Features of a self-hooking fishing rod and fishing tactics

Yuri 03.12.2020 590

Even an experienced fisherman knows the pain when a fish falls off the hook. Of course, this happens less often with experienced people than with beginners. However, newly minted fishermen can completely lose their passion when the next catch disappears. Timely cutting requires attentiveness, skill and good reaction. And this is where a self-hooking fishing rod comes to the rescue.

When can I use it?

Suitable for any season. There are winter and summer self-hooking fishing rods on sale. In winter, such a device will definitely become your good friend if you decide to determine where the school of fish is. This is much more difficult to do with a regular fishing rod. If you make several holes to identify fish and simply approach each one one by one, then this activity will take you all day. With a self-hooking fishing rod, things will go much faster. It is enough to place them near the holes and wait for the bite to appear.

Another advantage of a self-hooking fishing rod is that it is not difficult to quickly change baits if one does not work.

Fishing rod with hook

And, of course, a rich catch. Fishing rods can be placed in several places at once, which will significantly speed up the process.

In “Sazanya Bay”, for example, with such a fishing rod you can catch rudd, perch, asp and other medium-sized fish.

What are the reviews on self-hooking fishing rods?

As they write on reviews : In terms of fishing, the device is absolutely useless, a Chinese toy. The fishing rod is made of cheap and very flimsy materials; the self-cutting device only works in one direction - when tension occurs. If the fish goes to the shore with the bait, the mechanism will not work. The bite must be strong, that is, if a fish smaller than 400g bites the bait, then there are no guarantees that the fishing rod will work in self-hooking mode.

And for real fishermen, the whole point of cymus lies in the bite, in order to feel it and hook it yourself.

Advantages and disadvantages

Fishing with a self-hooking rod has both pros and cons.

Let's take a closer look at the advantages of the gear:

Versatility. Suitable for both summer and winter fishing. It will be equally useful and easy to use at any time of the year;
You can adapt a failed spinning rod to a self-cutting mechanism. Such fishing rods are even made independently;
Fishing with a self-hooking rod is not difficult. There is no need to constantly monitor the float;
Lightweight and easy to transport;
Anyone, even an inexperienced fisherman, can understand the mechanism.

What disadvantages can fishermen experience when taking it as their main gear?

Not suitable for catching large or small fish. The mechanism is designed in such a way that when adjusted to small fish, it will even respond to wind or waves;
If the tackle is not homemade, then you will not be able to change the settings set by the manufacturer. And if you succeed, you will have to put in a lot of effort first.
Self-hooking rods are designed for fish with strong lips and a determined bite. This must be taken into account.

Whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and whether such a fishing rod meets your needs is up to you to decide.

Everyone is in favor of a self-hooking fishing rod

There is a huge range of spinning rods on the specialized market, however, not every model can boast the following advantages:

Ease of operation - the design can be easily operated by a woman and a teenager;
Convenient transportation that does not require additional accessories;
Can be combined with equipment of different sizes and weights;
Affordable price, allowing everyone to become the owner of a modern fishing product.

Due to the telescopic design, the model will not take up much space when storing and carrying. The product does not require much space at home, in a car or public transport. If you plan to take a self-hooking fishing rod on vacation, it will easily fit in the trunk of a vehicle, which is not the case with massive plug fishing rods, the length of which when folded exceeds one meter. To transport such equipment, you have to additionally purchase boxes, which do not always provide reliable protection.

Many fishermen choose gear with an automatic hook due to the fact that it is suitable for fishing in ponds, rivers, the sea, etc. All you need to do is unpack the rod and install it. The blank, made of fiberglass, can be used together with equipment weighing up to 150 grams, so the fishing rod will do an excellent job in places where powerful currents prevail.

Another significant advantage is the cost, which is much lower than the price of branded spinning rods. The price is comparable to a standard fishing rod, but at the same time it has a significant advantage - a self-cutting mechanism that works accurately in any conditions.

Self-launching devices for self-hooking fishing rods

Currently, there are several types of self-cutting fishing rod designs. Each type is suitable for catching a specific fish at a specific time of year. However, there are many factors that contribute to this.

Let's move on to the immediate consideration:

A self-boarding fishing rod that works like a “mousetrap”. It is the simplest mechanism. After the fish grabs the bait, the line is tensioned. This leads to the activation of the trigger mechanism. The lever is tensioned by a spring, thanks to which the fishing line is instantly fixed. And then the fish itself is hooked. The mechanism itself is placed on a small piece of dense material (preferably plywood). When dealing with large-sized fish, a pin is mounted. With its help, the self-cutter is held in the place where it is installed.

Here's how you can make it yourself:

You will need plywood measuring 0.5×0.1 m, height 0.02 m. This is what the base will look like, where all the other elements will be attached.
Take a reel , fishing line, floats, hook weights.
The device itself is attached near the ice hole . A hole with a diameter of 0.015 m is drilled at the back of the base. The fixation of the base must be made very strong.
Attach the spring to the plywood . It will look like a mousetrap.
A rubber retainer , similar to a barrel, is attached to the spring and is placed on the end of the spring, and is wrapped with fishing line.
Attach the trigger in front of the plywood , and at the top there is a hole into which the spring is inserted.
Secure the equipment.

The device is easy to assemble, but its bulky dimensions make it difficult to cut sharply.

The principle of a special lever. There are pros and cons here. A taut fishing line frees the lever on which the spring acts. Then the line jerks sharply. This is how hooking fish happens. This device of a self-hooking fishing rod allows you to adjust the nature of the hook.

The manufacturing algorithm is given below:

Prepare a base with dimensions of 0.3x0.1 m. In its rear part, place the brackets required to secure the lever. From available means, a children's construction set and self-tapping screws may be useful.
Taking a steel wire , wind it around the lever, forming a spring. Place the smaller side against the base, bend the smaller side into an arc and fix it on the lever. Bend it 90 degrees and place it in pre-prepared staples.
Pull the lever back , fixing the spring on it. Activate it, moving forward, checking the work. Add turns using less force.
The clamp is attached to the front of the platform . Plastic clamps threaded through holes in the plywood will help with this. The end of the lever goes under the lower arc of the latch.
Attach the rubber eraser to the clamp . Attach a reel and bracket to the plywood to allow the fishing line to pass through.

A design that also uses a lever, and the impact element is an aviation rubber band. It consists of either four or eight threads. The prey swallows the bait and goes to work, the rubber band is taut. The tension force is such that it turns out to pierce the lip of a fish. This is a simple and reliable method.

Components of this design:

Rack.
Aluminum tube 7-13 mm wide.
Lever with aviation rubber.

The installed stand puts the device into working condition, and the tube located on it acts as a stop for the trigger lever, holding the elastic band in a state of tension. The lever making the hook moves from its place with the beginning of the bite, the elastic band becomes free, sharply contracting.

The sweep of the hook depends on how long the aluminum tube is and how elastic the harness is.

A feature of the self-starting device can undoubtedly be considered the force acting on the prey. When the force is known, it is possible to calculate the power with which the spring or rubber is tensioned. Their dimensions depend on the size and weight of the gear in which the mechanism will be used.

Make a self-hooking fishing rod with your own hands

It's time to talk directly about creating self-cutting at home using scrap materials.

What will you need?

In fact, you won’t need too many materials needed for manufacturing:

Board or plywood;
Steel wire with good elasticity (spring);
Steel rod;
Iron ring used for fastening bolts (select according to the size of the rod);

Manufacturing instructions

So, for the attention of readers, here are brief instructions on how to make a self-hooking fishing rod with your own hands:

Cut a rectangle out of plywood (250 by 100 millimeters);
Attach a rod (diameter 3 millimeters) to this sawn piece;
After this, take the wiring and wind it around the rod (make about fifteen turns);
As a result, a spring comes out, “dressed” on the rod. It is necessary to ensure that after winding, the ends of the wire are on different sides;
Place an iron ring over the spring, pressing it down to the very base of the twig so that the spring is taut;
A fishing line must be attached to this ring, leading directly to the hook;

After following these instructions, when biting, the ring automatically jumps off the rod and the spring enters the “game”, making up and down movements, thereby hooking the catch.

How the mechanism works

The device sets a certain line tension value. When the fished object swims up to the bait and swallows it, the main line is tensioned, as a result of which the force is transferred to a special bracket, and it disengages from the bracket. The spring straightens sharply, and the fish hooks itself.

As a rule, the tension force of the fishing line is set so that the tackle reacts to small fish, but at the same time, it should not be influenced by natural factors (rain, wind, etc.).

Owner reviews

I have been fishing with a self-hooking rod for 8 months now. Excellent fishing both in summer and winter. Tested by personal experience, I recommend it to everyone. Grade:

Oleg, 36 years old (Voronezh)

A self-hooking fishing rod is the best option when fishing with several fishing rods. It’s very difficult to keep track of the bite, much less react to it in time. Thanks to the modern design, fishing has become even more fun, at least for me. Grade:

Konstantin, 54 years old (Moscow)

I think all fishermen are familiar with the problem that is associated with strong winds during fishing, which causes waves. It is because of them that it is very difficult to keep track of the float. But, thanks to the self-hooking fishing rod, you don’t even have to look at it. Now I just have time to pull out the fish. Grade:

Prokhor, 27 years old (St. Petersburg)

The presence of reservoirs in my region allows me to change fishing spots every weekend. Once I was given a self-hooking fishing rod for my birthday. I didn’t understand then how unique and valuable it is in fishing. Once, when “things weren’t going well” with friends during winter fishing, I was able to catch a fairly large number of pike and perch. I recommend to everyone. Grade:

Alexander, 43 years old (Chelyabinsk)

I know that since childhood, my husband loves to go fishing overnight. One day, not knowing what gift to give for the next occasion, I decided, based on recommendations on thematic forums, to buy a fishing rod with a hook. My husband is incredibly pleased. So, I was right with the surprise. Grade:

Alevtina, 23 years old (Arkhangelsk)

I often spend time fishing in the Moscow region. Once I bought myself a self-hooking fishing rod, which I was very pleased with. Today I have three such fishing rods, one of which I made with my own hands. If I want, I can catch a lot of fish, and, in fact, without even watching the float. Grade:

Nikita, 39 years old (Moscow)

Of course, I respect all opinions, but I still can’t understand what joy and aesthetic pleasure comes from fishing if the fisherman does not take any part in the process? I don’t know, but I personally don’t accept self-hooking rods. Grade:

Igor, 57 years old (Moscow)

The conclusion suggests itself: in any case, a self-cutting fishing rod is a useful and easy-to-use thing that has a lot of advantages:

Saves the fisherman's time;
Prevents the catch from falling off the hook;
Allows you to catch more fish;
Allows you to earn money by selling yourself (a lot of fishermen create such fishing rods on their own and sell them in markets;

How to make a self-cutter?

It is not always possible to find something ready-made that will satisfy all requirements. Then you can make the self-cutting device yourself. The manufacturing process is quite simple. This will be especially interesting for those who like to do things with their own hands.

The main components are:

Lever arm;
Spring;
Braking device.

Here are the steps to follow when designing a self-cutter:

Make a stand or stand. It should be high, and the rod will be attached to it with a strong spring, with which the stand and the rod are connected. When the position of the structure is straight, it goes up, and when bent, it can fold in half.
Attach the trigger , stopper and latch to the stand.
Use a stopper to press the line passing through the end of the rod.

The only catch is the vertical position of the structure. This makes it less stable. Although the production is quite simple, it is unlikely to get a successful catch.

Hooks, made directly by hand, are designed according to the characteristics of the fishing rod that it should fit when installed.

Some nuances must be taken into account during manufacturing:

Weight and length of the fishing rod.
The distance over which the bait will be cast. You need to know this in order to calculate the mass of equipment immersed in water.
The strength of the current and the speed at which the boat is moving.
Size of potential prey, species.
The nature of the bite on prey (cautious or swift).

Step-by-step instructions for creating a self-cutting fishing rod for winter fishing

Winter fishing is interesting and exciting.
It requires iron endurance and enormous patience, plus a lot of physical labor is required. Fishing involves not just an exciting activity, but also an effort, physical and mental. While fishing, more than one hole is drilled before it turns out to be the one where the fish will be. Less gear is required than in the summer. A self-hooking fishing rod in winter is suitable for sport and recreational fishing. With their advent, the amount of equipment for fishermen has increased, and the quality of fishing will improve.

Standing near an ice hole for a long time in the cold season can be detrimental to your health. The device, which is triggered automatically, becomes a “lifesaver” for the fisherman.

Characteristics of self-cutting mechanisms

The skill of a fisherman lies in correctly determining the moment when to hook a fish. Neither the blinding sun, nor the night time, nor any other circumstances should interfere with this.

From the practical experience of many users, it has been deduced under what circumstances it is advisable to use self-cutting mechanisms:

insufficient fishing experience;
several fishing rods are used;
fishing is not your main goal. For example, you came on vacation with your family and simply threw your gear into the water without keeping an eye on it;
catching predators and peaceful fish takes place using different fishing devices;

In many cases, the self-hooking mechanism is installed on the bottom, since the hook and the reel interact directly there. In some cases, the device can be used for fishing with a float rod, but in this case you need to constantly monitor the tension of the line. For float gear, there are other options for automatically hooking a trophy. An automatic hooker is not installed on a spinning rod, since it is impractical there.

The object of fishing with a self-hooking rod in most cases is a medium-sized fish. A large fish will most likely break the automatic equipment, and a small fish simply will not have enough strength to break the trigger guard. It is better to catch peaceful fish with self-hooking gear in spring and summer, when they are more decisive and attack the bait more actively. Predators can be caught all year round.

Prices

The question that concerns the pricing policy established for self-cutting fishing rods has many components, based on which the cost of a specific type and model of fishing rod is formulated.

On average, the price for a self-cutting one fluctuates around 1,500 rubles .

Cases when the price of a fishing rod may be lower than the specified cost:

If a fisherman buys a used fishing rod via the Internet or in person with the seller (purchase from hand);
If a fisherman buys a hand-made fishing rod on the market (usually the cost is lower than that presented in a store or on the Internet);

Cases when a self-hooking fishing rod will cost more than 1,500 rubles:

If a person purchases a fishing rod of well-known foreign brands on manufacturers’ websites (ordering by parcel from another country);
When a fisherman buys a self-hooking spinning rod (the cost increases due to the spinning rod, which is not strange, because the spinning rod itself is more expensive than a bamboo fishing rod);