Fishing for carp on the top (makushatnik)

Where and when to catch carp with cake

Finding carp in a reservoir is sometimes difficult, especially if you don’t know the catch spots and various features of the bottom topography, such as:

• addiction;
• elements of artificial structures located directly in the reservoir;
• construction garbage;
• spots of bottom soil different from the main one;
• artificial and natural unevenness of the bottom surface (pits and hills).

In addition, the carp loves quiet places and can be found in thickets of aquatic vegetation.

During the cold season, fish are inactive, so the optimal time to start fishing is considered to be the period when the water temperature reaches +12 degrees. Then the carp gets out of the wintering pits and looks for food. From this moment on, he begins to be interested in cake.

Fishing places and times

Since wild carp prefers to be at depth during daylight hours, its search begins with descent to the pits. Very good results are also shown in places where clear water borders areas of aquatic vegetation. Here the fish have a good view and feel safe. When it gets dark the situation changes. The carp comes out into shallow water, in areas with a weakly defined edge. At this time it can be at a depth of 1 meter.

When choosing a place to catch carp, it is very important to consider the time of day.

Catching carp with top and cake.

This product is obtained by squeezing the oil and seeds of various plants (sunflower, flax, rapeseed, soybeans, corn).

Sunflower cake is the most widespread, since rapeseed and soybean are not suitable for fishing, and the rest have a higher price.

Both natural and flavored options are available. They also look different - circles, fights and bars.

Boy is usually added to porridge to add flavor. B

The Russians are going to hell. Experienced fishermen prefer to take circles and cut them into suitable sizes themselves, and this is done immediately before going fishing, since the aroma is much stronger on fresh cuts.

This bait is suitable for fish such as crucian carp, bream, carp and carp.

When purchasing in a sealed form, you need to check the packaging for integrity, since specialized stores contain additives to enhance the smell, and if the packaging is damaged, everything can erode.

When buying by weight, it is better to check the taste; it should resemble halva, just not sweet. If bitterness is present, it is better to discard this product.

This will mean that the storage conditions were violated, and it will only scare away the fish, and it will not emit the proper aroma.

Properly prepared and stored makha contains substances such as:

• Oil (has a pronounced odor, which attracts aquatic inhabitants);
• Protein (the fish does not become saturated, there is no risk of overfeeding it);
• Cellulose.

One properly prepared block of bait can last in water for 10 hours or more. It does not immediately dissolve, but creates a cloud of turbidity around itself, which attracts carp.

Choosing a place and time.

In winter, cyprinids are not very active and mostly stand in one place.

But as soon as the water warms up to +12 degrees, they begin to actively move in search of food, at which time you can already go out and try to catch them on the top.

It is known that fish of this species prefer depth, that is, they should be caught on the slopes to the pits; also a favorite place is the border of clear water and vegetation, where the carp feels safe, having an all-round view.

He does not ignore the accumulation of branches, fallen trees and artificial underwater structures.

During the day it is mainly located at depth in the pits, but with the arrival of darkness it comes out into shallow water and fishing can be done at a level of 1 m.

If the body of water is unfamiliar, then external signs, vegetation or its absence, the color of the water (the shallower, the lighter the water) and the shore (near sharp shores there is a sharp slope down) will help determine the depth.

You can fish with a makushatnik at any time of the day; as practice shows, it works poorly in the morning and evening, because at this time the carp swims closer to the upper layer of water.

During the day there are many false positives, as small fish are constantly trying to nip off a piece, but at night there are no small things and it works perfectly.

Selection of bait.

Choosing the right cake will directly affect the outcome of your fishing trip, so you should approach it with the utmost seriousness.

If possible, it is better to do it yourself, since many people think that a store-bought one is not suitable.

If circles are purchased, their thickness should not be more than 6 cm. They should be hard, but not brittle; it is better to check this immediately by lightly pressing on them.

Otherwise, they will quickly fall apart in water and will not give the desired effect.

The smell should not be too rich or even more bitter. Ideally, it will be pleasant and reminiscent of sunflower oil.

The pressing process should also leave its traces in the form of a smooth surface, on one side, while the opposite side will be slightly rough.

The cake should taste like unsweetened halva.

You shouldn’t collect a lot of circles at once, since they require special storage conditions to work well during fishing. Two pieces will be enough.

Also, based on its hardness, the bait can be used for different bodies of water.

Hard (it takes 4-6 hours to limp) is used in fast flows, since it will erode much more strongly.

Medium hardness, the kind that will crumble slightly when pressed, is used in standing water or in slow flow (it will limp for 2-4 hours).

Another type - loose - is used when added to porridge as a flavoring.

Features and types of equipment

There are 2 types of equipment for carp:

1. with a sliding sinker. This type of equipment is used when fishing aimed at carp takes place on a river with a current. This is due to the fact that when the fish begins to savor the cake, it does not feel resistance and, as a result, is not afraid. In this case, you need to hang restrictive elastic bands or beads for the load so that the fish hooks itself after it swallows the hooks;
2. deaf option. It is used when fishing for carp in ponds and rivers, with standing water or extremely slight current.

Making makushatnik

The gear that is used on carp is very simple and anyone can make it. It consists of the following elements:

Main plate

The material for its manufacture can be thick, strong plastic, lead or steel. The use of other materials is also possible, but these are the most affordable. Heavier ones (lead, steel) are used when fishing with strong currents. In standing water, it is better to use lightweight plastic plates.

It will be necessary to drill several holes in these plates, depending on how many leashes you want to attach in the future. It would also be correct to do them to attach the bait itself. Usually about ten holes are enough.

Leash

Leads with a length of about 5–7 cm are considered optimal. They are made from monofilament or braided fishing line with a thickness of 0.35 mm. The leashes are attached to a special fastener, which is sold in any fishing store, on the back of the plate or directly into the holes made in the plate.

Hooks

In order for the caught carp to successfully reach the shore, use the right strong hooks. It is better to use carp from No. 4 to No. 6. The number is selected based on the size of the expected prey.

Cargo

The sinker is used in any shape, but the most common is the name “dovetail”. Thanks to its good aerodynamic performance, it can be thrown further than others. The weight of the load is selected individually and varies from 60–80 grams for standing water to 80–180 grams for rivers with a strong current.

fishing line

For confident carp fishing, it is enough to use a fishing line with a diameter of 0.45 mm and a length of about 100 m. In this case, the best option would be to use monofilament fishing line.

This is enough to collect the top of a carp, which is cast manually or using a rod equipped with a reel. The form must be strong, the test must correspond to the weight of the load with the top. There are no other requirements for the rod; when fishing with a rod, it allows you to cast further and make it easier to fight the trophy when fishing. Everyone chooses the length based on their height, experience and preferences.

You need to be careful when choosing a reel, since it will bear a large load when reeling out a heavy load and wet tops. The carp will also add tension to the reel, he is a great fighter and the jerks will be strong. It’s better to choose a size 3500–4000 with a well-adjustable friction brake, preferably a front one, this will make the fishing process easier. It would also be useful to have a baitrunner; the carp bites very actively after hooking.

Makushatnik for carp: how to make and how to catch

Despite the fact that any fishing gear is available for sale, fishermen prefer to make it themselves. And the makushatnik for carp is so simple to implement that there is no question of buying it at all. And it’s convenient and easy to fish with.

Introduction

Not every fishing enthusiast likes regular crucian carp fishing. It happens that you want to hook some trophy, for example, a carp.

For such cases, the makushatnik is the most successful catching method of catching this predator. This method is unsportsmanlike, ancient, and even has fans among modern fishermen and they know how to make a makushatnik.

Although you can buy ready-made equipment for sale, true fishermen prefer to make the makukha themselves, with their own hands.

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What is it like?

Makushatnik is one of the types of fishing tackle. In this way, the crown is secured, equipped with several hooks and a sinker.

The manufacture of such devices does not require any special financial or other costs. It is easy to make. How to make a makushatnik? It consists of simple elements: a special sinker, elastic band, thread, several leashes and hooks.

You can guess from the name that the role of bait here is played by makha, which is made from pressed cake left over after processing the oilseeds.

Since this vegetable bait is light in weight, it is weighed down with a large sinker. As a rule, the design uses not one, but several hooks.

The preparatory stage for fishing is cutting the whole briquette into small pieces (squares 4-5 cm in width by 2-2 cm in height).

In the process, illiquid leftovers remain, which are very convenient for feeding. It is better to cut very hard bait with a hacksaw (you can use a jigsaw or a specially sharpened knife).

Attention! When purchasing cake, you should pay special attention to quality. Expired goods smell like rancid sunflower oil. Such an aroma can only scare fish away, so there will be no reaction on their part to such bait.

Principle of operation

Everything is very simple actually. Once in the water, the cake begins to dissolve, thereby luring prey with an appetizing smell. The fish swallows the treat and the hook hidden inside. And when she tries to free herself and escape, she trips herself.

Varieties

There are two types of makushka, depending on the method of fastening:

• classic with blind fastening;
• with sliding fastening.

Classic

To make such gear you will need the following elements:

• a piece of bait - makukha;
• lead plate;
• hooks (the number depends on the size of the cake);
• a piece of braided fishing line;
• winding ring;
• rubber bands (stationery, used for bandaging banknotes).

First of all, the leash and hooks are prepared. The optimal length of the fishing line is considered to be 10 cm. For a piece of topcoat about 4-5 cm, four leashes are enough. If the bait is smaller in size, then fewer hooks are needed.

A lead plate is cut to fit the size of the cake. A hole is drilled on one side (you can use a shoe awl instead of a drill), a ring is inserted into it, to which the main fishing line with hooks will be tied.

Next, the leads are distributed around the plate. The side of the bait closest to the ring is secured with an elastic band. Two leashes are placed on the sides and secured in front as short as possible.

The back of the crown is also secured with an elastic band. More holes prepared for hooks are made along the edges of the plate.

At this point, the assembly of the gear is completed and it can be used for its intended purpose.

Sliding equipment

This type of tackle has many different variations with a wide variety of weights and ways to secure the bait.

For one of the options you will need the following:

• sinker with a hole made;
• top bait;
• silicone stoppers;
• a small piece of braided fishing line (for making leashes);
• wire cotter pin;
• swivel and carabiner;
• fishing hooks for carp.

The sliding sinker is attached to the main line. The weight of the load is selected based on the capabilities of the fishing rod, weather conditions on the day of the planned fishing and the characteristics of the selected reservoir.

Below the place where the weight is attached, approximately where the fastening units are located, stoppers made of silicone are placed. A swivel with a carabiner is attached to one end of the cord, and then a loop of fishing line is tied to it.

A hole is made in a piece of cake to insert leads with the main cord. Everything is attached to a carabiner. The hole is pinned, and a fishing line is tied to the pin on top. The last thing to attach is the hooks to the sides of the bait.

Selection of equipment for fishing

The type of fishing tackle for carp is quite heavy in weight, so it is necessary to select a strong fishing rod. Rods such as feeder or carp are quite suitable. You can also use a spinning crocodile. The fishing line needs to be thick and strong (preferably 0.3 mm or more). Choose a special reel equipped with a baitrunner.

Fishing spots

Characteristic sites for carp are mainly anomalous bottom reliefs and large objects lying on the bottom of a reservoir, without a current. Therefore, it is recommended to fish in the following places:

• snags;
• near hydraulic structures;
• accumulations of construction waste;
• fallen trees;
• with anomalous bottom relief.

To understand what the bottom is in a reservoir, you can use the following methods:

• jig tapping;
• sinker dragging;
• use of a marker float or weight;
• coastal or boat echo sounder.

Attention! It is important to learn not only about changes in depth, but also about changes in bottom thickness, as well as about the current. It can be like a tubercle among the silt, a tpk and an ordinary edge made of shells.

Fishing time

It should be noted that it is better to catch carp with such equipment when the water is warm. In cold weather, fish are attracted mainly by animal baits.

Therefore, the best recommended time of year for fishing using this gear is summer, except for the period when fish spawn.

What is the best time of day to choose? It is better to choose morning and evening dawns, then it is more realistic to catch a trophy. The exception is when the carp is active during a cloudy day.

Fishing tactics

To begin with, choose a fishing spot in the selected reservoir and feed the fish. When taking into account the time at which the cake soaks (about 30-40 minutes), add the odorous mixture into the water.

If you have to fish with sunflower cake, the place is fed using seeds, previously crushed in a meat grinder.

Attention! If you knead the halva so that it becomes like plasticine in composition and coat the top of the head with it, the fish will feel the bait faster.

The reservoir has been selected, the fish have been fed, then the following tactics are recommended: first, the top of the pond is cast, then the rod is secured in case of a strong and sharp bite.

Periodically you need to throw bait into the water. If a bite occurs, it is better not to rush to pull the carp onto land. It is better to wear it out a little at first, but at the same time gradually tighten it during rest and weakening and during its activity.

If a fish has hidden under a snag, it is better to wait until it frees itself.

Attention! When fishing, a landing net can be useful, since even after exhausting the carp, you can miss it, and it leaves almost on the shore.

Conclusion

Makushatnik is considered one of the catchiest methods of fishing for carp. With its simple design, it has won recognition from many avid fishermen for this predator and also thanks to its high fishing results.

It is worth noting that it is used both on the shore and when fishing from a boat, and both bottom and onboard fishing rods are suitable. And its main advantage is that it is easy to make with your own hands.

If the material was useful and you now know exactly how to build a makushatnik for carp, then share your opinion in the comments.

Also on this topic:

Makushatnik for carp: how to make and how to catch

Catching carp in winter - choosing gear and the best bait

Carp and carp - what's the difference? Differences + photo

Tackle for carp - do it yourself

Fishing for carp in Astrakhan - the best places and effective baits

How to choose the right makuha

The issue of choosing makukha is approached with all seriousness, since the success of fishing depends on it. Makha is a cake from the seeds of plants that produce oil through pressing. That is, the raw material for its production can be any seeds containing oil. But the most widely used in fishing is sunflower seeds, due to its availability and low cost. When choosing it, pay special attention to the following indicators:

Hardness

Depending on where you are fishing for carp, you need to choose the right top hardness. Soft is used when fishing in still water. This is due to the fact that it will quickly begin to become limp (in about an hour and a half), forming a spot of bait, and the fish will sooner smell it and come up to try it. When purchasing, pay attention to the fact that the soft top should crumble a little, and if you knock a piece on the table, it will make a dull sound.

Medium-hard fluff is used in bodies of water with little current. It will take two to four hours for the top to become limp. Such dust should practically not fall out, and when knocking it makes a sound closer to a ringing one.

Hard top. This fly is suitable for fishing in reservoirs with strong currents, as it will stay on the rig for a long time (4-6 hours) and attract fish to one point. This type of muffin makes a clear, ringing sound and does not crumble.

There is another version of makukha - alluvial. It is used for mixing groundbait, or it is made into a dense dough and used in a fish tank, although this is only possible in stagnant water.

The above indicators are relevant for summer. In the cold season, when the carp fishing season just opens, the disintegration time of the makukha increases by one and a half to two hours. Therefore, it is better not to use hard powder at this time.

Freshness

You can smell and taste the makukha before purchasing. High-quality cake has a sweetish taste. If the top is bitter or rotten, then you should not take it, as the fish will not be interested in it. There are also briquettes packed in film. Here you can judge only by the date of manufacture.

For greater aroma and resistance to deterioration, soak the top with oil. If you just dip and pull out, it will add an hour. Soak until air bubbles appear, then consider that you have added four hours of durability.

Types of macaques

In fishing stores you will find the following types of makukha:

• sunflower. This type is most widespread due to its low cost and availability at points of sale. It has a pronounced aroma and pleasant taste;
• linen The cost of such waste will be high due to the complexity and non-mass production;
• soy. At points of sale, such muck is rarely found. The advantage of this type is its high protein content.

Operating principle

• The tackle with the cube is thrown into the water.
• After 30 minutes, the makha begins to spread its very attractive smell throughout the pond.
• The carp approaches the cube and begins to suck on it, sucking in the hooks along with the top.

The carp, having swallowed the hook, tries to hide. It is at this moment that you should hook and start fishing for carp.

Makukha can be purchased at the market. There they sell it in large circles, up to 40cm in diameter. Before buying it, you should make sure that it is fresh and does not emit aromas of spoilage.

• Makukha has the smell of halva and no others.
• It should crumble a little.
• Have no external signs of depravity.

The consistency of the top, or rather, its density can be different. A harder top is more suitable for fishing in currents, while a less hard top can be used for fishing in still water. The cubes should be stored in a glass jar with a screw top. The cubes are sprinkled with crumbs formed after slicing.

Fishing technique and tactics

To catch carp in the selected body of water, adhere to the following rules:

1. after casting the bait, secure the rod, as the fish bites sharply and strongly;
2. add the bait mixture from time to time;
3. You should not immediately try to pull the carp ashore. He needs to be worn down. You need to gradually pull him up until he resists, and let him go when the struggle intensifies;
4. If a fish goes under a snag, you should not try to pull it out right away. It’s better to put the rod down and wait until she comes out on her own;
5. take a landing net with you. It is not uncommon for fishermen to lose their catch already on the shore, since even a tired carp will try to make the final push.

Lure

Since carp is a voracious fish, for bait use various types of boiled porridge (wheat, pearl barley, pea, corn, semolina, etc.), soaked and mashed bread crumb with a crust, as well as dough, potatoes and cake. The latter is found crumbly for ease of preparation of bait. It would also be a good idea to add pieces of dung worms and crawlings to the mixture. To make the treat more attractive, add oil to it (linseed, hemp or sunflower would be good).

If you don’t have the time or desire to cook this delicacy, then you can buy it in the store. When choosing, pay attention to the presence of amino acid complexes, flavors, as well as various vegetable oils. If necessary, combine store-bought and homemade bait to achieve good results. You need to throw the mixture based on bites. At the same time, it is important not to overfeed the fish, since after eating to its full it can simply leave.

Although carp is one of the most difficult to catch fish in the carp family, it is possible to catch it. The main thing is to approach the choice of casting location wisely, take into account the presence or absence of current in the reservoir, learn as much as possible about the bottom topography, as well as the presence of various shelters in it, such as snags, stones, etc. You need to carefully choose a high-quality mackerel, do not rush to catch the specimen you come across, and then luck will smile on you and you will finally catch your valuable trophy.