[Brothers upstairs, when I first learned fishing, I was just like you, using the flat-water method with two indicators for several years, then gradually began learning other methods like four indicators.
However, as the fishing method became more refined, the catches were less, not sure if it's due to the skills or the resources aren't as good as before!]
[I also feel the flat-water method with two or three indicators is typically less sensitive! Zhang Yang, did you just say something wrong about this detail?]
Seeing so many fishing friends debating whether the flat-water method with two indicators is sensitive or not, Zhang Yang scratched his head a bit helplessly.
This detail is actually something he encountered when he first learned fishing. However, through practical fishing experience, he gradually gained insights, and eventually fully understood it after experimenting in a clear pond without fertilizer factors.
Now, looking across forums, it seems the flat-water method with two or three indicators is a fishing method that nearly every angler encounters with steadfast misconceptions.
A fishing buddy questioned Zhang Yang whether he said something wrong, followed by numerous others agreeing.
Although it seems inconspicuous, it has a significant impact on practical fishing. Zhang Yang thought it was necessary to explain, so he quickly organized his thoughts.
"Everyone, stop arguing! I did not misspeak; flat-water method with two indicators is indeed not necessarily less sensitive!
Since so many people don't understand, let me explain it fundamentally! Listen to me, and if you still insist on your viewpoint afterward, it's not too late to discuss further!
Firstly, the meaning of flat-water adjustment, everyone understands it, right?
Cutting lead sheet under the condition of empty hook half-water, until showing a tiny bit of the bobber's red tip, letting the entire bobber's indicators be submerged in water, and this time the remaining buoyancy of the bobber basically cancels out the weight of the lead sheet!
Fishing with two or three indicators? It is normal baiting after adjusting the bobber, pushing up the float seat until exposing two or three indicators!
Because the fishing indicators are higher than the adjusted indicators, the bottom hook of the sub-line is definitely reaching the bottom, and only when the sub-line bends, the bobber surfaces showing more indicators!
Up to this point, does anyone have any disagreements about what I said? This is basic knowledge of fishing bobber adjustments!
Alright, let's delve deeper, when you normally bait and cast into the water, doesn't the bait give the entire rig a downward force?
At this moment, the bottom bait touches the bottom, after rebalancing, the weight of the bottom bait doesn't participate in the dynamic balance of the rig; the key is on the upper bait!
In pole-fishing, there is a hook distance, when the bottom hook of the sub-line reaches the bottom, what about the upper hook? At this point, the state of the upper hook is questionable!
Some say the sub-line bends, the upper hook will be lightly touching the bottom influenced by the supporting force from the sub-line.
Others say, the upper hook will continue downward, becoming semi-lying or upright underwater, anyway, it's definitely touching the bottom!
Many have tried this state at home using bobber adjustment barrels, arriving at the conclusion of one hook lying, another touching the bottom, therefore firmly believed!
Here's where the misconception lies!
The same bobber and rig, same adjustments, water depth, and bait weight, in bobber barrels compared with natural water bodies, the state of double hooks might differ!
What's the difference in between?
The difference is, the demonstration of entering the water in barrels is straightforward, without the process of swaying of descent, while in natural water, the fishing rig is stretched open.
After entering the water, the rig begins to accelerate under the pull of the weight, waiting for the main line to stretch tight, the bobber starts turning, then part below the weight begins secondary swaying!
This swaying state has the concept of travel, high school physics teaches that while double hooks descend, they also slowly swing back from a far point, split into horizontal and vertical downward movements, trajectory resembling an arc!
Under this state, if the bait weight is heavier, the downward force direction, acceleration will be quicker, decreasing the time from secondary swaying to touching bottom!
The landing point for double hooks will be relatively farther, increasing the tension level of fishing line underwater.
And if the hook and bait have relatively smaller weight?
For example, using red worms or corn kernels, leisurely entering water with low acceleration, double hooks touching the bottom takes longer, bait's horizontal swaying distance increases, shortening the distance from the bank to landing point! The angle between the water surface line and underwater line approaches ninety degrees vertical!
In the second situation, the main line part of the rig, tension level will be poorer, differing from the directness of the first situation!
Due to different line curves, partial line tension counteracts upper hook gravity, pulling the upper hook into a suspended state, causing sub-line bending degree not as imagined! The lighter the bait weight and thicker rig, the more pronounced this phenomenon!
If one hook lies at the bottom, another touches or bends towards the bottom, it can be called less sensitive, but if one hook touches bottom and another is suspended? It can't be considered insensitive! This state might be very sensitive!
The common flat-water method with two indicators, using red worms to fish, underwater conditions, those with large containers can experiment themselves, definitely showing a noticeable theoretical difference!
If we have experimental conditions in the future, I'll live stream the demonstration showcasing these differences!
After explaining so much, does everyone understand?"
[Uh, understood, but not entirely!]
[Just wondering if the difference is really that big? I thought both hooks would lie flat!]
[Zhang Yang explained the difference is significant, so how to ensure the upper hook definitely touches the bottom? Is there a simple way?
Regarding different bait types, how to correctly adjust the bobber? I thought I understood but hearing you speak, the force analysis seems more complex!]
[Damn it, analyzing forces in physics during school never felt so difficult! The more I listen, the more confused I get, better to just remember the answer!]
[+1 upstairs, difficult brothers united!]
Zhang Yang continued: "Actually, to determine the underwater rig state, there's a simple method for rough reference, unless under certain extreme conditions, most states are relatively accurate!
Correct bobber adjusting method, before determining the adjustment and fishing indicators, first weigh the single bait at half water! For example, bait weighs four indicators, then after normal baiting, adjust bobber on the foundation of four indicators adding a bit, so we add one indicator, finally determined adjustment indicator is five indicators!
The adjustment indicator of five, during bait's secondary swaying process, achieves basic balance of gravity and buoyancy, completing the curve movement accurately, reaching horizontal and vertical distances appropriately and after entire rig balances, angle of surface and underwater line approaches ninety degrees vertical.
Under this state, the rig's condition won't greatly differ from the barrel's experimental state, adjustment indicators subtracting hook distance is the height of fishing indicators exposed above water.
Exceeding this critical height, upper hook touches bottom, if below, upper hook will suspend!
Of course, during actual fishing, double hooks touching bottom doesn't necessarily mean it's good.
Selection of adjusting and fishing indicators should correspond to fish condition and fishing strategy arrangement, some fish conditions are suitable for reaching afar, needing main line stretched straight entering water, reaching afar.
Some fish conditions suit bottom-off fishing, needing double hooks not touching bottom, searching designated water layer height positions etc.
Thus born different fishing methods like catching flying lead, fishing with large moving lead, small moving lead, bottom-off and so forth.
For wild fishing, a lot of techniques aren't used commonly without competitive or sports fishing scenarios.
I explained precise adjusting, if understood, it naturally increases fishing skills, even if not remembering so much is fine, as long as the answer is remembered!
Here's a formula, about typical characteristics of adjusting:
Adjust low, fish high, quick positioning is insensitive. Adjust low, fish low, weak bites, true exit goes far.
Adjust high, fish low, slow positioning, sensitive fishing. Adjust high, fish high, large mouth selection space, suitable for fishing old slippery fish.