Vibrating tails for perch: how to choose and catch

Types of rubber

The main task of the bait is to be active; these are the types that best attract perch.
They cope well with their main task: provoking a predator to attack. There are two types of baits: active and passive. Active ones are those that, when applied evenly, create strong vibrations and oscillations. They are soft silicone, often with a long tail and a small thick body.

Passive species do not have their own game, therefore they require additional animation by the angler: this can be a step retrieve, twitching the tip of the rod, stop and go and classic jig retrieve.

Twisters

The most striking representative of the active species. The body looks like a well-fed small larva. The tail is often 2-3 times longer than the body, thin, curling, sometimes in the shape of a sickle. It is the tail that gives a special game. During wiring, it creates oscillations with vibrations that perfectly attract even passive (sluggish, poorly pecking) perch.

Every fisherman should have this type in his gear; it is versatile and easy to learn. Uniform wiring will do everything for you. All that remains is to choose the color and size. There are also no problems during installation; even a beginner can handle it.

Vibrotails

The vibrotail has a flat tail, with a so-called heel at the end. Its main difference from other silicone baits is the imitation of a live fish, repeating its structure. Few people know, but the larger the heel of a vibrotail, the stronger the vibrations it emits.

When choosing a manufacturer, pay attention to this parameter; in this case, you will get the same type of bait with different indicators. The size of 2.5 inches is also a classic; if there are no bites, it should be reduced.

When retrieving with a step (a few turns of the reel - pause), this silicone bait plays perfectly, so it is suitable for beginners. If the goal is to catch a well-fed humpback whale, then you should try this particular type.

Worms or slugs

The name speaks for itself. Present a copy of an earthworm. Without having their own game, they require additional animation by the fisherman. This can be either a wiring-pause or a wiring-twitching-pause.

There are no clear rules in jigging; if the goal is to seduce a passive perch, then you should try shorter or longer pauses, stronger or weaker jerks. Slugs also show good results when dragging the bait along the bottom (where the real worm actually swarms). Some days, this style is what gets you away from zero.

Crustaceans (nymphs, krakozyabry, etc.)

Imitation of a small crayfish. It should be clarified that, from experience, it does not work on all bodies of water. This may be due to the absence of crustaceans in these places. During wiring, it resembles a crayfish with its claws raised upward. Raising mud from the bottom, paired with playing limbs, gives a good result in attracting perch.

All other silicones that have a not entirely clear shape (krakozyabra) belong to this type. Nymphs are similar in structure to crustaceans, additionally equipped with long antennae. The latter, in turn, actively play in the water.

Features of application

Such baits are easily used for additional shipment:

1. If you fish at shallow depths, you can use rubber without shipping.
2. Silicone fish are widely used in clear water. These fish can reflect the sun's rays, and resemble live fish to a predator.
3. In muddy water, you can use bright baits with a golden or bright green tint.

Use of edible rubber for perch fishing:

Various indicators are observed as a complete set:

• Twister is used for jigging in the form of unloaded rubber. They are used on a single hook, and large twisters are placed on treble hooks.
• Vibrating tails are installed on various hooks, and wiring is done only on the surface of the reservoir. They work effectively with slow wiring.
• Silicone worms are used for diverting wires and are strung on a hook like a regular bait. The scent on the bait attracts fish even from the far corners of the pond.
• When using slugs, professional wiring is required.
• The crustaceans performed well at the bottom of the reservoir. Jerk wiring with short pauses is considered a good option. The hook is used single or triple.
• Silicone frogs are made from fragrances and are very good at attracting even large fish like catfish. This bait has shown itself well in shallow parts of the reservoir where there is no current.

Some anglers have noticed that if a silicone crayfish is used as the main bait, the bites will come one after another. The shape and color of edible baits are not very important, but they significantly increase the catch of fish.

Edible or inedible silicone

Today, almost all rubber is edible. Production technologies have advanced, making it possible to produce high-quality material at low cost. The idea is simple: at the pouring stage, a special attractant is added to the composition (a chemical additive, salt, which gives the finished bait a unique taste and strong odor).

When the attractants enter the perch’s mouth, they instantly affect the receptors and the fish swallows the bait even more strongly. In the case of simple rubber, it is necessary to hook immediately when biting, otherwise there is a high chance of missing the striped one, which has spat out the prey.

Spinning athletes were the first to adopt this technique, having an advantage over other fishing methods. Opinions differ as to whether this quality of the product is as important as edibility, but there is no doubt that such silicone brings a lot of catch.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of edible bait are as follows:

• Improved catchability indicators. The composition of the bait contains specific attractants that further lure the predator to attack.
• Affordable pricing policy. The soft nozzle acts as a consumable and has a low cost, especially if purchased as a set. Even an average-priced spinner cannot compare with such a bait.
• Passive animation. Even dragging edible rubber or retrieving with long pauses shows better results when catching perch than any other bait. An attractive smell lures perch when the bait lies on the bottom - classic silicone does not show such results.

The only drawback of edible rubber is its low strength. Even for a very frivolous perch, it is easy to tear off the already soft tail of the bait, not to mention the sharp mouth of the pike.

Characteristics of silicone baits for perch

Every novice angler is concerned about the main question: what characteristics should a silicone bait for striper have? We will describe the main, most important parameters, after reading which all that remains is to choose the manufacturer (below is the top specific models indicating the best color).

How to choose between passive and active bait. We recommend starting with vibrotails and twisters; if the perch is active, then the bites will not take long to arrive. If they are missing, reduce the tire size and try again. If this doesn't help, change the color.

Do not forget to constantly experiment with wiring: change the duration of pauses, the strength of the jerks, the number of revolutions of the spool. If everything listed above does not help, then change the bait to a passive one (worm, slug, crustacean) and start again in the same order. This means that the predator is indifferent today and it is necessary to choose a key to suit his mood.

Size

One of the most important parameters is the size of the silicone. Success will depend on the right choice. The most commonly used options are up to 6 cm (2.5 inches). An increase in bait does not always lead to an increase in perch caught. But when you enlarge, you get the opportunity to attract additional pike and pike perch.

• 3-6 cm is a universal option, it will not leave you without bites.
• 6-8 cm is suitable for large or active fish.
• 8-10 cm Your choice when catching humpback whales (the largest specimens).

Color

Controversial parameter. Selected depending on fishing conditions: time of year, depth, water transparency. Silicone that works in one body of water may not show itself in another, this has been noticed by many fishermen. You should have several sizes in different colors in your arsenal. Our color recommendations:

• In summer. Dark colors: Coca-Cola, machine oil, dark green, brown shades.
• In autumn. Natural colors: translucent, white, silver and dark (listed above).
• In the spring. Acidic and bright: carrot, orange, red.
• Poor visibility (turbid water or deep water). Yellow, red, bright, acidic.
• Good lighting (clear water). Natural colors: translucent, blue, silver.

Smell

The vast majority of manufacturers flavor their products. The most common smell is shrimp. Some do it conscientiously (Lucky John), others save money (low-quality Chinese manufacturers).

We advise you to choose those who approach the matter responsibly. The softness and smell of silicone are two of the most important indicators. The first gives good play in the water, and the second focuses attention on itself.

Advice. If your favorite silicone has lost its smell, it doesn’t matter. Place it in another pack (of any manufacturer). This way it will quickly absorb the shrimp flavor. It is advisable to store baits this way.

Some resources write about adding scent at home using meat, garlic or fish. Today no one engages in these dubious methods. Place the silicone that has lost its odor in a new package or buy a ready-made shrimp attractant (30 ml for 140 rubles) - this will last for a long time.

Spinning rod equipment for catching perch with vibrotails

Catching perch is very pleasant with delicate tackle, when you feel not only the touch of the predator on the bait, but also the way the silicone moves through the water column. Therefore, for such fishing, the most sensitive light and ultralight class spinning rods are chosen.

When fishing in quiet places without current, ultralight rods with a length of 1.8-2.4 m with a test weight of 2 to 7 grams are used. When fishing in river currents, use light rods 2.1-2.7 m long with a weight of up to 15 grams. Spinning rods use a parabolic rod with a soft tip.

A reel with a spool capacity of 1000 to 2000 is attached to the blank. It is better to use braid with a cross-section of 0.1 and we will get a very sensitive tackle.

How to properly attach rubber to a hook

There are many methods for equipping silicone baits. All of them specialize for certain fishing conditions, but are used both in still water and on water with a current. In the vast majority of cases, you will use a maximum of 3 of them, completely satisfying your needs, regardless of where you are fishing for perch.

Hinged design

The most common type of fastening. An offset hook and a Cheburashka weight are required. In areas with abundant vegetation, it is possible to use equipment without a load - this method is called unloaded rubber. In places with a clean bottom, often instead of an offset hook, a double hook is used.

Simple and reliable. The Cheburashka weight has a hole into which a wire is inserted, with ears on both sides. The bait is hung on one, the other is attached to the leash. Tip: use offset presses with a large eye. This allows the bait to walk more freely, playing more realistically under water.

Jig head

Gradually it becomes the past. It was popular at the dawn of rubber use, but is fading into the background today. The hook is soldered into the sinker, forming a single, stationary structure.

Sold from 1-10 grams, with a variety of hook sizes. The sinker has the following shapes: ball, hoof, ellipse. In some models, the load is painted in colors: red, green, blue and others.

Drop shot

A stick weight is tied to the end of the main fishing line (braid). The stick provides the best cross-country ability compared to other loads. Above it, at a distance of 10-15 cm, a hook is crocheted onto which the twister is mounted.

The design is similar to the next equipment under consideration - a diverter leash. The only difference is that the hook is tightly mounted to the main fishing line. While the diverter uses a swivel.

Retractable leash

We have already looked at this installation in detail. It’s very catchy and sometimes it’s the only one that works; the perches flatly refuse to bite on anything else. A swivel with 2 or 3 ears is tied to the main line (going to the spinning rod). A piece of scaffolding with a load is tied to the bottom one.

To the other is a piece of fishing line with a hook on which the bait is mounted. The method is perfect for snags; this is where perch likes to stand.

Texas rig option

An excellent choice for searching for perch in places overgrown with grass or littered with trees and snags. A hook is attached to a section of line, a bullet weight is put on, a swivel is mounted at the other end, that’s it, the equipment is ready. Thanks to the sliding weight, casts are long and accurate, and snags are kept to a minimum.

Taste and smell

Silicone baits are divided into edible and inedible.

Edible baits

The most important component of the “edible” is amino acids, which give the bait edible properties. Having grabbed such bait, the perch is not alarmed by anything; it does not spit it out, but tries to hold it in its throat. At this moment, the spinner has a good chance to make a high-quality hook, eliminating the slightest chance of the predator getting off the hook.

A distinctive feature of edible baits is their low strength. Such baits can withstand only a few attacks from a predator, after which they become unsuitable for fishing.

Inedible baits

These baits are made of regular silicone. They do not contain amino acids. Perch in inedible rubber is attracted, first of all, by the shape, color and nature of the game when retrieved. Inedible baits have not lost their effectiveness and are still widely used. The striped predator actively attacks twisters and vibrotails made from ordinary rubber, and their cost is significantly lower than their edible counterparts. Therefore, in difficult to navigate places, it is advisable to fish with inedible baits. Using inedible baits requires the fisherman to strike quickly, otherwise a predator may spit out the bait.

Rating of types and manufacturers of rubber for perch

After several years of fishing, each angler will make his own rating. Depending on the region, river or lake, there will be favorites and outsiders. Below we have selected the most popular, perfectly working models. The best types are the same for everyone:

1. twisters
2. slugs
3. vibrotails

Popular twisters

1. FAT G-Tail Grub 2″. Color: Pione, Greenpumpkin, UV Suclpin
2. Action Plastics 3FG. In colors: 073, 100, 101
3. JIB Tail 51. Colors: T28, PA39, T44
4. Relax 1.6″. In colors: 083, 085, 088
5. Angry Spin 1″. Colors: 12, 16, 29

The best slugs (worms)

1. Akkoi Elegant 50. Popular colors: 5#, 6#, 8#, 29#
2. Reins Aji Caro Swamp 3″. Available in colors: watermelon seed, peone, scuppernong red
3. Reins Aji Meat. Colors: watermelon red, junebug, watermelon seed
4. Select Javik 1.8″. In coloring: 888, 010, 027

Top vibrotails

1. Lucky John Tioga 50. Colors: PA19, S26, PA01, 085, PA01
2. Lucky John Ballist 63. Available in colors: PA16, PA01, PA019, PA016
3. Lucky John Long John 79. Colours: T26, S14, S13
4. Lucky John Baby Rockfish 35. Colors: S21, S19, F08, 085
5. Reins Bubbring Shad 3″. Color: moebi, motoroil red flake, marble chart orange
6. Akkoi Gentle Killer. Best colors: 14, D46, D14R, G002

Types of silicone

So, now let's look at what types of silicone exist at the moment. Namely, two types - edible silicone and inedible.

The discoverers of edible silicone were sports fishermen. This silicone has a big nuance. The perch may not eat the bait completely, but only try it. Perseverance and patience are extremely important for this fishing method.

Inedible silicone has a fairly similar story. The fish may immediately spit out this bait. Therefore, as soon as you feel a bite, you need to react very quickly.

Still, many fishermen still consider edible fillings to be the best option, although they are not without their drawbacks. Almost all fishermen try to switch to them, because... You can experiment with them as much as you like.

A very popular brand of such edible baits a short time ago became the Lucky John Tioga brand.

In any store you can find a good assortment of different baits of any shape and size from this manufacturer. They are used by both professional fishermen and amateur fishermen. Another advantage of this type of bait is that they are absolutely safe for the environment and do not pollute the reservoir.

Thanks to their unique shape, silicone vibrotails can rightfully be called the most catchy. Once it hits the water, the bait immediately begins to create vibrations, thereby attracting fish. Even the most passive individual will not be able to resist such an edible delicacy. If the first attack is not particularly successful, you should wait a little, and the striped predator will become interested in it again.

What to use in the fall

When choosing silicone for fall perch, there are several features to consider. The fish constantly moves around the pond. The search should begin from its favorite places: grass, snags on the border of landfills.

Humpback whales and schools of medium-sized perch can be found in different water columns. At the bottom you should fish with a classic jig. An excellent option for fishing in mid-water would be a retractable leash with a twister. For top layers, try unloaded rubber.

The bite will delight throughout the daylight hours, there is enough time to find a parking lot. The size can be increased using baits of 2.5-3-3.5 inches. On the first casts, choose dark colors: machine oil, Coca-Cola and brown. If there is no bite, try more natural colors: blue, transparent, light.

How to catch perch using edible rubber

Edible rubber is considered one of the bait options that can save unsuccessful fishing if a passive perch refuses to attack other equipment. Of course, it is better to choose a time when a good perch bite is expected. An example of such conditions are warm spring days after the water has warmed up, or cloudy summer and autumn weather, when a striped predator comes out to feed in coastal waters, however, even in the case of unfavorable fishing weather, catching perch with edible rubber can be quite effective.

It would be preferable to choose fairly slow retrieves, while the animation can be either passive in nature, for example, dragging along the bottom, or active, accompanied by active twitching of the tip of the spinning rod. The main condition is that the bait should not leave the fish’s visibility zone too quickly so that the latter has time to smell it.

To load the bait, a classic jig head is usually used, but spaced equipment, such as a retractable leader, can also be used. The weight of the load is selected based on the conditions of the reservoir and the strength of the current. For catching perch, a regular single hook is more often used, since the soft mouth of the perch is perfectly caught with one sting, while the number of hooks with it is noticeably reduced.

Increasing bait efficiency

If you are not satisfied with the bait you purchased, you can use several of the following methods to increase its effectiveness:

1. Pay attention to the rubber; the quality of the silicone should not be low;
2. As mentioned earlier, it is worth using flavoring agents;
3. Add color if it is not quite suitable for this time of year;

Another option to improve performance is to use glitter, as well as small stripes and specks.

Let's say you have not quite working transparent baits or light colors. Try scattered lines and small specks on the back and tail. This can be done using any felt-tip pen or marker.

By adding shine, the bait becomes more sparkling, making it easier to attract predators. Not all stores sell ready-made bait with glitter, so you can add shine to it at home.

One way is to use translucent nail polish with glitter. You can highlight only some parts of the bait, but if you wish, you can safely paint it completely.

Very often, after a predator bites off a small piece of bait, fishermen immediately dispose of it. But in vain, because from the remaining pieces you can build a new original bait. How can I do that:

1. You will need a candle, match or lighter. You need to heat the edges of the silicone pieces you have
2. Press firmly together and wait a bit for it to harden.