WHAT MAKES A GOOD ALARM
When designing or purchasing a fishing bite alarm there are many things to consider, we are just listing a few to enable Anglers to get the best out of their purchases.
We all like a great looking bite alarm to pose by the lakeside with, but this should not be the only consideration.
The rod rest portion of the bite alarm is very important, checkout the following:
Detecting bites.
Always check to ensure your alarm will detect bites for all the fishing methods you are likely to use.
This is because when the line is moving forward there is more contact with the sensor/wheel.
Try a simple experiment, you will need some 12lb fishing line with a small weight tied to one end, and a round pole of about 1/2" Dia.
We would suggest that you try the same test when buying bite alarms, you may be surprised how many fishing bite alarms fail to detect a drop back bite, especially if you are using a light weight.
Always check to see how much downward pressure is require to turn the wheel or operate the sensor, remember you may not want to use bobbins weights for every fishing trip.
Just lay a length of 12lb fishing line across the sensor/wheel and try moving it back and forwards. A good fishing bite alarm will hardly require any pressure to indicate line movement in any direction.
In our view good bite indicators should detect line movement of between 3 to 6mm, if you choose an indicator that only detects 10 to 15mm of line movement, you could miss out on catching a great deal of fish.
Even 30lb plus Carp, sometimes only product twitch bites, I would sooner have an indicator that occasionally produced a false bite, rather than miss a fish of that size.
Again it is very easy to check out how sensitive a bite alarm before you buy it.
Use the same piece of line with the weight attached as above, hold a measure by the side of the alarm and watch out far the weight goes up and down before the alarm indicates a bite.
To get a very accurate measurement, check how many bite indications you receive over 30mm of line movement.
For right handed Anglers
The latching LED should be on the left hand side right at the top of the bite alarm. Placed lower down or on the other side you may not be able to see it properly as it may be hidden by the rod.
The adjusting knobs should be on the left hand side of the case.
General design
Always ask what the construction of the case is like, remember fishing in England tends to be rather wet and damp, and you don't what an alarm that only works on sunny days.
Ask where the alarm was made, even some British manufacturers have their cheap alarms made in countries that may not appreciate what English weather conditions are really like.
For best results the case should be tongued and groove to stop water getting in, and all the electronics should be coated in varnish to protect against condensation.
The extension sockets should be on the underside of the alarm to ensure water does not run into the alarm via those sockets.
Even if you don't intend to use an Extension Box with your alarm immediately always ask the dealer to prove it does work.
All good fishing bite alarms if they have an extension socket fitted, should be designed to function with all other manufactures Extension Boxes.
There are many cheap bite alarms being sold that have extension sockets fitted, that do not function with the current range of extension boxes being offered for sale.
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