Bite detectors

[Norfolkboy]

There are many ways to detect bites when freshwater fishing. Some more complicated than other.

Firstly, the bite alarm:

The bite alarm is mainly used when legering for carp/tench/pike or bream. When a fish runs, the line goes over a cog which turns setting the alarm off. To go with the bite alarm you can get swing detectors for if you get dropbacks, slackliners etc.



They have volume and tone control knobs. You can sit them on bank sticks or rod pods. They are useful, as you don't have to look at the rods all day, also excellent when doing a night session as will wake you up if you get a run.

Touch legering:

Doing this, you have the rod held in the hand and the line between lead and the red kept tight so that the angler can feel taps as a fish goes for your bait, you hold the line between finger and thumb. Good as you don't have to look at the rod tip all day, a good method for fishing fast rivers for barbel.

Rod rests:

With this, the rods are supported on rests so that it cannot move and keeps your hand free. The bite detection will be at the rod tip. The fishermen must be seated so they can pick up the rod immediatly.

Butt indicators:

If your rod is held in two rests, the line can be looped through a rubber band. A lot of people use this for freelining as it's a good method. When a fish runs the loop of line will come out of the elastic band. To set up, have an elastic band on your rod, then get a loop in the line near it, and put the loop underneath the band.

Swingtips:

Quite good for stillwaters. Swingtips are rod tip extensions that are screwed into the end ring of the rod lying at a right-angle (90degrees) to the water.The tip lays down so there is an angle of 90 degrees round from the tip and rod. When a fish takes your bait it will straighten depending on the strength of the fish.

Quivertips:

A good indicator for waters where the current is strong. The tip screws into the end of the rod like the swingtip but remains straight. If you sit 90 degrees from the water again, when you get a bite the tip will quiver slightly or bend right round depending on the strength of the fish. It can detect bites from the smallest fish.
A lot of people use target boards at the end of the rod to recognise REALLY small bites. The board isolates the tip from the water or bank, and really helps concentration.

[Twinkle]

good info thanks for the post

[BoldBear]

Swingtips:
This is a method that seems to have gone out of fashion in recent years; but can be a really deadly method on the right day (better than the quiver on occasions)
It is usually best to set it at an angle of about 50 degrees to the water so that you can also detect drop backs, and with the tip just touching or slightly above the surface (see fig. below)

As well as giving excellent bite indication; it can also be used with the rod pointing at the end tackle (or at a slight angle to aid visibility) so is excellent when fishing in a tight swim.

I have won matches on the swingtip when others on the quiver have really struggled. I remember winning a match with 32lb of Tench and Crucians when others on the quiver had trouble even seeing the bites on the quiver.

However; when the drag gets too much or the wind gets too blustery (even after adding lead wire) it is time to change to the quiver.

It is worth keeping a swingtip in your armoury as it can be a brilliant method on the right day. (even when you get people telling you that your rod tip has broken)

[Banana Steve]

I have seen some big match weights won [i shouldn't say this}by the old boys
Fishing for the bream, Like Boldbear says its worth keeping one in your arsenal as they can be very effective, especially in the summer mornings for tench.

[BoldBear]

Touch Legering:
This is a great method when you are using one rod (without a quivertip). You feel for bites through the line using your finger(s).
It is used by a lot of the good Barbel specialists that I know on our stretches of the Great Ouse, as it can tell you more about what is happening on the bottom than a quivertip ever can.
After a little practice You can feel through the line whether you are fishing on Gravel, Sand or Silt (try it if you don't believe me).
You can sometimes feel the difference between streamer weed brushing across your line and a line bite.
You can feel the classic barbel bites like when it feels like a rough file being rubbed on the line (when the Barbel is turning over your bait) just before a take. or the gentle plucks etc.
All this information is normally lost to you when using a quiver as you just see the plucks and pulls.
You can even feel the bites when you are looking at that classy blonde that just walked past you. or you have started to nod off.
But don't use a quivertip when touch legering as the information that you are gettng through the line is absorbed and usually lost.
Of course if you are fishing upstream with a bit of slack in the line; the information imparted in the line is far less; and if you are fishing with two rods you can't really use the method, but don't just dismiss the method as it could mean the difference between a blank and that personal best Barbel.

[Twiddler]

Interesting you mentioned the Swingtip method BB....I was asking about the method on another forum few days ago, as I would like to have a try on fishing it.
Only problem is trying to find a rod (not too expensive) which is compatible for a swingtip.

I found a couple on the internet but not exactly cheap.

Any suggestions?
even had a look at evil bay but couldn't find any

[Banana Steve]

Hi Claudia, a ledger rod should be fine, most tackle shops do them at good prices, all you are looking for is a rod with a eye that has a screw thread in the end.

[Banana Steve]

Hi Claudia, try one of these SHAKESPEARE XCEDE 12 FT MATCH LEDGER

[BoldBear]

Hi Claudia,
The rods suggested by Steve sound great for swingtipping.
The Shakespeare Xcede 12 FT Match/Ledger Rod that Steve mentioned sounds good and is selling for a very reasonable price. I may get one myself.

I usually use old 10ft & 11ft leger rods of 1lb & 1.25lb test curves for swingtipping which I find is fine for close to medium range, I remember my father used to use his 12' match rod with a screw thread in the tip ring succesfully when he used to fish matches with a swingtip on the lower Thames.
Normally you are after Bream, Tench, Crucians, Perch etc. so any rod that can handle those will suffice.
If you don't have a rod with a threaded tip ring you can sometimes adapt a quivertip rod and just push the rubber tubing over the part where the quivertip is normally inserted; however this is only recomended if there is a rod ring situated very close to where you attatch the swingtips rubber tubing; as you can get the line snagging round or pulling off the join.
Good luck and tight lines
Keith