Uralka jig is one of the most effective fishing baits

Homemade jigs are famous for their catchability among fishermen, because such an exclusive tool allows you to consistently catch various fish not only in winter, but also in the open water season, using a certain fishing technique. Already having accumulated experience in fishing this way, fishermen have a number of significant requirements for bait, which are not always satisfied when using purchased versions of the product. And in order to have a truly working and at the same time catchy jig, the best way is to make them yourself, as a result of which you can achieve those characteristics that will contribute to the efficiency of hunting.

There are quite a lot of methods for creating fishing lures of this type, but we will tell you about the simplest and most accessible to a wide range of fishermen in the continuation of our article. In addition to considering manufacturing methods, the reader will learn about the materials from which jigs are easiest to make and will become familiar with the specifics of producing baits intended for catching a certain type of fish, the most common in our reservoirs.

Design

The Uralochka jig has the shape of an elongated and slightly curved drop. A single hook is soldered into the narrow end of the jig. There are two modifications of the uralochka: with a through hole in the body of the jig and with a loop soldered into the end of the jig.

These or other additional elements are usually put on the shank of the uralochka hook: beads, beads, cambrics.

Options

Size

The size of the uralochka is a few millimeters or a small centimeter and depends on the material from which it is made. If tungsten is used, then the required weight is achieved even when making a small jig due to the large specific gravity of this metal. Lead jigs are usually larger, just like tin jigs, which have the lowest specific gravity.

Weight

The weight of the jig is determined mainly by the depth at which it is used. At a depth of up to two meters, they fish with jigs weighing 0.5 g. With an increase in depth to 5 meters, the mass of the jig increases to 1 gram. At great depths, jigs weighing from 1 to 1.5 grams are used. In addition, the size and weight of the jig depend on the object being fished. In particular, bream prefers large jigs, even if fishing occurs at shallow depths.

Material

The greater the specific gravity of the jig, the smaller its size for the same mass. Tungsten is used for fishing in currents or when you have to catch cautious fish with small baits. Lead urals are used most often. If the jig is made of tin, then it has a small specific gravity and, accordingly, a different game, which is sometimes necessary. In addition, Ural jigs are made of bronze and copper.

Color

The jig got its name because it looks similar to an amphipod or jig , since its play in the water resembles the movements of this invertebrate. Natural jigs are colored green, brown, and sometimes red. But the small fish can have any color, depending on the taste preferences of the fish in the pond and the imagination of the fisherman. Still, the most commonly used color is black, less often brown, purple and dark green. In addition, natural silver and golden colors are popular.

Expert opinion

Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich

Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.

Healthy! In bright sun and clear water, jigs of natural colors are considered the most catchy. In cloudy weather and at great depths, baits of provocative colors: red or yellow can be attractive.

Additional items

beads (one or two pieces), a bead or one or two multi-colored cambrics must be put on the shank of the hook . The color of the additional element should contrast with the color of the jig itself. Thus, black jigs are usually equipped with yellow or white decorations. When fishing with natural bait, additional elements do not need to be used, although most likely they will be useful.

Angle of inclination of the Uralochka jig

Next, we’ll start adjusting the angle of inclination of the self-made uralochka jig.

The magnitude of the angle of inclination will entirely depend on where on the body of the bait we mark the entry point of the hole intended for passing the fishing line.

In the photo, the uralochka is shown in a reelless version with light artificial attachments on the hook, which will have virtually no effect on the angle of inclination of the jig in the air. But they will largely correct the fluctuations of the reelless urinal in the space of water.

It is the point at which the jig is suspended from the fishing line that will set the angle of inclination of the longitudinal axis of the fishing line to the horizontal plane. At the same time, in principle, we should not worry about where this hole will come out from the bottom of a homemade lead jig.

Be it in the area of ​​the back end of the bait you made yourself, somewhere on the side or in the middle (or even in the next apartment). Only the aesthetic qualities of the jig may suffer from this, but will not in any way affect the running properties and the angle of inclination of the uralka in space.

Therefore, I repeat once again: the place from which the puncture hole begins (the highest point of the barrel channel for the passage of fishing line) must be approached responsibly.

For the Ural jig (and any other) this point will be the reference point. Here you can simply solder a loop to tie the fishing line.

For a reelless jig with a loop, the angle of inclination can be adjusted within small limits.

It is clear that one of the guidelines when choosing the support point for a homemade Ural jig will be its longitudinal axis, or rather, the plane of the longitudinal section, along which the correct puncture of the body of the jig should be carried out.

As for another guideline, so that you don’t have big problems in the future, it’s better to refer to the positions of the drawing. It shows different angles of inclination of the same jig.

Angle of inclination of the reelless uralochka

For me, the position of the uralka, shown in the top two positions of the drawing, will be more correct, both in the non-reeling version of using a jig for fishing, and when fishing with a large uralka with a bunch of bloodworms in a good current, where the nose of the jig is noticeably raised by a stream of water.

By the way, if you solder another hook into the reelless “Ural”, you will get a ready-made “goat” jig. Her preferred position when fishing is shown in the bottom position of the image.

In order to set the required angle of inclination of a fishing rod with an already pierced hole or a soldered loop, we hang the bait on a fishing line (thread) and adjust the angle of inclination of the jig, gradually removing part of the lead from the back or nose end of the jig.

Or vice versa - by soldering a layer of solder in the right place on the surface of the jig. Nowadays I never carry out this operation, since everything is already done automatically.

If, when adjusting the angle of inclination of a self-made reelless jig, you do not want to change the weight of the jig, then to make the adjustment, simply pierce a through hole in another place, or re-solder the loop.

It remains to deal with one more question: what is the best way to tie the ural and other jigs to the fishing line. The answers to these questions are given on the next page.

But first, watch my video showing the oscillations of reelless jigs, including the Uralochka, under the control of a side nod with a homemade spring of a spring system, which is no less than four decades old.

What kind of fish do they catch?

Using the Uralochka jig you can catch perch and almost any non-predatory fish, namely:

1. Bream. Bream prefers large black or red jigs. You can fish both with bait and without bait. With any fishing method, the game should not be too fractional, and if bloodworm larvae are used, then the movements should be smooth and leisurely.
2. Roach. Roach prefers small jigs and faster play.
3. Ruff. The “king” of reservoirs prefers animal bait on a hook.
4. Guster. Fishing resembles bream fishing.
5. Crucian carp. Crucian carp prefers leisurely play with a jig.
6. Yazya. Ide often lives together with bream, so there is no need to specially select a game when fishing for it.

Perch can be caught with or without bait; often baitless fishing is more effective.

The best manufacturers of jigs

Tungsten jigs

Tungsten jigs are most in demand on the market for such products. This is due to the fact that jigs made of this material have decent weight with small dimensions. They are indispensable under certain fishing conditions associated with decent depth and fast currents. Such baits provide:

A high degree of immersion to greater depths, as well as a more stable position in the presence of current. Activation of the bite due to the nature of the game, since in winter most fish feed on small representatives of the underwater world. Believable play due to its small size. At the same time, we should not forget that the outcome of fishing depends not only on high-quality bait.

Of no small importance is the correct selection of other elements of the tackle, such as fishing line. Tungsten jigs are more reliable and durable.

Jigs with bait

Such baits are divided into two types:

• Pellet. One of the most common baits for winter fishing. It has a round shape and various colors. It is used for catching perch and roach.
• A drop. In appearance it is similar to a pellet, but has a more elongated shape. It is effective with active wiring, when its game has its own specifics. Such bait play is especially attractive for perch, as many ice-biting enthusiasts claim.

Reelless or nozzle-less jig

It’s impossible to simply determine which brand’s jigs are the most catchy unless you try it yourself and put them into practice. But for this, they need to be purchased, spending a lot of money. This is especially true if the baits are expensive. But some experienced fishermen point to baits from the following well-known manufacturers:

1. DiscuS Fishing makes lures for winter fishing from tungsten, which indicates their advantage over lead jigs.
2. Lumicom also produces tungsten jigs at an affordable price, which determines their demand.
3. Ladoga is a domestic manufacturer of various types of jigs at an attractive price. As a rule, domestic models are much cheaper than foreign models.
4. Salmo is one of the well-known companies that specializes in the production of various fishing accessories and more, as well as artificial baits designed for various fishing conditions. In any specialized department you can pick up the most interesting jigs.
5. Lucky John is another popular company that has been in the market for similar products for more than 30 years. Its products are of excellent quality and are always in demand. The company offers baits for both summer and winter fishing.

As you know, they can be used for both summer and winter fishing. Each of them has its own characteristics.

Devil

This jig is characterized by its elongated or teardrop-shaped shape. Its length can be from 20 to 30 millimeters. Usually it is black in color. Hooks can be attached rigidly (this is the standard option), or they can be attached loosely. There are usually three hooks.

Comparison of the Uralochka with other jigs

In terms of popularity, Uralochka occupies the top places in the ranking of jigs, but it has serious competitors. The comparative properties of various jigs are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 - Comparison of various jigs

An analysis of Table 1 allows us to conclude that the Uralochka jig is the most universal , since fish bite on it both when fishing with a nozzle and without using it.

The Uralochka can be used when fishing in still waters and in currents, while some jigs are ineffective when fishing in rivers. But as baitless jigs, the “goat”, “devil” and “witch” can be more catchy, especially when fishing for perch. Due to the larger number of hooks with additional elements and more intense vibrations that occur in the water environment, these jigs seem more voluminous and can attract fish from a greater distance.

Types of baits

Despite the differences between the types of baits, they have common characteristics:

• standard shape: long drop with a slight bend;
• the ability to play and create vibration fields around. The fish feels vibration in the side stripe and acts on the prey as a bite activator;
• frisky game of bait;
• can be used for fishing both at shallow depths and near the bottom in deep-sea holes.

Fishing with bait

The role of the nozzle is to deliver food to the bottom of the reservoir. An exclusively single hook is attached to the jig, and you should choose a small nozzle. The hook also contains cambrics with beads of different colors; they additionally attract prey.

When inserting attachment equipment, it is important to make smooth movements with a greater amplitude in comparison with non-attachment models. Some fishermen cast the tackle and wait for a bite without any movement of the bait, but such tactics can only provoke very hungry prey to bite

Baitless fishing

Uralka reelless jigs are only slightly inferior to baited tackle in terms of attractiveness from the point of view of fish. The design has a single hook to which multi-colored beads are attached. It is better to use a jig that is curved and longer than in the nozzle version, which will help the bait stay in the desired water horizon.

Read more

How and what kind of pasta is used for fishing?

Additionally, cambrics with beads of different colors attract prey.

How to choose in a store

What to look for when choosing a Uralka jig in a fishing store?

1. Workmanship. There should be no paint drips on the body of the jig. If there is a ring, it should not be painted over.
2. Quality of hooks. The hooks should be sharp and of the required thickness: when fishing with bloodworms, they should have a smaller thickness.
3. The edges of the hole for passing the fishing line must be flared, otherwise loss of the bait is inevitable. This is essential for tungsten jigs.
4. The hole should pass through the body of the jig at the desired angle.

Devils

It’s not for nothing that baitless jigs like devils and the like are loved by fishermen without reeling. When used skillfully, these baits become super catchy. They are quite heavy, so they are convenient for use at various depths, including currents. Some fishermen fish only with devils, not recognizing other baits. These are effective catchers for white fish and predators. Elongated devils work well on bream, round and pot-bellied ones work well on roach and perch. The main feature of the bait is its vertical weight balance.

When playing, the devil should not make parasitic horizontal oscillations; only up and down movements are permissible. The wiring animates the behavior of the amphipod bug in the water - uniform dotted movements. There are many varieties of such jigs - solid, composite, with a ring or hole through the body, with soldered hooks or hanging ones (devils, graders). The devil jig, in addition to its own movements, also chaotically throws a suspended tee when retrieving it, which works great for perch during the dry winter period.

Efficiency different times of the year

In summer, jig fishing is not very common, although at this time the use of a jig can be even more effective than in winter . In summer, the fish rushes to everything that seems attractive to it, while in winter it is more picky.

In the summer, you can fish with a Uralka jig from a boat on an onboard fishing rod, or use a long telescopic rod without a reel with a side nod. The jig is lowered vertically into “windows” in the grass thickets and played with. This kind of fishing is very effective when catching rudd.

In winter, fish are more capricious and the fisherman often has to face a dilemma: whether to fish with an animal bait or use a no-bait option. Both can be effective, but success is largely determined by the behavior of the fishing target, and this, in turn, depends on many factors.

Homemade baits

There is a huge assortment of jigs on sale, but still every self-respecting fisherman fishes with his own baitless jigs, the most catchy ones. He makes them himself or refines an already purchased version and is rightfully proud of his products. The smallest detail can affect catchability. Therefore, the fisherman thinks out his best jigs himself.

Everyone tries to make the jig smaller, and this must be done masterfully so that it is not too light. Each copy has its own author.

Author A.Nogateev. Any fish, especially perch, bites on this bait. A removable replant is used, which allows you to use any set. For such a jig, it is better to use a fishing rod with a short whip. This jig should move widely. The ring is offset from the center of gravity. The fishing line is tied with a loop, which allows the bait to move more freely. The technique of playing with such a bait is fast retrieval with a small amplitude and high frequency.

"Universal dolphin"

"Owl"

It is made from plates of copper, brass, cupronickel. First, the workpiece is cut out, then the upper part is bent and a “groove” is made. The wire is twisted into a loop and inserted into the groove. The hook is attached using tin. With tin you need to slightly increase the body of the jig, but so that it is not thick.

Jigs "Owl"

Step-by-step instructions on how to tie to a fishing line

Depending on whether the jig has a ring for tying a fishing line, or whether a through hole is intended for this purpose, a different sequence of actions is performed.

Tying a fishing line to a ring

The fishing line is threaded through the ring and tied with a clinch knot or some other fishing knot.

How to knit through a hole in the body

In order to tie a jig to a fishing line, proceed as follows:

1. Thread the line through the hole in the body.
2. Form a loop parallel to the shank of the hook.
3. Make several (4-5) turns of the fishing line around the shank of the hook and the loop pressed against it.
4. Pass the free end of the fishing line into the loop, preferably twice, and tighten the knot, after wetting it.

DIY making

Only a few can make a tungsten ural with their own hands, but a lead jig is quite simple to make. To make it you will need:

Tools:

• Knife;
• flat slab;
• soldering iron;
• an awl or sharp needle;
• file or needle file;
• grinding materials.

Materials:

• Lead rod;
• wire for the ring;
• soldering acid;
• hook;
• primer;
• dye.

The manufacturing process of a Uralka jig includes the following steps:

1. The lead rod is rolled out on a slab, giving one end the shape of a truncated cone.
2. Cut a piece of the cone to the desired length.
3. By resting against any hard surface, the workpiece is given the desired bend.
4. Use an awl or needle to make a hole.
5. Solder in a hook and, if necessary, a ring for attaching the fishing line.
6. Process the workpiece.
7. The jig is primed and painted.
8. Add additional items.

Expert opinion

Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich

Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.

Attention! The most important operation in making a fishing rod is to pierce a hole, since the position of the jig in the water will depend on this. The sharper the angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the jig, the more horizontal position it will occupy in the water.

In order to make the manufacturing process more convenient, you can first solder the hook and make a hole, and only then cut the workpiece from the rod.

If the jig tied to the fishing line is not in the correct position that the angler would like, you can solder a little lead onto the end of the bait (crown), or, conversely, grind off the excess with a file. If the jig has a soldered loop, then you can, within certain limits, adjust the angle of the jig by carefully bending the loop in one direction or another.

Methods for making jigs

There are five main methods for making jigs, from which you can choose the appropriate one.

Sawing

To make jigs with your own hands using this method, you will need:

• a piece of metal - it could be stainless steel, copper or brass;
• hacksaw or jigsaw;
• file and sandpaper;
• hook;
• soldering iron;
• drill with a thin drill bit.

First you need to cut a metal blank of a suitable size, and then process it first with a file, giving it the desired shape, and then with sandpaper. The next step is to solder the hook to the bait. If it is small in size and its eye is sealed, it is necessary to drill a hole in the body of the jig to allow the fishing line to pass through. The size and weight of such a jig can be increased by dripping molten lead onto it.

Forging

To forge a lead jig, you first need to give a piece of metal the required thickness using a hammer and anvil, and then grind it with a file, giving it the required shape. Then, as in making a jig with your own hands using the sawing method, you need to solder the hook, and if its eye is not left open, use a thin drill to make a hole for the fishing line.

Soldering

To make such jigs with your own hands, you will need a sheet of thin metal - tin, sheet copper, and so on. From it you need to roll the body into a shape, insert a hook into it and solder the resulting workpiece. This bait can be in the form of a tube, cylinder or bag. First, you can roll a screw along a sheet of metal to apply a relief pattern. But jigs made by soldering already have an interesting appearance due to the filling of the grooves obtained when folding a sheet of metal with solder. If you need to make the bait heavier, you need to drip lead onto it.

DIY jigs made of wire

To make bait, you can make it from thin wire with a diameter of up to 0.5 mm - copper, brass, aluminum, bronze. It needs to be wound onto the shank of the hook to get the body of the jig in the shape of a cylinder, worm, bag, and so on. After this, you need to fill the bait with solder. If you carefully process such a bait first with sandpaper and then with a felt circle, you will get a clear, expressive pattern.

Casting

Casting is the easiest way in which you can make jigs with your own hands in unlimited quantities. But for this you will need special forms. You can buy them in specialized stores. The best forms are made from plaster or aluminum. You can make the mold yourself from two bars. To do this, it is enough to prepare in each of them recesses for the body of the jig and for pouring lead. Then you need to put the bars together, pour in the molten metal and insert a hook into the pouring hole. When the lead hardens, it is enough to remove the bait from the mold and process it with a file.

Tactics and fishing techniques

Tactics and techniques for catching urinal fish differ when fishing with and without bait. Tactically, baitless fishing is closer to winter trolling - the fisherman should move more around the reservoir in search of fish, without staying in one place for a long time. The technique of fishing with a baitless jig involves high-frequency play with a jig. The most fractional game attracts perch; “peaceful” fish should be caught by playing with a jig at a moderate pace.

Fishing with an animal bait involves a longer wait for a bite . As a rule, bait is used. Even perch can be fed with bloodworms, let alone “white” fish. The fisherman should know the peculiarities of feeding when fishing in currents and in still water. Fishing on rivers means that jigs need to be heavier. Playing with a jig with a nozzle is slower and smoother. Bloodworm larvae, maggots, pieces of worms and burdock moth larvae are used as bait.

In any case, when fishing with a jig, carry out the following actions:

• Lower the jig to the bottom and hit the bottom with it several times, creating a cloud of turbidity;
• make a lift, playing with a nod of the fishing rod;
• at the top point make a short pause;
• gradually lower the jig down;
• repeat the cycle several times.

Expert opinion

Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich

Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.

Important! You should never fish only the bottom horizon. Any fish, except, perhaps, the ruffe, can live in the middle layers of water, and not looking for it there would be a crime.

Tackle characteristics

Some fishermen have noticed that when fishing with bait, when the bait gets knocked down, the bite without bloodworms becomes better.

Shape and color

Many people attach importance to the color and shape of the bait. For example, the body of a jig resembles the body of an insect. Hanging it with feathers and threads makes it even more similar to living organisms. This probably matters. But since the fish catches movements, the main thing remains the game, with the help of which the movements of insects are imitated.

"Cobra"

A fishing rod must be equipped with a nod. In order to ensure the required rate of movement, it must be elastic. Without the attachment, the nod will bend slightly at the top, but after the jig is hung on it, it should be in line with the fishing rod. The catching technique must be constantly improved; the nod during play should not deviate from its axis by more than 1 millimeter.