Feeder rig options for catching crucian carp

Crucian carp is one of the most common fish in the fresh waters of the European continent. This fish is an inhabitant of rivers and lakes, ponds and reservoirs, canals, quarries, abandoned peat mining and other reservoirs.

This fish is caught in various ways. Feeder, as a method of fishing at predominantly long distances, is not the most common, because it is not possible to use it in every body of water in which the crucian carp lives. In this article, we will consider on which reservoirs the carp is caught with a feeder, as well as which feeder equipment for catching crucian carp is used and in what conditions.

There is a minimum of water bodies in which it is extremely difficult to meet crucian carp:

• cold, fast-flowing rivers with rocky bottom;
• "Pike" or "perch" reservoirs, where only predatory fish live, which eats up all living things, including their own fry;
• deep-water clay pits, with abruptly breaking off the banks, where the water even in summer does not warm up to the temperature at which the crucian carp is able to spawn.

Reservoirs where a feeder must be used to catch crucian carp

This fish loves warm water, soft, silty bottom, areas of water bodies rich in vegetation.

In most reservoirs, crucian carp at any time of the year can be “caught” at fairly short distances. This does not depend on the size of the reservoir or on the depth, if it exceeds 0.5 m. If the crucian carp with a high degree of probability can find food, it will certainly come close enough to the shore at least once a day.

Spring crucian carp necessarily appears in shallow water areas. In early spring, it is only there and can be found. In late spring, crucian carp can bite anywhere in the reservoir. Therefore, in the spring, it is easier to catch crucian carp with a float rod.

Attention! In autumn, crucian carp can be found only near the pits, where the water still retains the summer heat.

But in the summer, this fish can be found in different places. Mandatory conditions:

• the presence of a reliable shelter;
• the presence of depth differences;
• abundance of food;

Summer crucian carp is fastidious and careful. Therefore, at long distances, his bites are bolder and more reliable. In summer, the feeder becomes one of the irreplaceable gear:

• on bodies of water large in area;
• on reservoirs, the thickness of the silt layer in which does not exceed 25 cm;
• on bodies of water with temperate aquatic vegetation, hard clay or sandy bottom;

In the spring, the feeder will help "get" the crucian carp at the mouths of small rivers flowing into a large body of water. And in autumn, this type of rig allows you to catch crucian carp in the vicinity of wintering pits, which are rarely located close enough to the coast.

Photo 1. A typical pond with crucian carp.

What determines the choice of feeder equipment for crucian carp

Each element of the equipment of the feeder for catching crucian carp must be well thought out to suit the fishing conditions. Feeder rig for crucian carp includes the following elements:

Photo 4. The hook must match the bait.

Feeder installations

Almost all feeder rigs can be used in tackle for catching crucian carp.

1. Paternoster is one of the simplest assemblies that every angler can knit with his own hands within a few minutes. It can be used both on stream and in calm water, regardless of the nature of the bottom. In this tackle:
   • there are practically no overlaps of the leash and main line;
   • bites with self-hooking fish are not uncommon;
   • on a soft bottom, only the feeder goes into the silt, the leash with the bait remains on the silt surface in any case.

   The main disadvantage of this rig is that pulls in the direction of the rod (and crucian carp does this quite often) are practically not transmitted to the quiver;

2. - rig, which is most often used for catching crucian carp in a weak current, if the layer of silt at the fishing site is not very thick. The rig is sensitive even to careful touches of fish (crucian carp or tench) to the bait. However, the rig involves the use of a fairly long leash made of thin line. If a monofilament nylon thread is used as a leash, then frequent overlaps of the leash with the main line are possible. Therefore, it is recommended to use fluorocarbon leashes in this rig.
3. Asymmetric loop is a modified rig derived from the symmetrical loop, which is used for fishing in water bodies with currents, since the current raises the leash with the bait above the bottom surface. If it is necessary to fish an area with a flooded snag, then this rig option will do like no other. The disadvantage of this version of the feeder gear is the same as in the symmetrical loop.
4. The "cork" or "teat" is a classic version of the bottom rig that has been adapted for feeder fishing. It is used most often on water bodies without a current for catching crucian carp, carp and tench. The bites are clearly visible, confident and reliable. There is only one drawback - a well-fed and inactive crucian carp can bypass this tackle for a long time.
5. In-Line is a rig option that is well suited for catching crucian carp during periods of its minimum activity. It is used on reservoirs with a small layer of silt at the bottom with weak or minimal currents or in calm water. Allows you to use small-sized baits. Any bite is well displayed with a quivertip. Disadvantage - a small bait attracts attention, first of all, small fish and not necessarily crucian carp.

Each tooling option has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is not necessary to use only one option when fishing. Vice versa. If the crucian does not want to peck, it is worth varying the rigs, changing the bait, feeding or fishing other areas. Crucian carp is an intelligent fish that can adapt to difficult conditions. And it is difficult to find an approach to it, but with due patience, a thoughtful approach to the choice of tackle and bait is quite possible.

Feeder is just one of these ways, and feeder tackle is just one of the tools with which you can catch this careful, cunning, but so strong and tasty fish.