Independent rating of bite activators, compiled from our own experience

Fishing has long been a real art. Fishing rod enthusiasts explain the lack of bite in different ways. Some believe that the main factor behind the lack of bites was the decline in the population of the fish “stock”. Others are confident that representatives of the ichthyofauna are getting smarter faster than fishermen are finding new ways of fishing. But both of them do not sit at home with their hands folded. To outwit an invisible opponent, modern electronic surveillance devices and magical baits are used. One of the most discussed ways to attract fish to a fishing spot is the use of bite activators. There are a lot of both positive and negative reviews on the Internet for almost every product. Unfortunately, among them there are both openly advertising messages and negativity from those who have not even tested the new product in practice. Therefore, the final verdict can be made by each angler independently only after testing in real reservoir conditions. All activators can be divided into several groups.

1. Attractants allow you to attract fish to the fishing site. This can be one substance or a whole group of chemical compounds that force representatives of the ichthyofauna to instinctively move towards the feeding area or bait.
2. However, the accumulation of fish in a certain water area does not guarantee a good bite. Therefore, it is important to arouse a strong appetite in underwater inhabitants and force them to compete with each other in pursuit of bait.
3. Many bite activators contain both attractive components and hunger-inducing ingredients. Some manufacturers synthesize new chemical compounds, while other developers focus more on natural food, known to fish at the genetic level. When choosing a magic additive, you should take into account its environmental friendliness, especially if the caught fish will subsequently be served on the table.

Our review includes the best bite activators. When selecting specific fishing products, the following criteria were taken into account:

• environmental friendliness of the activator;
• efficiency of application;
• price;
• expert opinion;
• reviews from amateur fishermen.

The best summer bite activators

During the warm season, fish are actively searching for food. Caution becomes dull, and even those baits that the fish cannot encounter in reality begin to work. For example, tropical fruit, caramel and Coca-Cola flavors are often used. Also, good results are shown by baits that enhance the natural smell of the gear: bloodworms or worms. It is difficult to say which activator is better. It all depends on a number of factors, such as weather and even atmospheric pressure. You always need to experiment and try different options. Fortunately, the market is rich in offers, and some of them are included in our rating.

On practice

Now - a hit parade of ingredients with which you can prepare a bite activator with your own hands. Practicing fishermen use this every day. What baits are the most attractive? The list is arranged in descending order. In the first place is blood, dry or fresh: finely chopped fish, pieces of liver, lung, or even leeches. Blood does not belong to the seven groups of odors, but in terms of its chemical composition and amino acid content it is the best of the effects.

The second place is occupied by various coastal insects; if you cut them, the bite activator for winter fishing, and even more so for summer fishing, will turn out to be very effective. Of course, insects with a putrefactive odor have advantages - these are dung worms, maggots, underleaves, and bark beetles. Any larvae, May beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and silkworms have a musky odor. In third place is flour from daphnia, shrimp, bones, and bloodworms.

Top 5. MINENKO Liquid Booster Big Fish

Rating (2021): 4.04

• Characteristics

  Average price: 260 rub.

• Country: Belarus
• Types of fish: carp
• Application: for bait
• Consistency: liquid

We have before us a complex multi-component bite activator, designed to catch all representatives of the carp family. Bream, carp and other herbivorous species respond equally well to it. The substance does not have any distinct taste. The flavors are neutral, but they use enzymes that the fish respond to naturally. The liquid is applied directly to the tackle. Moreover, it is advisable to use either live bait or edible silicone. The consumption is quite high, and the liquid only works for half an hour. However, the price tag is quite low, which is what makes the product so attractive.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Affordable price
• Neutral aroma

• High consumption
• Complete ignoring of the activator by predators

Top 4. Cool worms

Rating (2021): 4.46

The most reliable and durable flavor Activator is made on the basis of dense grain with a natural aroma. Flavoring additives significantly enhance the aroma of bait and are not washed away by water for a long time. The activator works for at least two hours from the moment of casting.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 800 rub.

• Country Russia
• Types of fish: bream, carp, other carp
• Application: in bait
• Consistency: dry

A bite activator based on natural grains, thanks to which it does not scare off even the most cautious fish. The brand's assortment includes many flavors, both natural (worm and bloodworm) and exotic (mango, strawberry and caramel). As practice and customer reviews show, in the summer season all flavors work equally well. The disadvantages include the impossibility of application to equipment. The consistency is dry. It must be added to the feed, from which boilies and other baits are then made. One package is enough for a kilogram of the finished mixture, which makes the activator very attractive in terms of price.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Economical consumption
• Lots of flavors to choose from
• Only natural ingredients

• Cannot be applied to tackle

Where to look for fish?

Winter is unpredictable: sometimes cold, sometimes thawed. In order for fishing to be successful, you need to understand where to look for fish in each case.

The best bite for perch and pike is in the first days after ice formation. During this period of time, the fish has not yet swum away from the shore and is briskly moving around the reservoir. In the middle of winter, if the cold is severe, the fish go to the most remote areas, concentrating in schools in holes or snags. If someone finds a similar hole or snag, then fishing will be productive.

Unfortunately, we don’t always know the bottom landscape, for this reason it is better to drill many holes at once - at least 10, and try to fish in each one. Spend no more than 3 minutes per hole - if there is no bite, switch to the next one.

At the end of winter, perch forgets about lethargy and begins to hunt and prepare for spawning. The pike is also becoming more lively. During this period, fishing can become very, very impressive. The warmer it is, the more dynamic the bite; for this reason, always strive to use the thaw time to your advantage.

Top 3. Fish XXL

Rating (2021): 4.51

Best value for money The activator, used by professional fishermen, is designed specifically for fishing in places that are not very rich in fauna and do not offer much catch. The consistency of the spray completely offsets the seemingly high price tag.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 990 rub.

• Country Russia
• Types of fish: all
• Application: for bait
• Consistency: spray

One of the most convenient activators to use is Fish XXL spray. It was developed in close collaboration between scientists and professional fishermen. It took three years to determine the optimal composition. The effectiveness of the product has been proven in practice; many athletes have won prizes in international competitions thanks to this development. The substances that make up the spray actively affect the fish’s sense of smell. By irritating the nerve endings, the drug detains the fish at the fishing point and stimulates it to bite. The activator can be applied to silicone baits when fishing for predators with a spinning rod or added to the bait before casting when fishing for bream or carp.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Recommendations from athletes
• Irritating and fish provoking additives

• Blurs quickly

Top 2. Dry Blooder

Rating (2021): 4.65

Development of European ichthyologists The bite activator, developed by a European institute, was the result of many years of research by ichthyologists and other scientists.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 890 rub.

• Country: Russia-France
• Types of fish: predators
• Application: in the feeder, in the water
• Consistency: dry

One of the few bite activators, in the creation of which ichthyologists took part, is the development of Dry Blooder. The principle of action of the drug is based on the joint work of pheromones and albumin. The purpose of pheromones is to induce a feeling of hunger in representatives of the ichthyofauna. Moreover, the fish instinctively moves to the place where the alluring aroma comes from. Dried blood (albumin) is very rich in protein, which is quickly absorbed in the fish’s body. Therefore, the fish begins to feed intensively in the zone of action of the activator.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Development by scientists
• Lots of protein
• Get started quickly

• High price
• An infrequent guest on store shelves

Top 1. Fish Hungry

Rating (2021): 4.78

The most popular bite activator The product can be found in almost any fishing store. It is found both in retail and on online platforms, from which we can conclude that the product is very popular among fishermen.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 590 rub.

• Country Russia
• Types of fish: all predatory fish, bream, carp
• Application: for bait
• Consistency: dry

One of the most popular bite activators among domestic fishermen is Fish Hungry. The peculiarity of this drug is that it not only attracts fish to the fishing point, but also provokes it to bite. The manufacturer assures that the larger the fish, the more readily it responds to the activator. Experts emphasize such a property of Fish Hungry as its versatility. Both peaceful bream and predatory perch respond well to it. Since the activator contains pheromones, it is impossible to overfeed the fish. The advantages of the product include a long shelf life.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Preferential effect on large fish
• Universal purpose
• Easy to find in stores
• Long-term storage

• Lots of low quality fakes

See also:

• 5 best baits for bream

to the beginning of the rating

Characteristic features of fish behavior in winter

Let's take perch and pike for example. Studies have shown that in the cold season, the stomach of perches shrinks and becomes the size of a walnut. Perch literally stops feeding on fry at temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius. Its metabolism is slowed down: during this period, the fish eats in small portions and not as energetically as in the summer. The lower the temperature, the more the perch is inclined to consume small food - insects, bloodworms, larvae. During the winter, the perch gets thinner.

Pike, on the contrary, can gain weight, although its belly is usually filled with caviar during this period of time. For this reason, it also feeds less briskly and on smaller prey than in spring and summer. Lures need to be selected appropriately, but more on that a little later.

The best winter bite activators

In winter, it is quite difficult to bring fish out of lethargy. It reacts weakly to even the strongest odors and completely ignores aromas that are not characteristic of the environment. Exotic mixtures such as mango or pineapple are unlikely to bring results, but bait based on natural aromas works great. They can be applied either directly to the tackle, if the activator is presented in the form of a liquid or spray, or added to the bait. In winter, it is especially important to strictly observe the consistency. Too strong aromas, often used in activators, can have the opposite effect and scare away the fish rather than lure them.

Taste and color

Roach reacts well to vanilla, hemp, nuts, chocolate, caramel - it has a sweet tooth. Bream is a sophisticated guy, like an eastern sheikh, prefers cloves and cinnamon. Crucian carp and carp are simpler guys, although they love the flavor of strawberries, but they go well with dill and garlic. But predators will definitely respond to the smell of bone or fish meal.

In general, the bite activator should contain three groups of components: the base (cake, bran, oatmeal, crackers, and so on), the food itself (tubifex, worms, maggots, bloodworms) and additives for flavor. Complementary food can be cemented with dry clay, egg powder, oatmeal, or you can make it crumbly with sand. The turbidity will become more abundant if you add dry milk, dried blood, small sawdust or dried daphnia. Roasted flax, hemp, sunflower seeds, various spices and aromatic oils are good for aroma. The main thing you need to remember is that it is not the quantity or quality of bait that will make the bite successful, but its skillful use.

Top 5. Silver Bream

Rating (2021): 4.12

• Characteristics

  Average price: 230 rub.

• Country: China
• Types of fish: bream, carp
• Application: on tackle
• Consistency: spray

Spray bite activator, using natural carp pheromone as a base. This is a winter option, since it does not contain aromatic or essential oils. It cannot scare away, but its range of action is very limited. Apply the spray directly to the bait before casting. The best results are achieved when working with edible silicone. But judging by the reviews, there is no point in applying a spray to the lure. It is quickly washed off with water, even if there is no current. In general, it is definitely not possible to call the activator the best. But it is inexpensive and one bottle will last for the entire winter season.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Affordable price tag
• Has no unnatural aromas

• Wash off quickly
• Not applied to metal gear

Activators and their manufacturers

The bite activator FishHungry is also vehemently advertised. The instructions for use describe in detail how to dissolve the product from the bag, how to soak the bait, and so on. However, no matter how the fishermen experimented with all this, real reviews say that there was no point. The old Ultrabyte tool has received several positive comments that are similar to the truth. Although they don’t write about such a thing that the smell of it makes the fish so crazy that they grab stones from the bottom.

But in the advertisement and annotation for the drug itself something similar is indicated. Available in both liquid form and tablets. It was the latter that received several positive reviews.

Top 4. Mega Mix

Rating (2021): 4.21

Varied consistency The activator is available in several forms: liquid, dry, tablet and as a spray. The winter option is selected based on the characteristics of the reservoir and personal preferences. There is no difference in composition.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 500 rub.

• Country: USA
• Types of fish: all
• Application: depending on consistency
• Consistency: liquid, dry, spray, tablets

The bite activator allows you to fish the way you are used to, without changing methods depending on the consistency of the mixture. The manufacturer offers several types at once, from dry powder to spray and geyser tablets. Tablets are the most interesting winter option, since you just need to put them in water and wait for complete dissolution, after which a fragrant spot will form in the hole and beyond, attracting fish. The assortment also includes essential drops that are applied to the equipment. Since winter is not a reason to give up silicone baits, this option also has a right to exist.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Varied consistency
• No restrictions on seasonal use
• Affects all types of fish

• Difficult to find on store shelves
• Counterfeits are common

Alternative: Electronic bait

An experienced fisherman knows that when using an activator there is always a danger of overfeeding the fish. This is why electronic baits appeared on the market. They are a cylindrical device powered by a charger.

It works this way: when it gets into a body of water, the bait begins to vibrate, make sounds and glow. Thus, it affects the fish.

Any predator will be attracted by vibration and unusual vibrations.

When using you need to consider:

• the depth of the reservoir at the fishing site;
• type of fish;
• other device data specified in the instructions.

Of course, not all fishermen appreciated the newest device.
Its cost is not very high, and everyone can try to benefit from using it. However, a bite activator is a great way to attract fish, it is important to use the product in moderation. At its core, winter fishing is not much different from summer fishing.
It’s all the same: you throw the tackle and wait for it to bite. But gear, and to a greater extent bait, is selected differently for each season. What baits will work well in winter? Find out from this article. Before we move on to the topic of choosing bait, it is necessary to understand how fish behavior changes during the cold season.

Top 3. Dynamite effect

Rating (2021): 4.34

The best choice The most effective bite activator, equally effective on both predators and herbivores. The product is based on artificial pheromones, natural food and essential neutral oils.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 1,450 rub.

• Country: Italy
• Types of fish: all
• Application: in water, for bait, in a feeder
• Consistency: dry

The activator could have taken a much higher position in our ranking. If you believe the reviews and tests conducted by several independent publications, it has truly unique qualities. Both predators and herbivores react to it equally. It doesn’t matter whether it’s winter or summer, the pheromones used excite the fish in any weather and atmospheric pressure. The only drawback of the product that immediately catches your eye is the price. Almost one and a half thousand for one package. Its weight is 150 grams, which is enough for about 20 casts. If you use the activator in the hole, then only once. According to the same reviews, saving the mixture is irrelevant. The fish simply stops noticing the bait.

Advantages and disadvantages

• High performance
• Improves winter and summer bite
• Natural ingredients

• Very high price
• Doesn't work in small quantities

Pike's sense of smell and the effectiveness of attractants

Let's start with the question of whether this fish perceives odors, because it is believed that aromatic substances are of no use when fishing for pike. Is it so? It’s definitely not easy to answer. First, you need to understand whether the pike generally uses smell during feeding or focuses on other senses? The following information should help with this:

• The toothy predator really barely distinguishes odors. Her vision works much better. Pike can see bait even at a decent distance - up to 10-12 m. In clear water - even further. Therefore, vision is considered its main “assistant” in searching for prey.
• In the process of life, almost all fish use a sensory organ called the lateral line. With its help, they are able to detect vibrations and vibrations in water. For pike, the lateral line is the main assistant in the search for food.
• Most fishermen and ichthyologists believe that pike do not use their sense of smell at all when hunting and feeding. This means that it is impossible to attract her with any smells. Is it so? We would not categorically state that pike does not perceive aromas at all. After all, why then do experienced fishermen make cuts on live bait? It’s right to bleed such bait. Thus, a trail of odor attractive to pike begins to emanate from the fish. She responds to him.

Attractants for pike are less effective than for other fish, due to the weak sense of smell in pikes

Let's summarize what has been said. Pike mainly feed and search for food using sensory organs such as vision and the lateral line. She may also use her hearing, while she rarely uses her sense of smell.

But sometimes the smell of the bait affects whether the pike attacks it or not. This means that flavorings can (slightly!) improve the bite of this predatory fish.

It turns out that the sense of smell, to put it mildly, is not the strong point of the “toothy”. Therefore, it is wrong to expect that aromatic substances will seriously increase the attractiveness of the bait. However, when you use different wobblers, twisters, spinners and spend hours fishing in all sorts of places on a pond, but there are still no bites, then you seriously think about why not try an attractant. However, sometimes fishing flavor really helps. Coincidence? Accident? Hardly.

Top 2. Cralusso Fizz Activator

Rating (2021): 4.67

Convenient form factor The activator is made in the form of a small tablet, which, when dropped into water, instantly dissolves, creating a fragrant cloud that does not erode for several hours in the absence of a current.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 400 rub.

• Country: Poland
• Types of fish: carp
• Application: in water
• Consistency: dry

Winter causes certain difficulties with the use of additional bait. Especially if you need to soak it or immerse it in water yourself. This form factor is the most convenient. It is enough just to throw one or two tablets into the hole, and they will instantly dissolve and leave behind a fragrant cloud. The range of action is up to one hundred meters, that is, you do not need to scatter the tablets into all the holes, just one piece for several casts is enough. In places with little or no current, the cloud persists for several hours. The main catches are carp fish and bream. The activator can also be used in feeder fishing. In this case, the tablet is placed in the feeder.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Convenient use
• Long lasting
• All-season use

• Impact only on herbivorous fauna

Top 1. Traper Winter Ready Grounbaits

Rating (2021): 4.81

Best price 750 gram package of activator costs less than 200 rubles, which is about 20% cheaper than its nearest competitor and several times lower than the price tag of top brands.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 180 rub.

• Country Russia
• Types of fish: roach, bream, perch
• Application: in water
• Consistency: dry

Here is a bite activator that can be called the best in several respects. Firstly, it has a very attractive price - less than 200 rubles for a 750 gram package. This supply is enough for about 7-10 trips to the water. The mixture works as an independent bait. You just need to form a ball out of it and drop it into the hole. The consistency is dry, but with a small amount of liquid, so modeling is done quickly and the ball does not fall apart in your hands. Secondly, the product is universal. There are 6 types of bait, each of which is designed for a specific type of fish. By mixing products in equal proportions, you get the opportunity to catch all underwater inhabitants without exception.

We prepare attractants with our own hands

Let's start, perhaps, with the simplest thing - with flavors. For 1 liter of water you will need 4 tablespoons of baking flavor. Stir well, put on low heat and wait for it to boil. Wait another 15 minutes, and then safely turn off the stove. The flavored additive that can be added to the bait is ready.

Bait with a pronounced garlic smell is prepared as follows. Pass 4-5 cloves of garlic through a garlic press. Mix with 2 tsp. any oil. Stir and let stand for 30-40 minutes.

When choosing an attractant, you need to consider who it is intended for. Fish have different tastes, which means they will have to be lured in different ways.

Let's prepare bait for crucian carp

. Pour boiling water over a handful of pearl barley and wrap it up. Wait until the cereal swells. This usually takes 3 hours. Then add one of the following: cocoa, garlic, crushed dill seeds, anise, vanillin.

Carps

are known to have a sweet tooth, which means the bait should be sweetish. Select the corn grains - remove unripe and small ones. Fill with hot water. Leave for 2 hours. Then cook, stirring constantly, for about 50-60 minutes. Add sugar or honey.

Here is a recipe for a simple attractant for predatory fish

. Prick one fish oil capsule with a needle. Mix the contents with Vaseline (about 30 grams). Add 1 tsp. salt. All. Simple, fast and effective.

There are also universal flavors that will work no matter what kind of fish you catch.

Recipe No. 1.

Mix crushed and dried bloodworms, worms and snails in equal proportions. Pour the resulting powder with a glass of alcohol and leave in a cool, dark place for a week.

Recipe No. 2.

Mix anise, cinnamon, dill, cloves and garlic. Fill with alcohol and leave in a dark place for 3 weeks. Dip your bait into the attractant just before casting.

Recipe No. 3.

Take 6 flavored tea bags (strawberry, apple, cinnamon or any other), pour boiling water and add 2 tablespoons of sugar. Then add hemp oil, soy sauce or ketchup (one or the other) - 1 tablespoon. Leave for half an hour, then strain. The solution is used to soak the bait.