Fireflies for fishing

Hot summer. Night. Silence. The steady breathing of the river. You sit in the darkness. The light in front of your eyes slightly trembled and began to shift to the side. Now you can lift the feeder rod from the rack, make a hook, turn on the headlamp and start catching a large bronze beauty – bream. Night fishing does not like fuss, extraneous noise, unnecessary light. How to see the bite? Illuminate the tip of the feeder with a flashlight? Sit with a constantly switched on headlamp? These options have the right to exist, but this violates the feeling of silence and tranquility. And the fish should not be alarmed unnecessarily. Large specimens at this time come close, you can scare them away and be left without a trophy.

It is not even desirable to remember about signaling bells. Constant ringing is very stressful. At least it was taken off at the idle winding of the tackle…

Indispensable for night fishing

That light in front of my eyes, which nodded, “went” to the side and showed me a bite – it’s an ordinary firefly (light stick, glow stick). It looks like a small plastic capsule with a chemical solution and reagent inside, but how much potential and usefulness is in it! The principle of its operation is very simple. If you break the reagent placed inside, a chemical reaction is triggered and the wand starts to glow. The brightness of this light is more than enough to visualize nibbles. Everything is very simple and functional. Such a firefly can be called indispensable at night fishing.

1. Firefly Salmo Rodtip S

2. Firefly Salmo Rodtip XL

3. Firefly Salmo Chefl 4.5x39mm

Fireflies differ from each other by the color of glow (depends on the reagent), diameter (from 1.5 to 4.5 mm) and length. Their principle of action is the same. In the package, as a rule, there is a silicone tube, with which you can fix the firefly on the top of the feeder. In practice, I had to try and experiment, fix the firefly in different ways. Including through a special mount. It is convenient, but not ideal.

1. Cormoran holder for firefly L transparent

2. Cormoran Light Stick 3.7×4.2mm.

The easiest and 100% working option for attachment is transparent tape. Two turns of scotch tape and the firefly is firmly pressed to the feeder tip. This method of attachment does not interfere with the free flow of the line, throwing equipment, and catching fish. It is guaranteed that on the throw or hooking it will not slip off the mount, will not fall into the water and will not fly into the nearest bushes. One firefly is completely enough for night fishing. As they say, it works reliably from dusk till dawn!

Use in float fishing

Yes, also practiced, but much less often than in feeder fishing. I “night” floaters met not often. So, the firefly is a universal accessory. But in float fishing has its own peculiarities in use. Here a special attachment for a feeder top will not help. Attach the firefly to the antenna of the float will have to be through a silicone adapter (the one that comes with the kit) or with tape. The second option is to use special floats, in which the antenna is removed and the firefly is installed in its place.

1. Colmic Menta float under the firefly 12.0g.

2. Colmic Menta 4.0g firefly float

These floats are designed not only for wire fishing, but also for long distance fishing. The main differences between these floats are the shape and the antenna. The float for fly fishing has a barrel shape. Fishing with a long throw implies the use of floats with a long antenna, and for firefly there is a special transparent “box” in the body of the float.

Fixation of the nibble on the antenna is no longer made, all attention should be paid to the light in the water. Shuddered, swam to the side, goes under water or stops on the current and slightly rises – this is a signal to hook. I note that it is not only functional, but also beautiful and interesting.

Fireflies in winter

But that’s not all. Fireflies are so versatile and easy to use that they can be used in winter. For example, when night fishing for burbot or pike with fishing poles. In conditions of insufficient illumination, when setting up fishing poles with a distance of at least 10 meters from each other for timely fixation of a nibble it is necessary to have additional sound and light visualization.

To fix the nibble sound is often used bell, attaching it to the spring with a flag. After the nibble flag straightens, all this is accompanied by the sound of the bell. But where exactly did the bite happen? On which side of the tent? What exactly to which zhurlitsa to run? Here the firefly will be of great service. The swinging light will clearly indicate the place of installation of the triggered rod. Bell for such fishing can be chosen with a special hole in which the firefly is installed.

Alternative ways of use

In addition to visualizing the nibble, fireflies have several alternative ways of use. When sleeping in a tent, an activated firefly can be hung from the ceiling. In fact, we get a nightlight, with which added coziness and comfort. Also with activated fireflies at night you can mark dangerous places on the shore. For example, rocks, holes, overhanging tree branches or tent stretches. Their light will be enough to avoid tripping, falling and getting injured.

Conclusion

To summarize, let’s note all the advantages and disadvantages of fishing fireflies. Here is what can be highlighted from the pros:

1. Compact pack size. In a fishing box, backpack or in a jacket pocket will not take up much space;

2. Availability. In the free sale is always and a lot. In any fishing store, which is very important;

3. Cheapness. The price of fireflies is more than democratic, no budget from such a purchase will not suffer;

4. Versatility. Use firefly can be used in feeder and float fishing, winter fishing, in household purposes they can also be useful;

5. Unlimited shelf life. Bought a few packs in stock, put them in a drawer and forget about them. If necessary, you can take them out. It is important, of course, not to forget to revise and replenish the stock in time. If you suddenly run out of stocks, you can buy fireflies even on the way to fishing (see point 2);

6. Reliability. It is almost impossible to accidentally break a firefly and start a chemical reaction.

Minuses… I see only one disadvantage – this is a one-time use. The firefly is unfortunately not recoverable or rechargeable and must be disposed of. Please do not throw it in the water or leave it on the shore!