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 .