- take into account the size of the fish;
- take into account the nature of the bait;
- give preference to branded hooks.
The outcome of the entire fishing trip can depend on the correct choice of hook, and this should always be remembered. As a rule, they fail in the midst of fishing, when every minute is precious.
Choosing a hook depending on the nature of the bait
You can choose one suitable hook for all types of bait and safely use it. Even if the hook somewhere does not match the nature of the bait, this is not important and this factor will not particularly affect the fishing process if the trophy specimen does not bite. In this case, an incorrectly selected hook will have a greater impact on the ease of use of the bait. Naturally, the more convenient the fishing process, the more enjoyable it is. Nobody wants to be nervous while fishing. Therefore, it makes sense to understand this issue in order to select the right hooks, depending on the type of bait.
- When fishing for worms , you should choose hooks with a long shank. Such a hook will simplify the process of placing the worm on the hook. Moreover, it detects fish more reliably and allows you to attach additional elements to it, such as foam balls. As a rule, hooks from No. 10 to No. 6 are the most promising when fishing for bream. It should be recalled that in the international classification, the lower the hook number, the larger it is.
- When using bloodworms as bait, you should choose smaller hooks made of thin wire. These are hooks from No. 16 to No. 14. It should be remembered that thin wire hooks are not so reliable as to catch large fish.
- When fishing for maggots, hooks with thin wire, but of medium size, numbers No. 10-No. 14, are also suitable. Maggot is a fairly effective bait for catching many types of fish, including bream.
- When using baits of plant origin , such as peas, pearl barley, corn, etc., hooks from No. 14 to No. 8 are better suited. They can also be used for baits such as dough, mastyrka, semolina, etc.
Fishing technique with a float rod
general information
You can fish with the above equipment at reservoir depths from half a meter to 2-3 meters (more than that, it will be problematic to make a long cast).
Most fish lead a bottom-dwelling lifestyle (crucian carp, carp, perch, bream, silver bream, ruffe), but there are also riding fish (bleak, verkhovka, rudd).
You must know what kind of fish you are hunting for, or try to fish both on the bottom and near the surface - to determine what kind of fish is found here. Setting the fishing depth is done by moving the float along the line - the closer it is to the hook, the lower the fishing depth is set. If the float is 1 meter from the hook, then the hook will be under water at a distance of 1 meter.
Finding a place and determining the depth
A novice fisherman most likely does not have an echo sounder for fishing from the shore, so he will have to determine the depth in other ways. Analysis of the water surface is very helpful in determining the nature and topography of the bottom.
In any case, your equipment will show you the most accurate depth. Approach the fishing spot - set the hook depth to 0.5 meters by moving the float and cast it to the fishing point. If the float has taken a standard position, it means it is deeper than 0.5 meters. You pull it out and increase the depth until you get the float to lie on the surface, this means that the sinkers are lying on the bottom and the depth you set is too large. Then pull out the rig and reduce the depth by 20 cm. Now your rig is set up to fish along the bottom.
Hook for bream depending on the size of the fish
It is natural that larger hooks should be used to catch larger fish. But at the same time, you should always remember that the larger the hook size, the more cautious the fish becomes and the number of bites can drop sharply. If the fish is not active, the bite may stop altogether. When using small hooks, there is a possibility that it will be difficult to attach a thicker fishing line to the small hook, which is designed to catch serious specimens. Therefore, you should stick to the “golden” mean, when the size of the hook matches the diameter of the fishing line used, and everything together corresponds to the expected size of the fish. Most experienced fishermen practice fishing for bream with small hooks using thin lines, as they have extensive experience in catching large specimens.
Materials and colors
An important point when choosing is the material from which the hook is made. The following options are available:
The most common and inexpensive options for applying a protective coating are bronzing and tin plating. The best results are demonstrated by nickel coating applied by galvanization; gilding and silvering demonstrate good results. However, such products are much more expensive than bronzed ones, so not every angler can afford such luxury.
In addition to metallized protective layers, a layer of protective polymer can be applied to the hook, which also provides the corresponding color scheme. A shiny element of equipment is beautiful and pleasing to the angler’s eye, but cautious fish may not appreciate such aesthetics.
Modern manufacturers produce hooks in a variety of colors (red, blue, black, and so on). It is rational to select them according to the color of the environment or bait: for example, red elements are in harmony with earthworms and bloodworms, blue ones blend in with clean water, and black ones are good for silted reservoirs.
For successful fishing, bream, like other fish, should be fed in the future fishing areas. In this case, you can use both plant and animal baits, or artificial, synthetic compounds.
Which brand of hook to choose
When choosing a hook, you should know that it must be of high quality, otherwise it will let the fisherman down at the most inopportune moment. This is especially true for the selection of small hooks, given the fact that a larger specimen can bite.
You should not stop at choosing cheap and low-quality hooks from unknown or little-known companies that manufacture originals from well-known companies. If you catch larger fish with them, they may become bent or even break. It is very important that the hook is always sharp and holds the sting throughout the season. Many hooks are not capable of this, and after the first fishing they become dull. High-quality hooks can last for several seasons without losing their sharpness. When choosing, it is better to give preference to hooks from such companies as:
- Owner;
- Gamakatsu;
- Cobra
These are hook models that will never let you down, although there are other companies whose hooks are no worse. This can be established experimentally, using hooks from different companies. Naturally, most anglers prefer cheaper models. If you plan to catch fish such as roach and crucian carp, when they bite mainly “small things” no more than 100 g, then you can get by with cheap models.
Groundbait and bait when fishing on a feeder in winter
There are also a few differences here. Everything about the attachment is simple. Basically, animal baits are used: bloodworms, maggots, worms and their combinations. Their addition to bait (most often bloodworms, which can take up to half a kilo in a winter day) is welcome. Moreover, since it’s not summer outside, but frost, it’s not possible to just leave these cute creatures in a bucket. It's better to keep them in your bosom. This way the bloodworm will remain active and will better attract fish.
Because of the frost, bait should be mixed at home, and when fishing, make sure that it does not freeze as much as possible.
As you know, in winter the fish feed less actively; accordingly, the amount of bait used will also decrease
It is worth paying more attention to the quality and composition of the mixture itself. At such times, store-bought mixtures designed for a specific fish (usually roach or bream) work better for me.
I leave home-made bait for warmer times, when the fish will be more active. It is mandatory to add animal baits and flavors. Although you shouldn’t get carried away with the latter, you need to select it according to the fish and the current bite. And the bite in winter is very unpredictable. Fish feed better during a thaw with decreasing or low atmospheric pressure. During the period of anticyclone and persistent frost, as a rule, you cannot expect a good bite.
Table of hook sizes by classification
| International | Domestic | Finnish | Japanese |
| 24 | — | — | 26 |
| 22 | — | — | 24 |
| 20 | — | — | 22 |
| 19 | 2 | 22 | 21 |
| 18 | 2,5 | 20 | 20 |
| 17 | 3 | 18 | 19 |
| 16 | — | — | 18 |
| 15 | 3,5 | 16 | 17 |
| 14 | — | — | 16 |
| 13 | 4 | 14 | 15 |
| 12 | — | — | 14 |
| 11 | 4,5 | — | 13 |
| 10 | 5 | 12 | 12 |
| 9 | — | — | 11 |
| 8 | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| 7 | — | — | 9 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| 5 | 7,5 | — | 7 |
| 4 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| 3 | 8,5 | — | 5 |
| 2 | 9 | 4 | 4 |
| — | 11 | 1 | — |
| — | 12 | 1/0 | — |
| — | 14 | 2/0 | — |
| — | 16 | 3/0 | — |
Tips for bottom fishing from shore and boat
Different fishing methods require compliance with a number of recommendations. Here is a small list of tips that will help you increase the efficiency of catching bream on a donk.
Boat:
- Vegetation. The choice of location should be determined by the presence of plants at the bottom; such a site can bring good results
- Distance. It is optimal to swim closer to the middle of the reservoir. Bream approach the shores only at night; during the day, they prefer to sit out in the depths.
- Smoothness. Don't throw the bait too quickly. Careful casting will give more efficiency.
- Rod. A short rod will make spoon fishing much more comfortable
- Sweeping. You should hook immediately after the float falls to one side
- Rain. After a rainstorm, it’s worth casting closer to the shore
- Cold. The closer to winter, the more time the bream spends in future wintering pits and the less often it goes out in search of food.
Shore:
- Rod. Any size is suitable, the choice is made based on the current season and fishing time
- Casts. During the day long casts are needed, at night you need to cast closer to the shore
- Sweeping. Bream breaks off the hook easily, hook sharply
- Bait. Checking and updating the bait should occur at intervals of 20 minutes
How to properly prepare bait
The use of bait when catching bream using bottom gear is mandatory. Cautious and timid fish gather in the fishing area, lured by the washed-out food. First you need to lull your vigilance with familiar food, and only then catch it on the hook. There are two ways of feeding. Separate feeding before fishing and a feeder installed with the rest of the gear.
For beginners, the store-bought version is suitable, but you can prepare it completely yourself. There is no difference between them, so it is recommended to try making it yourself. Bream is omnivorous, so breadcrumbs, cookies or porridge from common cereals are suitable ingredients. Depending on the season, animal ingredients are added, for example, bloodworms or maggots.
Bream are greedy and even bite on foam balls, although not as actively as on natural bait. The main condition is that complementary foods must partially correspond to the nozzle. When feeding without a feeder, you should sculpt the food into dense balls. It is necessary to throw them fairly accurately at the future fishing spot so as not to disperse the fish and reduce the bite. Casting should be repeated once every half hour.
Relevant baits and baits at all times
Bream is unpretentious in food; its diet changes depending on the season. In early spring and late autumn it feeds on animal food, and in the warm summer it is predominantly herbivorous. Among the animal baits, worms, maggots and bloodworms should be highlighted. In addition, unsalted lard is suitable.
Especially if a spring feeder is used. The vegetable component is pearl barley, corn, peas or pasta. Carp boilies are also effective, but due to the smaller mouth size of bream, only small boilies should be used.
