Provoking a pike to bite during its activity is a matter of time, which depends only on the experience of the fisherman. It is much more difficult to catch a spotted predator during the non-biting period.
What tricks do fishermen go to in order to get the desired bite? They change the wiring, make pauses of varying duration during the process, and use various baits. Recently, the use of attractants has been added to the number of such methods. After the latter showed themselves well when catching peaceful fish, manufacturers of fishing products decided to test them on predatory fish.
Varieties
Attractants come in several varieties. Impregnating liquids are one of the most powerful attractants. Before use, the bait is placed in a container with an attractant. For good results, it is recommended to hold the bait in it for about 5-10 seconds.
Spray (they are used to spray the bait) and gel attractants, which are applied directly to the bait, are considered no less effective and more convenient. As a rule, they are successfully used in spinning fishing.
Dry attractants have also gained recognition. Under the influence of water, the amino acids contained in them are activated, which quickly and efficiently attracts predatory fish.
Types of attractants
There are three main types of attractants. Let's look at them in more detail:
- Liquid for impregnation (dip). The bait is immersed in liquid for 10 seconds.
- Sprayers. The use of sprays to spray bait is not very effective, since the applied substance does not saturate it well and is quickly washed off.
- Homemade attractants have proven themselves well, since in this case the fisherman can change the composition and select a special bait for each type of fish.
Powdered flavors
Dry attractants have gained recognition among the fishing community. They are added directly to the bait. This form of release has the following advantages:
- they are easy to use;
- adheres well to wobblers and worms;
- retain the smell for a long period;
- strong current is not an obstacle to the use of such substances;
- the formation of a tasty crust is due to rapid swelling;
- the presence of stabilizers allows such attractants to be stored for a long time;
- The content of substances in a concentrated form allows you to use the product economically.
By adding a dry attractant to dough or bait, you can expect a rapid activation of amino acids. However, the aroma should not be too strong. In this case, even a well-fed predatory fish will definitely react to the presence of these substances in the water.
We recommend reading: Signs
The powder should be mixed on the eve of the planned fishing. This will allow the active components to mix evenly with the fertilizer and permeate it with their scent.
Attractants and spinning
Attractants began to be used relatively recently in spinning fishing, although examples of provoking a predator with the help of well-known natural baits have been known for a long time. Experienced anglers often used a little fresh blood to soak the bait. The same foam fish, in the absence of artificial odors, were successfully soaked in the fresh blood of caught small fish. The industry for the production of fishing products has only taken this process to a new level - just “drop” the attractant onto the bait and try to make fishing effective.
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What do you need to know about the attractant?
When using such a product, a fragrant cloud is created around the nozzle, which arouses the interest of pike perch, pike and other predators. With the help of attractants, you can distinguish a specific bait from the bait. Such products are sold in different forms, and they contain not only amino acids and sweeteners , but also flavorings. In most cases, these are extracts from plants, as well as substances of animal origin that are rich in hormones. Naturally, companies producing such attractants do not reveal their preparation secrets.
With proper use of good flavors, the bait will become really effective when fishing for pike and other fish. Some anglers prefer to use dyes, which helps create a cloudy cloud in the water and give the bait a certain tint. However, such products are inferior to attractants, which have their own distinct taste and attractive smell.
Unlike conventional flavorings, attractants contain amino acids, the presence of which is felt by pike perch, pike and other fish. These substances affect the taste buds, awakening the predator’s appetite, due to which the fish not only approaches the bait, but also decides to bite.
Popular attractants for pike fishing, operating principle
Pike, as one of the most common representatives of predatory fish, in its hunting is more focused on vision and the lateral line. This is determined by nature, which does not give it much time to attack live bait or other bait. The two senses work faster than the sense of smell, but it cannot be discounted. It is not for nothing that experienced amateur fishermen make small cuts on live bait - its blood helps provoke the pike in those moments when the predator is not active.
This feature was taken into account by manufacturers of pike attractants, producing them in the form of:
- gels;
- sprays;
- oils;
- pasta.
The method of using them is simple - you need to apply them to the bait before casting. Sometimes it makes sense to soak it in an attractant (this is what you do, for example, with foam fish and silicone baits). When preparing in advance for going out to the reservoir, you can use this method. For use during fishing itself, a spray or gel (cream-lubricant) is more suitable due to its ease of use.
The bait material absorbs a certain amount of attractant, which releases when it gets into the water, especially at the beginning of the retrieve. This smell is stimulating, encouraging the fish to take active action. Fishing always serves as an open field for experimentation, since it is unknown what can provoke a predator to bite at the current moment. In combination with such factors as changing the type of wiring, the color of the bait, the use of fishing “chemistry” can give a good result during the non-biting period.
Let's look at the two most popular pike attractants.
Mega Strike Pike
Widespread advertising of the latest “miracle bait” always alarms experienced fishermen. They know well that the sense of smell is not a strong quality of pike and the smell of the bait will not play a decisive role in the execution of the vole. But! Research conducted by the manufacturing company has shown that the “highlight” that increases the number of bites realized is the fish’s enthusiasm when attacking the bait.
The pike, having sensed a pleasant smell for it, will more violently grab the spinner (twister, wobbler, etc.). This will give the spinner a few extra seconds, enough to react to the first blow, which has well swallowed the bait of the fish. Fewer appointments means less disappointment.
Mega strike of the Pike series (translated from English as pike) is available in the form of a gel. Apply directly to the bait before casting. This attractant is ideal for pike fishing, as it is supplied with a sufficient amount of amino acids and natural components. The manufacturer, of course, does not disclose the full composition of the mixture. Mega Strike Pike has a large number of positive reviews from spinners, many of whom are pleased with the fairly strong smell of the product and its performance. But there are those who consider its action to be diametrically opposite. Price: 580-600 rubles for 57 g. tube.
About
Attractants. Attractant formula. Attractant for winter fishing.
Use of attractants.
1. Formula of attractants.
2. How to choose an attractant.
3. How to use attractants when fishing.
4. Attractants for winter fishing.
Use of attractants.
Fish attractants and flavors are a very common product on the fishing market. How to choose an attractant and is it worth using them for fishing? Many people ask themselves this question and look for answers to it on the Internet. But there are so many fishermen, so many opinions.
I usually respond to this question with a simple answer: I don’t go on a single fishing trip without taking an attractant with me. Naturally, many people ask me the question, what attractants do you use, which attractant is better, which one is better to buy, which one works better when fishing?
These questions cannot be answered unequivocally, because of all the different brands, aromas (or tastes), substances of many different formulas (liquids, sprays, types of jelly, pastes, etc.), along with costs, attractants have their own individual pros and cons when use for fishing.
Personally, I only use three different attractant (or scent) formulas that cover all my predator fishing needs: crayfish (shrimp), garlic dill and pheromone attractant. The reason for choosing these three is because they are the most tried and tested by me and many anglers. Then, finally, many will ask me what methods of applying attractants to baits do I use?
Mainly due to problems with some products destroying the rubber parts in the boat if accidentally spilled or applied to bait, attractants must be used carefully. But the most attractant is wasted when spraying it on the bait, especially in strong winds.
Also, highly liquid attractants do not stick well to hard baits and are quickly washed off with water. Here we can note the only attractant for which rapid dissolution in water is only a positive result. This is an attractant with pheromones. The faster it dissolves in water, the better the effect of use will be.
Attractant formula.
The answer to the question of how to choose an attractant and the best application lies in several answers. First, we will try to clear up the “myth” about attractant formulas. The only thing to keep in mind is that there is no such thing as a “fish attractant”.
The only exception is the use of special attractants for fishing in salt water - sea fishing. Basically, these attractants are made on the basis of natural ingredients, without the use of chemicals. These attractants are very expensive, they are in little demand here, and have a limited shelf life and use.
Attractant formulas are primarily designed to cover up and remove unwanted flavors that come from your baits that are contaminated, handled, or stored in a bad place and are saturated with unwanted odors.
Hiding unwanted scents and treating the bait with what the fish prefer is the same thing a deer hunter does when spraying his gear with pheromones or scents. This way he hides the human smell when he is in the forest.
The same goes for attractant formulas that are made to be used for fishing. But they are not only just hiding foreign odors, they are also necessary for the fish to like the taste of the aroma, then it will hold on to the bait for several minutes longer than if the fish does not like the taste, and this is of great importance for a successful hooking.
Let's say, for example, that you were planning to go fishing and along the way you stopped to refuel at a gas station. Next, you are at the reservoir, preparing the boat, and again have contact with fuel. Even if you wash your hands very well, the smell will still remain and the fish will ignore the bait. And you'll just sit and wait for quite some time for the fish to bite. Likewise, when inserting a wobbler or spinner, all efforts will be in vain, the fish can only hit the bait and immediately release it.
This is why many companies produce attractants and flavorings to help prevent this problem. But even they can form the attractant formula incorrectly. There are also a lot of fakes on the fishing goods market. Imitating real working formulas and smells.
Now about the financial side of the issue. You buy expensive formulated baits that can get contaminated by something, why not buy an inexpensive bait and, using an attractant on it, make it work. I have already been convinced of this more than once. Cheap Chinese baits worked no worse than branded ones. The only difference was in price, several times.
How to choose an attractant.
The next question we will consider is how to choose an attractant and what scent formula to use. To answer this question, I really can't tell you exactly which brand of product to buy, because there are so many different manufacturers of fish attractants and most of them are all very compatible and work great, but I can tell you from experience that natural flavors work better.
I always use the crawfish formula for plastics and jigs. For spinning wobblers and baits, an attractant with the smell of garlic works best. I consider attractants with pheromones to be universal. They performed really well when fished in a variety of ways.
Let me warn you right away: do not mix those pheromone attractants with flavorings. The effect may be negative, although some fishermen claim the opposite. I experimented with pheromones, in my case the mixing effect brought a negative result. But by experimenting and mixing different smells, unexpected results were obtained in fishing.
How to use attractants when fishing.
Now that we've moved on to professional scent formulas, let's try to eliminate some of the "cons" that can really bother anglers when using attractants for artificial baits. Over the past 5 years, I have tried almost every attractant that can be used on bait.
I have tried sprays that are simply sprayed on, and I have tried thick ones that are used to coat the bait. I tried the pastes, they have a very thick consistency. I experimented with liquid ones, in which the bait is simply dipped. All this helped me determine the optimal attractant from the point of view of application. Although optimality is a relative thing. Each attractant is designed specifically for the conditions and fishing where it will be used.
Attractants with alcohol-based pheromones. Ideal application in winter.
Finally, over the years I found a way using an attractant like hand lotion. This was the best option for hiding foreign odors. Again, I repeat, this method is suitable for simple flavors. Pheromone attractants must be applied directly to baits. Pheromones must be present in an aquatic environment; in air they very quickly lose their properties.
Attractants for winter fishing.
Jelly-like attractants are very good. They last longer on hard baits and do not wash out as quickly. This applies in particular to trout pastes. But here another question arises. We always discuss attractants used in the warm season. After all, in winter, all these attractants will simply turn into an ice mass.
At subzero temperatures during winter fishing, it is recommended to use attractants based on ethyl alcohol. It prevents the product from freezing. By the way, attractants with pheromones are made on an alcohol basis. And yet, they smell very strongly concentrated.
I noticed on winter fishing that if you overdo it with the concentration of aroma, the fish may simply not be suitable. Even baits intended for winter fishing have a faint aroma. In cold winter water, the aroma dissolves faster and spreads much further. This is because there are few microorganisms in cold water.
It seems like we have figured out how to choose an attractant for a specific fishing trip. The most important thing is not to buy cheap fakes. Good attractant manufacturers always test them before releasing them to the market. Well, listen to the advice of experienced fishermen, although many keep it a secret.
DIY pike attractant
If you started hunting for pike, but the required attractant was not at hand, you can try to make it yourself. The main quality for a homemade attractant, in addition to its smell, is resistance to washing off. Vaseline performs this function. Also, almost all predatory fish react positively to salt. Therefore, the first thing we will need is Vaseline and salt. Just as mentioned above, blood is needed to lure pike. It can be obtained by cutting into existing caught fish. You will have to use fishmeal to bind it together.
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The use of attractants at different times of the year
You can use various flavors at any time of the year, but some seasonal features should be taken into account.
in autumn
The best aromatics for a predator in the fall are spicy and animal smells. The water temperature has not yet reached its minimum values, so the smell will dissolve quite well in the water. You can use any purchased pike attractants; natural attractants include canned fish, dried blood, and fish oil.
in winter
When using aromatics in winter, the main thing is not to scare off predators with a strong smell. Fairly light animal scents are welcome. Some attractants are adapted for use in the cold season and, due to their lighter composition, solve the problem of odor concentration and distribution under water, which occurs noticeably slower in winter.
