Artificial baits have long taken a strong position in the fishing industry, relegating organic baits and baits to the background. Of course, talking about the absolute advantage of such bait over natural analogues is not necessary, but under certain conditions it is they that bring the greatest catch. One of such places is occupied by mormyshka. This is an easy-to-use and effective fishing lure, which is in demand by both avid fishermen and beginners. However, it is not worth considering it as an optimal tool for fishing in any conditions. This type has its own application features that should be considered. But first, it’s worthwhile to understand in more detail what mormyshka is.
General information about mormyshka
It is difficult to give a specific definition of mormyshka, since over many years of practice using it, this term has been repeatedly supplemented and expanded. In addition, they often indicate the type of gear or hook, which is fundamentally wrong. In the classical sense, a mormyshka is a small sinker with a hook embedded in its body. The origin of this name is associated with mormysh - a variety of crustacean that swims sideways. It is this amphipod effect that creates a sinker with a hook. Despite the widespread misconception that mormyshka requires special tackle, this is also not entirely true. It organically complements the side, nod and float fishing rods, in all cases providing a good result. Nevertheless, as in the case with other baits, the activity of biting on mormyshka is observed in specific conditions that must be taken into account. For example, according to the time of year it is better to catch it in winter and summer.
Materials for mormyshka
Traditionally, mormyshka is made of metal. In particular, lead, steel, tin, tungsten and various steels are used. The main thing that distinguishes the "action" of these metals in the fishing process is the size, weight and ability to "play" under water. For example, tungsten models sink faster than lead and tin counterparts, and steel, due to its specific luster, visually attracts fish. Do not forget that mormyshka is in some way an imitator of prey for a predator, therefore the effect of attractiveness is very important. To enhance it, manufacturers include jewelry elements in the design of sinkers - for example, gold and silver inserts and crowns are made. The use of luminescent materials that create an unusual glow is also common. At the same time, you should not think that metal is the only material for mormyshka. Models of plastics, composites and various combined alloys are increasingly appearing.
Hook on mormyshka
Usually, one hook is integrated into the body of the mormyshka, but variants are also common in which two elements are provided for at once. In this case, in most cases, hooks and sinkers are produced at different industries. The highest quality models are equipped with hooks from famous manufacturers. Therefore, in choosing it is necessary to take into account the quality of the tip with which the fishing rod will be equipped. Mormyshka in perfect condition has practically no end on its tip - at least it cannot be seen through a magnifying glass. If even slight dullness is observed, then it is better to refuse to buy. Among the unusual models, it is worth highlighting mormyshki equipped with four hooks, as well as models with a hanging sting, which is fixed with a ring.
How to make mormyshka?
Although the market for fishing products is more than saturated with a variety of options for mormyshka, true connoisseurs of this activity prefer to do everything with their own hands. The proven technique of handicraft making mormyshka is as follows:
- Lead grains of optimum weight are pierced through with an awl.
- A needle or piece of wire is inserted into one end of the hole. Next, holding the inserted element, roll the workpiece so that one of the sides takes the form of a cone. Depending on what kind of fish it is planned to catch on mormyshka, the shape of the sinker can be round, oval, etc.
- If necessary, you can round the surface of the future sinker by the same rolling on a hard surface.
- In the thicker end of the workpiece, a hole is made under the fishing line.
- The hook can be used as a hanging element, this will facilitate the manufacturing process. In this case, it will be enough to make a hole for the tie ring, to which a hook will be attached later.
Winter fishing
In winter, mormyshka is usually used to catch perch and perch in the holes. For these purposes, the use of weights with non-standard forms, including oblong ones, is effective. Mormyshka sinks to the bottom so that a series of taps of the body sinks to the bottom. Not forgetting that mormyshka is a means of attracting fish, then you should raise it from the bottom with the creation of the maximum effect of the “game”. In this case, the rise should be small - 50-60 cm is enough. This manipulation should be done 5-6 times, while continuing fishing. In parallel with the management of mormyshka, supplementary feeding is necessary. In particular, for the same perch, the best option would be a bloodworm fed in small portions.
Summer fishing
Although initially Mormyshka was conceived solely as a means of fishing in winter, over time, its advantages as a summer way of fishing manifested itself. Moreover, in warm time the choice of target fish and the forms of the sinker are more diverse. At the same time fishing in mormyshka in summer can be carried out both from the shore and from a boat, and spinning should be preferred as a fishing rod. The task of the fisherman remains the same - to provide a "game" of bait, luring the fish. A working area in the summer can be considered the surface. More precisely, dipping and lifting the sinker is carried out at a shallow depth of 25-30 cm. However, fishing at other levels is not excluded, but it is important to remember the dense vegetation growing at this time, which can become an obstacle.
Features of carp fishing
From the point of view of fishing for mormyshka, crucian carp is good in that it responds to baits that move vertically. For it, you should select small sinkers with an elongated elongated shape. Colors should be preferred dark. The optimal mormyshka for crucian carp in the summer is a black tungsten sinker no more than 6 mm long. You should also stock up on a sensitive nod that can bend under a light bait. If there are problems with accurate casting, then it would not hurt to add another sinker to the mormyshka, placing it indented by 50 cm.You can use maggot or bloodworm as a basis for carp bait, and pieces of foam rubber from artificial ones. In any case, it is important to remember that crucian carp mainly responds to shape, not color. Therefore, experimenting with different colors is not as productive as with the nature of the “game” and the silhouettes of the bait under water.
Features of grayling
In summer, grayling is usually caught with long-range casting on mormyshka. Fans of using floats should prepare weighting of the bait in advance. But you can catch without a float - in this case, the fishing process will be similar to the bottom technique. By mid-summer, the water becomes more transparent, and the fish begins an active hunt for insects. At this time, it is better to supplement mormyshki on grayling with artificial flies. It is recommended to use red, yellowish and dark gray colors. Choosing the depth, you should focus on the grayling itself. If there are traces of bursts on the surface, then it is more efficient to catch in the upper layers. In other cases, until August it is worth choosing the average level of diving. By autumn, grayling lives almost at the bottom, but it is no longer advisable to use mormyshka at this time - the result will be, but it will not be compared with alternative fishing methods.
Conclusion
Fishing with the help of mormyshka is one of the most interesting and fascinating. It is useless to hunt large predators with such a technique, however, a catch from beautiful and rare fish is quite possible. For example, mormyshki on grayling allow you to fish for this fish both in winter and in summer. The main thing is to determine the color and nature of the control of the "game" of the bait. In addition, fishing with mormyshka opens up great opportunities for creativity of the fishermen themselves, who can experiment with colors, materials and shapes in which the mormyshka will be made. This is especially true for ice fishing enthusiasts who seek to interest fish at the bottom.