Food for trout: what it eats, how to make pellets and how to use it

Do-it-yourself bait for trout (Pellets)

Since most fishermen prepare their own bait, preparing pellets is not difficult. Naturally, such bait can be expensive, unlike store-bought bait, but its effect may be more significant. The composition of trout bait includes the following components:

eggs;
milk;
trout feed;
shrimps;
squid;
salted herring;
canned corn.

As you can see from the list, the ingredients are not cheap, so it's worth thinking about before you start buying and preparing them.

Cooking technology

A regular omelet is made from eggs and milk.
Trout feed is mixed with omelet. Before doing this, the omelet should cool slightly.
Peeled shrimp and squid are ground in a meat grinder.
Salted herring is also ground in a meat grinder and added to shrimp and squid.
Canned corn is passed through a meat grinder, and the juice from the can is poured into the bait.
All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and placed in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf.

As a rule, the bait is prepared overnight, then it will be completely saturated with all the aromas. The next morning it can be used as directed.

As a last resort, you can experiment to determine whether it is worth doing. It may be better to purchase a ready-made mixture and eat the omelet yourself. It all depends on the wishes of the fisherman.

Bait for trout: buy or make it yourself

The cost of homemade bait will be higher than that of purchased bait. In addition, the homemade supplement requires constant storage in the refrigerator. Suitability remains for a month; its pungent odor may be unpleasant to others. On the other hand, self-prepared bait increases the results many times over.

Work of pellets in water

It is very important to note the softness of the packing granules. The fish are more willing to swallow them

This has long been tested in practice. Many carp anglers prefer to buy soft pellets. And they do it right. In competitions and amateur fishing, success often came to anglers who fished with similar baits.

In addition to carp, bream, crucian carp and even large roach bite well on compressed granules. Pellets are very good for fishing in muddy water. This often happens in lakes and rates. With minimal visibility, the granules create a fragrant trail, and carp find it very quickly thanks to their olfactory organs.

If you evaluate the composition of the granules, they contain an almost ideal combination of elements. Firstly, high nutritional value, and secondly, excellent mechanics, in which the elements are released evenly, gradually filling the fishing point with aromas. Thirdly, the granules stick well to the hook. That is, you have thrown the rig to the point, and you can be sure that the hook is not empty. The main thing is to place the granules correctly. We will tell you how this is done a little later.

What to feed - nutritional standards, composition and recipes of feed

Naturally, the main expenses are associated with the purchase of necessary food for individuals. Trout's diet is much more expensive than that of carp. For 1 kg of feed you will have to pay about 1 dollar. You may also be interested in information about what the composition of feed for rabbits at home should be.

Ready-made feed for fish farming and their prices

Trout prefers live food. The fry do not mind swallowing squid larvae, flies, dragonflies, and beetles. As they grow older, they can switch to smaller types of fish. This can be found either from fishing store suppliers or from farming businesses. There are:

Starter feed for fry and young animals weighing up to 5 g;
Adults from 5 years.

Trout also like to eat dry food. It has the form of granules, which make it possible to adjust the dose of food. It can be stored for about a year in a dry and warm place. It is worth considering that young animals eat about 10 times a day, but fish that are 5-8 months old already eat about 6 times a day. One-year-old individuals – 3 times. But in the latter case, the food consists of live food and a dough-like mixture.

The video shows the process of feeding trout:

How to make compound feed with your own hands for feeding and growing fish on a farm in a lake or country house

Artificial feed consists of:

Protein – 40-45%;
Fat – 7-15%;
BEV – 20-25%;
Fiber – up to 3%;
Minerals – 10-15%.

Accordingly, the energy value is 12 thousand kJ per 1 kg of mixture. Such feed is produced from: fish meal, meat and bone meal, wheat meal and so on, as well as meal, yeast and many other elements. It is difficult to prepare a balanced mixture at home without losing quality.

The composition of a homemade mixture for fry usually includes:

Fishmeal, which is made from freshly caught fish;
Saccharins and saccharides;
Wheat and corn glutens;
Amino acids;
Vitamins.

On the video - how to make food with your own hands:

It is worth considering that trout has special dietary preferences, and therefore if you feed it with homemade food options, there is a risk of losing some of the individuals. Often, it is precisely because of attempts to create their own food option that many lose a significant part of their profits. Therefore, you should approach the issue of diet more pragmatically. It is also worth considering that each size and age requires its own amount of food with a certain energy value.

Best Scents for Trout Fishing

For a successful catch, it is recommended to purchase pellets with fish flavors. This is especially important in artificial (paid) reservoirs, since paid reservoirs breed trout brought from fish farms. On farms, fish pellets are used as the main additive. Therefore, it is more familiar and attractive.

However, as practice shows, it would be useful to have a set of baits with other smells: caviar, shrimp, cheese and garlic. After all, trout are often unpredictable.

Usually in cold winters, when there is a lack of food in the reservoir, any scent is triggered. When fishing from ice, food should be sprinkled a little, in small portions, but constantly, so that the movement of the falling granules attracts fish.

general characteristics

Despite the fact that small trout farms are often included in the category of home business, it is not so easy to implement such an entrepreneurial initiative in a homestead.

But with the help of one family, breeding brook trout in artificial reservoirs is a completely feasible task.

What is needed for a business to start:

get the most complete information about trout farming and visit several operating farms;
create an enterprise (without this it is impossible to purchase equipment, purchase fry and lease land for the construction of premises for placing fish tanks);
launch several pools and expand production as fish are grown.

There are other options for implementing this entrepreneurial initiative, which are based not on the installation of industrial fish-breeding equipment, but on the construction of a cascade of artificial lakes, filled through underground wells or with the waters of nearby rivers.

However, such projects are more expensive because they require obtaining approvals from environmental authorities, and this approval is not always possible in practice.

Installing a closed water supply (RAS) is an excellent option for solving the problem of providing trout farming with water.

At the same time, with water brought by appropriate equipment to the parameters at which this type of fish grows best.

Judging by some videos, trout breeding at home using RAS is a reality, even if the farmer has a very small plot of land at his disposal.

Financial calculations

When drawing up a business plan, a novice entrepreneur can proceed from the following calculations:

The optimal weight of commercial trout is about 1 kg; fish of a smaller weight (up to 500 g) are readily purchased by catering establishments, but the price for such small fish is not very high.
The minimum period for raising trout until it reaches its optimal weight is 4 years.
By the age of four, fish can already spawn.
The cost of one kilogram of fry is about 600 rubles. (the average weight of a fry is 15 g, there are about 60 fry in one kg).
After four years, the farmer will receive about 40 kg of fish from one kilogram of fry (taking into account natural losses).
With an average purchase price of 1 kg of large trout of 200 rubles. income from growing one kilogram of fry will be about 12 thousand rubles.

Thus, the gross income is an impressive figure, but one should not forget about the expenses, which are not the smallest in this business:

Providing a farm with water and the cost of equipment maintenance are estimated at around 3 thousand rubles for growing each kilogram of fry.
Purchasing feed costs 2 thousand rubles per kilogram.
Salary to employees is about 40 thousand rubles.

This calculation was made not for one year, but for the entire period: from the acquisition of fry to the sale of marketable fish. And this period lasts at least 3 years.

The fact that making a profit in trout farming is a long-term issue is the main difficulty of this business. Until mass production is formed, the entrepreneur will have to survive with his own resources.

For these purposes, some farmers apply for government support and receive all kinds of subsidies and grants so that during the first three years there will be funds to pay for the maintenance and feeding of fish.

In addition, sometimes state and municipal structures go so far as to act as guarantors to banks, thereby facilitating the process of lending to agricultural entities at a small interest rate. And the fact that trout breeding for commercial purposes is agricultural production has already been mentioned.

Some farmers organize opportunities for additional income. Thus, trout farms are no longer a rarity, where several additional ponds are equipped for tourists and fishermen, who, for a fee, can relax in specially equipped gazebos and at the same time catch delicious fish.

In any case, the implementation of such an undertaking as a trout farm requires a careful and reasonable approach. The farmer must clearly understand all the difficulties that he will face, calculate all the necessary amounts of financing and clearly understand its sources.

Comparative analysis of reservoirs

Three methods of trout breeding have been invented, differing in the type of pool chosen.

open pond

The method is not used in professional fish farms, but is more suitable for those who raise trout in the country. You will need to find or dig a pond. In cold conditions, it will take about 5 years to grow until marketable.

There is a high risk of population decline due to disease and poachers. To reduce the influence of negative factors in such cases, specially trained people are hired to handle both housekeeping and security. An open pond is the most energy- and resource-intensive method and does not justify the investment. You can grow fish, but the cost will be much higher than buying the delicacy in a store.

cages

This technology allows you to raise a flock in a fenced area of the reservoir. Cages are a rigid frame made of stakes, wooden boxes or metal parts, on which a net is stretched. A flock lives and feeds in it.

Benefits to help grow fish:

Saving pond space. In unused territory you can organize paid fishing.
The cages are located in the pond, and only technical buildings are erected on the shore: houses, warehouses, etc.
The costs of constructing hydraulic structures are several times lower.
In the cages there is a natural exchange of water due to the movement of the school, springs and waves.

Among the disadvantages, it is noted that with a significant planting density, pollution of the reservoir with organic waste occurs (eutrophication). Therefore, fish are grown in cages where the selected area does not serve as a source of drinking water.

Additional protection from poachers will be required. Some businessmen install fences and watchmen, some solve the problem by installing video surveillance, and some combine available methods, increasing the cost of doing business.

RAS

Recirculated water supply installations have become a common technology for artificial breeding of trout in ponds. The method allows you to quickly and efficiently breed healthy large fish at home. Among the disadvantages, there is a large starting capital, which ultimately pays off with a profit.

The RAS principle is based on the water cycle with artificially set optimal life support parameters.

The kit includes:

pools with a smooth surface without sharp corners;
ozonation system;
oxygen generator;
emergency air duct;
pump;
filter;
pool adder, etc.

Why does the trout family take root in RAS:

The desired temperature is maintained, regardless of the vagaries of the weather.
Maintenance and breeding are under total control.
Environmentally friendly production.

For 1 kilogram of the resulting product, there are from 100 to 500 liters of water, which is an economical development.

Full automation of processes has made the question of how to breed trout an expensive but profitable business.

REFERENCE! How much money will it take in the end and how expensive is it? For comparison, an open pond method for a small fish farm with a production of 4 tons per year costs an investment of 1.5 million rubles, and a RAS with an annual turnover of 10 tons of products is estimated at 3.5 million rubles or more.

"Pelec-Transporter"

The Pelets-Transporter snow and swamp-going vehicle is the best model among amphibious snow and swamp-going vehicles. Available in two versions:

“Pelets-Transporter 1000” runs on gasoline.
Modification D - runs on diesel fuel.

The Daihatsu engine installed on this all-terrain vehicle was developed by Japanese specialists who were fully oriented in their work to the conditions of Russian roads. The license for mass production was received by the FAW-Toyota plant, which has been engaged in it to this day.

Despite the fact that the engine installed on the Pelets-Transporter all-terrain vehicle allows a speed of 80 km/h, the developers decided to limit it in this all-terrain vehicle model to 49 km/h, thereby achieving greater safety for the driver when driving in extreme conditions. However, it should be borne in mind that, despite the speed restrictions, this model remains one of the fastest in its group, not only on land, but also on water, where its maximum speed is 6 km/h.

It is noteworthy that the “Transporter” is equipped with a drone, which during filming transmits all data to the monitor of the TV built into the body. With its help, you can quickly survey the area, locate the victim, or find the safest and easiest way to move.

If necessary, the drone can be installed directly on the roof of the Transporter, and the additional seats, freed up after this, will allow six people to be comfortably accommodated in the cabin.

The most common nozzle

Trout paste from the manufacturer Berkley has the best combination of price and quality

The most common and frequently used bait is trout paste. It is popular because when used, the catch will be good throughout the year. Despite the fact that the pasta is quite cheap, some fishermen try to prepare it themselves. For preparation, dough and aromatic additives are used. Berkley - considered one of the best pastes. It contains: a concentrated protein mixture and a strong flavor. The most effective, as fishermen's practice has shown, is cheese, caviar and garlic paste. But there are two mandatory rules when working with paste.

Read How to properly tie knots for braiding using different methods

How to choose a spoon for trout

The first thing is that the paste should never be frozen, otherwise it will lose its properties. The second rule is that you cannot skimp on pasta. Trout eats quite a lot and therefore there should be a lot of paste too. Trout paste is recommended for deep-sea fishing. You need to take a forty gram weight and tie it to the end of the main fishing line, then tie a leash after forty centimeters. The length of the leash, with a hook tied at the end, should be about fifty centimeters. Before casting, a large cherry is molded from the paste and placed on the hook.

The fishing rod is much more convenient for this type of fishing. Using paste molds, a figure is made, which is then placed on a hook. The bait should be lowered into the water about one meter.

Live food for trout

Live food feeding is very popular. It has many benefits for trout. This is a natural way of feeding fish that increases its vitality

Providing a balanced and satisfying diet is very important. The range of live food is quite large, but choosing the right food is not always easy

For example, red mosquito larvae are often used for this purpose. They have a characteristic red color, which is due to the oxygen content. Fish love this food, and thanks to its red color they immediately notice it. The larvae can be stored in a cool place for one to two weeks.

What is pellets

Pellets are a balanced food supplement containing minerals, amino acids, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins. This composition has been tested in experimental fisheries. The recommended pellet for trout is fish pellet, which is most used when rearing trout.

Fish are fed in winter and summer using all known fishing methods:

Using a feeder;
When fishing with a float rod;
In winter conditions (from ice).

Pellets are used in different ways. When fishing with a float rod, some use point bait, throwing it towards the float. Others regularly feed trout in a permanent place. The most effective feeding is when fishing on a feeder with a feeder, provided that it is selected for standing water or for a river. Another method - the use of a spinning rod is not considered here; its technology does not provide for the use of the specified fertilizing.

Article on the topic: Fishing for trout with paste

What kind of trout should I breed?

There are about 20 species of trout. But you can grow a smaller part of them at home. Keeping trout is difficult because it is a predatory type of fish. Therefore, before breeding it at home, you need to make sure that you have enough finances for feeding.

Each type of trout has its own preferences for keeping. It is necessary to decide in advance which of them will be bred in order to organize suitable conditions.

The best types (breeds) of trout

Only 2 types of trout can be bred at home

parsley, also known as brook trout;
rainbow (mykizha).

The second type of trout includes several subspecies. The highest productivity rates were recorded for deep-water Canadian Kamloops and Donaldson trout. They grow twice as fast and produce 30% more offspring compared to their relatives.

Rainbow

Rainbow trout are native to North America. It is accustomed to cold temperatures, but grows better in warm conditions. It is recommended to keep rainbow trout at temperatures between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius above zero. This type has a number of advantages:

fry weigh no more than 30 grams, making them easier to keep at a young age;
in just a year, fish can grow up to 125 grams;
young females can bring up to 800 eggs.

The disadvantage of rainbow trout is that sexual maturity in representatives of this species occurs at the age of about three years. For this reason, in the first years it is impossible to breed trout.

Males can be identified by their wide iridescent stripes. It appears during puberty. For trout farming, it is recommended to keep females until they become adults.

At this age they are able to produce up to 3 thousand eggs. The birth of fry occurs in the spring.

Ruchevaya

Brown trout grow slower than rainbow trout and produce fewer offspring. In the first year, young fish reach a weight of only 25 grams. For a trout to weigh 500 grams, it must be at least 3 years old.

Benefits of brook trout include:

adult fish reaches a weight of 12 kilograms;
the female is capable of producing up to 1500 eggs;
The diameter of one egg is only 7 millimeters, so storing them does not require much space.

Sexual maturity in brook trout occurs at the age of 3 years. By increasing the temperature to +8 degrees Celsius, the incubation period can be reduced to 65 days. If the eggs are stored in water at a temperature of +2 degrees Celsius, the incubation period will take about two hundred days. Young fish are born in autumn.

Trout pellets

Fishermen ask the question: “Is it possible to buy trout pellets for catching our species of fish?” Yes, such granules are suitable for carp, crucian carp, bream and some other peaceful inhabitants familiar to us. We warn you right away that these fish will not actively bite on trout pellets during cold spells.

IMPORTANT! The body of cyprinids is actually different. Trout needs food containing large amounts of proteins and fats; it can consume it constantly. This is why pellets were used on farms to help these fish grow faster. Our inhabitants will quickly fill themselves with such food and stop pecking.

You can try trout pellets as bait, but you can’t feed the area with such pellets. But the feeder is an exception to the rule. The fact is that trout pellets attract our fish very well, you just can’t feed them with them. And if we put these pellets in the feeder, then the fish will be attracted and will not have access to the pellets. Another question arises: how to make sure that our granules fit tightly into the feed container and do not fall out, especially if the feeder is open.

Additional recommendations

Today, trout are bred, as a rule, in swimming pools, natural reservoirs and in special systems created artificially

It is important that the fish receive a balanced diet. This directly affects the speed of its development

Trout is a predator. Special feed mixtures are used for her. They definitely contain carotene. It is noteworthy that initially the meat of this fish does not have a reddish tint - it is this element that colors it.

As a rule, food is used wet or dry. Granular is popular among breeders. To gain 1 kg of fish weight, about 2 kg of dry food is required. If we are talking about wet food, about 6 kg is required. Moreover, even effective feeding does not bring much results if there are no suitable circumstances. It is necessary that the water has a sufficient concentration of oxygen.

Typically, imported feed costs about $2 per 1 kg. About a day, one adult eats food in the amount of 10% of its body weight. However, this indicator is directly influenced by the conditions of its detention. Contrary to popular belief, it is dangerous to feed trout too much food. This may cause her growth to slow down. It is most profitable to breed one-year-old fish whose weight exceeds 250 g. Young fish need to be fed about seven times a day, and adults - no more than 4 times a day.

It is worth considering that this fish adapts very well to various conditions. Depending on the environment, it can change its color. Not only in different waters, but also in the same stream, you can find fish that differ in color from others. Trout are often raised in artificial reservoirs because only about 10% of the fry survive in the natural environment.

Reproduction in the natural environment occurs in the spring, but in fish farms it can occur all year round.

To select food, it is necessary to take into account the conditions in which this type of fish is bred. It is recommended to use fish meal (up to 50% of the diet), as well as milk (skimmed, dry), blood or bone meal. Trout should consume a lot of protein, especially juveniles. In blood meal, this component is not completely complete, which breeders need to take into account.

In addition, you can add cake and meal (flaxseed, sunflower, etc.) to fish feed. However, it is not recommended to give her cotton meal due to the presence of toxic impurities in it. It is imperative to add feed yeast to the diet, which is a source of many vitamins.

How to breed

Fish live in conditions:

The oxygen content for breathing is 7-8 mg/l.
Water temperature 15-18C0.
Water contains calcium.

Exceeding the ambient temperature leads to inhibition of development, trout stops gaining growth. If the temperature remains above 25 C0, then mass death will begin.

ADVICE! It has been noted that reproduction in ponds is difficult, so artificial insemination is used. On some farms, a humane method is practiced under anesthesia, in line with global trends in environmental protection.

The technology for growing trout involves investing in equipment and organizing a comfortable space:

For beginning fish farmers, it is recommended to use a natural reservoir lined with concrete slabs to prevent soil erosion and water turbidity.
Depth at least two meters.
Constant monitoring of sick specimens with mandatory quarantine.
Sorted by weight, fish over 500 grams are suitable for sale.
Equipment installation.

To have trout in your pond, you must first check the cleaning, filtration and oxygen supply system. Then release the fry, pre-selected by weight, at least 2 grams! Representatives of salmon grow unevenly and eat a lot: fry - once an hour, and adults have to be fed every 3 hours.

To set up home fish farming you will need special equipment:

Incubators.
Automatic feeders.
Water filtration system.
Sensor for measuring temperature, chlorine and pH.
Heating.
Aerators.
Compressor stations.
Buckets and nets.

If you follow the rules for growing trout that have been established and tested for decades, then already in the third year fish farms produce fish weighing half a kilogram, suitable for sale. Life expectancy is 11-12 years, an adult can gain weight up to 12 kilograms. Sexual maturity occurs at 3-4 years; one female, depending on the breed, brings from 200 to 3000 eggs at a time.

REFERENCE! The population density of the pond area is carefully measured. 1000 yearlings are planted per 1 hectare; if intensive feeding methods are used, the figure can be increased up to 50 times. Individuals over two years old are placed in cages at the rate of 30 pieces per 1 m3.

Types of pellets for fishing

In addition to the manufacturing method, there are several more classifications, in particular according to composition, time of dissolution in water, size, and so on. All pellets sold on the fishing market can be divided into two main categories:

Instantly soluble, compressed at high temperatures.
Long-lasting, produced using wet pressing.

Since the former is pressed using the so-called dry method, it absorbs water like a sponge, swells and quickly falls apart at the bottom. If you throw a handful of such granules at a shallow depth, after half an hour, a maximum of 40 minutes, instead of them under the shore you will see a neat spot of loose bait. The basis for instant food is well-dusted crushed grains (wheat, corn and others), in addition, various protein substances are added to it, which attract fish. The main task of such pellets is to lure prey to the fishing point, and it does an excellent job with it. Round pellets from this category are popular among carp anglers; they are also called dust boilies.

To keep the fish in one place, you will need another food - slowly soluble. These are the same granules that are wet pressed. They are made from fishmeal, rich in proteins and fats, which in itself has an attractive smell and taste. Plus extruded grains and some binding components that prevent too rapid dissolution. The result is a dense pellet that can lie on the bottom soil for several hours. It does not gather dust, does not fall apart, and does not need to be constantly tossed.

A carp can spin around for a long time among such food and suck on the granules, but sooner or later a hook with bait will end up in its mouth.

Pellets for fishing also come in bait and bait types. Packed pellets have increased nutritional value and a stronger aroma. It is soft and contains amino acids and other natural substances that stimulate the fish’s appetite. Any pellets can be used for feeding, but more often these are inexpensive, long-lasting granules or similar food with a short disintegration time in water.

fishing

The shape of the granules plays an important role. Which one should you prefer, spherical or cylindrical? The choice depends on the method of application. Cylindrical ones are good for feeding, while pellet-balls are more convenient to place on a hook. In addition, the balls do not flutter so much when casting, because they have better aerodynamics. Although carp is considered a glutton, there are times when it only reacts to certain aromas. Feed pellets produced for the artificial cultivation of fish, as a rule, do not contain any aromatic components, and therefore are poorly suited for carp fishing in most reservoirs. Compared to them, similar products from fishing companies designed for amateur and sport fishing look much more effective. Granules come in a variety of flavors, but work best:

vanilla;
strawberry;
banana;
anise;
chocolate;
hemp.

It is important to know that on some paid ponds, atypical odors can have the opposite effect. On paid sites, carp caught and safely released begin to associate them with great danger, transferring their fear to those individuals that have not yet been hooked

As a result, even long-tested catchable pellets in practice become an absolutely useless material that repels fish. This suggests a conclusion: on paid reservoirs it is better to use the pellets that are fed to their inhabitants. You can purchase such pellets directly from the tenant.

There is no consensus regarding color. No one knows what shades the fish like, dark or light. It is also unknown whether the contrast of food with the bottom surface is important for it. Therefore, the color has to be selected experimentally, fortunately, today’s variety of food dyes provides pellet manufacturers with the opportunity to realize any fantasy.

Overview of species

As it became clear, pellets are granulated food in the shape of a small cylinder or ball.

It contains high-quality components that can attract the attention of fish to the fishing spot. Pellets can also be used as bait

When it gets into the water, it begins to disintegrate into small particles, which release an aroma that is attractive to fish. This smell stimulates the future prey's appetite, which greatly facilitates the fishing process.

The manufacturing process itself involves mixing several components. After which the finished mass goes through the formation process. This is done in two ways.

Extrusion. In this case, an extrusion machine is used. The plastic mass of bait passes through holes of the required diameter. Then it is subjected to high-temperature treatment until it becomes hard.
Cold pressed. This method involves pressing the feeding mass under high pressure. Cold pressed pellets are used for hanging on a hook.

Pellets presented on the windows of fishing stores are divided into several large groups.

Ground bait that must be thrown into the water some time before the scheduled start of fishing.
Bait bait. The presented variety of pellets contains attractants and many other substances that cause great interest among fish.

Do not forget that pellets are also divided according to areas of application.

Ball pellets. This type of feed granules, when released into the aquatic environment, very quickly breaks down into small particles that have buoyant properties.

The classic version of pellets granules has a cylindrical shape, but today on store shelves you can find both spherical samples and thin specimens with an elongated body. Each form is designed for a specific fishing method, and it is not possible to name which one is better. Some are used as bait, others as bait flavoring in a flat feeder. The main thing is that the bait composition is filled with products that the desired prey loves.

It is worth noting that modern manufacturers have managed to develop pellets designed for catching specific types of fish, for example, bream, crucian carp and representatives of the halibut family.

By composition

First of all, when choosing a pellet, a fisherman studies its composition. Today, there are several varieties of this complementary food on sale, differing in the components used in production.

Lo pellets. This type of bait is characterized by a low content of oils and fats. No fishmeal is used in the preparation of this bait. The main ingredients are proteins of plant origin.

By size

Pellets are also divided into several categories, differing in the size of the granules.

No more than 1 mm. Such baits are used to catch small fish.
Up to 6 mm. This variety is used for the production of complementary feed mixtures with an enriched component composition.
Up to 14 mm. Pellets of this size can be used as bait attached to a hook to catch large fish.
Up to 27 mm. Quite large cylindrical granules used for catching large species of fish.
More than 28 mm. Fishermen go with them to catch trophy catfish and carp.

By the presence of flavors

It is worth noting that in fishing farms, feed pellets are used to grow fish. These granules do not contain any aromatic components. Accordingly, they should not be used for catching carp species in wild waters. Residents of the underwater world may not even pay attention to the appearance of bait in the water.

But varieties of baits made for amateur and sport fishing contain flavorings that attract the attention of prey

According to the rate of dissolution in water

As mentioned earlier, according to the speed of dissolution, pellets are divided into instant granules and “long-lasting” granules. The instant granules are made from ground corn, wheat, oats and protein supplements. Over the past few years, instant baits containing a bulk feed mixture have begun to be found in stores. Their distinctive feature is the rapid absorption of water and subsequent disintegration. The time for complete disintegration of such granules ranges from half an hour to an hour.

The main ingredient of the long-lasting variety of pellets is fishmeal. The composition also contains binding impurities and elements that increase the duration of disintegration of the bait that gets into the water.

Trout float rod equipment

Fishing for trout with a float does not differ much in terms of installation from most methods of forming equipment for catching peaceful fish. The assembly algorithm consists of selecting a fishing line on which a float balanced by weights, a leash and a hook are attached. The auxiliary accessories for the trout float mounting kit will require swivels, silicone stoppers and quick-release carabiners.

If possible, equipment should have as few elements and connecting nodes as possible.

Coil

In Bolognese and match fishing rods, the equipment includes reels. Inertialess ones are more popular for assembling gear. They are easier to manipulate when casting and landing fish, they are unpretentious in maintenance and hold a large amount of fishing line, ensuring even the longest casts without worrying about the supply necessary for these purposes. For both matcha and lapdogs, small-sized mechanisms of 1500-2500 units are selected with only a friction clutch, without unnecessary functions.

For the sake of objectivity, it is worth noting that there is an opinion that claims that it is more comfortable to catch trout with a fishing rod equipped with an inertia rod. There is some truth in this, since these types of reels are much lighter than the meat grinders familiar to most anglers. But perfect mastery of the casting technique and the lack of a thin clutch mechanism are serious obstacles to their widespread use in trout fishing by ordinary, and even more so, novice fishermen.

fishing line

Since hunting is carried out at medium and short distances, catching trout with a float rod is ensured by using monofilament fishing line as the main cord. In addition, the monofilament is transparent and does not arouse suspicion in the fish, and its high stretch coefficient quite successfully helps to cope with the sometimes fierce resistance of the trophy that takes the bait. Flying and Bolognese fishing rods are equipped with a fishing line of 0.20-0.25 mm. For matcha, a cord with a diameter of 0.25-0.30 mm is used. The installation must include leashes made of 0.15-0.18 mm nylon lines or fluorocarbon versions of the element with a breaking load an order of magnitude lower than that of the main cord.

Hooks

When selecting a hook for a float mount, they are guided by the type of bait used in fishing. Often the range of an effective and practical piece of equipment falls within the range of 6-10 accessory numbers. When planning to catch large specimens of predators, the use of larger hooks of numbers 3-5 is justified. If fluid baits, trout pastes or dough are used as bait, then hooks with springs are installed in the rigs, which reliably and for a long time hold the bait in the water and during casting. Otherwise, the hooks should have natural color tones, gray or dark blue, and, of course, a sharp point.

Often, at the beginning of fishing, the fishing technique with two hooks is justified. The method allows you to much faster determine the horizon of active fish and, after reconnaissance, switch to the classic type of equipment with one hook. An additional leash can be made longer or shorter than the main one, as well as equipped with different types of bait and thus find the most promising fishing option, increasing the chances of ultimate success.

Floats

The practice of trout fishing shows that drop-shaped, oval or spherical floats are the most effective for fishing. The lower part of the alarm, submerged in water, is painted in non-garish natural tones, but the float antenna, on the contrary, should clearly stand out with its colors on the surface of the reservoir. Fishing on paid platforms has more comfortable conditions, which is why the mass of floats rarely exceeds 10 grams.

Read Catching pike with a spinnerbait and making your own bait

Basically, fishing is carried out using signaling devices in the range of 1.5-4 grams. For matcha, sliding types of floats are used; for bologna and swing, it is more practical to use floats with a blind fastening method. In fishing stores you can find floats specialized for trout fishing, the designs of which, with factory settings, take into account the nuances and characteristics of trout biting.

Making pellets yourself

Many fishing enthusiasts ask the question: “Is it possible to make pellets at home, and will its properties differ significantly from factory-made pellets?”

It is important to remember that the process of preparing homemade pellets is practically a science, allowing the prepared pellets to become truly magical, and the fishing results to constantly delight the fisherman

How to hook live bait to catch fish?

The first stage is preparing a special “dough”.

When choosing components, adding or excluding individual ingredients, you must not violate the recommended percentages between the main components:

Feed base – 40%.
Hemp (sunflower) seeds, roasted and ground – 20%.
Crushed cookies –20%.
Powdered milk (milk protein) –10%.
Powdered loam –10%.

To increase shelf life, add approximately 50 grams of salt, as well as a small amount of flavoring if desired. The resulting mixture of dry ingredients is steamed with a small amount of hot water (at the rate of 50 ml per 400 grams of mixture), and after 5-7 minutes the dough is kneaded, wetting your hands in olive oil and, if necessary, adding warm water a teaspoon at a time, kneading well after each additions.

Next, the process of forming granules of the desired shape will occur. There are several cooking methods:

labor-intensive - rolling the dough into sausages of the required diameter, which should be cut after drying for a short time;
rolling out on boards specially designed for this purpose (boilie boards).
the use of modified meat grinders without knives and holes in the mesh of the required size;
The author's method is to use a pastry syringe with a nozzle or a used, pre-well-rinsed, tube of silicone with a construction gun.

It’s no secret that pellets can be made with your own hands. And the last stage is final drying, possibly even using an oven. The drying time is determined by the presence of binding components in the pellets, such as, for example, gelatin. Further, in order to increase the time spent on the hook, the granules are impregnated with oil or fish oil.

Recipes

In the matter of preparing pellet bait, as we know, as many fishermen as there are recipes, obtained, most often, experimentally.

One of the recipes, the components of which must be observed in weight ratio:

Breadcrumbs – 35%.
Crushed oatmeal cookies –10%.
Oatmeal – 10%.
Oatmeal – 10%.
Ground flour – 10%.
Powdered milk – 5%.
Corn flakes – 10%.
Bran – 10%.

Another recipe for pellets implies that the process of forming granules will take place on a boilie board.

In this version, the dough should be more plastic than in the previous version:

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Ready-made bait for fish – 600 grams.
Soy flour (can be replaced with semolina) – 200 grams.
Ground roasted hemp – 50 grams.
Dry ground clay – 150 grams.

The addition of clay not only makes the mixture more flexible, but also makes it heavier, which facilitates long-distance casting of such a bait. The dissolution period of such granules increases to 1-2 hours.

How to make bait for carp

The simplest carp bait recipe consists of only 3 components and looks like this:

breadcrumbs;
crushed oatmeal cookies;
sunflower cake.

All components are mixed in equal proportions and moistened. You can add a sweet flavor to the carp feeding mixture.

The other recipe is more complex and includes:

1 kg corn flour;
200 gr. hemp cake;
300 gr. sunflower cake;
200 gr. chopped hazelnuts;
1 can of corn;
200 ml molasses.

The dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed together and moistened with water in which honey was previously diluted. The corn is added at the very end. A bait mixture that shows good results on large rivers consists of several components:

1 kg breadcrumbs;
1 kg of wheat bran;
300 gr. hemp seeds;
300 gr. sunflower cake;
500 gr. boiled millet;
300 gr. oatmeal

At the end of the moistening procedure, soil and dry flavoring are added to the bait. If a liquid activator is used, it is added to the water before mixing.

In paid reservoirs, fish are taught to eat specialized feed, which must be included in the mixture. Privada for the “payer” includes:

1 kg of fish feed;
1 kg rye bran;
500 gr. sunflower cake;
300 gr. ground hemp seeds;
300 gr. ground peanuts;
sweet flavoring.

The fish feed is first poured with boiling water and infused for 5–6 hours. After the compound feed has infused, other ingredients are poured into it. If necessary, you can additionally moisten the bait by adding flavoring to it. The most complex recipe used to lure finicky fish is:

Read Catching pike with a spinnerbait and making your own bait

1 kg of corn grits;
1 kg biscuit ground crackers;
300 gr. powdered milk or baby food;
300 gr. hemp seeds;
300 gr. chopped peanuts;
200 gr. chopped hazelnuts;
300 gr. coconut cake;
300 ml molasses.

After mixing the dry ingredients, the bait is moistened with water with molasses diluted in it. If necessary, a sweet activator is added.