Retractable leash for pike: how to install, methods of wiring when fishing

What is a diverter leash?

A retractable leash is a special type of equipment that allows you to catch pike at the bottom. It is used both in spinning fishing (mainly with jig) and when fishing on a feeder. The main task of such equipment is to separate the sinker and the bait. This allows timid and cautious fish to fall on the fisherman’s hook with less fear, and in the case of a spinning rod, it makes it possible to move the bait at a short distance from the bottom, imitating the natural movement of a small fish.

Accessories and installation

Of course, all preparations for fishing can be done when you arrive at the fishing spot, but you can prepare everything at home.

For better sensitivity when catching perch on a retractable leash, you need to use a braided fishing line, which does not stretch when the tension is high, and also easily copes with all sorts of fish pushes. The diameter of the fishing line must be selected based on the weight of the intended prey.
It is better to choose a sinker in the form of a drop, so that it does not cling to stones and all sorts of obstacles. A stick sinker is a good choice. You can change the weight of the sinker, adapting to the fishing conditions: water depth, casting distance, current strength. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the fastening loop is located in the narrow part of the sinker.
At a distance of approximately 30–40 cm from the sinker, a leash approximately one meter long is attached; it should be made of monofilament; the advantage of such a fishing line is that it is unnoticeable and the predator, of course, will attack the bait. In the leash, it is better to use a fishing line that is less tensile strength, since if there is a snag, then when pulling out, only one element of the equipment will suffer.

Purpose of the diverter leash

??used to catch predatory fish hiding at the bottom of the reservoir. This type of equipment allows you to successfully cope with all kinds of bottom unevenness, makes it possible to avoid frequent snags and breaks, improves the performance of the bait, making it as similar as possible to a real live fish.

When to use

Can be used at any time of the year in open water: winter or summer, from the shore or from a boat - it doesn’t matter so much. The method is effective when fishing for pike using a spinning rod in the following cases:

fishing with light baits on a powerful rod;
casting lightly over long distances;
the need to keep the bait in one place.

A retractable leash allows you to attract more attention from fish, because the bait behaves more relaxed and more active. The fisherman has the opportunity to feel the structure of the bottom.

Snap Options

Layout

The tackle consists of two leashes, attached at one point to the main fishing line. The classic layout is considered to be one in which the lead with the bait is about a meter long, and the lead of the sinker is 30 centimeters.

However, these parameters can be changed depending on the fishing conditions, keeping in mind that long rigs will require the use of a longer spinning rod and fishing skill when casting.

Classic rig options

Line selection

The most important decision in the manufacture of equipment is the choice of fishing line. As a working line, it is best to use a braided cord - in spaced rigs, the contact between the angler and the bait is more important than anywhere else, and it is the braid that makes the tackle the most sensitive.

To attach the sinker, it is advisable to use monofilament fishing line with a tensile strength slightly less than that of the base. This will allow you to tear off only a piece of lead in case of a tight hook, and not lose a bait that is more expensive and valuable for fishing.

The material for the bait leash can be either one- or two-component. It can be used as a piece of fluorocarbon or a symbiosis of monofilament and metal. In both cases, this is an opportunity to catch pike without fear of the outlet being bitten by the sharp teeth of a predator.

Among other things, fluorocarbon has several undeniable advantages over monofilament when it comes to spinning fishing:

it is less extensible
more resistant to abrasion,
more cruel.

The conclusion from the above is obvious - the use of fluorocarbon as a leader material is most preferable.

Attention! We must not forget about the relative “invisibility” of fluorocarbon in water. In some cases, this factor can improve fishing performance.

The thickness and test characteristics of the fishing lines used in a particular installation are determined by the weights and baits used, as well as the test indicators of the rod and fishing conditions.

Lures

Many people believe that fishing for pike on a retractable leash is carried out exclusively with silicone. This is an incorrect statement, because other spinning baits can be used in the Moscow equipment:

foam rubber,
wobblers,
horizontal spinners,
rigs with dead fish or live bait.

Important! The weight of the bait should not exceed the sinker, otherwise the retrieve will be ineffective.

An example of equipping a branch leash with a wobbler

Sinker

Any piece of lead can be used as a sinker in a lead, starting with an ordinary “Cheburashka”. However, it is better to use the most streamlined options, for example, an oblong pear-shaped one with a ring and a swivel. This will make it easier for the equipment to pass through the fortresses of the bottom of the reservoir: snags, stones, higher algae.

In especially difficult places, a Tyrolean stick is used - a long plastic rod, surrounded at one end according to the principle of a Tumbler doll.

The Tyrolean stick passes through stones more easily.

Methods for installing a diverter leash on a pike

The diverter leash can be mounted in various ways. The main options are the following methods:

blind without swivels - the equipment contains only hooks and fishing line, which are inextricably linked with each other;
using swivels – for this option you can use double or triple swivels;
sliding – and both the leash with a weight and the bait can slide, depending on the installation.

About

Installation methods

There are several ways to install the main leash. The simplest is to tie both leashes to a simple swivel. But the following methods are more often used:

Deaf

For this type of installation, a triple swivel . The main line is tied to one ring of the swivel, and the cargo leash and the leash with bait are tied to the other two.

Sliding

Such equipment is also called “Moscow” , since it is believed that it was invented by Moscow spinning athletes. Installation is carried out as follows:

A swivel with a weight leash attached to it is put on the main line;
another swivel is tied to the main line;
A leash with a hook is tied to this swivel.

Expert opinion

Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich

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

Healthy! Experienced spinning anglers knit both cargo leashes and hook leashes in advance and wind them on the reel. If one of the leads breaks, you can quickly replace it with a new one.

Gear selection

A fisherman who is going to a pond must carefully consider the choice of gear. So, it’s worth considering the basic rules in more detail.

Rod

The rod must correspond to the characteristics of the outlet leash. When choosing a spinning rod, pay attention to the structure and length of the tackle. The best choice for pike fishing is a fast action rod. It has the following advantages:

high sensitivity rates;
it is easy for the fisherman to control the movement of the bait;
hooks are more accurate and faster.

This rod will allow you to make sharp movements. The recommended length of the spinning rod is 2.4 - 2.7 meters, with a dough of 10-35 g and above.

Coil

You need to choose the reel carefully. Multiplier or inertia-free models are suitable. A minimum number of rules and requirements apply here. The reel must be reliable and durable. On jerking runs, the fishing line should fit well into it. The reel should be light so that it does not weigh down the gear. It is worth choosing products from trusted brands that guarantee the quality of goods for fishing enthusiasts.

Fishing line, braid

Braided fishing line is the best choice when using a retractable leash. Such products have a minimum extensibility, so the angler can correctly move the bait, focusing on the habits of the fish. He will notice even a cautious bite by performing a quick hook.

Various types of sinkers used when fishing with a retractable leash

If possible, you should choose hard and smooth cords. They allow you to perform a sharp retrieve on a retractable leash to attract the attention of predatory fish. Retractable leaders can be made of fluorocarbon or monofilament. The diameter of the fishing line for a cargo leash is 0.2 - 0.4 mm, for a retractable leash it is slightly less, depending on the fishing conditions.

Additional installation of a metal leash in front of the hook will prevent sharp pike teeth from cutting off the bait at the moment of attack.

Pike fishing seasons

It is known that in summer pike is more passive than in autumn or during the spring feeding season . It is in hot weather that a retractable leash is an effective equipment for catching predators. But also late autumn before freeze-up can be a good time to use a retractable leader with large baits.

Technique for catching pike with a retractable leash

Typically, a diverting leash is used to slowly catch those points on a reservoir where fish live. The fisherman must seduce that underwater inhabitant that is practically inactive. This is why there is no need to rush when moving around a body of water. You need to play the bait in one place for a long time, waiting for the pike to become active.

Some predatory fish instantly react to the sharp and active play of the bait, so the trophy often falls on the fisherman’s hook. The spinner must create the movements of the wounded fish. To do this, you need to carry out a series of sharp jerks, as with twitching wiring. When the next jerk is completed, the line must be reeled in. Wiring this way involves making long pauses to wait for the fish to react.

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Fishing methods that use a retractable leash

There are several types of fishing with a retractable leash:

Feeder . The “helicopter” rig uses a retractable leash.
Trolling . The diverter mount is effective for fishing at depth and for luring fish out of grass thickets.
Spinning . A retractable leash is used with a jig-spinning rod.
Fishing with wiring . For fishing in fast currents and near a rocky bottom with large thickets, a diverter leash is indispensable.
Winter fishing . In still water, a retractable leash speeds up the fishing process with the help of a weighty sinker. On the current, it is used like a “helicopter” from feeder fishing.

Video

Pike fishing in autumn in the video below:

There is nothing super difficult about fishing with a retractable leash, but it will take some practice. Thanks to this, you can improve jerks in different conditions, attracting the attention of predatory fish with properly selected baits.

Wiring Techniques Overview

To animate the bait, three types of techniques with a retractable leash can be used:

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Budget spinning reels Riobi Exiya Model range of Salmo wobblers and the Salmo Hornet catalog Features of crucian carp killer tackle and how to make such equipment Diagram of how to learn how to tie a hook to a fishing line

Line-dot animation . It provides a big catch. The technique is characterized by moving the bait along the bottom, alternating with stops to play with the bait.
Driving along the bottom . It is characterized by a slow move and the use of spot fishing in small creeks. The technique is performed by immersing the equipment to the bottom and then dragging it along the ground, using a fishing line.
Wiring with aggressive jerks . The technique is used to catch active predators and is similar to twitching. Periodically, the rod makes sharp jerks with long pauses. When you stop, the weakened fishing line is reeled in.