I am just starting out in carp fishing, getting gear together etc. And as the thread states, I am wondering if you need to have these electronic bite indicators, or are there manual methods that can work just as well. Any help on this would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Thanks.
In reply to Post #1
You dont need to if you intend on staring at your bobbins or the rod tip continuously, or balancing a stone on the reel etc, but budget alarms are available and will definitely help.
You dont need to if you intend on staring at your bobbins or the rod tip continuously, or balancing a stone on the reel etc, but budget alarms are available and will definitely help.
In reply to Post #1
They are a must, unless you are float fishing or have some form of visual indication. Just relying on the sound of a clutch isn't kosher IMO.
They are a must, unless you are float fishing or have some form of visual indication. Just relying on the sound of a clutch isn't kosher IMO.
In reply to Post #1
When I started fishing I used to just cast out a bait and wait for the tip to bend over. So in essence no they are not essential.. unless of course you are doing overnight sessions in which case they become a massive benefit if you like to sleep
They do help you massively with bite indication so my advise would be to get some cheap ones.
When I started fishing I used to just cast out a bait and wait for the tip to bend over. So in essence no they are not essential.. unless of course you are doing overnight sessions in which case they become a massive benefit if you like to sleep
They do help you massively with bite indication so my advise would be to get some cheap ones.
In reply to Post #1
The only real reason for them is if your night fishing in order to wake you up from your sleep.
If your awake and if you're using running Rigs you don't even need Indicators either (Every take is obviously in a forward direction regardless) and if you're not watching your Rods i.e. “Known as Fishing” what are you doing?
I never use them on the River, and I very rarely use them when Piking in winter - Alarms are a very poor replacement for a clued up skilled humane brain
The only real reason for them is if your night fishing in order to wake you up from your sleep.
If your awake and if you're using running Rigs you don't even need Indicators either (Every take is obviously in a forward direction regardless) and if you're not watching your Rods i.e. “Known as Fishing” what are you doing?
I never use them on the River, and I very rarely use them when Piking in winter - Alarms are a very poor replacement for a clued up skilled humane brain
I use clip on bells if I'm moving swim to swim
In reply to Post #6
Do you go fishing dressed as a Morris dancer?
Do you go fishing dressed as a Morris dancer?
In reply to Post #5
That ethos will be lost on many.
That ethos will be lost on many.
In reply to Post #7
Only on mayday
Only on mayday
If you go and spend a whole night float fishing and staring at a Starlight you will then truly appreciate bite alarms.
In reply to Post #10
If you've spent a whole night staring at a 300mlb betalight you'll appreciate starlites.
If you've spent a whole night staring at a 300mlb betalight you'll appreciate starlites.
In reply to Post #1
If your going to fish all night, then I would say they are essential. I've sat there watching a float with a luminous tip or led light.after a while you get eye strain and the light starts to move about.Also you can sleep with an alarm and still have a good chance of catching fish.
If your going to fish all night, then I would say they are essential. I've sat there watching a float with a luminous tip or led light.after a while you get eye strain and the light starts to move about.Also you can sleep with an alarm and still have a good chance of catching fish.
In reply to Post #1
The answer is no, electronic alarms are not essential for fishing during the days. You can use a groove front rest with hangers or swingers underneath to grip the line to indicate a drop back or take, with a stone or coin on the spool dropping into a tin, or the noise of a baitrunner to alert you to taking line, even a bell pegged to your hanger.
You can float fish, swing or quiver tip.
However, if you are constantly searching, watching the water or your attention is drawn elsewhere then an audible bite alarm is handy, as it gives you a sound you can hear to bring your attention back to your rods.
At night, if you are likely to sleep, an audible bite alarm is a must.
When I'm pike fishing, I don't always use my bite alarms, obviously watching a float.
The answer is no, electronic alarms are not essential for fishing during the days. You can use a groove front rest with hangers or swingers underneath to grip the line to indicate a drop back or take, with a stone or coin on the spool dropping into a tin, or the noise of a baitrunner to alert you to taking line, even a bell pegged to your hanger.
You can float fish, swing or quiver tip.
However, if you are constantly searching, watching the water or your attention is drawn elsewhere then an audible bite alarm is handy, as it gives you a sound you can hear to bring your attention back to your rods.
At night, if you are likely to sleep, an audible bite alarm is a must.
When I'm pike fishing, I don't always use my bite alarms, obviously watching a float.
In reply to Post #13
Thanks for this. Very useful 👍
Thanks for this. Very useful 👍
In reply to Post #1
I think they are essential more for night fishing, but don't think you have to spend hundreds on a set.
When I started carp fishing in the 80's I used to use a fairy liquid washing bottle top between the eyes on the rod and that was incredible.
Equipment has moved on a long way since then and if I were you, I'd start billy basics with inexpensive stuff.
Good luck
I think they are essential more for night fishing, but don't think you have to spend hundreds on a set.
When I started carp fishing in the 80's I used to use a fairy liquid washing bottle top between the eyes on the rod and that was incredible.
Equipment has moved on a long way since then and if I were you, I'd start billy basics with inexpensive stuff.
Good luck
In reply to Post #5
Nail hit cleanly on the head
Nail hit cleanly on the head
I very rarely use my alarms during the day but most of my fishing will stalking I'm very privileged to be on a quiet syndicate were I'm able to do that,cant beat the sound of a clutch screaming off or watching every little knock on the line or a float dipping under,but for night fishing I would use.god i remember the days of the old fairy liquid bottle feeling very old now 
In reply to Post #17
Or a lump of breadflake squeezed on the line, lit by a candle in a jam jar.
Or placing your front light from your pushbike so that it lit up your quill float (best colour was yellow) when Tench fishing. Made you jump when it disappeared, that's for sure....and made your eyes go a bit wonky
Or a lump of breadflake squeezed on the line, lit by a candle in a jam jar.
Or placing your front light from your pushbike so that it lit up your quill float (best colour was yellow) when Tench fishing. Made you jump when it disappeared, that's for sure....and made your eyes go a bit wonky
In reply to Post #1
Not essential no, I still have a fairly liquid bottle top I used to use as an indicator ....never use it these days but still keep it in my tackle box for sentimental reasons - reminds me of fishing for tench with my dad back in the 70's ....for short range it'll even register a drop back if you keep your eye on it.
Not essential no, I still have a fairly liquid bottle top I used to use as an indicator ....never use it these days but still keep it in my tackle box for sentimental reasons - reminds me of fishing for tench with my dad back in the 70's ....for short range it'll even register a drop back if you keep your eye on it.
In reply to Post #13
Another trick I sometimes do is get the fish feeding on floaters under my feet, and the rod on a rest with the bait hanging down from the tip with a centrepin reel.
You get a proper alarm from a take on that as the centrepin screeches!
Another trick I sometimes do is get the fish feeding on floaters under my feet, and the rod on a rest with the bait hanging down from the tip with a centrepin reel.
You get a proper alarm from a take on that as the centrepin screeches!
In reply to Post #1
if you're on a budget something like the fox Micron M is perfect - reliable and does what it says on the tin.
Second hand expect to pay £30 for a pair
eg:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fox-Micron-M-alarms/153955745065?hash=item23d87a3d29:g:l-sAAOSwsrhey8uY
Bite alarms are not essential as pointed out, but unless you want to spend the whole day staring at bobbins I'd consider getting a cheap pair.
if you're on a budget something like the fox Micron M is perfect - reliable and does what it says on the tin.
Second hand expect to pay £30 for a pair
eg:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fox-Micron-M-alarms/153955745065?hash=item23d87a3d29:g:l-sAAOSwsrhey8uY
Bite alarms are not essential as pointed out, but unless you want to spend the whole day staring at bobbins I'd consider getting a cheap pair.
In reply to Post #19
I remember plasticine jammed in the bottom of my bottle tops for fishing at range (about 40 yards) to combat undertow.
I remember plasticine jammed in the bottom of my bottle tops for fishing at range (about 40 yards) to combat undertow.
In reply to Post #1
Stone in the spool with a tobacco tin under it makes a big bang when you get a take ;-)
Stone in the spool with a tobacco tin under it makes a big bang when you get a take ;-)
In reply to Post #23
I can remember that as a kid, used a 2p price sometimes as well, getting it to balance was always the hardest thing
But to answer the question, not essential by all means but it does make fishing more enjoyable, watching bobbins or float all day is hard work and the chances are when you get a bite you will be looking away.... alarms help you watch the water for fish, play around with rigs, bait etc and giving you a chance to just relax and unwind,
I can remember that as a kid, used a 2p price sometimes as well, getting it to balance was always the hardest thing
But to answer the question, not essential by all means but it does make fishing more enjoyable, watching bobbins or float all day is hard work and the chances are when you get a bite you will be looking away.... alarms help you watch the water for fish, play around with rigs, bait etc and giving you a chance to just relax and unwind,
In reply to Post #10
If you've never done this can you even be classed as an angler?
Used to love this type of fishing when I was young, actually added more theatre/excitement to it, IMO.
If you've never done this can you even be classed as an angler?
Used to love this type of fishing when I was young, actually added more theatre/excitement to it, IMO.
Of course they are essential , ,if you never had them how would you watch porn hub effectively .
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