Donka from a spinning rod with a feeder, how to make

In recent years, the effectiveness of fishing with float rods, even with long-distance casting, on our lake has sharply decreased. This season I started making bottom gear with my own hands and testing them in action.

In this article I share my experiences over the summer and how to use them. I’ll note right away that I don’t claim authorship of the designs, because I looked up the main technical points on the Internet and simply used them for my own purposes.

Why did the famous Tver flat feeder, like the single “spring”, show poor results on my lake?

What didn’t suit me about the classic crucian killer feeder setup?

The best homemade feeder for the feeder, which I took as a basis for donka fishing

Step-by-step instructions for making a feeder with detailed photographs

Which feeder did I have to assemble literally on my knee while fishing and how did it perform in operation?

Feeder as a type of modern donkey

This tackle is considered the most advanced of the donks. In appearance, the feeder resembles a plug-in spinning rod. However, it is characterized by certain differences. The rod itself is quite tough. The kit includes a set of interchangeable tips. They differ in hardness. Also, the bottom feeder rod contains equipment of different weights. Thanks to this, it is possible to accurately cast the feeder over long distances. A heavy feeder donkey can be thrown at a distance of up to 100 meters.

As the main distinguishing feature of the feeder, it is worth noting the sliding feeder, which is fixed to the main line using special devices. A hook is attached to the tip of the fishing line, which is threaded through the feeder.

After casting the feeder tackle, you need to pick up the slack in the line. Periodically it needs to be tightened using a coil. Twitching the end of the rod will help determine the bite. The hook must be done by the fisherman himself, without using automatic devices.

Feeder rigs for catching bream, carp, crucian carp

Tips and secrets from experienced fishermen

For experienced fishermen, I advise you to use a coast free of trees, bushes and tall grass thickets when fishing with such equipment. This is done so that in the future you can mount the stand well and comfortably distribute your gear on the shore. A lot of space is also needed to ensure maneuvers during the fishing process. Because it’s worth using not one, but at least two fishing rods;
When you arrive for fishing, make your first casts frequently to saturate the pond with bait. Even if it doesn’t bite, do your job anyway. After all, you need to determine as accurately as possible over what period of time the composition of complementary foods dissipates in the water column. This could be one or even five minutes. But you should still cast at the same rhythm;
if the fishing distance allows, and the current too, you can cast directly from your hands;
For fishing to become truly effective, it is recommended to cast to one place. In order not to get lost in space, choose some landmark for yourself. This could be a tree on the opposite bank or a bush. And to shorten the casting distance, make small marks on the monofilament thread between the reel and the first ring;
It is very important to understand exactly when to cut. Naturally, you can see by the tip of the rod when the fish is biting. But each species has its own characteristics of swallowing bait, and you should study these maneuvers. For beginners, it is recommended to skip the first nods of the fishing rod, and only then hook. After catching the first trophy, you should not change anything and act in the same rhythm. This means you are on the right path.

Of all fishing tackles, the donka with a feeder was, is and will be very popular. That is why you should not miss the pleasure of using its capabilities. Happy fishing!

Options for a donkey with a feeder

Extreme fishing involves the use of a feeder as the main fishing tool, if at certain currents and depths of water bodies it is not possible to use other gear.

A feeder consisting of a donkey and having a feeder weight can be used to catch fish in fast currents, great depths, long casts and can be used when catching large fish.

For different bodies of water they use:

feeder trap
feeder with flat lids
cylindrical feeder
cone feeder

The fishing place on the shore is chosen to be sufficiently free from vegetation for 4 - 5 m around. The first casts should be done frequently to provide more bait.

You can add bait by hand if the reservoir and fishing distance allow this. You should always try to throw the feeders in one place. Well, don’t miss the moment when you really need to hook.

What are the different options for a donkey equipped with a feeder?

Feeders for various fishing conditions

The feeder is probably the most important part of the donkey. Based on its characteristics, the remaining elements of the gear are selected, and all this together affects the result of fishing. Therefore, the choice of the shape and weight of the feeder model is very important, since it plays the role of a sinker that holds the bait in the feeding area.

For a standing pond, any design with minimal weight can be suitable. Not all feeders are suitable for strong currents and in this case, flat-shaped designs with a large weight are preferable.

If this part of the gear is chosen correctly, it will hold well in the current, and at the same time be easy to remove and move when moving the rod.

Rivers - feeder with a flat lid

Ide, chub, large specimens of roach and bream that live in fast currents really like the bait. In order for it to be distributed at the required speed, an appropriate feeder is needed.

The most suitable feeder in this case would be one with a flat lid, since it has the optimal weight for these conditions - 50-60 g - and shape.

As bait, you can take maggots, or a mixture: worms and sticky bait - cut in half. Making such bait yourself is not difficult.

One method involves using in equal proportions:

finely crushed roasted peanuts
egg powder
corn flour
coconut shavings

For 1-2 liters of worms you need to prepare two kilograms of bait.

Slow flowing rivers - cylindrical feeder

Bream love to be in slow-moving water. A cylindrical feeder with plugs will be useful here. It can be used both open and closed. When using empty bait, you need to lift both plugs.

When adding worms, only the top plug needs to be removed. If only worms are used as bait, both plugs must be closed. The feeder is attached to a carbine and has free sliding, making the tackle more sensitive.

You need to prepare food from the following components, in equal parts:

breadcrumbs
semolina
egg powder
soy flour
hemp or sunflower cake (or ground and roasted seeds)

For fishing you need to take up to two kilograms of bait per 1-2 liters of worms.

Lakes and deep areas - cone feeder

Using a cone feeder, fish are caught at great depths of water bodies with standing water. The inhabitants of such places are pheasants, carp, large roach and bream.

They are constantly moving and for complementary feeding you need to take components that would make this fish notice it. This feeder is firmly attached to the main line due to its weight, which can sometimes exceed 100 grams.

The bait in this case can be corn grain or hemp. A hole is made in the bait ball, which is filled with a worm.

You can use the following bait recipe made from:

4 tsp breadcrumbs
2 hours semolina
2 teaspoons roasted and ground flax seeds
1 teaspoon roasted peanuts or other nuts

Types of feeders and their purpose

In a bottom fishing rod, one of the main components is the feeder: its size, weight, shape, material and its openness. The feeder performs several main functions:

Delivery of complementary foods to the fishing site
Weight for long casting

When choosing a shape and weight, take into account the fishing location. As has already been said, in the absence of flow, it practically does not matter what shape the cell will be.

While if it is present (especially strong), be sure to choose a model with a square cross-section, or with additional ribs - all this is necessary so that the feeder does not get carried away by the current. There are several basic designs:

Open
Closed

The open type is used on lakes, reservoirs or rivers with minimal flow. The essence of the design is that the bait is washed out of the cage in the optimal amount of time.

The closed type is used on rivers with a current. Due to the fact that the bottom of such a feeder is closed, the bait is not washed out in a short time, allowing you to do it more slowly. Available in any form:

Cylindrical
Rectangular

There are also several manufacturing materials:

Metal
Plastic

You can only find out which one is better in practice, choosing the appropriate option for yourself. But the material itself is not fundamentally important for a beginner, it makes absolutely no difference what it is made of. Returning to open feeders, it is worth saying that there are many more types. The two most common open types are spring and method.

A spring is a metal spiral mounted on a rod. The bait is prepared to such a consistency that you can take a handful and stick it to the spring, filling it. It is possible to use several feeders connected in series.

The method is a lead plate to which a plastic frame is attached, similar to a greenhouse frame. The beauty of this type is that when casting, the feeder lowers the plate to the bottom, thereby leaving food accessible to the fish, so you don’t have to worry that it will be difficult for it to find food.

Complementary foods are prepared more densely so that they stick well. The bait (usually the live type) is fixed on top of the groundbait, thus swimming up to the smell and finding its source, the fish finds it faster.

All these types and shapes, regardless of the material of manufacture, are attached by the feeder to the bottom through a winding ring or swivel. By experimenting with the type, bait and groundbait, you can achieve good and frequent bites, so if there is no bite, re-cast the bottom fishing rod with a new bait or groundbait.

Advantages and disadvantages

A donka with an elastic band is an effective fishing device. Many fishermen resort to using it, especially now that it has become legal. The popularity of bottom tackle is due to many positive qualities.

The product is characterized by quiet, silent operation. There are no sounds accompanied by the sinker landing on the water when casting.

This is a very important quality, especially if you are catching prey that is too neat and timid, such as crucian carp or carp. A fish that grabs such a bait does not feel the resistance of the weight. The fisherman does not have to tirelessly re-throw the gear after finishing inspecting the baits or removing the trophy from the hook. The hooks of the gear return to the same place in all situations. Due to this, baiting fish in a specific area is particularly effective.

Moreover, feeding in the form of balls can be sent to the fishing site directly using the same gear. From time to time, the hooks move along the bottom in one direction, which causes noticeable turbidity to rise in the water. It is especially effective at attracting underwater inhabitants to the place where fishing is carried out. Tackle with elastic bands has a lot of advantages when compared with other types of donks when catching predatory underwater inhabitants. When casting a traditional donkey, live bait, especially if it is weakened, often falls off the hook or receives very serious damage, after which it dies. The angler has every chance to revive the bite by attracting fish with slight movements of the fishing line, changing the level of tension of the rubber, and resorting to a combination of attachment and bait. The gear in question is universal. They can be used on almost any body of water. In this case, the fisherman can use several baits at once, adjusting the depth of their location. The donka with an elastic band is a reliable and strong design. Such fishing devices break very rarely. The “fisherman's assistants” in question are small in size. The tackle can just as easily be wound up, turning it into a compact device with a length of 30-40 cm. Such a thing turns out to be very convenient for transportation. An angler who uses a bottom with an elastic band can improve it if necessary. Many fishing enthusiasts do this.

Donks with a rubber shock absorber have a lot of advantages, but they are not without their disadvantages. Let's get to know them.

When using a donkey with an elastic band, anglers often encounter the problem of losing sinkers. It is possible to cope with this drawback using a branch line.
It will not be possible to use such a design in a reservoir with a slippery bottom.
The fisherman has to adhere to safety rules when using such gear.
Donka with an elastic band cannot boast of the possibility of maneuverable manipulations. The tackle is fixed in the selected place, and it is quite difficult to rearrange it. Such fishing will be a pleasure only for those people who are accustomed to fishing while staying in one place for a long time.
This device cannot be located on every coastal area. For example, in places where thick grass grows, there is a strong current or a cliff, it will not be possible to use a bottom with an elastic band.
The rubber shock absorber itself is the most vulnerable component of the gear. The rubber band is easily damaged by sharp objects lying at the bottom of the reservoir, and very soon becomes obsolete from exposure to ultraviolet rays. A worn part risks breaking at the most crucial moment. It is recommended that fishermen always carry spare weights and rubber bands with them.
A shock absorber that is too tight can be very dangerous for the fisherman. A broken and strained tackle can accidentally cause serious damage with hooks. If the rubber band breaks, a noticeable impact can occur, which can easily damage exposed areas of the human body. That is why the hand with which the fisherman pulls the rubber needs to be moved to the side.

Types and design features

The first donkeys did not have reels or even rods; the fishing line was wound on a reel, and casting and landing fish was done manually. The simple design of the gear contributed to the convenience of fishing and transportation, but had a serious drawback, because when landing large fish, breaks and slips occurred, and long-distance casting was much more difficult.

Therefore, the appearance of telescopic and plug rods in stores marked a new era in the development of bottom gear, and expanded the possibilities of their use.

Today, fishermen use many varieties of donks and among them:

Classic version with a spring.
Snacks.
Installation with rubber band.
Killers of crucian carp, carp and silver carp.
Walking donks for the current.
Feeder equipment.
“Satellites” or makushatniki.
Side donks with a ring.
Japanese women with hominy.
Bottom rigs for predators.
Carousel or return donk.
Winter donks.

There are no special restrictions on the design of equipment, and each fisherman customizes how his donka looks at his own discretion and to suit his own conditions.

Zakidushka

The zakidushka is rightfully considered the ancestor of all bottom rigs; its design is very simple and making such rigs with your own hands is not at all difficult. A hook is a piece of fishing line with a sinker at the end and 3-4 leashes with hooks.

When describing all types of bottom gear, it is assumed that a main line of 50–150 meters in length is wound on a reel or reel, depending on the needs of the fisherman. It is recommended to knit bottom rigs on a 50–100 cm piece of fishing line, and in immediate preparation for fishing, they are attached to the base using the loop-to-loop method or using a swivel. The weight of the casting weight varies from 30–150 grams, it all depends on the fishing conditions and the type of reservoir.

The basis of the tackle is a monofilament line with a diameter of 0.3-0.4 mm, leashes are also made of monofilament with a diameter of 0.2 - 0.25 mm, 5-10 cm long. The number of leashes can be greater, but in this case there is a higher probability of tangling the tackle when casting and landing fish. Hooks are selected depending on the type of bait and the expected size of the trophies.

The main fishing line on the classic “grandfather’s” hook was wound onto a wooden reel, which was stuck into the sand during fishing. After casting the tackle, the line was stretched and fixed on a metal stand or wooden stand. To signal a bite, a bell on an elastic band was used, in which a slot was made for the fishing line.

This design provided an indication both when pulling to depth and when biting on the shore. A fisherman using such a donkey for fishing needs to be careful and not miss a bite, so that the tackle does not get dragged into the water. The design of the zakidushka gives a complete picture of what a donka is, but it has both advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits of the snack:

application on any type of reservoir;
compactness;
budget;
ease of manufacture.

Disadvantages of gear:

casting distance restrictions;
difficulty in feeding the point;
slips and cliffs when landing trophy fish;
difficulty fishing on a muddy muddy bottom.

For a beginner, a zakidushka is truly the simplest and most convenient equipment with which to begin getting acquainted with bottom gear. Making a hook with your own hands is not at all difficult, as is learning how to catch different fish with it. Typically, anglers use several baits, fishing a large sector, and at different distances, increasing the chances of a bite.

Classic dong with spring

This tackle is rightfully considered the most common and its design takes into account all the shortcomings of the hooks. When fishing with a spring, a rod is used that simplifies long-distance casting of the tackle, and the main fishing line is wound on an inertia-free reel, which helps to calmly bring a trophy of any size into the landing net.

Precise feeding is carried out using a spring feeder, and with each subsequent cast, the bait table becomes more abundant and more attractive to the fish. It is the targeted supply of food that increases the efficiency of a donkey with a spring for fishing, and even large trophies such as carp or silver carp are caught with it.

Structurally, the dong with a spring consists of:

rods 240–420 cm long;
coils;
main line – monofilament or braided;
equipment with a spring.

The installation consists of a piece of monofilament fishing line with a sliding spring put on it, as well as 2–3 leashes with hooks of numbers 6–10. When fishing on a still body of water, use a regular light spring, and when fishing in a current, use a loaded spring or an additional sinker weighing 40–120 grams.

Taking into account the weight of the bait in the spring, the test of the rod is also selected, because it must successfully cope with long casts of heavy equipment. Donkey baits with a spring are sold in fishing stores, although homemade mixtures also show good results on fishing trips.

The main requirements for bait are related to the fact that it must “dust” in the water column, but erode slowly in order to have time to attract fish to the bait on the hook. Probably every amateur fisherman has his own “secret” recipe for catchable bait, which he uses during trips to water bodies.

Animal components and floating nozzles such as technotest, pop-ups, or foam balls are used as nozzles. After preparing the bait mixture, the feeder is filled with it, the bait is attached to the hook and the tackle is thrown to the fishing point.

The rod is mounted on a stand with an electronic signaling device, or a bell or fishing rattle is attached to the fishing line. While waiting for a bite, the fisherman does not need to constantly monitor the rod, especially if the reel is equipped with a baitrunner system, which prevents line breaks and loss of the rod when biting powerful fish.

Advantages of a donkey with a feeder:

Possibility of use on reservoirs of any type;
ease of manufacture;
low cost of components;
coverage of a wide sector of the reservoir;
long-distance fishing;
using a variety of baits;
the ability to use animal and artificial, floating and sinking baits;
effectiveness of the gear at any time of the year, in open water.

It is difficult to find any shortcomings in a donkey with a spring, except that the fragility of metal springs, which also rust in water, is the reason for their regular replacement.

Taking into account the fact that the cost of springs is extremely low, the cost of new equipment components is not critical, and it is not surprising that most amateur fishermen fish with a donkey with a spring, and quite successfully. Most often, several fishing rods are used when fishing, and thanks to the presence of electronic or mechanical alarms, the fisherman does not need to constantly monitor the condition of the gear.

Donka with rubber shock absorber

Donks with a shock absorber, or rubber bands, were invented by fishermen a long time ago, and this type of equipment is also popular and is often used for catching crucian carp or bream in reservoirs with standing water or weak currents.

The tackle consists of a piece of monofilament with 8–10 leashes, tied on one side to the base, on the other side to a rubber shock absorber 20–30 meters long. The elastic band, in turn, clings to the load, which is brought to the fishing point, and the shock absorber stretches and pulls the tackle itself and the main fishing line. Usually the shock absorber is extended by three of its lengths and, accordingly, after being released, the same amount of fishing line ends up in the water.

That is, with a rubber band length of 20 meters, for fishing you need at least 60 meters of base, or even more, it all depends on the stretchability. Most often, the fishing line is brought in by a fisherman on a boat, and his partner on the shore holds the other end of the rubber band with the equipment tied to it. After the rubber stretches to its full length, the load is lowered into the water, and the fisherman on the shore releases the equipment tied to the rubber with baits attached to the hooks.

The important thing here is that each time the tackle ends up in approximately the same place, and if you feed it additionally, the chances of a bite increase significantly. On the shore, the main fishing line is wound on a reel and a bell with an elastic band with a slot is attached to it. When a bite occurs, the line is pulled or loosened, and the fisherman hooks the fish, landing it ashore manually.

When reeling out the fishing line, the rubber shock absorber is stretched and after removing the caught fish and re-equipping the hooks, due to its elasticity it pulls the equipment back into the water. It’s very convenient that the rubber band doesn’t need to be thrown into the water every time and the hooks always hit the same point. At first, an elastic band for aircraft modeling was used as a shock absorber, and this was not the most budget option.

Now rubber shock absorbers are more accessible and are sold in any fishing or hardware store, so there are no problems with the purchase. When importing an elastic band, it is important to correctly determine the degree of tension so as not to break it and at the same time stretch it as much as possible. This will allow you to fish at the greatest distance from the shore, because it depends on the length and stretchability of the shock absorber.

Knitting a donka elastic band is very simple:

a weight is tied to the end of the shock absorber;
the main fishing line clings to the second end of the elastic band;
At a distance of 8–10 cm from each other to the base, on the side of the connection with the elastic band, leashes with hooks are attached;
the base is wound onto the reel, with a shock absorber on top.

A simple rubber band is not suitable for fishing for large fish and is used to catch crucian carp, bream, roach, and perch. When biting and fishing for a solid trophy such as carp or catfish, the rubber shock absorber will most likely break, since its strength is not enough to hold the fish.

This is a drawback of the elastic band, and even if you use a reinforced version of the shock absorber, there will be no special advantages. Many anglers try to improve the equipment with a shock absorber, using a rod and reel instead of a reel, or choosing thick rubber and fishing line. But these are unsuccessful decisions that do not bring a fundamental improvement to the gear.

You should not fish with an elastic band in the current, as the advantages of the installation are lost. The shock absorber is pulled out by the force of the water flow and the hooks do not get where they need to be. In addition, the load is pulled out of place when the elastic band is tensioned, and if its weight is increased, the shock absorber will break. If you still have to fish in a gentle current, the elastic is brought in at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the coastline, then the water pressure is not so high and the load does not blow away.

Although in this case, the shock absorber is extended, and the main advantage of the equipment is leveled. Elastic bands are successfully used for night fishing, and such tackle is especially catchy for spring bream and crucian carp, which are precisely active at night. This is due to the fact that the tackle does not need to be thrown into the water all the time, which means there is less noise, and thanks to the shock absorber, it is more convenient for the fisherman to fish.

If you additionally throw several balls of bait at the fishing point, this will increase the number of bites, and therefore the size of the catch.

Advantages of donkey gum:

fishing is carried out at a constant distance;
no need to constantly throw the tackle manually or with a rod;
a large number of hooks increases the chances of a bite;
It’s convenient to fish at night even with the most active bite.

Disadvantages of a donkey with a rubber shock absorber:

ineffective when fishing in currents;
the range of delivery of equipment is limited by the elasticity of the elastic band;
It’s inconvenient to catch trophy fish.

That is, donka gum is used when catching small fish at a short distance, and in reservoirs where there is no current or it is weak.

"Killers of crucian carp" or carp

Crucian carp killer donks are equipped with two or three small springs and 3-4 leashes made of soft braided fishing line, although, in general, they are similar to standard donkeys with springs. The “killers” are fished with a rod with a large cast and a powerful reel, since the tackle is heavy, and it is better to cast it far, this increases the likelihood of a fish biting.

The equipment consists of:

a piece of fishing line with a sinker at the end;
leashes are tied above the sinker;
There are springs between the leashes, and their movement along the fishing line is limited using float stoppers or mounting beads.

The installation is tied to the base loop-to-loop and thrown to the required distance. The main condition for the catchability of the tackle is properly prepared sticky bait, which is hammered into the springs.

It is the smell of bait that attracts crucian carp or other fish; it is tempted by the treat and stumbles upon a hook with a floating bait. The reason that the “crucian killer” donka is so catchy is that the fish is offered not one, but two or three springs with bait and it always finds the hook.

Despite the fact that the springs used are small, increasing their number will significantly make the tackle heavier, which will become even coarser. This will not give any visible advantages, but fishing will be much more inconvenient, and you will need very powerful rods even for casting over a short distance.

Advantages of donka “crucian carp killer”:

high attractiveness for fish;
a large number of hooks increases the likelihood of a bite;
used on any body of water, even with a strong current, simply increase the weight of the load;
Various fish are caught, including large ones.

Flaws:

the tackle is rough and gets tangled when casting;
the large weight of the equipped donkey requires the use of powerful fishing rods;
Due to its significant weight, such tackle cannot be thrown very far.

“Crucian carp killers” are used in all types of reservoirs, but have limitations on casting range, and when fishing, the hooks may get caught on bottom vegetation and snags.

Running bottom for the current

The presence of a current in a reservoir complicates the fisherman’s task and the equipment has to be heavier, which makes it less sensitive. But the problem is easier to solve if you use a running donkey.

The advantage of this gear is that it can be used to catch not only peaceful fish, but also predators, both from a boat and from the shore. Who would refuse gear that is catchy in difficult conditions and strong currents? Therefore, most anglers use it when fishing for perch, pike perch, or other fish that live in the bottom layers.

The running bottom is not used only in reservoirs with a muddy bottom, and where there is dense bottom vegetation, since the sinker gets stuck when moving. Another important point is related to the fact that when fishing with a running bottom, both passive and active wiring is used, which also increases the chances of attracting fish.

Strictly speaking, during passive fishing, the gear is also pulled, but the current is responsible for this, carrying the sinker located at the bottom. But the current must be quite strong for the sinker to move. Active wiring is carried out by the fisherman and in this way he tries to stir up inactive fish hiding in holes or in thickets of grass.

The running donka consists of:

a spinning rod with 40–50 grams of dough and a guard;
spinning reel with spool 2000–2500;
braided fishing line as a base.

The braid is inextensible and when used, the weakest bites are clearly visible. The guard is made of a spring with a bright plastic ball at the end.

Installation of the running deck consists of:

sliding sinker weighing 50 grams or more;
anti-twist;
leash made of monofilament fishing line 20–30 cm long;
hook numbers 6–8 across Europe.

To increase the attractiveness of the rig, a bright foam ball is placed on the hook, which lightens the weight of the hook. Some anglers do not use an anti-twist and tie the leader to a swivel located below the sinker.

This installation is simpler, but when using it, the fishing line may become tangled, which is best avoided. After the sinker with a leash has covered a distance of 10–15 meters, the tackle is rethrown upstream and fishing continues.

Often, fishing with a donk line turns out to be more effective than fishing with stationary equipment, especially in conditions of strong currents. When purposefully catching a predator, a metal leash and a tee are installed, and live bait or soft spinning baits are used as bait.

Advantages of the running donkey:

used when fishing from a boat and from the shore;
catcher's tackle in fast currents;
both predator and white fish are caught;
simple installation;
budget components;
various baits.

Disadvantages of the running donkey:

used only on current;
the bottom of the reservoir must be clean and hard, without grass or silt;
the fisherman needs to watch the guard all the time;
the tackle is regularly rethrown.

Before fishing with a running donka, you need to “break through” the bottom topography and make sure that there are no underwater obstacles or silt.

Donka "Sputnik"

Satellite fishing is passive fishing and involves a long wait for a bite. At the same time, trophy fish are caught on “satellites” and this is an attractive moment for the fisherman.

The bait for such equipment is pressed sunflower cake or makha, sawn into the shape of a parallelepiped. No other baits are used with this tackle, although experiments are not prohibited and if one of the anglers manages to find a more catchy bait, this is only welcome.

To fish with a “satellite” you need:

telescopic or spinning rod with fast action;
inertia-free or inertial coil;
“satellite” installation with a top block.

The satellite installation is knitted on the main fishing line, or a piece of thick cord. Fishermen use several different satellite designs, but the most catchy one consists of:

flat sinker (horseshoe type) with a longitudinal through hole;
studs for attaching the leash;
a braided leash 3-5 cm long with a hook number 6–8.

The main fishing line or cord is inserted into the hole of the sinker and a thick knot is tied at the end. If a piece of cord is used, a loop is knitted at the other end to connect to the main fishing line. A through transverse hole is drilled in the crown cube, with a diameter corresponding to the thickness of the hairpin.

A knot of cord or fishing line is inserted into a hole in the top of the head and a pin is put on it. The cord is tightened and the hairpin takes the correct position when only its head remains above the crown. A leash is tied to the head, and a foam ball is placed on the hook. The tackle is ready for use and is thrown to the fishing point.

At the bottom of the reservoir, the makha gets wet and attracts fish with its smell, as well as small dusty particles. The foam ball on the hook acts as an irritant and the fish bites on it. Since the top gets wet for a long time, after casting the tackle, the rod is installed on a stand with a mechanical or electronic signaling device.

A well-pressed top is washed away from an hour to several hours, and during this time large fish approach it. Since there is no noise from the weight hitting the water during recasts, as well as when feeding, trophy fish come up to the “satellite” and bite. Even if this happens less often than when catching medium-sized crucian carp or bream, the size of the trophies compensates for the long wait for a bite.

To increase the catchability of the “satellite”, fishermen put several hooks and this is already non-sporting gear. However, there is no complete certainty that a large number of hooks affects the intensity of the bite and large fish are more likely to be afraid of this.

Advantages of the “satellite” donkey:

big fish are caught;
casts are made over a long distance;
the tackle is easy to manufacture;
costs for components are minimal;
assembly takes a little time.

Disadvantages of Donka:

passive fishing and long wait for a bite;
limited selection of attachments;
the need to use electronic alarms.

Before installing the makukha block, it is recommended to check at home how long it takes for it to be completely washed away by water. In this case, the angler will know exactly after what period of time he needs to recast.

Carousel or return donk

The donka carousel received this name because it really resembles a children's carousel in appearance and is also very similar to a rig with a rubber shock absorber. True, there is no elastic band in the design of the return bottom, but the principle of operation is similar.

Donka carousel consists of:

sinkers with a ring with a diameter of 4–5 cm;
a piece of fishing line 100–150 meters with a diameter of 0.35-0.40;
a dozen leashes on a monofilament line with a diameter of 0.2-0.25 mm;
two metal pegs 20-30 cm high.

Metal pegs serve as rollers along which the fishing line will slide when reeling in the equipment or launching it into a pond. Fishermen make grooves on the pegs to prevent the line from slipping when moving.

The weight of the load depends on the strength of the current, because after the delivery or casting of the gear, it should not be washed away by the flow of water. It is better to deliver cargo from a boat; in this case, it is possible to target the fishing spot. Casting from the hand is inaccurate and the tackle gets tangled, but in the absence of a watercraft you don’t have to choose and the fishing line is folded in half, and with a reserve so that it does not get dragged into the water under the weight of the load.

After the cargo is delivered, the fishing line is taken ashore and tied to form a large loop. The line connection point is located in the area of the peg, this simplifies orientation when pulling the equipment into the water. On the shore, the pegs are located at a distance of 5–7 meters from each other, so that a triangle is formed, the upper corner of which is the load, and the lower pegs.

Leashes with hooks equipped with attachments are attached to the fishing line and the tackle is pulled into the water, and the distance is measured manually. By stretching the fishing line along the pegs, the fisherman measures the fishing distance and subsequently tightens the tackle to the same distance from the shore. A mechanical bell-type alarm is placed on the line and when a fish bites, it notifies the fisherman about it.

If the fish is hooked, the angler reels the tackle along the pegs like on a carousel and removes the fish. Next, fresh bait is put on the hooks and, tightening the fishing line, they are sent back to the pond. The return bottom is easy to use and allows you to fish in the same place.

The tension of the fishing line occurs due to the force of the current, and even if it is small, the tackle is always in working condition. At the end of fishing, the weight is pulled out of the water and used repeatedly in subsequent sessions.

Advantages of the return donkey “carousel”:

the tackle does not need to be rethrown every time;
fishing occurs in the same baited place;
production costs are minimal;
with the donkey, any, even the most “delicate” attachments are used;
a large number of hooks increases the chances of a bite.

Disadvantages of the "carousel":

difficulties in delivering cargo;
when reeling out the fishing line, skill is required so that it does not jump off the pegs;
It is important not to miss a bite so that the donka remains in working position.

The return bottom is also used in reservoirs with stagnant water, but during currents it is more convenient to use and the efficiency of the gear is higher.

It is important to tie the line with a secure knot to prevent breaks when reeling out and pulling the equipment into the water. The undoubted advantage of the gear is the ability to use any baits, and they will be delivered to the fishing point undamaged, as is the case when casting by hand or with a rod.

Donka feeder

The feeder, or English donka, has become very popular among our fishermen over the past 5–7 years, and this is due to the ease of use of the gear on reservoirs of any type.

There are a lot of feeder rigs that have been invented to suit every condition, and when fishing on muddy bottoms and rocks, in grass and sand, the most catchy option is chosen. The feeder topic deserves a more detailed description and several articles on our website are devoted to it.

Side donka with ring

When fishing from a boat, the most effective is the donka with a ring, which can catch almost any fish. The advantages of this donkey are that hooks with bait are carried downstream and are constantly in the “stream” of bait washed out of the feeder.

Structurally, the tackle consists of:

the main cord on which the feeder is attached;
a ring tied to a thick fishing line and moving along the cord;
leashes with hooks;
feeders.

Fishing from a boat with a donkey with a ring is especially effective on a river with a medium or fast current, regardless of the size of the reservoir or depth. Although it is believed that it is at great depths that such tackle works best. At the beginning of fishing, a convenient place is selected and the boat is placed on a “strict” anchor so that it does not move with the current.

The feeder is made from an ordinary tin can or paint can and holes are drilled in it to wash out the bait. The jar feeder is filled with bait, tied to a cord and lowered into the water, and the other end of the cord is attached to the boat. Before fastening the cord, a lead ring with attached fishing line and leashes is put on it.

Holes are made in the ring for attaching fishing line and leashes. Holding the free end of the fishing line in his hands, the angler has the opportunity to raise the ring to the boat, or lower it to the feeder. When a fish bites in the hand, blows are felt on the fishing line and no additional signaling devices are used.

The hooks are baited with bait - a worm, maggot, dough and tackle is lowered to the feeder.

If there are no bites for a long time, the fisherman moves by boat to another place, upstream or downstream, lowers the feeder into the water and continues fishing in the hope of success. True, periods of no-biting when fishing with a ring are rare, because the bait washed out of the feeder creates a cloudy cloud that attracts fish, and it finds bait on the hook.

Advantages of a donkey with a ring:

hooks with attachments always fall into the same place next to the bait, which significantly increases the chances of a good bite;
the tackle is simple and knits quickly;
fishing costs are minimal, and the catches are almost always pleasing with abundance and variety.

Disadvantages of gear:

For fishing you need a boat and a body of water with a current;
Rarely do you catch truly trophy fish;
it is inconvenient to fish for large fish;
It happens that the leashes get tangled and this scares away the fish.

How to make it yourself

A huge number of fishermen do not have the opportunity to buy such a device, some do not have enough money, and others simply do not have the opportunity to go to the market. In such cases, a logical question arises about how to make an extractor for fishing with your own hands.

This process is very simple and does not require any special equipment or skills. And you won’t need to use expensive materials. All you need to do is find a toothbrush - buy a new one, or use an old one.

The manufacturing process is as follows

You will need to saw off the head along with the bristles using a metal file. You should only have the brush handle left.

It is important to know that the longer the handle, the more convenient it is to use a fishing extractor from it. Now you need to make a small cut in the leg to make the tool operational. To prevent damage to the fishing line, it is necessary to carefully sand all the places where the cut was made. The width of the cut will determine the size of the hooks that the fishing extractor can extract - the wider it is, the more hooks can be pulled out. Then you need to make a through hole on the other side of the handle - this is necessary for convenience

A cord is passed through the hole, which allows you to secure the extractor around your neck.

As you can see, the manufacturing process does not take much time, and the procedure for removing hooks while fishing will become much easier and will not take up a lot of your precious time. This is a very convenient device. Every fisherman should have a fishing extractor.

How and what to feed

Another important factor influencing the effectiveness of carp fishing for donka is the quantity and quality of bait that is offered to the fish. Only in early spring and late autumn the amount of food should be minimal, because the carp is not active and its metabolism is slow.

It is very easy to overfeed in such conditions and this must be taken into account when determining the volume of the feeding mixture. When fishing in warm water, it is necessary to feed the fish and it is necessary to choose the correct ratio of ingredients. It’s worth saying right away that catching carp without feeding the fishing point is much more difficult and it will most likely be a fish passing by by chance.

Even in small bodies of water, feeding is necessary, especially since the bait mixture contains accessible and cheap components.

For feeding it is used:

boiled and fermented corn;
boiled peas;
wheat;
rape;
millet;
sunflower cake.

All grains are available and have a low cost, so their use is justified in amateur bottom fishing. There are reservoirs where bait made from sour peas or corn performs well; they are also used as bait.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing the components of the bait mixture, you need to ask what the owners of the reservoir feed the fish (if it is a “private owner”), because it is accustomed to this food. Most often, grains from nearby fields are used as food, because both carp and grass carp happily feed on such food. So the guards of the reservoir will certainly suggest the right decision.

If fishing is carried out on the river, the universal bait is boiled and dry corn, which works for carp and carp at almost any time of the year. When the equipment is delivered, 3–5 grains of dried or boiled corn are poured into the fishing point, and after each bite the same amount of bait is added. If, when fishing on the river, there is no bite for 2-2.5 hours, you need to supplement the point and change the bait to a fresh one.

Don’t be afraid to overfeed fish in warm water, because young carp can eat more than their own weight in food per day. And corn and peas are the ingredients that will help attract fish to a given point, and to catch them, bottom equipment, or simply a donka, is used.

Bite alarms

Reliable tackle and a person’s desire to change the fish’s registration from a reservoir to a fish tank are not always sufficient for happiness. For one reason or another, the angler may miss the moment of the bite and, as a result, be late with the hook. Bite alarms are designed to correct the situation. Let's look at some of them.

Bells

Bells are a classic among signaling devices. They are usually attached directly to the line at the reel or reel. The retainer can be thick rubber or cork. The slot made in them ensures not only reliable fastening, but also prompt dismantling.

Bells

An original, simple and quite effective signaling device for donk fishing. There are several modifications of bells, but all of them are attached to the tip of the rod and respond well to the bite. One of the advantages is the low price. Among the disadvantages is the tendency to breakage and loss, which again successfully compensates for the cost.

Electronic alarm

These indicators are a product of technological progress. There are options with light and acoustic signaling to choose from. They look fashionable, modern, stylish. They work reliably. Disadvantages include the need for constant monitoring of the charging level of power supplies and the relatively high cost.

Rod tip

If you are not a fan of expanding and expanding your fishing arsenal, we suggest using a thin rod tip as a signaling device. It can be made of sensitive carbon fiber or independently modified with a conventional spring. The whip can be chosen by color depending on your preferences, and for fishing in the dark you can find models with a fluorescent coating.

Donkey installation

To design a donkey, you must follow the structure assembly algorithm:

Assemble the rod and firmly secure the reel with guide rings, placing them in one row.
Wind the fishing line onto the spool and bring it through all the rings of the rod, after which a knotted loop is formed at the very end of the fishing line.
Drop the line guide bracket and attach the line to the spool.
Wind the line onto the reel.
A sinker-feeder is attached and fixed to the main fishing line, after which a second knot loop is formed at the end of the base.
Attach one leash with a hook and additional equipment if necessary to the last knot loop.
Install a fishing rod stand with a bite alarm.

Tip: to securely attach hooks to leashes, the most efficient way is to use knotless fasteners.
With the help of a donkey, it is possible to study a reservoir by moving along the coastal line.

Donkey fishing is carried out in several stages:

Assembly and installation of the fishing rod.
Casting a sinker with a feeder attachment.
Carrying out hooking after the first bait.
Catching fish by winding fishing line onto a reel.

Nozzles

The best baits for catching carp on donkeys are old dry corn and sour peas, this has been tested by many fishing trips on different bodies of water. There is no need to invent anything if there are baits whose catchability is beyond doubt. Large corn is drilled across and placed directly on the hook tip.

The second option is to attach corn or peas to the hair, which is also effective and works both on the river and on the lake. Even after standing in water for many hours, dried corn remains dense and remains attractive to fish. This is natural food that will not alert even large fish and will entice it to bite.

If you want to experiment, you can try boilies or pellets, but then you need to feed them with a mixture that contains the same ingredients. On some reservoirs, especially closed ones, boiled potatoes, diced, and even pieces of fried lard performed well.

"Pacifier"

This equipment got its name from the manner in which the crucian carp eats the bait. The nipple is a feeder weighing no more than 50 grams, into which bait is tightly compacted.

Nipples come in different shapes and types. Nipples are also made independently from corks and wire, various plates.

Its operating principle is simple: we pack the bait tightly into the mold. We hide the hooks in the middle and send them to the bottom. All the mass at the bottom dissolves and creates a slight aromatic haze.

The crucian carp swims up and slowly begins to suck on this tackle until it swallows the hook.

What didn’t suit me about the classic crucian killer feeder setup?

After several fishing trips using a feeder with three springs and additional weight, I realized that in my case some modification was required.

To perform a long cast, you need to use a heavy weight. It goes into the mud, and the springs with hooks are located above. From the point of view of bites, everything seems to be normal, but difficulties arise both when landing fish and during simple re-casting of the tackle.

When moving towards the shore, a heavy weight stretches along the bottom and clings to everything that is there. When it comes to the algae zone, it, and at the same time the springs, collect a whole sheaf of grass...

On the advice of video blogger Sasha Ivanov, I tried to install his device on the fishing line - a plastic wing-petal for lifting the feeder.

However, it disappointed me: when casting, the plastic simply slides along the fishing line, moving away from it so that when fishing it does not come close to the feeders. I even pierced holes in it for the fishing line with a thin needle. Did not help…

Again, this petal rotates around the axis of the stretched fishing line, occupying an arbitrary, rather than strictly horizontal, position. It depends on random factors and is not stabilized.

This addition to the donk became an unnecessary device for me. I got rid of it and found a more worthy solution to this issue.

Bottom tackle without a rod

There are several designs that do not have rods. Instead of a fishing rod, a reel is used of a design that allows you to store and transport the tackle, and also allows you to secure it on the shore of the reservoir. Tackle such as “rubber band” is quite widely used by anglers for bottom fishing. It got its name because its design includes a rubber shock absorber. It allows you to retrieve caught fish without pulling the tackle out of the water.

Despite the simplicity of the design, the catchability of the “elastic band” is at the highest level. In second place in terms of catchability, you can put the “ring” bottom tackle. Unfortunately, it can only be used if you have a boat. Quite an interesting tackle, with the following operating principle. A feeder with food on a thick fishing line is lowered to the bottom of the reservoir, in a promising place. It will remain at the bottom until the end of fishing. After this, a thinner fishing line with leads and nozzles is lowered to the bottom. In this case, a ring of a certain weight is used. It draws the fishing line with hooks closer to the feeder and keeps them in one place. This is especially true in the presence of a current, when hooks with bait under the influence of the current can move from the feeder to an indefinite distance.

This fishing method has one drawback. The gear does not allow you to quickly change the fishing point. You either need to know the nature of the reservoir and the bottom topography well, or you may just be lucky.

How to make a donka with a feeder

As mentioned above, the basis of the gear is a spinning rod with a spinning reel. For bottom fishing, the required amount of cord is selected based on its length of at least one hundred meters. Cord thickness is from 0.12 to 0.3 mm. The installation of the equipment is attached to the fastener of the main cord, and, if necessary, is knitted at its base.

To correctly make a donk with a feeder allows the fisherman to know and be able to tie various types of feeder equipment. The most effective and simplest to implement is the paternoster equipment. It is knitted from two loops, to one of which the leash is attached, and the other is used for mounting the feeder itself. The versatility of the tie allows you to fish in most conditions.

The loop system is characterized by the same universality of execution. Its two varieties in the form of a symmetrical and asymmetrical loop give the angler the opportunity to fish with active - the first option, and passive - the second, fish. The option of using an anti-twist or a rocker allows you to completely avoid tangling the equipment and is recommended for beginning anglers to gain experience in bottom fishing. The main fishing line is passed through the tube, to the end of which a leash is attached, and the feeder itself is mounted to the short arm using a fastener.

All installation methods presented are knitted directly on the pond, they do not take much time and require the least amount of elements. For these types of installation, the feeder on the bottom is suitable in both open and closed versions.

What does the equipment consist of?

The equipment for fishing with feeders includes a rod, which can be a representative of spinning rods of medium and high test parameters. The rod is equipped with a reel, preferring its inertia-free types. Braided versions are preferable as the main cord, as they facilitate better transmission of bite signals. Bells or electronic signaling and transmitting devices are used as bite alarms. To make it easier to place the rod, fliers made of plastic tips and metal sliding pins are used as stands, which are stuck directly into the ground at the fishing site.

Direct installation, which allows you to attach and detect fish, looks more intricate. The installation includes the feeders themselves, leashes with hooks, swivels, fasteners and various types of rockers made of plastic or metal materials. All the accessories presented above allow you to equip the rod for certain fishing conditions, carrying out different types of mating and combinations of the order of elements.

Consequently, having this universal set in his arsenal, the angler will be able to meet any need for fishing conditions directly on the very shore of the reservoir, and the possibility of effective spot and repeated feeding only helps to increase productivity. These ample opportunities are why anglers fell in love with this method of bottom fishing. We will try to reveal a number of principles of such fishing and technical methods of equipping bottom gear in the context of fishing conditions and the type of expected trophy.

Lure

In this case, you can use worms or maggots as complementary food. But there is a certain proportion of this delicacy per kilogram of bait.

It is as follows:

for a reservoir with a fast current - 2 handfuls;
for a reservoir with medium flow - 3 handfuls;
for standing water - at least 5 handfuls;
for a pond with a slow flow - 4 handfuls.

Which fish to choose?

First of all, the inhabitants of lakes and rivers look for food at the bottom. Among them: perch, catfish, ide, carp, crucian carp, and others. The donka was created specifically for catching them.

Much depends on the characteristics of the reservoir. For example, in rivers with fast and rapid currents, a heavy load is used that can give stability to the structure. In lakes where the water is calm, less weight is used.

How to fish with donka

For fishing using bottom gear to be successful, it is important to take into account the recommendations of experienced fishermen.

General Tips

To use the donkey, you should consider the following:

Choose the right place. It should be clean and free of snags or excess aquatic vegetation.
Make a cast. To do this, you need to take the weights, swing them like a pendulum, and throw them at the desired distance. The line should be slightly unwound and folded into rings. If it is a feeder, then casting is done using a rod.
When fishing from the shore, it is permissible to place several donks. They must be placed at intervals of 5 meters along the sides. Thanks to this, it is possible to increase the chances of a good catch.
It is good to strengthen the gear so that the fish does not pull it along with it.
If there is no bite, you need to throw the donk again to a new place.

Method feeder

Fishing for crucian carp

It is worth catching crucian carp in stagnant bodies of water. It is best to use several rods. When choosing a reel, you should consider the fishing distance. Read more about how to catch crucian carp in the material.

Baiting crucian carp in reservoirs without current

Fishing for bream

This fish can be caught with bottom tackle on large or medium-sized rivers with a current. In this case, it is permissible to use 2 types of equipment - stationary or running.

Do-it-yourself catchy bottom tackle for catching carp and crucian carp:

By carp

For carp fishing, you need to use a fairly powerful flexible fishing rod and a monofilament line that can stretch. To prevent the carp from going into thickets or snags, it needs to be fished correctly.

Carp fishing is a whole science, a lot of useful information in our section on carp fishing.

Roach fishing

To catch roach at close distances, you should use a light feeder. It is important that the tackle has a sensitive tip and is light enough, since you will have to work with the rod all the time.

How to catch podust using bottom gear

This fish bites well in reservoirs with medium or small currents. It is important to hit the planned points when casting. Podust are usually caught in riverbed zones or at the boundaries of slow and fast currents.

Fishing for predatory fish

To catch predators, it is worth using a donka, the rod of which has a length of 2.4-3.8 meters. If tree branches make it impossible to use a fishing rod, you should use a casting rod.

As bait - live bait, a bunch of worms, dead fish.

Evolution

When the first examples of bottom gear appeared, they did not have reels, and some did not have rods. The line had to be wound onto the reel. It was also difficult to make long casts.

The situation was radically changed by the appearance of improved bottom tackle: with telescopic and plug-in rods. Novice fishermen began to use new models. Experienced ones preferred homemade devices.

How to constantly throw a feeder in the same place?

It's not difficult to do this. The main thing is to determine the location of the feeder cast. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the bottom and its topography.

Once you know the location of drops, edges, and holes, you can navigate them; these places are considered priority in fishing. To remember the casting location, you need to find a visual reference, which can be any static object.

To cast the feeder to the same place, you need to find a landmark with your eyes and point the feeder a little further than the point chosen for casting. Wind the reel a little until the hit is accurate. Secure the main line to a spool with rubber. In this case, the unwinding of the fishing line will be limited to the required length, and the cast will go to the selected point. The next stage will be a cast of 5-8 frequent casts approximately every half minute.

Catching bream on a donk with a feeder

For bream, use the simplest tackle:

rod
reel having a spool 2500-3000
fishing line, the diameter of which is 0.2-0.35 mm
sinker
feeder

The spring is used as a feeder, filled with fertilizer, and a sinker weighing about 60 g.

Complementary food for bream is:

corn
peas
roasted sunflower seeds
wheat porridge

All this is ground and flavoring (oil) is added. Casting for bream is done in the same place, smoothly and slowly, it is advisable not to overfeed the fish.

Catching carp on a donk with a feeder

Carp are fished for donk with the help of durable gear, these are:

spinning rod 2.7 m
dough 70 g
spinning reel with 0.7 mm braid
self-sealing large hooks
leashes 20 cm
sinker or open feeder

A design with such strong components can prevent breakage.

Catching crucian carp on a donk with a feeder

To prepare a donk for catching crucian carp, you need to consider:

fish sizes
bottom view
availability of food for crucian carp
types of fish inhabiting the river

First you need to feed the fishing area. If the bottom is muddy, you need to use sliding floats on the hook.

Catching carp on a donk with a feeder

To fish for carp on a bottom fishing rod, it is equipped with a spring feeder that has a sinker and leashes with hooks. The feeder should be filled with bait and be the size of a human hand.

Hooks with the shank pointing downwards are placed in the inner part of the bait. The tackle should be thrown at a distance of approximately 40 meters. The reel must be secured on the shore, tied to a peg.

Donka for night fishing with light indicator

Making bottom gear with a light bite indicator is another step that increases the comfort of fishing. To do this you need to have:

A plastic yogurt container.
Two coin cell batteries.
Switch.
Tilt sensor.
One LED and one chip.

Manufacturing technology

A hole with a diameter of 6 cm is drilled in the lid of the container. A screw is inserted into the hole and a paper clip is attached to the outside.
Up to 50 meters of fishing line of the appropriate diameter is wound around the body of the container. A carabiner with a swivel is attached to its end.
After this, a bite indicator is made and attached to the LED.

Homemade Bite INDICATOR LIGHT. fishing. Leonid Timo

Making a tilt sensor

The main element of the bite alarm is the tilt sensor, which is made as follows?

Take a metal tube with a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 15 mm.
A side part is cut from sheet aluminum.
The second sidewall is made of insulating material (plastic or textolite).
A small screw is screwed into the center of the second sidewall, to which the foil is soldered.
After this, they begin to assemble the sensor. A sidewall made of insulating material is attached to the tube using glue.
The cavity of the tube is filled with small metal balls or pieces of copper wire.
At the next stage, the first sidewall is attached to the tube.
The holder for two batteries must be cut from brass. All elements are insulated using cambric.
Finally, a board with a microcircuit and an LED is glued, after which it is installed on the lid.

Shore installation

Donk bite alarm and feeder for night fishing.

After arriving at the pond, you should cut off a small peg and drive it into the ground. The indicator is attached to the peg using a paper clip. At the top point of the peg, a crevice is formed through which the fishing line is passed. When bitten, the peg will bend and the sensor will be triggered.