Anyone use a bite detector/alarm while bottom fishing? I was fishing next to some people last week at a local lake. They had numerous poles out and everytime someone got a strike, their rod would sound off with a high-pitched, screeching sound.
As it turned out the fishermen were Orientals and didn't
have much experience with the King's English, so I couldn't ask them about the alarms.
Is anyone here familiar with these bite detectors? I got to thinking they might be a good thing for a catfisherman to have especially if he were night fishing and happen to doze off.

I see a lot of the carp guys using gear like that. I use bait clicker reels for catfishing most of the time so thats what I listen for at night.

Uncle B,

These alarms are very good for catfish. In fact, I capture maybe as many as 20 catfish for every buffalo. I'd be happy to show you the system.

Here is an alarm;
https://www.resistancetackle.com/catalog.php?mode=publicview&ref=69

A hanger;
https://www.resistancetackle.com/catalog.php?mode=publicviewitemdetail&ref=1763

A bankstick or rod pod;
https://www.resistancetackle.com/catalog.php?mode=publicview&ref=21

Here is a video showing how they work together;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y54QWxI1YOo&feature=related

If you combined this set up with this bait you will be in catfish heaven;
http://www.bigcarptackle.com/store/product.php?productid=17418&cat=347&page=1

You will need to learn to tie a hair rig. It's much like a simple snell knot;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl8FbKe_f6U

Theres a rod at walmart with a bite alarm on it ,kinda cheap lookin, and besides it just takes the fun away from fishin.

I can understand the "fun" thing if your just out fishing for a few hours. If your fishing for a long time however, it is a must. I just fished from Wednesday - Sunday and I couldn't have done it without indicators. It really is no different than a baitclicker.

I like round reels with clickers that way a big cat can pick it up run with it.The peck peck is not what I'm looking for.

Clickers are the best. Once you get your line set and most of the slack out, you set the clicker and open the bail. When a fish takes the bait he can run with it and you will definitely know he is on. It goes "BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ". Obviously you have to use a slip sinker rig.

ohhhhh man I love the sound of the clicker going off!!

You got to by the looks on that last video you were so excited about hooking one of those reds that you took the rod and sand spike with you to fight the fish! One of my favorite memories in saltwater fishing is drifting for kingfish and all is quiet and all of a sudden one of our reels starts screaming with a fish running away at 30 mph. Totally awesome!

Reds on clickers is cool.

I've only ever caught one red. It was in the bayou down in Lafitte, LA. I was actually bass fishin, flipping a 7 in lizard. The red took it right at the boat. I set the hook and it took off! 8 lb red! I got it to the boat, it ran again. I got it back to the boat, it ran again. It was awesome!

I have some cheap electronic bite alarms, and they are okay but batteries, electronics around water, can be a pain. Sure the more expensive ones work fine.

I typically will simply click on a "jingle bell" using a wire and a clothespin. Better than the cowbells they sell which require a little too much motion to make noise.

I'll loosen up the front drag on my spinning reals sometimes so they work a bit like bait clickers. This is when I'll really not paying attention and don't want my gear to wind up in the water.