Ask a group of anglers what type of bite alarm they are using and you are likely to get a wide range of answers, some are so much into the simplicity of the old school set up, others are completely dependent on the use of modern electronic systems. They both belong on the bank, yet which is the best? The reality is, that it is all in what type of fishing you engage in and how much you enjoy having your equipment do the observing on your behalf.
The Old School Way
Anglers used to be forced to use crude visual cues to identify bites before electronics replaced it. The popular tools were bells, bobbins, and hangers. You would tie one to a line or rod, and when a fish would take the bait the movement or sound would signal you.
It is as simple as can be – no batteries, no buttons and no possibility of a false reading due to a faulty circuit.
That is the reason why many traditional anglers still adore this set-up. It is easy, silent and keeps you in contact with what is going on in the water. You are watching the rod, feeling the line and reading the bite yourself. The practical mode could be more interesting.
And, besides, bells and hangers do not break. You may drop them, or make them dirty, or wet them in the rain, and they will still do the same.
However, there is a twist (no pun intended). They rely on your attention. You can easily overlook a small bite, particularly in poor weather or low light, especially when you are distracted, chatting, making tea or checking your phone. Electronic bite alarms come in at that point.
The Electronic Alarming Revolution
Electronic bite alarms were a game changer to many anglers. You do not have to be on top of your rod but can place it on the alarm, feed your line through the roller and leave the machine do the work. You can hear a beep when a fish draws the line, and most of the time there is a flash of light as well.
It is easy, yet very effective. The technology has also become much better over the years. The contemporary alarms are weatherproof, sensitive, and adjustable. You are able to adjust the tone, volume, and even the sensitivity of the sensor to movement.
There are those that are wirelessly linked to receivers, so you can relax in your bivvy, or even take a nap without having to worry. Your receiver glows and rings when the fish hits.
Electronic alarms are virtually indispensable to night angllers or howsoever many rods they have. They allow you to move more freely and have a greater opportunity to respond quickly to an event.
What Each Type Does Best
When you are in doubt of which to choose, it is useful to consider what type of fishing you do the most.
Casual or short-session fishing: Traditional indicators are quite acceptable. They are easy, inexpensive and perfect when you are sitting near your rods and are actively watching out to be bitten.
Night fishing or long sessions: It is very convenient with electronic alarms. You need not worry; you can keep dry in the bivvy, and you can be quick to react when your line moves.
Budget conscious fishermen: There is no competition with conventional choices. A pair of hangers are often quite cheap and can last several years.
Anglers that use it all year round or in rough conditions: You need an electronic alarm. They deal with bad weather, they read properly, and they keep you out of the rain with your rod tip in your face.
As a matter of fact, most anglers use both. An electronic alarm can be used with a small visual alert (such as a swinger or hanger) to provide feedback (sound and movement).
Finding Your Balance
It’s not really a case of which is better, but what fits you. There are individuals who enjoy the quiet and concentration of old-school systems. Other people like the comfort and assurance that modern technology offers.
When you prefer to get your hands in the water and every move of the line has you on the edge of your seat, then you will always love traditional equipment. However, when you are spending long hours or simply need to relieve yourself, it is no shame to leave an electronic alarm to do the watching.
The Modern Middle Ground
These days you do not need to choose between one and the other. Many anglers use a combination of the two worlds, a small hanger to give visual feedback and an electronic alarm to give sound. It is an installation that leaves no stone unturned and you can see and hear what is happening.
And in case you are new to fishing, it is better to begin with simple and go higher. After a few moments of waterfront you will decide whether you prefer the vintage quality or the comfort of a more developed one.
Finally, it is what you feel comfortable doing on the bank, fishing. It might be the soft clink of a bell or the loud beep of an alarm, but the point is you are out there, with your rods in place, and you are waiting that next bite.