The famous "toc" on the way down!

Pulling means throwing a soft shad type lure set up on a leaded head, animating it by making large animations with the rod to take off the lure from the bottom and then control the descent. The suction of the lure by the fish intervenes most of the time at the descent and is characterized by a "knock". This type of fishing can be carried out from the shore in areas where there is bottom and current, but is mainly practised by boat in depths of between 5 and 20 metres. It is very effective on the bass and allows you to go and look for fish set at the bottom. At the beginning this technique was practiced with much more powerful rods, with big leaded heads and big braid. In fact, we realized that the majority of the posts were fished with leaded heads between 20 and 45g and that a thin line brought more resonance. This new fishing power is described as medium traction as opposed to the heavy traction practiced previously. On a scale, the combos mentioned below are actually heavier than the power range of the blanks. There are several reasons for this. Traction is a "slow" animation that does not put too much strain on the blank other than casting compared to fly fishing for example. The more a rod is "loaded", the more resonance it offers. And as in the sea you have the wind, the current, the depth and the salt water (which makes the whole thing float more), you load more than in fresh water. With the exception of certain spots, and very specific fishing conditions, above 45g, we are often much more efficient in vertical/diagonal than in casting.

peche du bar sur un bateau avec un budget limité

Very good and affordable blanks

To practice this technique effectively, you need a blank that throws far, that is not too steep and with very good resonance and sensitivity. Sensitivity can be distinguished as the fact of feeling the caudal vibrate and resonance as the fact of "hearing" the lure hit the bottom. Clearly, the MB blanks 805-6-7-8 and 9 HM from NFC are magical but they are relatively expensive since we are around 250€ per blank. The IM (intermediate module) are more accessible but we are still around 190€. If the budget is limited or the use is infrequent, another alternative should be considered. This alternative exists with 3 blanks of 3 different brands.

  1. Phoenix C764MH 2m29 15-50g. A very versatile blank. When conditions are optimal a black minnow 120 in 18g represents its low range and at most a 40g leaded head plus a 15cm shad. Its versatility comes from its intermediate length. It goes without saying, however, that the casting distances and the amplitude of traction are less important and the tip a little less flex.
  2. NFC SJ 804 Delta 2m43 10-40g: Delta blanks are a mix of several carbons and glass fibres which allows you to obtain a high performance blank for less than 110€. For this blank, the data from the comparator is quite astonishing since its power range is actually between an MB 805 and 807 HM. The low range can be represented by a 10cm shad + TP of 15g and at most a shad of 150 + TP 35g or a Black minnow 140 in 40g.
  3. Rodbuilders' Republic PPS 80 XH : 2m43, 30-90g. A blank suitable for heavy traction in areas with strong current. It begns to perform well  with 30g jig head and accepts 60g jig heads without problem. 

PHX-C764MH Blank

7'6 15-50g grs

Casting distance
Sensitivity
Réserve de puissance
Caudal sensitivity
Lightness
value for money
145,50 € Including taxes
SJ 804-1 DELTA Blank

2.43 m 10-40 grs

Casting distance
Sensitivity
Réserve de puissance
Caudal sensitivity
Lightness
value for money
118,80 € Including taxes
PPS80XH Blank

8' 243cm 30-90g   Traction / Swimbait

Casting distance
Sensitivity
Réserve de puissance
Caudal sensitivity
Lightness
value for money
136,80 € Including taxes