Bite Alarms

Most serious carp fishermen use bite alarms and consider these devices essential in their arsenal of equipment. Alarms are basically sensors onto which your line rests. With your baitrunner reel in freespool, the alarm will sound as well as light up when a fish picks up your bait or runs with it.

If you go to http://www.wackerbaits.com/ or http://www.bigcarptackle.com/ , you will see there are lots of choices and prices for electronic bite alarms. You’ll pay more for alarms with higher sensitivity , tonal adjustments, and wireless remote capabilities, but rest assured the low priced alarms that sell for $25-$45 are very adequate and will do the job. I’ve used the same inexpensive Fox alarms for the last 5 years and they still run great. I also use the pricey Delkims and I admit that these are the Cadillacs of alarms and I love them. In addition, an alarm also has a light that goes on when a hit is detected. This is a must if plan to fish at night.

Note that your alarm must be mounted onto a holder. One way to do this is to purchase a rod pod. This is basically a rack onto which the alarm is screwed in place on buzz bars. Most rod pods can hold up to three alarms. The other option is to use banksticks to hold your alarm. These are adjustable thin, short metal poles onto which the alarm is threaded at one end.

Rod Pods or Banksticks

If you own bite alarms, you know these devices must be matched with some type of holder. There are basically two choices out there.....either banksticks or rod pods.

Banksticks are metal sticks that have a threaded top on which the bite alarm is screwed. The bankstick is adjustable and can telescope to about twice its length. They are pushed into a soft bank and are quite solid and versatile rod holders. Some fishermen will also use an additional bankstick at the butt end of their rod to make the rod sit in a horizontal position. They sell a butt holder that can screw into this back bankstick. I find banksticks to be especially useful on steep banks. They also transport well. You can purchase a quality bankstick for about 10-20 dollars at most online carp tackle dealers.

Rod pods are basically a two rod holding rack on which your rods sit in a horizontal position. These pods usually have "buzz bars" on which to screw your alarms. Butt rests screw onto the back buzz bars. Expensive pods have fully adjustable legs to deal with uneven banks. Some can even be adjusted in length to deal with rods of different lengths. I find pods to be very convenient to use, though some have to be setup ahead of time on the bank. I love my Fox Horizon Pod (see photo) that I purchased last year and would recommend it highly. Realize that quality rod pods are expensive items, generally selling for well over $100. Many inexpensive pods tend to be light and tippy.

If you are looking to purchase a pod or some banksticks for this year's fishing, check out the deals at Wacker Bait or Big Carp Tackle. Prices have dropped and are at their lowest in a long time!