How to use Cheburashka sinker

Fishing with Cheburashka is a promising activity, as it allows the spinner to search for prey at different depths, currents and locations.
The cartoon prototype of the Cheburashka entered the life of every fisherman and became his favorite hero. What does Ushastika have in common with a man’s occupation? How can this piece of equipment affect the amount of catch? What features, forms and rules for choosing sinkers exist? What is it made of and is it possible to independently produce such a popular head weight at home? We will answer all these questions in this article.

Cheburashka cargo: general description

A Cheburashka weight, a Cheburashka jig head or an eared sinker is an element of equipment that has two loops on its body, called “ears” in the fishing world, which serve for mounting a carbine with a fishing line or bait in the form of a wobbler, edible bait or hook of various configurations, in including double and tee.

For more information about what a sinker is, what its purpose is and what features this element of equipment for jig phishing has, read here

Jig weights "Cheburashka"

Cheburashka jig weights are increasingly winning the love of jig fishermen. These sinkers received such an unusual name due to the presence of two eyelets intended for attaching the bait and leash. Conventional Cheburashka jig weights come in two types: with direct mounting loops and deployed. Such differences are due to different locations of the hook ears (longitudinal and transverse). “Cheburashka” is attached to a hook or double using a winding ring. This moving element gives the rig the greatest mobility and aerodynamics when casting. Casting equipment assembled on a Cheburashka is much further than casting a classic jig head. This is explained by the direction of the flight. That is, the “Cheburashka” seems to pull the hook with the bait behind it, and the solid jig head almost always flies sideways, disrupting the flight characteristics of the entire equipment. Quite a lot has been said and written about ordinary lead Cheburashkas, and I will not focus on them. In this article I will talk about the evolutionary changes that have occurred with this sinker in recent years.

Advantages and disadvantages of Cheburashka cargo

Let's figure out why this particular type of sinker has gained respect and love from anglers of different ranks.

“Cheburashka” is one of the components of the hinged mounting equipment, which has a number of advantages and capabilities:

1. The ability to perform long casts due to the weight of the load, which during flight always ends up in front of the bait and this position eliminates “helicopters” (overlaps), which are so common when rigidly mounted with a jig head, when the sinker rotates around itself in flight. Also, the range is ensured by placing the bait behind the load, which reduces its windage and increases its flight.
2. Thanks to the presence of ears, it is possible to quickly install equipment at any stage of fishing.
3. Possibility of equipping such cargo with different types of hooks.
4. This equipment is reliable when landing fish.
5. It goes through snags well, and in combination with an offset hook, it copes with snags.

One of the advantages of installing a Cheburashka with a hook is that it performs well when fishing for prey, but installation can have a negative impact when hooking it, when a rigid hitch with a jig head is considered more effective. This is a minus of the Cheburashka, which can be easily dealt with in amateur fishing, but in sports it is a significant drawback. Also, installation with a Cheburashka is more difficult than with a jig head.

Cheburashka equipment

To install such equipment, you will need several leads (replaceable), the length of which must be at least 65-70 cm from a cord whose diameter should be 0.3-0.4 mm. Continuing the description of the Cheburashka, it should be noted that the leashes are fixed with a swivel on the 1st side, while on the other side there is a load that has a conical or spherical shape, weighing about 35-40 grams.

To prevent the load from catching on an uneven bottom surface, special antennae are most often attached to it. Then the leashes should be equipped with 2 short (no more than 10-20 cm) leashes, to which hooks No. 10-12 should be attached. It should be noted that hooks can be used both double and single. The sting of the hook must be masked with bristles, fixed to the fore-end using glue and thread. You can use artificial fibers, which need to be fluffed up ahead of time. On the forend with the resulting panicles, you can attach a white polyvinyl chloride tube measuring 7-8 mm and 3-3.5 cm long.

Cheburashka sinker shapes

The spherical shape is a classic and the most common in the fishing environment. However, many spinning anglers in their fishing practice prefer other improved forms of Cheburashkas, which are successfully demonstrated by the manufacturers of such sinkers.

Advantages of the classic form:

1. With a small volume, they have maximum weight, which serves as a determining factor for long-distance bait throwing.
2. Sinking quickly.
3. It passes through overgrown “traps” very well.
4. Shows itself well in depth and current.

The shape called “field” has a design feature in the form of flattened sides and an elongated body. The use of such a load is appropriate when fishing in a small body of water with characteristic bottom unevenness, both during flow and in calm water.

Planning sinkers have their own character:

1. Slowly sink to the bottom.
2. When reeling in, the fishing line immediately rises and floats above it, so it easily “jumps” over obstacles.

The fish head is a more expensive sinker, but is unremarkable and is not used often.

So most spinning players prefer the spherical shape of the Cheburashka.

Collapsible Cheburashka weights of different weights Reviews

Date: April 30, 2021 | 434

Modern jig fishing is unthinkable without collapsible eared sinkers “Cheburashkas” . And, literally, a few years ago - they were not yet in wide circulation, they only appeared in the arsenals of sports fishermen. But now, amateurs have appreciated the greatness of this invention! We will appreciate it too. We will give reviews on such weights in different weights and talk about their purpose.

A lead ball with a slot into which a loop of stainless wire is inserted - everything is outrageously simple. A single hook, offset hook or double hook is preliminarily attached to the wire squiggle. We insert the wire into the groove of the weight and hook it, tying the resulting installation to the spinning tackle. A silicone bait, edible, is attached to the hook. The Cheburashka weight works like an eccentric, because The groove is slightly offset to one side, this ensures that the bait will not spin. But, at the same time, the hinged coupling of the weight loop and the hook provides wide freedom of movement of the bait, making its game more lively and attractive to the fish than on a simple jig head.

Previously, before the advent of collapsible eared sinkers, it was necessary to attach the hook to the weight through winding rings. Inserting an additional link into the gear was unnecessary and inconvenient. Sometimes they unbent the rings of the hooks and put them on the eye of the weight, then clamped them. Now all this “hemorrhoids” is in the past.

What’s also pleasing is that we managed to create collapsible eared ears, both very weighty and extremely small. The gradation usually starts from 1g. All weights have weight indications on the surface, which is very convenient. Stainless spring wire is used. It does not corrode. It holds tightly in the slot, but with a little effort it can be removed without special tools. You can disassemble the weight, set another hook and immediately continue fishing. This high-speed change of hooks and lures, in collapsible weights, is especially appreciated by athletes.

Cheburashka weighing 1.5 grams

In such delicate fishing as micro-jig, not only grams, but also half-grams play a role. So, this weight has a weight of 1.5g. And such half-weights are extremely in demand for the most delicate micro-jig fishing.

Collapsible eared weight 2 grams

A collapsible eared sinker, or, as it is also called a collapsible “Cheburashka”, weighing 2g is one of the most popular sinkers and weights in sports and amateur micro-jig fishing. This is why fishermen buy two-gram Cheburashkas, literally in kilograms.

This is a very convenient sinker. He pulled out the wire curl, put on the hook with the silicone bait, and put the sinker back together in one movement. Then, we tie the weight to the fishing line directly, or hook it through a clasp. Everything is simple, fast.

The sinker is numbered. The wire used is high-quality, stainless steel with springy properties. The weights are easy to assemble and disassemble simply by hand, but they do not open spontaneously.

Weight weighing 2.5 grams

The 2.5g weight is very popular among micro jiggers. Yes, in such delicate fishing, fractions of a gram matter. So, 2.5g is sometimes used when the weight of 2g seems insufficient for quality control of the bait, and when 3g falls to the bottom too quickly. Or, half a gram more is used when a 2g Cheburashka weight does not reach the target, for example, in the wind.

Cheburashki weighing 3 grams

Collapsible eared sinkers, light-weight Cheburashkas, weighing 3g, are in great demand. When forming microjig rigs, it is this weight -3 grams that is used almost more often than others. In still water, such weights are used to catch fish at depths of 2.5-4m. If there is a current, they fish at shallower depths: 1-2 m, in weak currents - up to 2.5-3 m.

The sinker is of very high quality. The collapsible weight is a lead ball with a slot. The weight is marked and the weight is indicated. The wire bracket is made of stainless steel. This ensures that the wire does not rust or get stuck in the groove. In addition, the wire has a springy effect. Thanks to this, it is fixed securely in the weight and will not pop out spontaneously.

Collapsible weights weighing 5g

A collapsible Cheburashka weighing 5g is the borderline value between a micro-jig and a classic jig. Light baits equipped with such eared weights are extremely popular among fishermen. They are indispensable when fishing at shallow and medium depths with small and not very silicone baits.

Cheburashkas collapsible 10 grams

A Cheburashka weight weighing 10g is intended for medium jig, for fishing at medium depths. This is a very popular weight, extremely popular among anglers.

Weights for spinning 14 grams

Previously, to create jig rigs, hinged, movable rigs, eared sinkers with ears molded in tightly were used. The hook was attached to them through a winding ring, or by unbending the ring of the hook (when this was at all possible), followed by attaching the hook to the eye and clamping the ring back. But all these difficulties are behind us. Collapsible eared Cheburashka sinkers with a shifted center of gravity appeared.

Shifted center of gravity, ensured by shifting the groove for the wire trap away from the center of the lead ball.

The weight is made of lead. There is a groove for wire. The weight is marked and the weight is indicated. The wire used is stainless and springy. Such a weight is reliable and does not fall apart spontaneously. Well, the wire does not corrode or sour in the groove.

An eared sinker weighing 14 grams is used in a medium jig for fishing in very deep places.

Cheburashka for heavy jig 30 grams

A 30g Cheburashka sinker is designed for heavy jigs. With such weights they are caught in solid river holes with a current; as a rule, pike perch are caught there. Pike perch responds well to moving rigs when a narrow-bodied vibrotail or other silicone bait is attached to the hooks.

The weight is made very well. There is a clear weight imprint on the lead surface. The wire bracket is made of stainless wire of significant diameter. She won’t let you down, she won’t jump out on her own. Well, it won’t rust over time. Although, when fishing in treacherous deep snags, the life of the jig is short-lived, immediately purchase a large supply.

Conclusions and reviews

As is clear from the text, for practicing fishermen, such weights are not just a newfangled gadget, but a real technological breakthrough in the formation of microjigs, jigs and other rigs. So the reviews are purely positive. The quality of different craftsmen may, of course, vary, but all this only affects the durability and ease of assembly and disassembly. Just try to buy from different stores to choose the best one. If you don’t see such weights for sale in real retail outlets, then there is no problem ordering such products via the Internet.

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Categories: Tackle · Tags: Sinker, Jig, Microjig, Installation, Tackle, Cheburashki

Sinker material

Typically, lead is used to produce jig weights at home, since this metal has a number of advantages, although it is inferior to tungsten in many characteristics.

Read about what material is best to purchase sinkers for jig wiring, the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, as well as what needs to be done to prevent oxidation of the head here

How to choose the right cargo

Tips for choosing the ideal Cheburashka shape:

1. Make sure that the shape of the weight is cast perfectly, since irregularities (bends, bulges, pits) will affect the behavior of the weight and, ultimately, the result of the catch.
2. The seams must be neat, since under any load, if the connection is not perfect, the sinker will fly apart.
3. If possible, the lead sinker should be painted, which prolongs its service life and protects it from corrosion or oxidation. However, this point is also negative, since marks from fish tracks are a kind of bite signal, and if the cargo is painted, such marks are not visible. On the other hand, the colored cargo can serve as an attack point for a predator. In this case, the choice of color is decided by the desire of the fisherman.

Tips for choosing a Cheburashka element - eyes:

1. Make sure that the material used to make the ears (wire) is not thick and allows manipulation.
2. Also, this material must be elastic and not subject to change under the influence of loads.
3. Pay attention to the shape of the lugs and the quality of their manufacture, remember that they must be coated with anti-corrosion lubricant.
4. Check the installation of the ears, it must be strong.
5. Make sure that the size of the lugs is harmonious with the overall design and not too large so that the required installation can be performed.
6. The size of the lugs must be sufficient (at right angles to each other) for unhindered installation of the equipment elements.

Next, after purchasing a good quality head, you should decide on the characteristics that will affect the catch:

• the shape of the load, which was described above;
• Cheburashka cargo weight.

Advice. For beginner spin fishermen, it is better to have weights with a 5g incremental advantage, such as 5g, 10g, 15g, etc. For more experienced people, a decrease of 2 g, or even 1 g.

You can read more about the weight characteristics of jig heads here

How to make at home

Each fisherman can independently make “Cheburashkas” of the required weight and shape. To produce sinkers you will need:

• Matchbox;
• metal plate 3-4 mm wide;
• ready-made jig head of the required size;
• machine oil;
• gypsum.

Casting molds

After preparing the necessary equipment, you can begin making the casting mold. This process consists of several stages:

• the eye is removed from the finished sinker, and a metal plate is inserted in its place;
• gypsum is poured into the container, diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio and mixed thoroughly;
• after the solution thickens, fill the matchbox with it;
• the prepared sinker is lubricated with machine oil;
• a lubricated weight with a plate inserted into it is placed on the plaster so that the “Cheburashka” is half immersed in the solution;
• using a drill, make 4 vertical holes in the mortar in the corners of the box;
• grooves are made in the plaster, which will serve as a guide when creating a filling hole.

The form for the weight should dry well. This will take at least a day.

When the workpiece is completely dry, you can begin casting the sinkers. To cast Cheburashkas you will need:

• insert the metal plate into the center of the mold;
• connect the halves;
• melt the lead and pour it through the filling hole;
• remove the load blank from the mold after cooling;
• Using wire cutters, cut off any excess lead resulting from pouring.

Using pliers, a carbine-shaped eyelet is made from wire, which is subsequently inserted into the longitudinal hole of the cast weight. In this way, you can make both the smallest and largest “Cheburashkas”.

Spinning fishing involves frequent breaks of sinkers. Sometimes more than 10 equipment are consumed during one fishing trip, so making “Cheburashkas” yourself is justified, as it saves money. A fishing rod for fishing with baits equipped with a “Cheburashka” must be equipped with a commensurate reel, on the spool of which a braided cord is wound.

Stationary jig heads require a rigid connection between the hook and the load. Such jigs were the very first to appear, and for a long time were considered “classics of the genre.” But even now, with the advent of hinges, stationary jig heads have not disappeared from jig boxes. And that's why. Thanks to the rigid connection, the hook threaded into the body of the silicone bait is almost always positioned with the tip up.

Of course, it is impossible to accurately determine the optimal weight of a jig head before the start of fishing, however, based on the expected fishing conditions, it is possible to correctly predict the range of weights that, at least, will not bring a fiasco. And also, it will allow you not to carry around mountains of excess lead or tungsten. However, each type of reservoir has its own selection rules. Let's look at them in more detail.

Choosing a jig head on the river

On the river, in addition to the depth, the required casting distance, the type of bait used and, of course, gear, one should also take into account the strength of the current. Despite the fact that the river is the most difficult option, let's start with it.

It is known that the main task of a jig head is to provide the required fishing horizon for the bait. And also - allow the bait to hover above the bottom for some time.

It is believed that for a standard step-by-step retrieve, the time the bait falls should be on average 2-3 seconds. In most cases, this will be the optimal weight of the jig.

Of course, the weight is selected experimentally, but for most small and medium-sized lowland rivers with depths from 2 to 5 meters, the required weights range from 8 to 16 grams.

Collapsible Cheburashka

The main advantage of a collapsible Cheburashka is the ability to remove the wire eyes and thereby avoid difficulties when installing the factory ring as a connecting element with the hook at any stage of fishing. This manipulation is sometimes inconvenient to perform with an ordinary non-separable weight.

Disadvantages of collapsible cargo - under the influence of gravity, low-quality ears can pop out at the most inopportune moment.

Tip: it is recommended to store such sinkers in a box so that if the hooks slip out, they will not be lost.

Recommendation for strengthening the ears in Cheburashkas with thin wire - you need to squeeze the weight from the sides using pliers.

Many spinning anglers may have questions regarding collapsible lugs. For example, could the hole for extending the lugs affect the volume of the sinker? If you look closely, you will not see any changes in volume. Can the ears straighten? High-quality ears do not bend when additional load is placed on them. Can the thin wire of this eyelet cut fishing line (braided cord)? This situation is only possible when tying the wrong knot. For example, to secure the cord it is better to use a knot called a “clinch”.

How to make a Cheburashka sinker at home

A video lesson on creating a mold from plaster and casting dismountable Cheburashkas will be demonstrated by the author of the channel “My Fishing”

A short video about making fasteners for dismountable Cheburashkas with your own hands from E. Yablochkin

Important! Before you start manufacturing, you need to know about the dangers of this metal on the human body and the environment. Read the article about the dangers of lead here https://www.vredno-vsyo.ru/index.php?newsid=147

International experience in combating the lead threat in fishing https://marine-fish.ru/era-svinca-podhodit-k-koncy-svincovye.html

How to make at home

Each fisherman can independently make “Cheburashkas” of the required weight and shape. To produce sinkers you will need:

• Matchbox;
• metal plate 3-4 mm wide;
• ready-made jig head of the required size;
• machine oil;
• gypsum.

Casting molds

After preparing the necessary equipment, you can begin making the casting mold. This process consists of several stages:

• the eye is removed from the finished sinker, and a metal plate is inserted in its place;
• gypsum is poured into the container, diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio and mixed thoroughly;
• after the solution thickens, fill the matchbox with it;
• the prepared sinker is lubricated with machine oil;
• a lubricated weight with a plate inserted into it is placed on the plaster so that the “Cheburashka” is half immersed in the solution;
• using a drill, make 4 vertical holes in the mortar in the corners of the box;
• grooves are made in the plaster, which will serve as a guide when creating a filling hole.

The second half of the mold is made using the same principle. After the first half has dried, you need to lubricate it with oil and carefully apply it to the second. The resulting form is left to dry completely. After the mold has dried, use a knife to cut a hole for pouring lead and make side air vents.

When the workpiece is completely dry, you can begin casting the sinkers. To cast Cheburashkas you will need:

• insert the metal plate into the center of the mold;
• connect the halves;
• melt the lead and pour it through the filling hole;
• remove the load blank from the mold after cooling;
• Using wire cutters, cut off any excess lead resulting from pouring.

Using pliers, a carbine-shaped eyelet is made from wire, which is subsequently inserted into the longitudinal hole of the cast weight. In this way, you can make both the smallest and largest “Cheburashkas”.

Spinning fishing involves frequent breaks of sinkers. Sometimes more than 10 equipment are consumed during one fishing trip, so making “Cheburashkas” yourself is justified, as it saves money. A fishing rod for fishing with baits equipped with a “Cheburashka” must be equipped with a commensurate reel, on the spool of which a braided cord is wound.