The basis of winter fishing is fishing with a jig. This, in general, simple tackle has many varieties, but the main division is specific: there are spoolless jigs (without the use of bait) and there are, accordingly, those that use nozzles.
An uninitiated person will undoubtedly prefer a jig with bait, because it is probably more difficult to catch fish with a bare hook.
But many fishermen without reeling are confident that their gear is the most catchy, because it allows active play in the water, attracting fish. The nail cube is one of the jigs of this kind.
What it is?
It is not difficult to guess that a nail cube is a jig that uses not only a standard nail - the body of the jig, tightly soldered to the fore-end at the very top, but also a cube that is used there. Just how? First, let's look at what this jig consists of. Its design is as follows:
- at the very beginning there is a loop for attaching to the fishing line; it should be slightly bent;
- then a small cube with a hole is attached to the fore-end, which allows it to move freely along the fore-end from the body of the jig to the point where the hook bends;
- the hook itself ends with a sting; usually the size of the hook is quite large.
The principle of use is simple: while the bait is playing, the cube constantly moves along the fore-end , making characteristic sounds and attracting fish. In addition, it can rotate, especially in the current, which is also tempting.
Expert opinion
Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich
Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.
Recently, the nail cube has been declared almost a guarantee of successful fishing. This is not entirely true. Any fishing tackle if used correctly and if there are fish in the reservoir. But the nail cube, without a doubt, has its clear advantages.
Moreover, this tackle has various options - from cubes to balls and other structures of different colors.
When going fishing, an experienced fisherman will definitely take several options of this gear with him. Already near the hole, during fishing, it will quickly become clear what color and shape of the cube is more catchy.
Nail cubes and their animation
To fish with baitless baits, you will need a small rod with a hard whip. One of the most effective maneuvers is dribbling with stops every 5-7 centimeters of lifting. When searching for roach, it is important to perform a reverse animation, since white fish often attack the descending bait.
If there is a bream in the fishing zone, then its bite follows on the first or second retrieve. In some cases, moving the bait on the bottom gives results. The experience of the fisherman allows him to feel the touch of the hook on the silt or sand. From the outside, the snag resembles a swarming bug, which attracts fish.
The following features are characteristic of carnation cubes:
- a ring bent inward;
- small body size relative to the cube;
- a large hook that prevents the bead from slipping off;
- contrasting colors.
The most popular decoys combine a black carnation body and a cube of cheese, rainbow and red shades.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of this gear include the following factors:
- its small size does not scare away fish and attracts it even during periods of low activity in the dead of winter, when large bait may not interest river inhabitants at all;
- this bait is mobile, which allows you to imitate the movements of insects and larvae;
- the nail cube creates vibrations in water, like the animal organisms that the fish feed on;
- the design allows for easy change of gear if necessary;
- the movement of the cube along the fore-end can also show the play of color, which is visible in the water column from afar.
But this gear also has relative disadvantages:
- You can still catch more small fish with any jig than with a balancer;
- the nail cube requires precise adjustment during play;
- most often you cannot do without bait;
- the tackle is useless without play, so the fishing rod needs to be actively used even in severe frosts, and this is not always comfortable.
True, these disadvantages are clearly outweighed by the advantages. And in general, winter fishing is exciting and useful with the right equipment and clothing.
Kinds
It has already been said that it is advisable to take various versions of this type of gear with you on the ice. Typically stores offer the following:
- rainbow chameleon;
- quad cube;
- regular brass;
- cheesy.
The last tackle imitates a piece of cheese, but, of course, it is not one. The material for its manufacture is tungsten. The fish are attracted not only by the characteristic color of the bait, but also by its small size.
Expert opinion
Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich
Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.
The chameleon is also considered catchy. Due to its iridescent edges, it creates a range of colors in the water. Many anglers start fishing with this gear.
What kind of fish can you catch with a nail and a cube?
There are species of fish that prefer carnation:
- Roach and perch are considered the most active in this regard; they are especially attracted to the cheese version;
- The ruff and the magpie are not averse to attacking this tackle;
- sometimes bream, silver bream and the ubiquitous rotan approach in large numbers;
- The noise of the cube can interest even small pikes and pike perch.
Of course, a lot depends on the reservoir, the color of the bottom, etc. With the last spring ice, you can generally catch any fish with such a jig.
Anglers' opinions on carnation
Reelless jigs for winter fishing, nail cubes and nail balls are used more often than baits such as uralki, devils, and goats. The nail cube is considered the best jig for catching roach and perch. Fish bite on these baits more effectively than on a balancer in winter. The fisherman does not need to drag a lot of gear with him. A fishing rod with the popular “nail” bait with a cube is versatile and is designed for fishing in bodies of water with a gentle current or in still water.
The nail cube is similar in design and wiring technique to the nail ball, but they have different attachments, and fishing is more effective when fishing with the first jig.
What gear should I use?
No special complications required here:
- As a rule, the fishing rod is selected to be 30 cm long with a closed reel;
- for the handle it is better to use porous rubber or foam;
- the whip is made of frost-resistant plastic;
- for a nod, lavsan or a steel strip is suitable.
Expert opinion
Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich
Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.
Lavsan is more sensitive, and the jig plays better with it. But in windy weather it is vulnerable. Then you should use the option with a steel strip.
And don't forget about the color of the fishing rod. This is for summer fishing, the more inconspicuous it is, the better. In winter, on white snow or ice, the color should be bright so that the gear does not get lost.
How to do it yourself?
There is probably no gear that experienced fishermen have not tried to make on their own. The carnation cube is no exception in this regard.
Tools
The following are used:
- scissors;
- pliers;
- soldering iron with solder and soldering acid;
- soap solution for draining acid;
- hook selected by size;
- cube with a hole;
- needle roller from the bearing;
- a piece of heat shrink tube;
- lighter.
Expert opinion
Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich
Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.
The hook must be selected in such a way that the fore-end is significantly longer than the roller. After all, there should still be room for the cube to move.
Materials
Cubes can be made from various raw materials. Suitable for this:
- brass is the most affordable type;
- tungsten is the most popular, used in manufactured products;
- plastic - the basis for cheese cubes;
- glass - sparkles well in water, but requires care during manufacture.
You can use other materials, there is a lot of room for imagination, but you need to take into account their mandatory lightness and color.
Manufacturing process
It is also easy with certain skills:
- a roller is soldered to the hook;
- the remaining soldering acid is washed off with a soap solution;
- a cube is put on through the forend;
- a piece of heat-shrinkable tubing is cut off and threaded through the tip to the place where the movement of the cube should stop;
- the tube is heated with a lighter and secured.
During soldering, it is recommended to secure the roller in a piece of cut wine cork.
How to attach bait to fishing line?
The sequence of actions is as follows:
- pull the fishing line through the eyelet 25 cm;
- make a loop at the end;
- make several turns around the main line with the end of the fishing line;
- return this end to the loop and tighten.
Expert opinion
Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich
Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.
Before tying, it is advisable to bend the loop slightly at an angle. Then the bait game will be more lively.
Before tightening, the line knot should be slightly wetted so that the line does not heat up and become deformed.
Fishing rod rig
The equipment requirements for a nail cube are the same as for any other combless tool. The main thing is to match the weight of the jig and the thickness of the fishing line. The nod is selected for each bait, and, if necessary, is ground into a cone. You can tie a nail cube to a fishing line using a regular fishing knot - a self-tightening loop, a clinch, or a palomar. Experienced reelers note that it is better to tie such jigs with a blind loop for greater articulation. This can be done with a rapala loop or a figure eight. About the correct binding of reelless reels to the fishing line.
The balance of the nail cube with the line, nod and rod ensures proper play. If the fishing line is too thick, the correct wiring will not work. The line chosen is winter, without memory. The weight of the jig should completely straighten the monofilament in the water in one line, without wavy bends from the reel. Increased demands are placed on setting the nod. An article about the correct reelless equipment.
Fishing methods
Of course, each fisherman’s jig game is individual. But there are traditional options.
- Slide. The tackle rises from the bottom within 20-25 seconds. Then it falls evenly.
- Step. Also called a vector. The lifting is done in short bursts. Used for less active perch in the dead of winter.
- Pendulum. It is performed with characteristic pendulum swings. The bite usually pulls the nod down.
- Herringbone. Oscillations are produced at a constant level. This method is also called transverse.
- Saw. Movements with a fishing rod are made as when cutting firewood. Bream is especially greedy for this option.
- Dribbling. The oscillations are made vertically, but with a constantly changing amplitude.
Recently, nail cubes have become very popular, and there is a wide range of them in stores. Such fame of the gear is deserved, but other fishing methods should not be rejected. Large fish are rarely caught with such a jig, and you can only fish with one fishing rod in one hole and in one place.
However, the undoubted advantage of this type of fishing is the activity of fishing. You’re unlikely to freeze here, and your health will definitely improve if you don’t get tired.
Fishing technique with a nail cube
There are no special recommendations regarding the technique of fishing with a cube jig - the wiring is done the same as with a nail ball. The advantage in playing all reelless nails over the classic nozzle is the possibility of intermittent retrieving with glitches, pauses, and slow lowering, which is good for novice anglers with a hand that is not yet full. In the dead of winter, pauses should be made longer - counting on slow rotation on the hook and flickering of the edges. It all depends on the type of fish and its preferences. Experimenting with the wiring of a nail cube is an important part of the nozzle technique. Roach loves to sink, perch loves to dance wildly, crucian carp and bream love to swarm at the bottom. Again, these are not rules, but only general trends. Gradually, on the ice, each angler develops his own unique game based on basic techniques.
Basic techniques:
- Uniform rises and falls of the nail cube to different heights - a slide.
- Rise and fall with pushes and pauses – step, vector.
- Rising or standing in place with frequent vertical oscillations - dribbling.
- Diagonal oscillations up and down, works well on bream - saw.
- Movement of the tip of the fishing rod pointing down, left and right - a pendulum.
- Transverse movements of the nail cube in place or with lifting - herringbone.
- In the absence of bites, it is useful to perform provocations - speed up the rise (run away), increase the pause or change the game.
