Fishing with a swimming facility opens up opportunities for the fisherman that are not available to the coastline: access to deep pits, the ability to catch vast areas and, importantly, comfortable placement of gear. However, when the trophy is on the hook, the question arises of preserving it for the rest of the day or the moment of weighing. boat-cage Not just an accessory, but a critical element of equipment that ensures the survival of the catch.
Many novice anglers underestimate the importance of the right design of this device, believing that any net will work. This is a misconception. Incorrectly selected or fixed cage can lead to loss of trophies, damage to the catch by predators or even damage to the boat itself. In this article, we will discuss in detail what to look for when choosing, and how to properly organize the process of storing fish on the water.
The modern market offers many solutions, from simple fishing bags to complex multi-chamber structures with floating frames. Understanding the differences will help you choose the ideal option for your fishing conditions and type of boat.
Design features and types of cages
The basis of any cage is a mesh cloth, which should ensure a constant flow of fresh water to the gills of the fish, but the geometry of the product plays no less a role. Round. The models are considered classics as they have no angles in which the fish could get stuck and create less water resistance when the boat moves. Oval. and rectangular structures are often chosen for placement in narrow spaces or for specific sorting of the catch.
The material of the netting also varies, with the most common cages made of kapron thread and fishing line, Capron products are very strong and soft, which minimizes injuries to fish, but they overgrown with algae faster, linen nets are tougher, easier to clean and less absorb odors, but if handled carelessly can damage the mucous membranes of delicate fish species.
The Secret to Longevity of the Grid
To make the hood last longer, after fishing, it must be thoroughly washed with fresh water and dried in the shade, the remaining salt and organics destroy the structure of the thread under the influence of ultraviolet light.
And the frames, unlike the soft stockings, they hold their shape even without water inside, making it easier to fill and retrieve the fish, can be made of stainless steel or durable plastic, and it's important that all the joints are smooth, without the sharp edges that can break the net or injure the fisherman's hands.
Materials: Metal, Plastic or Textile?
The choice of material for the cage is always a compromise between weight, durability and cost. professional-cageBut aluminum can oxidize in salt water, and steel can rust if it's not high-end stainless steel, so for PVC boats, where every gram of weight is important, the metal can be redundant.
Plastic elements such as floats and hardness rings have become standard in modern models: they are inert to water, do not corrosion and are significantly lighter than metal. Polypropylene and nylon The nets are also part of this group of synthetic materials, and their main advantage is their resistance to rot and mechanical damage.
When buying a cage, pay attention to the quality of the mesh nodes. The double knot is much stronger than the single one and prevents the cloth from spreading when hooked by a snag or shell.
Textile inserts and bags are conveniently compact when folded. They easily hide in the knoll of a boat without taking up useful space. However, their lifespan is usually lower than that of combined models with a rigid frame. For frequent and active fishing, it is better to prefer hybrid options where textiles are combined with strong ribs of rigidity.
Comparative specifications of the main materials:
| Materials | Weight. | Durability | Resistance to corrosion | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capron thread | Light. | Medium | High. | Low. |
| Leska | Very light. | High. | High. | Medium |
| Stainless steel | Heavy. | Very high. | High. | High. |
| Plastic/Polymers | Light. | Medium/High | Absolute. | Medium |
Methods of attachment to the boat
The safety and usability of the cage depends on how it is fixed to the craft. bracket And the holders are mounted on the boat, and this allows you to keep the cage in the water, but outside the hull, which is especially important for inflatable boats, so that the sharp fins of predators do not damage the cylinders.
PVC boats often have special hinges or belts that are passed under the bottom or attached to the liner cables. It is important that the fastener allows the cage to freely immerse itself in the water, allowing circulation, but still reliably fix it when moving or turbulent. quick-movement The mechanism facilitates the removal of a full cage on board.
When installing the cage, the direction of the current and wind must be taken into account. If the boat is anchored, the cage must be downwind so that the current carries it away from the boat and does not confuse the gear, and avoid placing the cage directly under the transom where the engine operates, to avoid exhaust gas and oil entering the fish habitat.
Protecting the catch from predators
One of the main problems in storing fish in a cage is the attack of predators. Pike, catfish or even large perch can penetrate a regular net or drag prey along with a cage. topping up with double walls or a grid of particularly durable fishing line of large diameter.
The cage-in-the-cage design is an efficient but cumbersome solution, and a more advanced approach is to use small-cell metal frames that can't even fit a large pike's teeth, and it's also important that the cage neck is sealed and secure, and many models are equipped with carabiners or special latches that prevent spontaneous opening.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a cage of catches unattended overnight in areas where otters or large catfish are found. Even a strong net may not withstand the persistence of a hungry predator or its teeth.
An additional protection measure is to camouflage the cage, predators can see prey well in clear water, and using dark cages (black, dark green, camouflage) makes them less visible to predators that swim by, reducing the risk of attack.
Instructions: how to properly lower and secure the garden
The cage is safe to hold, you first need to straighten the net, make sure it's not twisted, then you sink the cage into water to fill it with air (if it has a float) or water, and the fastening process requires consistency and attention to detail.
☑️ Checking before descent of the cage
Once you catch the first fish, don't just shove it deep into the cage. Carefully open the neck, lower the fish and make sure it goes into the main bay. If you're fishing for a lot of change, use cages with separators or tie knots on the net, creating compartments so that the fish don't fall asleep when the cage is lifted.
It is important to monitor the depth of the sink. The cage must be at a sufficient depth where the water temperature is stable and lower than the surface, especially in hot weather. However, the bottom of the cage should not be dragged along the bottom of the reservoir, otherwise the fish will accumulate sand or silt, and the net will quickly become useless.
Care and storage of cage
After each fishing, the cages require maintenance, fresh water washes away salt, mucus and food residues, which, when dried, turn into a hard crust that destroys the structure of the threads, and the cages should be dried in the open, in the shade, as direct sunlight accelerates the aging of synthetic materials.
When stored in the off-season, the mesh is better sprinkled lightly with talc or folded into a cotton bag to avoid sticking together the turns of the line or thread. Metal elements, if any, should be lubricated with silicone lubrication to prevent corrosion, even if it is stainless steel.
Regular check of integrity of knots and absence of rot on the grid prolongs life of the cage at times and ensures that the trophy will not break at the most critical moment.
Storing a cage in a compressed state for a long time can lead to the appearance of clogs on the plastic elements of the frame or loss of elasticity with the mesh, so it is recommended to store it in a straightened or slightly folded state in a dry room.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What size cage is optimal for fishing from a PVC boat?
For a PVC boat, the optimal compact models are 1.5-2 meters long and about 30 cm in diameter. They do not take up much space, easily retract into a hazelnut and do not sail in the wind. Large cages can create discomfort when maneuvering.
Can I use the garden in the winter?
You can use a cage in winter, but with caution. In the cold, synthetic materials (especially cheap plastic and fishing lines) become brittle. Metal cages can freeze to the ice. It is better to use special winter Canadians or keep fish in caisson, if ice allows.
How to clean the cage from mud and algae?
The best way is to soak a chlorine-containing agent (e.g., "White") in a solution for several hours, followed by a thorough rinse. Mechanical brushing is also effective, but requires care so as not to damage the mesh nodes.
Why do fish in the cage fall asleep quickly?
This can occur due to lack of oxygen in the water (for example, in a “blooming” pond), stress from cramping or damage to the gills. Using cages with a large area of cells and nozzling them on the flow (flowing water) solves the problem.