“What Russian doesn't like fast driving?” - wrote N. Gogol. And by analogy, I want to ask a question: which Russian does not like good fishing? And if still on calm water and to the pike? This is just a dream! But to do without special devices in catching such a difficult fish will not work. Most of the fishermen advocate for such a simple device as a leash on the pike, which allows to minimize the likelihood of catch loss. And others say that the leashes do not signal all bites. So who is right? What should be homemade leashes for pike or is it easier not to bother with needlework and purchase them in a store?
What to catch
Today, you can buy almost anything: companies engaged in the production of various fishing equipment are ready to offer any equipment, among which even the most demanding client will find what he likes, including a pike leash, hooks, and other necessary trifles. But mentally, we are not supposed to go the simple way, which is why the old-fashioned fishing methods are still popular. This explains the relevance of the classic Zergirl - simple, budget, and most importantly, effective gear. Its design depends entirely on the preferences of the fisherman, the only comment is that it should be minimalist-simple: no one needs a huge number of small details.
A bit about fishing line
We have a zherlitsa, but you can’t catch much on a twig-rag, as our ancestors simplistically called this tackle: we need fishing line and weights. The fishing line is usually chosen classic: 0.35-04 mm. A thinner one can not only not withstand the weight of the fish, but also rub on the ice during winter fishing, while a thicker one can turn out to be too rigid. Of course, it all depends on the general conditions of fishing: to take a thin line to ponds, where there are a lot of snags, is simply unreasonable.
And about the weights
The next question is sinkers. It is logical that the lighter the weight, the less noticeable for the potential victim. At a depth of 3-6 meters, a weight of 5-7 g is enough, with an increase in depth - 8-10 g. In shallow water, 3-6 g is also enough, and you can completely abandon the extra weight by putting the tackle under the ice, for example using a stick . In the choice between sliding and dead loads, it is better to stop on the first option or, alternatively, upgrade the tackle with silicone stops placed above and below the sinker, which will ensure the necessary slip.
Leashes: pros and cons
Let's move on to the next element. The pike leash is arguably one of the most controversial details of catching this fish. Someone believes that you can do without it, while others object: you can’t stretch it. In any case, even among those who choose a leash, there are two more camps: fans of fishing using a metal product and using leashes for pike from a fishing line. Which is better, no one will say, it all depends on the personal preferences of the fisherman: both that, and that can be torn off and snack. Moreover, purchased leashes are no better, and sometimes worse, than those that the fisherman does on his own. We will figure out how to make a leash on a pike with your own hands.
Fluorocarbon Leash
Most often in stores it is fluorocarbon leashes for pike that are found. Reviews about them, as always, are very contradictory: some are delighted, others say that choosing something like this means giving up a good catch. How many people, so many opinions. In any case, the ability to make this type of leash will not hurt anyone.
We need: fluorocarbon fishing line, one swivel with a clasp, another ordinary, crimper, file and crimp tubes. It all starts with sawing the tubes into two halves and removing bumps from the cut. Then we insert the fishing line, hang the swivels and thread the free end of the fluorocarbon back into the tube so that we get a loop inside which the swivel hangs, moreover, there is also a loop on the other side of the tube. The swivel loop is tightened to about 6 mm, the other to the very end. We get rid of excess fluorocarbon, squeeze the tube and, having measured 35 centimeters of fishing line, we repeat all this at its other end.
String leash
Let's move on to the more affordable option - leashes on a pike from a string. The most optimal solution would be string number 2, although, in principle, you can use the first number. To make a leash, you will need a drill or a screwdriver, something that will help fix this drill in one position on the table, 2.5 mm nails, surgical mosquito clamps, wire cutters, swivels, carbines and, of course, the strings themselves. A separate advantage of this method is the speed of leash production - it takes one for 30-40 seconds with proper dexterity.
First we work with nails: they need to be dulled, sanded, and one of them must be cut off. Then we fix the drill on the table and insert that hatless nail into the cartridge, before that bending it like the letter “G”. And proceed to the direct manufacture.
The string bends in half, its ends, somewhere 2.5 cm, also bend. Then a swivel and a carabiner are hung on the string, the ends are twisted - it turns out that the carabiner hangs on two loops. After this, we connect the twisting points with a clamp so that the ends of the string do not come out of the clamp. Already one loop is hung on a nail, the place of twisting is oiled, you can do without it, but it will be more difficult. We do 5-7 turns of the drill chuck so that the ends are twisted. We rotate the leash by threading a second nail, oiled, in a large loop and turning on the drill at low speeds. Better not twist than twist, remember this. And our leash is ready.
Braided Leash
The double leash from the fishing line to the pike differs slightly in its characteristics from the usual one. So let's move on to the classic braid leash. For its manufacture, the braid itself will be needed, all the same swivel and carbine, threads and glue. It all starts with a braid - you need to take it 5-6 centimeters longer than the expected leash length. We tie the ends of the cord, about 3 cm, to ordinary knots, wrapping the remaining parts of the braid, which are lower than the knots, with threads, after that, so we will connect them. To fix it, we lubricate the thread bandage with glue, necessarily moisture-proof - we doom the tackle to constant contact with water. When the glue dries, we pass a thread loop into the ear of a hemp. Having hung on it also a carbine, we pull it down - the loop is tightened, fixing on the swivel.
The advantages of this method include simplicity and uniqueness - everything can be made just so that it is most convenient for a particular fisherman. And the problem is that the braid is quite expensive, so it is not a fact that a leash from a fishing line to a pike, made with your own hands, or the braid will pay for itself.
Retractable leash
The last question is how to make a pike leash. In general, it is no different from ordinary logging leashes, except for the features of its installation. It all starts with the fact that a sinker is attached to the end of the fishing line, it is best teardrop-shaped, the weight of which depends on the fishing conditions. Then, about 30-40 centimeters from the weight, a leash is attached, it should be about a meter long. And at the end of the leash, a bait is attached - a twister, a vibratory tail or something like that.
There are certain features in the fishing technique. Firstly, if the fisherman is standing on the shore, the equipment should be cast as far as possible, while avoiding places with an abundance of grass and snags. When the bait reaches the bottom, while the tension is slightly relaxed, it's time to start reeling, ideally 2-4 movement of the reel and a pause, and when the line is paused, it should be as tight as possible. It is at this stage, if a bite appears, you need to hook immediately.
"How to make a pike leash?" - the question is elementary. We take the methods of a leash and just fix the device on a regular fishing line. The only thing you need to take care of is the length of such a leash, it is much longer than other similar gear.
Conclusion
A leash on a pike is a necessary thing in the arsenal of a fishing enthusiast. And the plus of this gear is that it is quite budgetary, and if you want, you can do it yourself. There is nothing complicated, as you see. So ... No scales, no tail, fishermen.