Self-hook for fishing helps the angler realize more bites. You can, of course, fish using only (light, sound, etc.), but the percentage of empty hooks increases significantly.

Even the self-tapping ones do not always work, and this leads to the loss of fish that could have ended up in the cage. That is, timely hooking is considered an important condition for success in fishing and therefore hooking becomes a mandatory element of equipment for most anglers.

Why do you need a self-cutter and its advantages?

The main purpose of a self-hook is to make a jerk with the rod when the line is pulled due to a fish bite, thanks to which the hook will perform its function and all that remains is to bring the fish into the landing net.

In this case, a bite alarm is not enough, because it only informs the angler about the activity of the fish, but does not make an independent hook.

Many anglers have encountered the fact that while fishing, the alarm detects single “peaks”, and as a result, the number of fish caught does not increase. Even if the fisherman was near the rod all the time, he still would not have time to hook the timid fish carefully trying the bait.

In such cases, the self-hooking device reacts instantly and even after a light touch of the fish to the nozzle, it immediately makes an automatic hooking. The advantages of using such devices are beyond doubt, because a person is physically unable to react so quickly.

A properly adjusted reel clutch does not allow hooked fish to tear off the equipment or drag it into snags, and the use of self-hookers has a beneficial effect on the size of the catch and fishing results. This is especially evident when fishing at night, when the angler is resting and does not monitor the condition of the gear.

Although even in the daytime it is not always possible to be near the fishing rods and because of this, there are idle alarms.

Even when using electronic alarms, it is impossible to respond to every slight fish bite. Self-hooking equipment does not respond to weak bites, and only auto-hooking equipment solves this problem.

Types of auto-cutters

Every missed bite is a potential loss of fish, and it is not surprising that anglers come up with devices that increase fishing efficiency.

Such devices include self-notching devices installed on:

• rod blank, or located next to the posts on which the bottom is installed;
• in front of the leash, when the process of hooking fish occurs under water.

Which version of the self-hook is more convenient is up to the fisherman to decide; the main thing is to make the choice consciously and evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of the design, which, unfortunately, exist.

The design of a self-cutting device installed next to the bottom or directly on the blank involves tensioning the fishing line due to the elasticity of the rubber cord used, or the rubber band used in aircraft modeling. To fix the elastic band and connect it to the rod, a wire structure is used, the manufacture of which will be discussed below.

The functionality of the self-cutting device installed in front of the leash is ensured by the tension of the rubber or spring compressing the wire lever. When the fish is pulled, the end of the lever, held back by a tense spring, is released, it straightens and provokes the hooking of the fish.

Hooks on leashes are used mainly by floaters who perform accurate and accurate casts at close range. Donkers have to throw the equipment at a long distance and the design of the self-cutter cannot withstand the load; it will straighten out while still in flight.

In any case, it is useful for fans of bottom fishing to know how the lead self-hook design works, because it can be used when fishing at a distance of 15–25 meters. In feeder fishing, such distances are quite common, so the use of a self-hook will be fully justified.

Automatic undercutters also differ in the type of tension material used, and this can be:

1. rubber;
2. springs;
3. hard wire.

The simpler the design of the device, the more durable it is, but the service life also depends on the materials used. The structural elements responsible for tensioning and operating the undercutting mechanism must be resistant to moisture, sun and wind.

In this regard, rubber is more advantageous than metal springs, but upon contact with sand, burrs appear on it, and then breaks, and it is especially offensive if this happens during a fishing session. Therefore, when fishing, you need to have spare rubber bands with you in order to continue fishing even if the hook is broken.

Springs provide greater tension and are more reliable in operation. But even here there are disadvantages related to the fact that the metal of the spring rusts, and it is still difficult to provide complete protection from moisture while fishing.

Rigid steel wire is the cheapest and most accessible material for making automatic hooks, but it is also “afraid” of water, which means it is short-lived. In any case, homemade devices for hooking donkeys are not designed for long-term use, and making them with your own hands is not at all difficult.

In winter, when fishing in open water is impossible, there is time to make self-hooking hooks for the next season in the required quantities.

Advantages of homemade products

A hooker is necessary for all those who fish with more than 2 rods and when fishing prefer not to sit in front of a rod-pod or stands waiting for a bite. For example, carp anglers have to wait several hours for a bite, and every fish caught is very important.

Chinese manufacturers of fishing equipment offer industrially manufactured self-hooks, but they are not in great demand and are of much worse quality than homemade devices. In addition, when making a hook hook with your own hands, the fisherman customizes the design in accordance with his needs and makes almost unique things.

Making homemade self-cutters for donks does not require significant financial expenses, because available and inexpensive materials are used. This is another important argument in favor of making a device for hooking fish with your own hands and not having problems while fishing.

Even in strong winds or rain, a high-quality auto hooker remains in working order until the fish bites. While waiting for a bite, the fisherman can do other things, because the condition of his bottoms is closely monitored by self-hookers.

Making a self-undercutter

As you know, when a fish bites, it takes the hook with the nozzle, and when creating resistance, the sting penetrates the lip and detects the trophy. That is, the main task of the hooker is to create a force in the direction opposite to the pull of the fish.

As an example, let’s take a float tackle, for which the undercutter is very easy to make. When biting, the float is immersed in the water under the weight of the trophy and to hook it, it is enough to increase its buoyancy, or resistance.

To do this, a foam cylinder is glued at the junction of the antenna with the body of the float and then the antenna is inserted into it. When biting, the float does not sink, as usual, but remains on the surface and due to this the fish is detected.

From a paper clip

The most common type of auto hooker for donkey is made from:

• large paper clip;
• rubber bands for money, or a piece of model airplane rubber tied with a ring.

This device is fixed on the rod, and after hooking, nothing prevents the angler from calmly bringing the fish into the landing net. Naturally, instead of a paper clip, a piece of rigid wire 15–20 cm long will do. The paper clip has an anti-corrosion coating and does not rust after getting wet while fishing. Therefore, in the absence of paper clips, when choosing a wire, you need to pay attention to the fact that it also has a coating.

Advantages of an autocutter made from a paper clip:

• small sizes (5-7 devices will easily fit in a medium-sized fishing box);
• quick installation on the rod, as well as dismantling after fishing;
• high sensitivity;
• sharp and clear cutting.

When landing fish, such a hook does not interfere with the fisherman and is quickly brought into working position. The main element of the undercutter is wire, and the frame of the product is made from it.

The process of making a self-cutter from a paper clip:

1. the paper clip is aligned along its entire length;
2. one of the ends of the 3 cm long wire is bent at an angle of 120 degrees, it will cling to the rod ring;
3. 1 cm below the curved section, using pliers, make a ring into which the rubber will be threaded;
4. at the other end of the wire, use round pliers to make a rectangle with a side of 2 cm, the fishing line will be threaded into it;
5. 0.5 cm below the rectangle, the paperclip is bent at an angle of 90 degrees;
6. An elastic band is inserted into the self-cutting ring using the loop-to-loop method.

The self-hook is ready and all that remains is to install it on the fishing rod.

For this:

• the elastic band is attached to the reel in any convenient way;
• the curved end of the wire is attached to the first ring of the donkey.

A stretched elastic band holds the self-hook in a position at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the rod blank. After casting the tackle, the line is wound into a wire rectangle and the hooker is ready for work.

When a fish bites, the fishing line pulls the wire trigger, and the curved end jumps off the rod ring. Due to the elasticity of the rubber, which pulls the wire frame behind it, the fishing line is sharply pulled in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the fish and it is caught.

The maximum sensitivity of the device is adjusted while fishing and for this purpose the end of the wire, fixed on the rod ring, is bent at the desired angle (it can be slightly less or more than 120 degrees). It is enough to simulate a fish bite and you will clearly see how quickly the curved end of the hook jumps off the rod ring, and how much force needs to be applied for this.

For such a self-cutting device, you need a fairly stiff wire so that it retains its initial shape even after many cuttings. Finding such wire (if you don’t have a large paper clip) is not at all difficult in any household. The same applies to rubber bands that are purchased at stationery stores.

When preparing to go to a pond, fishermen make 5-7 such auto hookers, even if they use fewer rods. Still, when fishing there are force majeure circumstances, and it is better to have a supply of devices for hooking fish.

Some fishermen attach wire hooks not to the lower ring, but to the upper ring of the rod, but when fishing for fish, they interfere with the winding of the fishing line onto the reel.

Simple autocutter

To hook a fish, you need the rod mounted on the stands to suddenly change its position at the moment of the bite. Even falling the blank from the stand is enough to tighten the line and, accordingly, hook the fish. The simplest wire hook, mounted on a rod rack, works on this principle.

The design of the device consists of a wire frame or frame attached to a stand and after casting the tackle, a fishing rod is installed on it. The frame is made in the shape of a rectangle without one side, and the tip of the form is placed on the edge next to this “uncovered” side.

When a fish bites, the tip of the rod slides off the frame, it pulls the line behind it and the trophy is caught. It will take no more than five minutes to make such an automatic undercutter, but it copes with its functions perfectly.

To make this self-notching hook, you need a rigid wire that can support the weight of the rod tip even in strong winds. To fix the fishing line in the desired position, a porous rubber knob is placed on the tip of the stand; on the one hand, it securely holds the fishing line, and on the other hand, in case of a bite, it quickly releases it.

Self-notching devices must be transported in a hard box, because if they are simply stored in a bag, the wire may bend from an accidental blow or from a heavy object placed on top.

Stationary self-undercutter

Self-cutting donks have become widespread among fishing enthusiasts, and many of them show imagination and modify well-known designs, improving their functionality. Along with devices attached to the rod blank, stationary self-hookers are also used in fishing, which have certain advantages.

First of all, this concerns high sensitivity and finer tuning of stationary devices, and this is important, especially when catching small fish.

So, the advantages of stationary devices are:

• sensitivity;
• functionality;
• fine tuning for specific reservoir conditions;
• durability.

Agree that even with the most careful use, an autocutter made from a paper clip is short-lived. Even despite the simplicity of the design, making new hooks mounted on a fishing rod before each fishing trip is not very convenient, and even the strongest and stiffest wire still loses its elasticity.

Stationary devices are more durable and are actively used by bottom fishers on rivers when fishing with a large number of rods. The main and, perhaps, the only disadvantage of stationary automatic hooks is their large size, but compared to their advantages this is not a critical circumstance.

Let's consider a hook hook that works on the principle of a mousetrap, when when pulling, a blocking device is triggered, lifting the rod, due to which the hook hook occurs.

To make such an undercutter you will need:

1. a piece of board 50 cm long and 10 cm wide;
2. two pieces of steel wire 50 and 30 cm long;
3. clamps for attaching the wire to the board;
4. screws for screwing clamps to the board;
5. eraser;
6. bicycle spoke for making a bracket for a fishing line;
7. a plastic cambric to protect the fishing line, which is put on the bracket.

Of course, you will also need tools:

• round nose pliers;
• screwdriver for screws;
• pliers;
• hammer.

To make the product durable, select especially strong steel wire that maintains rigidity for a long time.

The process of making an undercutter:

1. on a piece of wire 50 cm long, the edges are bent with pliers so that 5 cm from each edge “look” in different directions at an angle of 90 degrees and one of the ends is bent like λ;
2. an eraser is attached to one end of the second piece of wire (30 cm long), and the second is bent in the shape of a bracket or in the form of Ω;
3. the pieces of wire are screwed with clamps to the board opposite each other so that the “tongue” of one piece fits under the “bracket” of the second;
4. A bracket is made from a bicycle spoke, a cambric is put on it, and it is screwed to the board right in the middle.

The result is a design in which a piece of wire with an eraser attached serves to install the fishing line and fix the “tongue” of the second piece. The fishing line is inserted into the bracket and due to the rigidity of the wire, tension occurs when the “tongue” is inserted. A fish bite sets the fishing line in motion, and therefore the wire and eraser. The clamp releases the “tongue” and the wire structure sharply pulls the line, detecting the fish.

The bending shape of the wire segments can be arbitrary, the main thing is that they clearly perform their functions of tightening the fishing line.

This type of homemade, stationary undercutter allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the structure. To do this, the “tongue” is inserted further or closer under the bracket and already with minimal pressure the device is activated to tighten the fishing line. Thanks to the fastening with clamps, after fishing the hooker folds and the structure retains its shape during transportation.

Some will say that making a stationary hook hook takes a lot of time, but the benefits it provides on fishing are well worth the investment. In addition, no special skills are needed for this and almost any fishing enthusiast can handle the job using available tools.

The use of self-hookers increases the effectiveness of fishing, and even large trophies are easily caught using such devices. Given the low cost and availability of components, a self-hooking device is very helpful in fishing, especially if fishing is done with bottom gear.

A self-cutting device for a feeder, as well as for other types of fishing gear, is an auxiliary device whose usefulness and effectiveness is determined by the time and circumstances of fishing. Such devices appeared not very long ago.

At first there were various homemade devices, which savvy fishermen invented and made for their fishing rods and hooks. Nowadays, many devices that facilitate automatic hooking of fish are produced by industrial enterprises.

Purpose of automatic undercutters

As you know, the most active and interesting part of fishing begins at the moment when the fish bites. Some fish species are careful, others not so much, and begin to taste the bait. It is at this moment that you need to make effective cutting. Such hooking is quite possible if you fish with one fishing rod, and even better - if you constantly hold it in your hands.

Expert opinion

Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich

Important! Always, on every fishing trip, you need to take into account the physiological characteristics of the type of fish you are catching. The strength and speed with which it needs to be cut depends on this.

If you are fishing with several gear, which is often the case in feeder fishing, you simply may not have enough time to react to the bite, run to the right rod and hook.

Self-hookers for fishing, just in such cases, will be very useful. Their main purpose is hook the fish in time and with the necessary effort, even without the participation of the fisherman in this process. These devices, during a bite, provide the necessary jerk of the equipment in automatic mode. Quite often, experienced fishermen, based on a independently developed design, make a self-hooking hook for a spinning rod with their own hands.

Types of automatic undercutters

Such devices, designed for hooking fish without the participation of a fisherman, can be equipped with absolutely any fishing rods and bottom gear. Most often, these mechanisms, depending on its design, ordinary hooks, feeder tackle and even float rods are equipped.

A self-hook designed for spinning also exists, although many anglers doubt its necessity, because fishing with a spinning rod assumes that the form is in the hands of the angler all the time. It is rational to use an automatic hook for spinning only when fishing by trolling or if the spinning rod is adapted for.

An automatic fishing rod with an automatic hooker is useful when long fishing when the angler cannot constantly be with her, as well as in the case when fishing is carried out with several (sometimes 4 - 5) rods.

Depending on their design and manufacturer, these devices are divided into the following types:

1. Improved gear. This type includes floats and hooks, which, by making certain changes to their design, allow you to hook fish without the participation of a fisherman.
2. Various homemade designs. As a rule, a do-it-yourself automatic fish hooker and its operation scheme are based on the same principle of operation as a regular mousetrap. The main driving force in them is either dense rubber or a tensioned spring of the required power.
3. Industrial devices. This type includes technologically advanced mechanisms that were originally designed for a particular gear.

Fishermen often improve industrial designs of self-hookers to suit their requirements, increasing or, conversely, somewhat weakening their sensitivity and power of action.

Features of different types of undercutters

The most important characteristic in the operation of any automatic hooker is undoubtedly the force with which it affects the prey. In accordance with the required impact force, the tension power of the springs or rubber used in the device is calculated. As a rule, it is more significant the heavier the gear for which the mechanism is intended. For example, a feeder hook requires more actuation force than a hook hook with a short stick or no stick at all.

Expert opinion

Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich

Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.

Attention! As a rule, over time, springs stretch and lose some of their power. This must be taken into account when setting up the self-cutting mechanism.

It is also important to consider the force required to removing the device from the safety lock and initiating the actual cutting. Stoppers and triggers, depending on the gear, also come in different designs and power, but what is essential is that they all must be sensitive enough, this will ensure that the device responds to any, even the most careful bite.

It should be taken into account that an industrially manufactured fishing hook is designed for a specific gear, with specific requirements, only if it comes complete with this gear. The remaining industrial mechanisms, which have different principles of operation and power, must be selected for your equipment independently and, if necessary, modified.

A do-it-yourself hooker always takes into account the characteristics of the rod, the tackle for which it was conceived and made. For example, a do-it-yourself auto-hook for spinning rods must take into account the following factors:

1. Weight and .
2. Approximate distance for casting baits. This is important for approximate calculation of the mass of equipment in the water.
3. When trolling - the strength of the current and the speed of the boat.
4. The size of the expected trophies, their type, as well as how the bite of this type of fish usually occurs (carefully or quickly).

If a fisherman who independently manufactures an automatic hooker for his tackle manages to take into account all these factors and make a suitable device, the number of unnoticed or empty bites will be significantly reduced.

When making hooks intended for bottom gear, fishermen often use a variety of runners in combination with rubber bands or converted mousetraps. Also common are vertical posts that are fixed in the ground or at the side of the boat, with powerful springs and appropriate stoppers.

Standing apart, among all the devices for automatically hooking fish, are floats and hooks.

A float that promotes self-hooking of fish is, as a rule, a regular float with an elongated central rod, complemented by a disk of non-sinking material with a hole in the center for the passage of the upper part of the float rod and a special stopper (thickening) in the upper part of this rod. When biting, the main part of the float’s body goes under the water, but at the end the stopper interacts with the disk, which sharply slows down its descent under the water and promotes the fish’s self-hooking.

Self-sealing hooks have a modified shape, somewhat similar to a spring, which facilitates its deep penetration into the throat of the fish and its notching. Such hooks are produced by only a few foreign enterprises and are rarely found on sale. Their main disadvantage is that it is very difficult to free the caught fish from such a hook.

An example of a homemade self-cutting device for a feeder

Let's look at one of the options for an automatic hook hook for a feeder, in which the rod is attached to a swinging element of the stand, like a rocker arm, and hooking occurs due to spring compression. Such a mechanism can be made with your own hands. Its design and principle of operation are easy to understand by understanding the following diagram:

With what pleasure do fishermen hook fish when, sitting on the shore in good or bad weather, they implement their hobby with sporting passion. Emotions, adrenaline, rich catch! All these are components of successful fishing. But what to do if you need to step away from the gear for a while, have a quiet lunch and relax? This gear is designed for such a case. An automatic fish hooker is very necessary when there is no time to constantly monitor the fishing rod and watch for a bite.

Homemade product at work

Self-cutting device with aircraft tires

In one of the simple and at the same time effective self-cutters presented below, the basis of the mechanism is aviation rubber, a plastic profile, a piece of plastic from a DVD or CD, an aluminum rod, an M6 bolt, two nuts (you can also use a wing, it’s more convenient), pin. As you can see, to make a do-it-yourself undercutter you don’t need scarce materials; you can assemble it from the parts you have on hand.

When fishing for fish using a self-hooking hook, you can use a donkey without a rod and with it, by attaching a device to it. After casting the fishing rod, you need to release the line a little and insert it into the slot of the guard.

Now the auto-cutter is even simpler in design and operation, and how does an undercutter work?. This device works great in the current, it is easy to use and can be used at any time of the year.

Making a hook for a bottom fishing rod with your own hands is not so difficult. But here a reasonable question arises: what is it for? After all, all the fun of fishing lies in hooking and landing fish. Here it is worth understanding the purpose of a hook hook for a bottom fishing rod as an aid when fishing using several rods.

Often when bottom fishing you have to place rods at a decent distance from each other due to a certain terrain.

In such a situation, an automatic undercutter will serve well. You will be able to do something while fishing. For example, if you need to reconfigure one of the gears in case of a break.

The auto-cutter circuit is quite simple. A typical drawing can be found on the Internet. If you still decide to make an automatic undercutter, pay attention to its design.

Automatic undercutters can be divided into two classes:

1. The first ones are installed directly on the rod or nearby. Their essence is to tension the main line using a rubber cord. If it is not available, you can use several bank (stationery) rubber bands. A small lever is made from steel wire (an ordinary paper clip will do). A fishing line is attached to one side of the lever, and a rubber band under tension is attached to the other. The lever is located in the first ring of the rod. When the fishing line is pulled horizontally, the lever pops out of the ring. Next, the elastic band begins to contract, dragging the fishing line along with it.
2. In the second method, the cutting mechanism is placed on a leash. Auto-hooking occurs directly in the water. The essence of the method again comes down to the spring mechanism. When biting, the fish releases one end of the lever, which is under tension. Straightening up, the lever makes a sharp jerk on the main line, thereby hooking the fish.

Auto hooker will help increase your catch. It will work faster than you are near the rod.

It should be noted that fishermen have been using various automatic hookers for a long time. Most of them are developed by folk craftsmen. Although it is already possible to purchase these factory-assembled mechanisms on international Internet sites.

Mention should also be made of interesting species invented by the people.

For example, a float auto-cutter:

• in this case, the upper antenna is removed from the float;
• a homemade foam ring with a diameter slightly larger than the thickness of the antenna is put on it;
• then the antenna is glued into place. The ring should move freely along the antenna;
• a bead is attached on top;
• When biting, the ring prevents the float from plunging into the water, hooking the fish.

If the fish rises, this method will be useless.

When there is a good bite, then with automatic hooking you can hook the fish more often than in the case of manual hooking, when you can simply miss the right moment to hook. But this is the peculiarity of fishing. A do-it-yourself self-cutting device can be made in various versions. Such devices are very simple, so they can be made with your own hands.

Option 1

The self-hook is designed for use with a fishing rod or spinning rod and the spring properties of the rod. During a bite, the bent rod is released by the hooking mechanism, as a result, the fish is automatically hooked without any action from the fisherman.

In the image we can see a general diagram of the operating principle of such a system.

To connect the parts of the self-undercutter structure, wire bushings are used, which are soldered, or bolts - you can choose one of these solutions.

There are different options for the material - steel with or without galvanization, preferably brass. In general, whatever is at hand.

All the elements of the homemade product need to be connected and at the same time ensure that the moving parts should move easily and not get stuck anywhere. You can put a minimum amount of machine oil on them.

Now we have one part of a homemade auto hook. You can make a holder for installing a fishing rod or spinning rod with your own hands or buy a ready-made glass. Or take some other object of a suitable shape to attach the rod to. For example, you can use the diagram below.

The autocutter is ready. You can put the homemade hooking mechanism in the working position and wait for the fish to be hooked.

Option 2

I once came across an American-made self-cutter for fishing. It is made in a fairly simple design, as with other options, so there will be no difficulties in its manufacture.

The operating principle of such a device and how to use it can be learned from the images provided.

There is no need to be afraid to do experiments. Fishing is a hobby that can be approached creatively.

Option 3

The original float and automatic hooking

Depending on what kind of fish you are going to catch, you should choose one or another tackle for your fishing rod - fishing line, hooks, float. Some fish species are very voracious. The peculiarity of catching such fish is that you don’t even have to blink an eye - and the fish is already hooked, deep-throating it with the bait. In this case, it is quite difficult to pull out the hook. To remove it and free the fish, you will have to take tweezers or some other object.

To avoid such inconvenient situations, you can make a kind of self-hooking device in the form of an improved conventional float.

To do this, you need to take a regular store float; it should have a thin and long upper rod, at the end of which there is a thickening in the form of a head. To improve this float, you need to take a small piece of foam or cork.

First, take the cork (or foam plastic) and cut a fragment in the form of a circle; its thickness should be 5–10 mm. After this, you need to take a drill and make a hole in the center of the circle. Its diameter should be such that the circle placed on this rod can move freely up and down, while the head of the rod will serve as a limiter for its movement. When the hole is ready, you need to take a blade or sharp knife and make a cut from the hole to the edge of the circle.

This is necessary to ensure that the circle is aimed at the float, or to remove it if necessary. It is better not to cover the circle with paint, as due to foreign odors, fish in the water may simply bypass the bait.

The work of this improvement is based on the following principle. Some fish - for example, perch or rotan - have this feature - they grab the bait very sharply. In the event of a sharp bite, the float goes under the water, and the circle stops on the water with the head of the float - and thus hooks the fish. In such a simple way, with a modified float, the catch increases significantly. As practice shows, such a self-hooking device works with your own hands, even if you are not near the fishing rod.