different models of feeders, which differ in their weight and shape. They are designed for various fishing conditions and various purposes. However, they are united by the fact that the main purpose of the feeder is to attract fish.
Such feeders are very popular when fishing with a feeder. You can make your own feeder from metal wire and lead. You can also purchase ready-made varieties of feeders in specialized stores. Their cost is not high, but at the same time they are effective and allow you to lure fish efficiently, thereby increasing the chances of success.
Remember to use the same bait on the bait and on the hook. This will allow you to successfully catch even the most cautious and large fish.
BITE ALARM FOR DONKI
Bells
For many years, the most popular bite alarm for bottom rods was a simple bell. It was attached to the sagging main line directly at the reel or rod. We can say that such bells are the best option for gear without a rod.
Electronic bite alarm
As new technologies emerged, mechanical bells began to improve. Special waterproof electronic alarms appeared that emitted a characteristic sound when biting. Also, such alarms were equipped with light indication. The only drawback of such electronic bite alarms is their relatively high cost.
Bells
Bells are a rather interesting version of a bite alarm, which is located at the tip of the fishing rod. The only drawback of such a signaling device is the lack of a bite in cases where the fish, after taking the bait, goes to the angler. In such cases, the bells do not signal a bite, and the line simply sags.
Modernized versions of bells have a special niche for installing light indicators. This will allow you to successfully use them for night fishing.
Rod as a bite alarm
It is possible to use the rod itself as an excellent signaling device. When a large fish bites, the tip of the fishing rod begins to bend and tremble. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that such alarms are only suitable for daylight hours and require constant attention from the fisherman to the fishing rod.
DONKA EQUIPMENT
Today there are dozens, if not hundreds of different equipment for donkeys. It is simply impossible to describe them all. Let's focus on the most common and reliable options.
The simplest option
Despite its simplicity of equipment, this option is perfect for fishing for the largest trophy fish. In this case, only one node is used, so the strength of the equipment is beyond doubt.
We attach a sliding sinker in the form of a teardrop shape or an olive to the fishing line. To fix the sinker, you must use a silicone clamp. Remember that the stopper must be fixed firmly and rigidly enough. When casting the tackle, a significant load is placed on the stopper, but at the same time it must maintain its position. We can recommend that you use a soft lead pellet, which is clamped on the fishing line, as such a reliable stopper. A hook is tied to the end of the fishing line without a leash. It is also possible to rig it using a leash, which is attached through a swivel.
Equipment with spring
With equal success, a donkey rig with a spring is suitable for fishing with a rod and with hand casting. Equipment with a spring is especially effective when fishing in lakes and rivers with calm water.
The first option is a sliding donkey with a spring. 
In our case, we replace the sliding sinker of the donkey with a spring. Viscous porridge or peas are easily stuffed into the spring. The choice of bait directly depends on the type of fish and its specific preferences in your pond.
The advantage of sliding equipment is that the fish does not feel resistance when biting, which is necessary for catching cautious and large fish.
In the second version of the rig, short leashes are installed on the spring, which are recessed into the bait located in the spring. In fact, in this case, the bait is used as feeding and bait. 
The second option is perfect for catching bream and carp. In this version of the rig, the fish detects itself, and the fisherman only needs to pull it out of the water. We can recommend that you use braided fishing line with a thickness of 0.1 - 0.15 millimeters for leashes.
If you are fishing in a strong current or there are deep holes and a sharp change in depth, it is recommended to install flat sliding sinkers directly in front of the spring. Such a flat shape of the sinker will not allow it to be carried away by the current.
One of the first gears that man began to use for fishing, undoubtedly, became a bottom fishing rod. Its first modifications amaze, on the one hand, with their simplicity, and on the other, with their catchiness.
In some rural areas, today you can find fishermen who successfully catch various fish, both peaceful and predatory, with simple gear. We’ll talk about all the variety of donok fishing rods and the path of their development in today’s article.
Types of donks
A bottom fishing rod (donka) is a tackle designed for catching fish in the bottom layer of a reservoir. An important feature of the donkey is the static location of its equipment at a selected, often pre-fed point.
Donks are used to catch both peaceful fish and predatory fish, and often the equipment remains the same, only individual elements change. Therefore, we can talk about some versatility of this fishing rod.
Bottom rig for predatory fish: option for burbot or catfish.
Over the course of the fishing history of mankind, tackle has been constantly improved to suit changing fishing conditions and in connection with the modernization of the elements that make up the fishing rod. In our opinion, all bottom gear can be divided into the following types:
- classic donka zakidushka;
- donka supply;
- rubber;
- donka with a rod;
- half-bottom;
- feeder.
Zakidushka
The classic donka is, of course, a trick. It got its name from the method of delivering equipment to the fishing point. The equipment laid out on the shore is taken by the sinker and thrown into the water.
More simple fishing tackle impossible to come up with. Judge for yourself: to make such a fishing rod you will need:
- reel for storing equipment;
- a piece of strong fishing line;
- thinner vein for the leash;
- sinker;
- hook;
- bell or bell.
Attention! Donka zakidushka can optionally be equipped with a large number of hooks, however, using more than three pieces is very inconvenient in terms of working with tackle.
The equipment of the donkey depends on the type of fish that you plan to catch. In any case, the diameter of the main fishing line for donkey is recommended from 0.25 for still water bodies to 0.45 for fishing in the current.
The thickness of the leashes depends on the size of the intended trophy: from 0.10 millimeters for roach and crucian carp, to 0.30 for carp and carp. When hunting for a predator, it makes sense to use a metal leash, especially if there is a pike in the pond.
A small bell is the main bite indicator on a classic donk.
One of the simplest devices for predatory fish, both for fishing in the current and in a still body of water, is the postavusha. Its difference from a throw is in the method of delivering the equipment into the water.
The bait is brought to the fishing point by boat or brought in using waders or waders. The structure of the tackle is no different from the classic donkey: line, sinker, hook and reel.
The sinker on the hook is selected in such a way that it can hold the rig with live bait in the current.
– elastic band – is a modernization of a simple throw. Thanks to the use of an elastic stretch element, the fisherman has the opportunity to quickly manage the gear without removing it from the water. Now, after biting and landing fish, the equipment is always sent to the same point where it was previously.
In addition, it became possible to use in the equipment a large number of leashes with hooks, some anglers put up to ten pieces on peaceful fish and up to five on predators.
The diameter of the rubber shock absorber depends on the strength of the current in the reservoir and the weight of the intended prey.
The rigging of an elastic band for fishing is much more complex than that of a classic donkey. It consists of (sequentially, starting from the shore):
- a reel or short fishing rod with a reel for storing equipment;
- main line;
- garland insert with leashes;
- rubber shock absorber;
- nylon weight cord;
- cargo;
- buoy.
If it is necessary to slightly raise the bait above the bottom, in the presence of silt or grass, a float is added to the elastic equipment, which is installed at the end of the garland with leashes. And, of course, as in any donk, a bell is used to signal a bite.
This tackle is called this because it is mounted on a powerful spinning rod like a Chinese “crocodile” or a simple telescopic fishing rod up to four meters long. Which one to choose is up to each fisherman. Most often they take what is available and don’t bother.
In terms of the type of operation, this tackle is similar to a classic casting bait with the ability to cast bait further and more accurately.
To complete the gear you will need:
- rod for donkey;
- spinning reel with a size of 3000–5000 units;
- monofilament with a diameter of 0.25–0.30 millimeters;
- monofilament leader 0.10–0.18 millimeters depending on fishing conditions;
- sinker or feeder;
- hooks depending on the bait used.
Like any other donkey, tackle based on a spinning rod is also equipped with a bell.
In this type of donk it became possible to use modern rigs, which we also use in feeder fishing. At the same time, “folk” bottom fishing rod rigs are also popular:
- makushatnik - a piece of cake on a flat weight;
- pacifier - a spring stuffed with porridge with several hooks;
- garland - a set of several leashes between the main line and the sinker-feeder;
- predatory equipment, including metal leashes and treble hooks.
On a pond, the spinning rod is placed at an angle of 45 degrees, resting on a flyer or other stand. Most often, fishing is carried out simultaneously with 3-4 fishing rods.
The use of a pendulum signaling device in spinning rods is very effective; it goes well with both a bell and a chemical firefly for night fishing.
Half-bottom
The next step towards feeder gear was the so-called half-bottom - gear that combines bottom mounting and a float as a signaling device. This fishing rod has found application on the flow of small rivers, where it is a very effective fishing tool.
Unlike a float rod, in a half-bottom the float performs exclusively the function of a signaling device.
In principle, this tackle differs little from a donkey with a spinning rod, with the exception of the method of visual control. However, it should be noted that usually half-bottom fishing is carried out at a shorter distance from the shore.
Feeder
Currently, the pinnacle of perfection of bottom gear is the feeder. It has absorbed the best from each type of donkey and is a leader according to the following criteria:
- catchability;
- installation options;
- versatility of application;
- range;
- casting accuracy;
- fishing efficiency;
- sensitivity of the gear.
Classic feeder tackle consists of the following elements:
- special rods;
- spinning reel;
- braided cord in combination with a monofilament shock leader;
- equipment;
- feeders or sinkers in the version of a running bottom;
- leash with hooks.
For reference! A short feeder rod used for running fishing is called a picker.
In feeder fishing during daylight hours, bells or bells are not used; the bite is observed visually using a flexible tip - a quiver tip. For night fishing, rods are equipped with additional sound and light alarms.
A little about bottom rigs
Depending on the fishing conditions and the intended catch, the equipment of the bottom fishing rod also changes, but it does not greatly depend on the type of fishing rod. In total, there are several main options for bottom installations:
- for catching a predator;
- the same with a metal leash;
- multi-hook garland;
- feeder equipment;
- montages with smokestacks.
Predator mounting
To catch predatory bottom fish, such as burbot or catfish, the following setup is used:
- a sinker of sufficient weight is tied to the end of the main fishing line with a diameter of 0.30–0.45 millimeters to hold the tackle in the current;
- Above the load, 30–50 centimeters, a leash 30–50 centimeters long with a hook for the selected bait is attached.
This installation is distinguished by the use of several leashes, which are made of fishing line braid or soft metal wire. Alternatively, a fluorocarbon or Kevlar elbow. A sinker is tied to the end of the main line, and leashes are attached above it at intervals of 40–60 centimeters.
When installing the tackle, it is important to make a line loop and place it in the tuck made on the stand. When biting, the pike will pull off the fishing line, the reserve of which is enough to protect the tackle from a break.
Garland
Garlands are used in elastic bands and spinning donks. They are a piece of strong fishing line with several thinner leads.
Attention! When installing the garland, observe the interval between fasteners. The distance between the leashes should exceed their double length.
Feeder installations
In English fishing rods and partly in spinning rods, modern feeder equipment is used:
- paternoster;
- Gardner loop;
- inline;
- helicopter;
- asymmetrical and symmetrical loops;
- installation with anti-twist.
Smoktuhi
A distinctive feature of these installations is the presence of three elements:
- nipples;
- sinkers;
- several leashes with hooks.
Smoktukhs are intended mainly for catching carp and carp, which love to savor the offered bait.
In this version of the smoktukha, the nipple is a spring into which some kind of porridge is stuffed.
Conclusion
This is how diverse the seemingly simple fishing tackle appeared before us. Read about how to make a donka with your own hands on our website.
Today we offer the topic: “how to make bottom tackle with your own hands” from professional fishermen. We tried to cover the topic as fully as possible. You can ask all questions in the comments after the article.
How to make a donka with your own hands correctly, fishing for a donka
In this article we will talk about how to make donkey rods for fishing and give the initial knowledge that a novice angler needs to master donkey rods. We will tell you about the usual bottom equipment on a reel, about bottom equipment with a shock absorber, about spinning bottom equipment and installation of equipment that is needed for bottom fishing.The bottom rod is one of the oldest fishing inventions, having served us for fishing for probably more than a hundred years, and today there is a lot of photo and video material on fishing and equipping a bottom rod. The bulk of fish in our reservoirs feed on all kinds of worms that live in abundance on the bottom, so the main purpose of bottom gear is to catch fish on the bottom.
Classic bottom rig involves a piece of fishing line, wound on a reel, where a weight is attached at the end. A little higher from the weight there are several leashes with hooks.Typically, this equipment is used for fishing with large baits, because frequent casting requires a lot of experience and creates some inconvenience when fishing.
Due to high loads on the tackle during casting, the fishing line used for bottom equipment is thick, approximately 0.40 mm. Using a strong fishing line will protect the equipment from “shooting” the weight and will give you confidence when fishing for a trophy.
It is best to choose a drop-shaped weight with an eye, weighing 40-120 g. This streamlined shape will facilitate long casting. In ponds without a current, a 40 gram weight is quite enough, but for a current, increase the weight experimentally until the current carries the tackle away.Leashes should be equipped with a low line breaking load. The size is selected approximately the main thing is that it is convenient to cast and there is no tangling of the fishing line. Usually on donkeys the size of leashes is no more than 15-25 cm.
Since, as a rule, large fish are caught with this equipment, the hooks, naturally, are chosen quite large, and sometimes doubles are installed.Donkey hooks must be sharp and of high quality, with the ability to self-hook.
Often several hooks of different sizes are attached to the fishing line, this increases the likelihood of successful fishing.
First, let's say that in a fisherman's arsenal there should be not one equipment and a fishing rod, but several. Often this figure goes beyond a dozen rods. These fishermen usually occupy a very wide area of the shore, and place them every 4-8 meters.Carp and catfish are considered the main subject of donkey fishing, therefore, when attaching the reel, you must certainly take care of the rod being well secured so that when you come to check, you do not see an empty space. Often, if a large fish is expected to bite, this fixation is to wrap the rig around a tree.
The area of the reservoir where fishing and fishing will take place must be clear of underwater vegetation and without snags. Any bottom will do except stone. The most effective is night spot fishing, when the donka is placed in places where fish can approach. This may be a lonely tree hanging over a pond, a snag protruding from the pond, bushes near the shore, etc.Casting is done manually, by swinging a weight, according to the principle of a pendulum. Before casting, you need to unwind the required length of line from the reel, folding it in rings. Then rearrange it in the reverse order so that the tackle throws off the upper ring and not the lower one during casting. These simple steps will help prevent a beard.
In order not to spook the fish when they repeatedly cast the tackle, fishermen tie a piece of elastic to the fishing line; it silently pulls the bait into the pond and absorbs jerks.
There is no topical video for this article.
Advantages of bottom tackle with a shock absorber:
And these are not all the benefits of elastic bands. But the elastic quickly deforms due to prolonged exposure to water. Now about the “elastic band” itself.
This gear consists of:
- main thick line with a cross section of 0.40 mm;
- a fairly long section of fishing line with leashes (3-6 m);
- elastic bands about 8-12 m long;
- a weight on a meter-long nylon cord (to throw);
- insurance from fishing line with a diameter of 0.60 mm.
Difficulties in using this equipment appear only during the first cast. The weight must be thrown accurately and quite far. It doesn't always work out the first time.
Fishing with bottom gear is very diverse; novice fishermen mistakenly believe that only bottom-dwelling fish can be caught with bottom gear.
The bottom fishing rod has been subjected to a variety of modifications; the number of designs is very large; by the way, bottom tackle without a rod is also called a bottom fishing rod. And the use of the notorious elastic band is also considered bottom tackle.
With a rod
The undisputed leadership is held by the most traditional bottom tackle - this, and all its modifications. Not many people know that the “zakidushka” is the progenitor of the feeder and all fishing with a spinning rod.
Initially, the “cast” consisted of any fishing rod, at the end of which up to 100 meters of fishing line in a reel was attached, several leashes and a heavy sinker. If we add a sensitive top to this simple design, we get one that responds to bites from the most cautious and inconspicuous fish.
In addition, the feeder can be adjusted to catch fish according to the required weight, swapping quivertypes with different rigidities. Such devices are very useful when moving from a fishing spot on a small current to a quiet backwater.
Modernization of bottom tackle with a fishing rod does not stand still. Take, for example, anti-twisters, feeders, stoppers, loops and other well-known types of equipment. A modern fisherman, using all these techniques, can adapt his bottom tackle for successful fishing.
At the same time, you can adjust the rod not only by the presence of current in the reservoir; modern tuning includes soil and even weather conditions. In general, bottom tackle with a rod is the most versatile tool and best weapon fisherman
Without a rod
For fishing without a rod, in my opinion, the most popular method is the “rubber band”. - This is a very simple and therefore very convenient mechanism for catching fish.
The tackle consists of a long fishing line and a rubber hook, at the end of which a very heavy weight or just a brick is attached. The fishing line is equipped with leashes with a hook onto which the bait is attached.
The elastic band is very interesting and easy to use, and in terms of the amount of catch it will not yield to any position or any other gear.
In second place you can put the “ring” bottom tackle.
Using this equipment, you can only fish from a boat.
The operating principle is as follows: first of all, you need to lower a large feeder on a thick fishing line, equipped with a large sinker, to the bottom; the feeder will remain there throughout the entire fishing period.
Then, we lower the second thinner line with leashes through a special ring on the first line, deliver the hooks with bait to the location of the feeder and wait for the bite.
This method is attractive because you can constantly check the hooks and not waste time on bait.
But the downside is that we won’t be able to move from one place to another in search of something more fishy.
To use this fishing method, you need to thoroughly know the reservoir in order to place a feeder in the hole.
Snack equipment
To make the “trick” we will need;
- Strong fishing line;
- Sinker (lead);
- Leashes with hooks at the end;
- A bell or bite alarm.
The sinker for the “throwaway” can have a blind or sliding fastening, all of it is calculated on the spot depending on the magnitude of the current. Fishermen often use various metal parts weighing 200 grams or more as sinkers.
Leashes are made from the same strong fishing line, only not single, but braided; it is more pliable at depth and behaves naturally.
The number of leashes, of course, depends on your desire, but it is recommended to attach no more than 4 pieces so that the fishing line gets tangled less. Hooks are also chosen in large sizes, it depends on what kind of fish you are going for.
Equipping rubber donkeys
The tackle consists of the following components;
- Monofilament fishing line with a thickness of 0.30 mm and a length of at least 100 meters;
- Round elastic band (Hungarian) 10 meters;
- Braided line 0.20 mm thick and 20 meters long;
- A bell or other suitable signaling device.
The fishing device will be attached directly to the reel, which is made by hand from a wooden board.
To save money, an ordinary brick can serve as a weight for the elastic band.
On the manufactured reel, we rewind a large-diameter fishing line, when 2 meters remain until the end, we make loops along the entire distance.
They are necessary for attaching leashes; for this distance 6 loops will be enough.
We make leashes from thinner fishing line and immediately attach a hook.
There can be up to three leashes on one loop; they can be attached using either simple node, and with the help of a carabiner.
A metal washer is tied to the end of the fishing line, and it is to this that we will attach our elastic band. The length of the elastic band is taken in reserve and the size is selected directly on the spot, the excess is wound onto the sinker.
The elastic band freely increases in size by 3 – 5 times. It follows that a piece of elastic 5 meters long can ensure the movement of the fishing line 20 - 25 meters towards the shore.
We would like to draw your attention to the fact that there are restrictions on fishing with a hook - you can only use one rubber shock absorber, equipped with 5 hooks, per angler
How to make a donk with a feeder?
Truly the most popular and versatile bottom tackle.
Now we will look at the structure of the classic version of the donkey with a fishing rod:
- The key importance when casting a feeder can be given not to the fisherman, but to the rod. It all depends on the right spinning rod. When choosing a spinning rod, it is necessary to take into account not only its weight, but also the weight of the load at the end of the fishing line. Namely, add together the mass of the equipped feeder, the hook with bait and the approximate weight of the caught fish. Typically the weight is 800 -1200 grams, the load on the end of the fishing rod.
- The fishing line used has a thickness of 0.3 - 0.4 mm. The fishing line is wound on a large reel, at least 150 meters long.
- The reel, in turn, cannot be taken just any way; it is advisable not to skimp when buying a reel, but to take a design from the latest innovations. The convenience of playing and holding fish depends on the reel.
- You can use any feeder on a donk according to your wishes.. Below you will find more details about the feeders.
Popular types of feeders
The spring is the most popular feeder when catching non-predatory fish. 
This feeder performs a double function, it serves as a container for bait and at the same time as a sinker.
Holds bait well even in strong currents.
The main advantages of the spring feeder:
- Inexpensive in price;
- High efficiency;
- Possibility to make it yourself;
- Suitable for catching almost any river and lake fish;
- Suitable for any body of water.
"Makushatnik"
- one of the oldest traditional equipment of “pre-feeder” times. It was used mainly for catching large carp, carp and crucian carp. This tackle got its name because of its top filling.
The greatest advantage of the “makushatnik” is considered to be fishing for Carp; many still consider this tackle to be the best for catching this fish.
"Makushatnik" is not sold in the store. This tackle is made exclusively by hand. Most likely, this explains the fishermen’s love for this product. What could be more enjoyable than catching fish with home-made gear; such a catch will make your laurels sweeter.
For such equipment, we will need a sinker of a flattened shape in the form of any geometric object. The sinker must be firmly attached to the main line.
At the end of the fishing line, a loop is attached to which our leashes with hooks for Carp will cling. A piece of topsoil is attached directly to the sinker, with a nylon rope on the sides; you can also drill a hole in the sinker for fastening.
The leashes are hidden under a piece of the top of the tree, and the hooks are stuck right into it. And in this form the tackle is sent to the bottom.
"Pacifier"
This equipment got its name from the manner in which the crucian carp eats the bait. The nipple is a feeder weighing no more than 50 grams, into which bait is tightly compacted.Nipples come in different shapes and types. Nipples are also made independently from corks and wire, various plates.
Its operating principle is simple: we pack the bait tightly into the mold. We hide the hooks in the middle and send them to the bottom. All the mass at the bottom dissolves and creates a slight aromatic haze.
The crucian carp swims up and slowly begins to suck on this tackle until it swallows the hook.
Homemade bottom tackle "Banjo"
This tackle has recently become popular for fishing in still water. The banjo is a cross between a feeder and a pacifier.
The cost of the equipment is much more expensive than other feeders and therefore it makes sense to make it yourself:
- Take a lid from a five-liter plastic keg;
- We make holes on the sides and insert a hollow tube;
- We attach a sinker to the bottom of the lid using long bolts.
Installation of gear
We cut off 60 cm of fishing line, tie a swivel to one edge, and put a stopper on the other - a bead. We stretch the fishing line into the tube and attach, on the other side, a swivel. Next, you can install leashes with hooks on both sides.
Now you can hide the hooks in the middle of the lid, and stuff the bait tightly inside.
DIY summer bottom tackle
Now we will consider the option of a homemade bottom tackle with a built-in light indicator.
Manufacturing:
- Plastic yogurt bottle;
- Drill a 6 mm hole in the lid;
- We insert a bolt onto which we attach a paper clip from the outside;
- We wind 50 meters of the required fishing line around the body of the bottle, and tie a carabiner with a swivel at the end;
- Next we are working on a light indicator for night fishing, for this we will need;
You will need:
- Tablet batteries – 2 pieces,
- Switch,
- Tilt sensor,
- Any one LED
- Microcircuit 50x15 mm.
Tilt sensor:
- We need a metal tube with a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 15 mm;
- Then we cut out a side part from sheet aluminum;
- The second sidewall must be made of thin plastic or textolite;
- We screw a small self-tapping screw into the center of the second side panel and solder it to the foil;
- We assemble our sensor, glue the textolite half onto the tube;
- We fill the cavity of the tube with small balls or pieces of cut wire;
- Now we carefully solder our first side panel to the tube;
- Next, we cut out a holder for two batteries from brass, insulate the legs with cambric;
- We assemble the board and attach it to the cover.
Installation
On the shore, we drive a sawed-off peg into the ground, and attach our donk to it using a clothespin. After casting, we pass the line into the crevice on the peg, and when the fish bites, the sensor will be triggered by the tilt of the peg.
Do-it-yourself bottom tackle with a self-cutter
The principle of operation of the self-hook is based on the free movement of the fishing line and the return of movement from the stretching of the elastic band. An elastic band attached to a loop of fishing line stretches at the moment when a large predatory fish took the bait and began moving backwards into the depths of the reservoir.The elastic band is stretched until the tension in it creates a reverse motion, and then the hook fits tightly into the mouth of the fish. Thus, we get the effect of self-cutting.
When self-hooking, you must pull the fish out carefully without sudden movements. Since you can get a reverse motion if the tension is suddenly weakened.
DIY universal bottom tackle
To make universal tackle, you can use the most reliable and popular design of a donkey with a feeder. With the help of such a donkey you can catch carp, bream, crucian carp, pike perch, and grass carp.
You should also pay attention to the fishing rod: you can only successfully catch fish with a good spinning rod, especially predatory species such as catfish, perch, pike, carp, and silver carp.
To increase versatility, it is necessary to use several types of feeders. Always use feeders exactly in the places for which they are intended.
Fishermen are mostly experimenters, but there are certain well-established fishing rules based not on someone’s whim, but on the behavior of the fish, its character and habitat.
What is donka and bottom fishing. How to make a donka. Sinker for donkey. Bite alarm. Tips and nuances of donk fishing. Methods for equipping a donkey. Donka with a float
Greetings, dear fishermen, to the pages of the site! Today I would like to talk about the topic of donkey and bottom fishing. Naturally, I will not be able to cover all its possible varieties and methods of fishing within the framework of this article. I also won’t claim that I have completely mastered all the methods of donka fishing (its various types and modifications), but I still have some experience. In this article I will tell you only about how to make the simplest and most common donka, I will give you the knowledge I have accumulated about fishing with bottom tackle and its modifications, I will give you a couple interesting tips, in general, everything that I myself successfully use.
So, let's begin …
Description, diagrams, equipment options and donk fishing
I'll start by telling you how to make donka at home, rather than buying it in stores.
Donka is perhaps one of the most popular fishing gear. Therefore, to begin with, I decided to talk about the simplest version of donkey. A simple donka does not mean at all that few people can be caught with it; a lot can be caught with such tackle. Therefore, remember, pack and go fishing.
What is needed for donka
To do this, we will need a main fishing line 0.4 mm thick, also a fishing line for leashes 0.2-0.3 mm, 5 carp hooks, an olive sinker of 50-70 grams, one fishing carabiner.
How to assemble a donk
So, let's start assembling a simple donkey. To begin, we will tie leashes from fishing line 7-10 cm long to the hooks. All leashes must be tied to the hooks with a Figure Eight knot. Next, we take the main fishing line and tie an “olive” weight to it at the end, also using a figure eight knot. We retreat along the fishing line 30-35cm and knit the first leash with a hook. We retreat another 10cm along the line and tie the next hook. And so does everyone else. After all the hooks are tied, we retreat another 15 cm and tie our carabiner with the same knot. It looks something like this:
All! Donka is ready! We fasten it with a carabiner to the fishing line on the fishing rod, it can be on a reel or a slingshot, it doesn’t matter, you can even tie it to a tree. You attach the bait, cast and catch.
Sinker for donkey
Continuing the topic of assembling the donkey, I would like to express my opinion as to which sinkers are preferable to use in the middle reaches, provided that the river bottom is not uniform, but has stones and irregularities. Of course, I am clearly and clearly aware that my notes in no way claim to be absolutely right, accurate and correct, but for about 4 years now I have been fishing using this method and achieving quite good results in comparison with my colleagues who fish in the usual way.
It is enough to go to any fishing store, where you will be competently advised on the method of setting up any bottom gear and the method of selecting gear. It’s no secret that the final result when fishing from the bottom is influenced by everything: bait, the size and shape of the hooks, the length of the leader and the diameter of the fishing line, both main and leader. It is important to understand that even the rod itself and the method of fixing the bite play an important role.
A separate topic is sinkers, which can be of different shapes, perform the function of a feeder and many other functions. But I noticed that in moderate currents the weight of the load can be reduced somewhat without damaging the gear. But if this is done by simply replacing the sinker, then such a load will simply be carried away by the current, it will roll along the bottom, even if the latter has irregularities and protrusions. In this case, you will have to return to a heavier sinker and be content with what you have. Accordingly, at one time I thought that it was necessary to give the sinker properties so that it could, as it were, cling to the protrusions of the bottom and lie on it.
So, if you use a sinker attached to the bottom tackle at the end of the fishing line, and hooks are located above, if you know that there are stones at the bottom, the bottom is sandy or has frequent protrusions, then instead of a heavier load you can put a lighter weight, but round in shape with "donut hole" This hole will act as a fastener, and a fairly reliable one at that; the sinker will not be carried away by the flow of the current, since the area of contact of the water with the surface of the load is smaller. Thus, I managed to reduce the weight of the sinker from 50 grams to 35, which you will agree is significant. It seems to me that this will be useful for many fishermen.
Bite alarm, bell or whip
Some anglers are wondering what is best to use as a bite indicator when fishing with a regular donka (feeder).
If we omit some sophisticated electronic devices, then we can safely voice two main methods: using a bell or a pendulum (which bends the fishing line with its weight, and by raising or lowering these parts the fisherman decides to hook), and without any special suspended parts, only along the tip (first knee, thin whip) of the rod.
In principle, both methods have worked well, and I personally know adherents of one or the other. But it also has its own characteristics. So, in my opinion, with the help of a bell or other suspended element, it is easier to track the bite. This is especially true when the fish bite is sluggish, without sudden jerks, and there is wind outside. So, once I caught a crucian carp that was slowly lowering the pendulum, but it was problematic to track the bite with a whip. Of course, many may argue that today you can buy donkey whips of various thicknesses, that you can buy special feeder rods... But is it worth it when you fish for donkey once a month, or even twice?
It’s a difficult question, everyone decides for themselves, but I decided to use an ordinary bell. In addition, I have two thin whips in my supply, which I also use, having first tied them to the main rod.
Current bite alarm
Again, all the advantages of gear with a bell come to naught if fishing is in the current. The line is simply stretched and fishing with a bell or some other weight is not convenient, although, with some desire, it is possible. In this situation, the benefits of the whip are fully revealed. As I already said, you can buy a special feeder rod, which comes with several whips of different thicknesses and lengths, however, you will have to pay a little for everything good. I didn’t buy such a rod, but purchased the whips separately, and if necessary, I attach them to the fishing rod - everything works perfectly, the bite is visible, although the tackle itself does not look very aesthetically pleasing.
Naturally, I’m not talking about how to secure the whips, how to install the bell (and there are a lot of mounting options) - that’s a separate conversation. The main thing is that you have an understanding that you need to master both methods of fishing, since you never know where you will have to fish next time.
On rivers, I take my spinning rod, which I use to fish for pike, and depending on the strength of the current, I attach a whip of the required stiffness to it (or I fish without it at all). Once on the Volga I fished without an additional whip at all, since the current bent the spinning rod so much that the fishing rod clearly responded to the bite of even a small roach (note that the sinker was set at 40-50 grams).
Bite alarm in calm water
For fishing on lakes where there is no current, I am used to using a regular bottom with 1-2 hooks, sometimes I put a feeder, sometimes I tie a rubber shock absorber (elastic fishing), but I always use a bell as a signaling device. I place my chair to the left of the throw, so that my right hand is always literally above the working line, making it convenient to hook (for left-handed people, the opposite is true).
As you can see, both methods are good, you need to master them, and there is no better one among them. It is important to understand this so as not to get into trouble when talking in a fishing store or among your colleagues. As they say, for each place there is its own gear.
I often have to fish with donka (bottom tackle). Often it’s an ordinary donka, the assembly process of which I described a little higher, sometimes I mount it on a peg, sometimes it’s a feeder tackle. In general, if you look at the literature, you can find a lot of interesting things about bottom gear, and there are true specialists who fish only with this gear.
Therefore, I will try to give some advice to a “successful donkey”, and to be more precise, I will try to voice those nuances, by observing which, you can somewhat improve your performance from using this tackle. As I said above, I will not talk about the intricacies of installation of all variations of gear, since this is a very extensive material. Here I will give some fairly universal points and some tricks that can be successfully adapted to any donka. Enough ranting, let's move on to the tips:
1 . Always use leashes
2 . Different fishing spots require different weights
3 . Installation of the feeder (on a lead leash or on the main line)
4 . Sometimes you can catch without a feeder
5 . The feed should not be too viscous
6 . The color of the bait should match the bottom
7 . Proven baits: worm, bloodworm, maggot
8 . You need to have several baits and baits with you.
9 . Stock of fishing line on the reel (to cast to the right place)
10 . Prepare leashes with hooks in advance
11 . On muddy and rocky bottoms - hooks with foam
12 . It is advisable to place more than one hook (the first one is closer to the bottom, the second one is slightly higher)
13 . It is necessary to fish all areas of the reservoir (near the shore, medium depths, depth)
14 . Prepare your fishing spot in advance, especially if casting by hand
15 . Mix and match baits and baits, sandwiches sometimes produce good results.
16 . If there’s no bite, don’t rush to pull out the tackle and make a new cast - you can reel in the bottom a little and let it sit for another minute
17 . Movement provokes fish to bite
18 . In the current, the tackle can be coarser, because the fish attacks there more actively.
19 . I put leashes at least 20 cm long.
20 . I prefer to use donkey hooks with a long shank and a tip bent to the side.
21 . If it is possible to fish without a feeder (for example, bait can be thrown by hand), I fish without a feeder, and the tackle becomes less noisy and noticeable.
22 . I always add various flavors to my bait - this allows me to attract fish without overfeeding them.
23 . Use beads to absorb the impact of the weight or feeder on the knots of the cord or fishing line (for a sliding type of installation).
24 . If conditions and fishing techniques allow, I refuse swivels and other metal parts of the equipment.
Here, in principle, are all the main tips and my experiences regarding donk fishing.
Methods for equipping a donkey
Now I will give a couple of ways to rig bottom gear:
As you can see, the basic recommendations and schemes are quite simple. But I promise you, doing them will ensure that you end up with fish (it works for me anyway). Naturally, each fisherman has his own experience and knowledge, you also need to remember about the correct installation of the donkey, and constantly experiment. Then the mood will be great. And fishing will please you with its results.
Donka with a float
Let's look at another way of rigging, this is a donk with a float. Small rivers are interesting because the fisherman needs to apply the maximum of his knowledge and skills in order to catch a really large fish. I have noticed that even in very narrow “streams” there are such specimens that you simply wonder where such fish come from. But, at the same time, as I already noted above, catching fish in small reservoirs and rivers is a difficult undertaking, since the fish in such places are quite shy and react to minimal changes in the environment, both aquatic and those within the reach of fish above the surface of the water (study the question of fish vision).
It is in such areas that the jig has proven itself to be excellent. summer tackle and a bottom with a float mounted on a telescopic rod, which helps when you need to carefully approach the shore, camouflage yourself, and identify a promising place, the depth of which rarely exceeds 1-2 meters.
Scheme of a donkey with a float
A bottom fishing rod with a float is a reality. The principle of such a donkey is as follows: in essence, it is an ordinary float rod, a sliding weight is used as a sinker (I use a conical sinker that is not carried away by the current). The load is secured by a bead or swivel. The most interesting thing is that the float should only protrude slightly above the surface of the water. And while many fishermen achieve this effect by raising and lowering the rod tip and simply adjusting the depth, I prefer to also load the lower antenna of the float with pellets.
Why surround the float?
It’s simple, the less resistance the fish experiences when biting (and a sliding sinker already implies that there will be resistance), the more reliable and sure the bite will be. Therefore, the float, which is additionally loaded, will become a minor obstacle for the fish, which is what the fisherman needs. Such a bottom fishing rod is also interesting because you can successfully fish without even going close to the shore, which, you see, sometimes plays a key role in fishing.
From my experience I will say that using a donkey with a float I fished both in the current and in still water. I liked fishing on the current more, because... the fish grabs the bait more greedily. The catch most often included perch and roach. A couple of times I had to pull out bream too. So, try it, master this bottom fishing rod, and don’t forget about the many other variations of bottom fishing rods with a float.
In principle, I think we can stop here for now and draw some conclusions regarding donkey. Which? Decide for yourself.
I perceive the donka as a very diverse tackle, the variations of which are simply masses. Donka fishing is an experiment where you can always change and improve something. Use a float, a feeder, experiment with leashes, hook placement, bait, play with depth, use a variety of rigging methods and much more. So study and go fishing.
All the best to you and successful bottom fishing!