How to Setup a Bite Alarm.
"How to setup a bite alarm" is a question I've been asked a few times in the last couple of years. I've also seen a number of people setup so they didn't get the best bite detection. Making a simple alteration would have given them much better bite indication.
With the above points in mind, I've put this page together. To get the best out of it, also read the "Ledgering Bite Detection" page. There's a link in the menu on the left, I've also added a link at the bottom of the page.
A Stable Setup.
The above picture shows a rod setup with a bite alarm. I know it sounds obvious, but the reel needs to go in front of the rear rod rest, believe me I have seen anglers try to do it the other way.
Going to the front, the bobbin needs to be behind the bite alarm, ie the bobbin needs to be the reel side of the bite alarm. Doing this ensures that you will get an indication from the bite alarm if you get an ordinary run (where the bobbin goes up), or a drop back (where the bobbin falls towards the floor).
Note that there is a good distance between the two rod rests, as this gives stable support to the rods and also helps in windy conditions.
Why You Need a Bobbin.
There are a number of reasons why you need a bobbin. Firstly it keeps the line under tension, this means that the line is pulled against the bite alarms sensor wheel, thus being able to turn it when the line moves and registering a bite. It also acts as a visual indicator, moving up when line is taken, or down when a fish moves your ledger towards you. There are animations demonstrating this on the "Ledgering Bite Detection" page, link at the bottom of page.
Positioning the Bobbin.
Without going in to the maths, how the rod ring behind the bite alarm is positioned can make a great deal of difference.
In the animation above the rod ring behind (reel side) of the bite alarm, is positioned close to the bite alarm. It demonstrates what happens when the fish moves the bait to take four inches of line for example.
In the animation above, the rod ring is positioned much further away from the bite alarm. The fish is moving the line the same four inches as the top animation. As can be seen, because of the angles and the amount of line involved, the bobbin does not show as much movement.
Therefore the top arrangement is much more sensitive and will help show tiny movements much more easily.
Also having a rod ring behind the bite alarm helps stop the rod from being pulled in the water, should you forget to set the bait runner, or not set it correctly.
There are times when it is not possible to position the rod ring and bite alarm close together, or you may have your line coming straight of your reel directly to the bite alarm. In these circumstances Fox manufacture line clips. They are clipped onto the rod behind the bite alarm, to alter the angle of line. They also come with a "blade" which can be used to "clip up". This is where the line is fished really tight.
I'm sure the "do-it-yourself" types could soon make something similar.
The above picture shows how the line clips work.
Recommending a Bite Alarm.
I'm often asked which is the best, cheap bite alarm. I have no hesitation in recommending the "Fox Warrior" bite alarm. It costs about £20 + batteries (about £4.00) and it really is worth the money. Mine got dropped in the water and it was about 20 minutes before we could fish it out. It carried on working and is still going strong today. I've also used it in all sorts of bad weather, without a problem.
The alarm has a volume control, but no sensitivity or tone control, but at the price so what.
I've seen others that are cheaper and I've also seen them fall to bits or die after a rain storm. I'm not sponsored by Fox, I just believe in promoting a good product. It's a great bite alarm just to keep in your tackle bag if ever you need it. If your just starting carp fishing, or on a budget, it's good enough to be used for serious carp fishing.
Video Demonstrating a Fox Warrior Bite Alarm.
.
Please Don't Become a Buzzer Boy.
What ever you do when using a bit alarm, please remember that there are other anglers on the bank. The only time a bite alarm should be heard is when there is a bite. When I'm adjusting my bobbins etc, I turn my alarm off. There is nothing more annoying to other anglers than people playing with there set up and the constant bleep, bleep bleeps. We used to call such people "buzzer boys". Please respect others and the environment. If you have a volume control, please keep it down.
Also Look At.
The links below list pages that should also be looked at as they contain information about ledgering.