CORD ARM INDICATORS
These are self contained units that clip to the rear rodrest. As built they are very sensitive but using a very basic add on can be made extremely sensitive and overcome undertow, flow etc.
Rear alarms operate on the principle that the actuating switch is held in the off position by the tension of the line. A run pulls the line out of the line clip allowing the switch to go on thus sounding the alarm. Any type of alarm can indicate a run - sensitivity is not an issue.
However, rear alarms should be sensitive in detecting and reacting to a reduction in line tension - known as a drop back. This occurs where a fish picks up the bait and moves the lead thus reducing the tension of the line. Most rear alarms using a rigid arm need actual line movement to register this sort of pick up. The reason why is simple. A rigid arm operating on a pivot moves in an arc, The longer the arm, the more line movement is needed to move the arm to a position to allow the switch to go on. You can demonstrate this for yourself with a bicycle wheel. With the spindle moving a set amount, the amount of actual movement the wheel moves as you move out towards the rim increases.
This is the big flaw in rigid arm alarms. They require an excessive amount of movement to actuate the switch to allow the alarm to sound - and that will be in ideal circumstances. Add undertow or flow and the amount of tension is increased. Also, because actual line movement is required the line clip must be free to slide on the line at all times. Some clips - especially when using braid - do grip the line thereby not allowing the arm to fall. A nightmare scenario is a big drop back with a fish swimming towards you with the bait whilst your alarm rigid arm stays neatly tucked up under the reel because the line clip is gripping the line. Believe me - this happens!
The answer to this is easy. Get rid of the rigid arm and connect the line directly to the switch. Any movement on the line will be transmitted directly to the switch. It won't matter if the line clip grips the line because it doesn't need to slide on the line. The amount of movement needed to actuate the switch is reduced to a tiny amount. In fact it doesn't actually need movement as the whole thing will operate purely on line tension. It is far more sensitive than a conventional rigid arm alarm will ever be.
It does have its drawbacks though. I use it purely for deadbaiting with static deads. Any bait that can impart even a tiny amount of movement renders this alarm useless as it will be sounding every time the bait moves. People do use them in conjunction with a float (why?) but that is not what they are supposed to do.
Their role is to be totally silent in all weather conditions with big waves or boat wash pounding into the shore. They will not sound unless something touches that bait (or if setup in really sensitive mode) the undertow eases. (I have all my 4 alarms going off within minutes of each other when this happens). I use these on my local waters in the Lake District and when I venture to the Highlands. All of these waters can be rough. The areas can be wet - in fact very wet is a more suitable expression. These alarms work in all water and weather conditions. They will indicate a Ferox mouthing a bait in rough, windy conditions - believe me when I say that they are delicate pickups. Irrespective of the conditions, when one of these sounds it will be because something is messing with the bait. It may display no slack line at all and yet it will have reacted to a change in line tension - basically a fish.
The other good thing about these is the fact that they are quite small, very loud and the batteries last for years and years and years ........
Build them yourself. Its not difficult. Email me at the address below and I will send you a link for the plans. This includes all part numbers from suppliers plus a list of tools and procedures. Some parts you will need to source yourself.
The unit is NOT submersible.
These are not hi-tech, transistorised, digtal alarms with a plethora of features. What they are, are solid, reliable, loud and very sensitive alarms. I have been making and using these for about 18 years now. If you deadbait then these are the most sensitive rear alarms you will find.
Email me for further details or any questions you may have at
These are two of my own alarms.
"Just finished making three of your cord alarms Mick,great in all conditions i've fished in the last few days,and it's been grim."
Comments .....
Alan Stirling, Scotland.
Comments and suggestions gratefully received.