The boat opens up completely different horizons for the feederist, which are not available when fishing from shore, and you get the opportunity to spot the perspectives of the buckets, dumps and local anomalies of the bottom relief, where it is physically impossible or extremely difficult to throw equipment from the shore, this is especially true on large rivers with strong currents, where fish often stand on the border of fast and quiet water.
However, fishing from a boat requires a radical revision of the approach to fishing. anchorage If we're strapped to a single spot on the shore and wait for the fish to come, we're looking for the fish to park, and if you're not anchored properly, you can just turn it across the stream, make fishing impossible, and the feeding table will be washed away in minutes.
It's important to understand that fishing from the boat is not just about putting a rod in and sitting down, it's about actively searching, constantly monitoring the position of the hull and being able to read the river. Feeder tackle in this case, acts as a tool of point defeat, and the boat allows you to deliver bait and hook with bait exactly where at the moment bream, ulcer or large roach feeds.
Selection of craft and anchor system
For comfortable feeder fishing, sustainability is critical. PVC Inflatable bottoms (BBBs) or hard floorboard bottoms are best suited because they provide a stable platform. Keel boats are better at keeping their course in the wind, but for static fishing, the width of the cockpit is more important, allowing for a comfortable arrangement of several rods.
The most important element is the anchor system. The classic one-anchor-on-the-nose scheme doesn't work here, because the boat will turn and chat. The feeder requires a stretch or anchor angle scheme. You need at least two anchors to rigidly fix the position of the vessel relative to the current.
⚠️ Warning: Never tie both anchors to the same side or only to the bow/stern without adjustability. When the wind or current is soaring, the boat can overturn or break anchors.
The optimal mounting pattern is a diamond or at an angle to the current, one anchor (main) holds the nose against the current, the second anchor (support) is selected from the opposite side closer to the stern, creating tension, which allows you to place the side of the boat parallel to the flow of water, which minimizes sailing and swing.
- 🚣 The main anchor must have enough weight to hold the boat on a strong current (usually 3-5 kg for PVC).
- ⚓ The second anchor can be lighter (2-3 kg), it serves rather to adjust the angle and damp the oscillations.
- 🧶 The length of anchor flaps shall be at least 3-4 times greater than the depth at the fishing point.
- 🔗 Use carbines and vertebrates of good quality so that the faeces do not twist when sampling.
For rapid change of location, many anglers use an anchor cargo system with a detachment mechanism or simply a heavy bag of stones that is easy to lift. anchor with good legs that are guaranteed to catch the ground.
Search for promising places on the river
The main advantage of fishing from a boat is the ability to measure depths and relief. Before you get anchored, you need to break through the water with a sonar or a marker float. On the river, we are interested not just in pits, but in specific micro-reliefs: the exit from the pit, languages, bumps on the table, the boundaries of the shell.
Especially effective is fishing on the tables, flat sections of the bottom surrounded by dumps, where the fish feed without wasting too much energy to fight the current, and also pay attention to the boundaries of the jets, where fast water meets quiet water, and it is on this "turbulent" border that a large bream and an ulcer often stand, waiting for the flowing food.
When looking for a place, it's important to consider the direction of the wind, because if the wind blows against the current, the water produces an unpleasant chop wave that prevents you from seeing the bites and rocks the boat, and in such cases, you'd better look for sheltered spots, places protected by an island, a bending of the shore or vegetation.
Use the sonar not only to search for depth, but also to determine the structure of the bottom. Dense groundThe clay or shell gives a clear signal, while the stainless bottom eats the signal, and fish are more likely to stand on hard areas where it is easier to find food.
If there is no sonar, use a simple bundle: a load on a line with knots through each meter. Pulling the load along the bottom, you will feel the changes in the terrain and soil structure (stone, sand, silt).
Equipment and installation of gear for the boat
The feeder from the boat has its own specifics in the choice of rods. The length of the form here does not play the same role as in coastal fishing, so short rods are optimally 2.40-2.70 meters long. They are compact, do not get confused when catching and allow you to comfortably fish even in confined spaces.
The rod test must be suitable for the conditions. For a river with a strong current and heavy feeders (80-120 grams), you need powerful powerful Heavy or Extra Heavy The coil is best used in size 4000-5000 according to Shimano classification, with good traction and roomy spools.
The main line in the current is the wicker cord, which is not stretched, which allows you to see the most careful bites, and has minimal sailing in the water. The monophilic line will be blown out strongly by the arc, and you just don't see the fish picking up the nozzle.
You should use simple and reliable installations, like a Gardner loop, a Running Feeder or an inline with a draw leash, and on a strong current, a tool with a countertwisting tool that spreads the leash and a feeder, preventing crossovers, works perfectly.
⚠️ Warning: Always use fluorocarbon leashes. There are many shells and sharp stones on the river, and the fluor is much more resistant to rubbing than a regular fishing line and less noticeable in clear water.
For fishing from a boat, they often use side fishing rods or even winter nod gear, if depth allows, but the classic feeder gives the advantage of long throw from the side, which allows you to avoid scaring the fish in shallow water with noise and shadow from the boat.
Feeding tactics: feeder or bucket?
The bait delivery is a big deal. We feed the starter from the shore with balls or a big feeder. The boat may not reach the bottom at the right point or it will quickly erod, so the main method is to dump the feeder or use the cat (rocket feeder) on the cord.
If you're anchored above the point, the best thing to do is to start with a large feeding feeder (200-300 ml) right above the fishing site, do 5-10 casts to create a dense cloud of mud and a feed spot at the bottom, then switch to a smaller work feeder.
In a strong current, it is important that the bait is washed out gradually. Too sticky mixture will not work, too loose will fly upstream before reaching the hook. The consistency should be such that the feeder is empty in 5-10 minutes.
☑️ Preparation for feeding
There's a "path" or "train" tactic, and you don't try to feed the dot, you create a feeding plume that goes from the boat downstream, and you put a hook with a nozzle at the beginning of that plume, and the fish that goes against the flow by smell finds your nozzle.
| Feeding method | Depth. | The force of the current | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck-truck feeder | Anything. | Medium/strong | Point delivery, not tolerable |
| Bucket (hand) | Up to 5-6m | Weak. | Quick, silent, large volume |
| Rocket feeder (on the cord) | More than 6 m | Anybody | Delivery to a great depth without a boat |
| Continuous feeding | Anything. | Anybody | Keeping fish in point |
Fishing and catching techniques
After throwing, the rod is placed on board the boat (in the holder) or between the legs. The tension of the cord should be such that the tip of the nod is slightly bent, but not in extreme tension. During the pecking, the rod often looks like a rhythmic twitch or, conversely, a straightening of the nod.
The fishing from a boat has its own peculiarities: you can't just spin a coil. You need to pump the fish out: you pull the fish to the surface by lifting the rod, then you quickly lower the rod and you pick the slack with a coil. On a strong current, the fish resist more fiercely, using the flow of water as an additional weight.
Large fish (bream, carp) should not be dragged into the boat by force. suckerAttempting to take a large bream with your hands often ends with a break in the leash at the side or damage to the fish.
If a large fish bites, immediately, before you start fishing, choose a slack with the second hand. Don't let the line sag, otherwise the hook may pop out of the fish's lip when you jerk. Hold the rod at an angle of 45-60 degrees to the water.
What do you do with the hook?
Don't pull as hard as you can when you're hooked. Try to change the tension angle, swim closer to the hook on the boat (if the anchor allows). Often, tapping your finger on the form helps, vibration can shake the feeder. If it doesn't, remove the coil, wind the cord on your hand (through a rag!) and make a sharp jerk, hoping to break the leash, but keep the main line.
Safety and equipment of fishermen
Boat Fishing is an increased risk. Having a life jacket is a must, even if you are a great swimmer. Current, tangled fishing line, a sharp jerk of a large fish can all lead to falling overboard. In cold water, the count goes for minutes.
Be sure to carry a fixed blade knife or a folding sling knife attached to a belt or vest in an easily accessible place. If you get confused in an anchor phalt or fishing line, the knife should be on hand in a second.
Watch the weather. On a large river, the storm wind can rise very quickly. If you see approaching storm clouds or feel a sharp change in pressure, it is better to immediately return to shore, even if the pecking has just begun.
⚠️ Warning: Never get up in a boat while catching a large fish or when there is a strong wave. All manipulations should be performed sitting.
Also, don't forget polarized sunglasses, which not only protect your eyes from the UV light reflected from the water, but also allow you to see the structure of the water, the driftwoods and even the silhouettes of fish, which are critical for the choice of location.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a motor for feeder fishing from a boat?
The motor is necessary for rapid movement to the point of fishing and return to shore, but immediately during fishing the motor must be raised or turned off, so as not to frighten the fish with noise and vibration. electric trolling motor.
Which bait is better to use on a strong current?
The mixture should be heavy and inert. Be sure to add clay or soil to weight. From the ingredients, large fractions are preferred: boiled millet, barley, corn, corn, worm, cut worm. fine dust will quickly be carried away by the current.
Can I catch a feeder from a boat at night?
Yes, night fishing from a boat is very efficient, especially on breams, but it requires a perfect anchor system and a powerful lantern. At night, the fish comes closer to the shore and to smaller places, so the depth can be less than the daytime depth.
How long should I put leashes on the current?
The length of the leash depends on the activity of the fish and the strength of the current. Standard - 40-60 cm If a lot of empty bites or fish is careful, the length is increased to 80-100 cm On a very strong current with a short leash (30 cm) it is easier to control the supply of the nozzle.
How to keep fish caught in a boat?
The best way to use a special cookie is to attach it to the boat and go overboard, so the fish stays fresh and doesn't take up space in the cockpit, and using buckets inside the boat is unhygienic and can cause the gear to get tangled.
The main secret of success on the river is not static waiting, but the constant search for a “workable” relief and the accurate adjustment of the anchor system to specific wind and current conditions.