Fishing in winter. Fishing in winter - tips from an experienced fisherman on how to catch fish and make winter fishing as safe as possible

There are several reasons why pike is a popular target for winter fishing. Among the main ones, it should be noted that pike is a large, strong and interesting fish in terms of fishing. Not only novice fishermen, but also experienced fishermen dream of such a trophy as pike. Catching a toothy predator evokes many positive emotions, which fishermen who are freezing in winter want to experience.

December is the height of winter pike fishing. Winter spinners for vertical lures, balancers and girders are used. The spinning rods are already lying in garages, pantries or closets and are waiting for the open water season, when their owner will pick them up again and send them to work again with an uncertain wave, forgotten over the winter. Of course, there are bodies of water that don't freeze...

November has arrived and in the more northern regions of our country, water bodies begin to become covered with ice. It's time to fish on the first ice. Fishermen are eagerly waiting for the ice to become safe (at least 10 cm thick), preparing gear, bait and purchasing the necessary consumables. A very interesting object of fishing in November is perch, and it is very effective to catch it on the first ice on...

Fishing in February is not the most favorable time for anglers. Constant changes in weather and wind direction, frosts, snowfalls... All this does not have the best effect on the activity of fish. But not going fishing for a whole month while waiting for the last ice is not an option for many anglers. The main thing is to know that fish continue to feed in February, and therefore continue to be caught. ..

Winter fishing not every fisherman likes it or, if you like, can do it. But in reality, only those fishermen who have never tried to catch fish from ice don’t like it. I myself, to be honest, until I went winter fishing, I didn’t understand how interesting fishing in the snow, cold and practically with...

Fans of winter fishing cherish hope, expecting that soon after the autumn bad weather the first frost will hit and they will be able to go fishing. Until that moment arrives, the angler moves his gear from box to box in pursuit of perfectly organized winter fishing gear. Sometimes forgetting about the bitter cold that one has to experience on the ice, the fisherman neglects the rules...

With the onset of winter, all anglers are in a hurry to open the winter fishing season. And, of course, the main object of winter fishing is perch. Catching perch on the first ice is interesting because this fish practically does not lose activity, despite the sharp drop in temperature, which allows an angler who misses winter fishing to “have a blast” 100%. In this article we will look...

Since you came to this article on the site, it means you decided not to buy a fishing rod for winter fishing, but to make it yourself. Well, good idea! Making tackle with your own hands is very exciting and, by the way, profitable! Someone doesn't understand why winter fishing rod yourself, if you can just go to a fishing store and choose it ..

Many fishermen who have sufficient fishing experience have become accustomed to making many fishing tackles and baits with their own hands. For a beginner to start using homemade baits I highly recommend it for several reasons. The main ones are: If you are a beginner, you do not know how the bait should work when catching a particular fish and you may make mistakes in manufacturing,..

Tench is a very beautiful and spectacular fish. When you catch such a beauty as tench, your emotions simply go through the roof. The unusual, almost golden with a copper tint, color of the fish makes the heart beat faster and the soul is filled with pride for such a trophy. After all, tench is a rather rare fish and does not live in all reservoirs. And in those reservoirs where it is found...

If you love winter fishing, then catching perch in winter with a jig is definitely included in your fishing program. After all, perch is one of the most numerous and active representatives of the fish kingdom in winter. It remains active throughout the year, but catching perch from the ice is something else, significantly different from catching perch on the open...

Asp

The asp is a predatory representative of the carp family. If you decide to try to catch an asp in winter, then you will have to try hard, because the asp is not a particular fan of this cold season and prefers to lie down in the pits until the onset of more favorable weather conditions, that is, spring. But the asp does not completely lose activity in winter, or rather not in all reservoirs. At all..

Chub

Chub fishing does not end with the onset of cold weather and this beautiful fish continues to feed in winter. Sometimes it’s better, sometimes it’s worse, but the chub remains active in the cold season, so fishing for chub in winter is a favorite pastime of many anglers. In this article we will look at how to catch chub in winter and how not to be left without a catch. Actually, if...

Fishing for perch in winter is one of the most common activities of ice anglers. Pulling shells from a hole in winter is really quite exciting. But if you know how to catch perch in winter, then you would probably like to know how to catch large perch in winter. In this article we will look at what, where and how to catch large perches. You must understand that you are not...

Ide is a desired trophy for many fishermen. This is a very beautiful and strong fish. As for winter fishing for ide, you must understand that you won’t be able to catch it in large quantities, because ide moves around the reservoir in small schools and is often caught along with other fish. But if you know where and how best to catch it, then the amount caught...

Winter fishing is a favorite hobby of many fishermen. Despite the cold, blizzard and not entirely comfortable conditions, fishermen gather on the ice and drill more and more holes in search of fish. Some people catch roach and bream, while others prefer winter predator fishing. In this article we will talk about one of the most catchy...

Fishing for crayfish in the winter can be very rewarding. During this cold season, large crayfish are often caught, which are very pleasant to catch, because a large crayfish really has something to eat and they are great to eat with beer or just in a friendly family atmosphere at dinner. Most The best way catching crayfish in winter means catching crayfish with crayfish traps. This..

Catching gudgeon in winter is not such an easy task when compared with catching gudgeon in the warm season. But if you know where to look for it, and also how and what to catch it with. And they catch gudgeon in winter mainly because it is a very good baitfish for fishing. predatory fish and will be an excellent bait for...

Gustera

Fishing for silver bream in winter is very widely practiced by ice fishermen. This fish is almost a copy of bream, but there are certain differences. And it grows much smaller in size than its older brother, the bream. White bream is quite active in winter, which makes catching it from ice very effective. Of course, each fish has its own fishing characteristics and each fish...

Probably most fishermen are passionate about carp fishing. How could it be otherwise, because this is a very interesting fish in terms of fishing - it is large, exhibits incredible resistance when fishing and requires a special approach when fishing. This is why anglers do not stop fishing for carp even in winter from the ice. But catching carp in winter is not at all similar to catching it in warm weather...

Trout fishing is like a drug. A fisherman who has tried to catch this fish once in his life will no longer be able to refuse this pleasure. Therefore, trout fishing continues in winter, because the fish are quite active at this time of year. Trout is a very interesting fishing object for many characteristics - it reaches a pleasant size; requires a special approach, you won’t just get hooked; ..

Winter fishing is a completely different style of fishing than summer fishing. A winter fisherman must have greater endurance and patience. Anything can happen on ice and a real fisherman must be prepared for anything. Moreover, in winter the temperature can drop significantly below zero and comfort at such a temperature is out of the question.

Drilling holes in search of fish also requires stamina from the angler. Fish can be much more difficult to find in winter than in summer. With experience, you will learn to identify promising places and fish them much faster, and the “Winter Fishing” section on the Rybkolov website will help you with this!

You will find everything related to winter fishing on the pages of this section. You will learn to choose winter spinners, jigs and balancers, as well as select rods, depending on what kind of fish you catch. And most importantly, you will know how to fish in winter.

What fish are caught in winter?

Some fish hibernate in winter, some lose activity, but are still occasionally caught. In general, in winter, all fish, with the exception of fish that love the cold, become less active than in summer. But still, catching some types of fish in winter is quite relevant and, with certain skill, can bring good results.

Winter fishing on first ice

Winter fishing on first ice is very productive. During this period, most fish are still quite active and respond well to bait. But winter fishing on the first ice is also fraught with danger, because the ice is not yet strong enough, and fishermen, who have waited so long for the water to be covered with ice, rush to fish without waiting until it is safe to go out on the ice.

In order to protect yourself as much as possible at the beginning of the winter fishing season, you should go out on the ice only when it is strong enough to support the weight of the fisherman and use an ice pick. An ice pick is a long stick with a sharp metal tip designed to break through ice or test its strength. Before each step, tap the ice with a pick to make sure it is not washed out and is strong enough.

During the period of first ice, fish are actively caught from morning until evening, and some species of fish continue to be caught at night.

Winter fishing in the wilderness

In the midst of winter, the ice on reservoirs is already thick and poses virtually no danger. But the fish during this period are quite passive and are caught much worse than at the beginning or end of winter, but nevertheless the fish continue to be caught and anglers in any weather rush to fish to catch fish or at least knock down the fishing osk.

During the wilderness period, the well-known cold-loving freshwater inhabitant, a representative of cod fish, continues to be caught well. And during short periods of weakening winter, you can very successfully catch other fish, which become more active along with the decline of winter frosts.

Winter fishing on the last ice

All winter anglers are looking forward to the approach of spring. When winter begins to take its toll, the fish bite becomes more active and you can fish to your heart's content. These last weeks of active biting can bring a good catch, and after no bite in the dead of winter, fishing in the last ice It seems simply fabulous, because bites can follow one after another.

And again you need to be careful on the ice, use the pick, check the ice before each step. Remember that the ice is getting thinner every day and the active fish bite should not overshadow your caution.

Tackle for winter fishing

And of course we need to mention winter gear. Tackle for winter fishing is completely different from summer fishing, because in winter, when fishing from ice, there is no need to long cast, and the hole is directly in front of you. Therefore, winter fishing rods are short handles with or without a reel.

A nod or float is used as a bite alarm. I think everyone knows what a float is, and a nod is an elastic oblong tip on a winter fishing rod through which the fishing line is pulled. In case of a bite, the nod bends, giving a signal to the angler that he is ready to hook.

For each fish, different tackle, fishing line and hooks are used, so the tackle for a specific fish should be specified in the article about it.

Search for fish

There is an opinion that fishing on the first ice should be very successful. And this really happens if the reservoir is completely covered with an ice crust. If we don’t find fish under the shore, we should go to the dump in the depths, study the riverbed or sit in the bay. But in this case we have a limited area...

Choosing a site for winter fishing
The choice of place for fishing depends on the following: what kind of fish we need to catch. For example, pike prefers places with grass, and pike perch, in turn, avoids such places, and likes to hide behind heavy snags, stones, etc.

Accessories for ice fishing

Preparation for winter fishing is carried out more thoroughly than for summer fishing. Therefore, it will simply be impossible to do without some accessories. For example, in frosty winter the hole constantly freezes, and is also periodically covered with snow. To prevent snow and pieces of ice from interfering with fishing, they must be regularly removed from the hole. Doing so …

What fish are caught in winter?

In winter you can fish for the majority of fish; fishing is carried out with both a jig and float tackle, both for spinners and for live bait. And what kind of burbot are caught in winter...

Meanwhile, winter fishing is a dangerous activity; you should never forget about personal safety measures. We will talk about winter fishing in relation to each type of fish, and we will talk separately about safety precautions so that this information is always with you.

Now I want to tell you how to fish in winter, in general terms. To search for more detailed information about winter fishing, scroll up, there we publish interesting articles.

Let's consider all three periods of winter fishing. What kind of fish is caught in winter, what determines its activity, and what baits are used when fishing.

Winter for all inhabitants of reservoirs begins with the appearance of ice crust and here its thickness does not matter significantly. It is important to note that heat-loving fish hibernate when winter comes. Only cold-loving fish continue to be active, which include: grayling, burbot, vendace, trout, as well as roach, pike, pike perch, ruff, perch, and bream.

In winter, the activity of both peaceful and predatory fish largely depends on weather conditions, this is explained by the low concentration of oxygen in the water, as well as the lack of food. It is believed that the best weather for fishing is calm and warm. However, it is important to know that during the period of prolonged thaws, bream, roach and pike will be caught well, burbot activity increases only in unfavorable weather, but pike perch and perch will be caught well on frosty, clear days.

Bait for winter fishing

Fishing on the first ice must comply with certain requirements. The most important- This is a camouflage of the hole that needs to be darkened. The easiest way is to spread a small layer of dry grass or reeds around the hole. Note that during the first days of winter, the fish will still be in the coastal zone for some time, next to the reed thickets. This is especially true for perch and roach.

Large fish will stick to the depth even on the first ice, this is especially true for bream and pike. It is important to know that the predator chooses places with a cluttered bottom for parking; pike and large perch are rarely found in clean sandy areas. At the beginning of winter, perch can be caught well throughout the daylight hours, the peak of its activity occurs in the evening and morning hours, at night this predator sticks to the water column and is practically not active.

Roach fishing will be especially effective on the first one, ice., which adheres to shallow areas. Most often it can be found in creeks, as well as at the exits of bays, where the depth is within 2-3 meters. Areas near the reed border, as well as among thickets of underwater vegetation and along steep banks, are also promising for catching it.

To the deepest parts of the reservoir You should go if you want to catch ide or bream on the first ice. Let us note that bream does not change its stopping place until spring; as for ide, during the period of thaws (prolonged), it can begin to migrate across the reservoir in search of food and new, more comfortable places for parking. Medium-sized ide adheres to areas of the reservoir with a smooth and relatively calm current. You can try catching bream and ide in winter using medium-sized jigs with maggots or bloodworms (read more about catching bream with a jig here). Note that in addition to bream and ide, ruffe, roach, silver bream and perch will also be caught.

Predator in winter(pike perch, pike, perch, burbot) successfully caught artificial baits, as well as using . In the latter case, they are used as gear zherlitsy. It is worth noting that perch and pike are caught mainly during daylight hours. At night you can count on catching burbot and pike perch.

If you plan to use spinners For winter fishing, it is important to choose the right bait in terms of size and shape. So, for catching perch, it is recommended to select spoons of the smallest possible size; large and medium-sized spoons can be used to catch pike or pike perch.

Features of winter fishing in January

Approximately 2-3 weeks after the formation of ice on the reservoir, a period begins when fish activity is minimized or completely absent. Among fishermen, this period of winter is called “dead winter.” Now you can only count on catching perch, roach, silver bream, white bream, as well as pike and pike perch. They are caught using the same baits and tackles as on the first ice. The difficulty of winter fishing will only be that you will have to spend much more time searching for their parking lot.

The only fish that will catch well during the dry winter is burbot. Live bait should be used as bait, and it’s great if it’s a minnow. If you fail, you should not be upset and there is no need to cancel winter fishing; you can use fry of another fish; in extreme cases, dung worms will do. There have been cases of burbot being caught in pieces butter, as well as chicken giblets (we wrote a lot about catching burbot in winter).

Grayling fishing will be good in December, especially in unfrozen sections of rivers. Ice fishing will be most promising above the exits of the holes. Please note that you should begin the process of catching grayling 1-2 hours after the holes are prepared. For winter fishing for grayling, small spoons (25-35 mm) are suitable, the speed of the retrieve is set to the minimum, pauses should be increased.

Pike in the middle of winter It is more often found at great depths, but note that this does not mean that it should be caught only from the bottom. The fry, which is the main source of food, tries to stay above the water column, often even a meter from the ice edge. This is where the active predator will stay, which means the bait must be lowered closer to the depth. Experienced fishermen advise When fishing with girders, arrange the gear so that the baits are at different depths. This will allow you to quickly and accurately determine the depth at which this moment there is an active pike.

Perch medium-sized fish will stick to snags with a depth of 2 meters or more.

For catching roach You should choose areas with a depth of more than three meters away from the current, closer to steep banks. During periods of winter thaws, it can be found in the coastal zone, next to reed thickets.

Pike perch and pike stay in deep holes in the middle of winter. These predators especially love areas with underwater springs that bring in fresh water enriched with oxygen. In small bodies of water, for example in rivers, these predators, even in the middle of winter, will stick to areas that were occupied by them during the first days of the first ice.

Winter fishing during thaws, blizzards and snowfalls

The most productive fishing It remains to catch predatory fish on girders, as well as nodding fishing rods equipped with medium and large spoons or winter balancers. Roach, ruffe, bream and small perch continue to be caught well with small jigs. For catching them, bloodworms, maggots, and dung worms are perfect baits.

You should start looking for fish from the coastal zone, gradually moving to depth. The gear is selected individually in each case, it all depends on the depth in the fishing area, as well as the activity of the fish. Often, in addition to the jig, fishermen install a leash with a regular hook a little higher.

Snowfalls complicate the process of winter fishing, especially during thaw periods. Let us immediately note that under such weather conditions It is important to exercise maximum safety when moving on ice.

Heavy snowfalls negatively affect the activity of fish, with the exception of burbot. Under such weather conditions, occasional bites of perch and roach on the jig will occur; as for the tackle, it is recommended to use a float rod.

In the event of a sharp deterioration in weather conditions the fish tries to stay deep and as close to the bottom as possible. There is absolutely no stability in the bite; success will depend only on the ability to choose the right fishing spot. You can try to catch pike or pike perch in the dark using girders equipped with live bait, but we should immediately note that you should not count on a good catch until weather conditions improve.

Fishing on the last ice

Starting mid-February fish activity increases, but only if the weather outside is warm and stable. The first to revive are perch, bream, pike perch and pike. When fishing in winter with small jigs with bloodworms, the ruff begins to take the ruff from the bottom more and more often and more confidently.

Look for active fish It becomes easier because it constantly migrates through the reservoir during daylight hours, this especially applies to perch and roach. It is most convenient to catch pike perch and pike with baitfish, but the possibility of catching these predators with spoons or balance beams cannot be ruled out.

In the deep mouths of bays and tributaries The roach gradually begins to enter; on warm days it is most often found at mid-water. They catch it during this period using medium-sized jigs with bloodworms. Here you can also find bream, as well as perch, which will actively peck not only from the bottom, but also in the water column.

Long thaws have a positive effect on the activity of bream, which leaves deep holes and begins to migrate throughout the reservoir. To catch bream, not only nodding rods are used, but also float rods equipped with jigs and ordinary hooks on which 3-4 bloodworm larvae are attached simultaneously.

Winter fishing is a favorite hobby of many thousands of our compatriots. This is both a way to take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle and diversify your diet. Some people get so carried away by this activity that they forget about everything in the world. It’s not our place to decide whether this is good or bad, but we can at least somehow ease the harsh fishing hours. We hope that our advice, heard from the lips of a fisherman who is equally passionate about winter fishing, will come in handy.

It’s not our place to decide whether this is good or bad, but we can at least somehow ease the harsh fishing hours. We hope that our advice, heard from the lips of a fisherman who is equally passionate about winter fishing, will come in handy.

Ice hazards

Everyone knows the expression “walk”. It fully corresponds to the concept of winter ice fishing. He stepped almost there and failed. It’s good when the ice is transparent and you can estimate its approximate thickness by looking at small cracks.

But when the ice is covered with snow, moving on it can be extremely dangerous. Especially on rivers, where most often there are gaps in the ice from the current.

High-quality thermal socks are a guarantee of your health

It is advisable to have colored winter fishing rods. White handles will simply be invisible in the snow, especially at dusk.

In winter, the fish is covered with a thick layer of mucus. This causes your hands to become covered with a nasty crust and become very cold. Pre-lubricating your hands with glycerin and wiping your hands with a regular waffle towel after each time you catch fish can help avoid this problem.

Winter gear

Tackle should be selected depending on the type of fishing. For example, for fishing for crucian carp, bream and roach, the fishing line is as thin as possible - 0.1-0.08 mm and the most sensitive float.

Tip - for a clearer response to a bite - attach a pair of 2-3 cm bristles (boar or horse hair, or hard synthetic and a broom) to the tip of the rod.

This way you can notice even the slightest touch of the bait. By the way, in winter, crucian carp, roach, and all other fish take well to jigs and bloodworms hanging above the bottom or lying on the bottom. The hairs on the end of the rod begin to vibrate when touched and provide an opportunity to prepare for hooking.

Bait

A problem in the cold, and even when your hands are wet, is the need to attach bait to a hook or jig. It is especially difficult to plant bloodworms, because if it is pierced in the wrong place, it will be irrevocably damaged. You must accurately hit the tip of the hook through the second knee from the black head. After this, the larva must be dressed like a stocking up to the forearm. Although some fishermen leave it hanging freely.

Then it is preferable to make a bunch of several bloodworms. If there is no bite on the jig, and there are no bloodworms either, always have with you several red woolen threads, from which you can quickly build a bait. Hooks should be thin, small and very sharp.

When moving and moving in boxes, jigs and hooks knock and become very dull, and then with frozen fingers it is very difficult to remove them from the pile. There is a uniquely simple way to organize all these things - take a thin piece of foam, soak it in a few drops of machine oil, which will protect the hooks and jigs from corrosion, and stick them in there in orderly rows.

Before soldering the hook to a jig or spinner, first stick it into a raw potato for 1-2 minutes and only then solder. The hook will remain rigid and hold firmly in place.

Where to get live bait in winter

The best bait in winter is small live bait. They are instantly attacked by large perches, pike-perch on a spree, and even crucian carp and bream, which are ready for any food. But where can you get live bait in winter? Option one is to have an aquarium at home with a compressor and fill it with small fish in the fall.

Keep somewhere cool, but not at sub-zero temperatures. The second way is to catch it directly while fishing. To do this, you need to have a net with a thin mesh (can be made from an old curtain). You need to catch it under bushes that hang over the water, or in cattail thickets. But it is advisable to fish from the shore, since in these places the ice is always thin. First, stir in the silt with a stick, and then use a net to catch the suspension. There will always be a couple of pieces, or even dozens of sleeping fry.

Video about winter carp fishing. Subtleties. Secrets.

Video Winter Fishing for Crucian Carp. No. 17 “About Fishing Seriously.”

Winter fishing very popular among amateur and professional fishermen. The popularity of this type of fishing is growing every year. Currently, many millions of people prefer this exciting activity. In winter, thousands of fishing lovers go to rivers, lakes, ponds and reservoirs, and there is no force that would keep them in the warmth and comfort of home. A true winter fisherman always looks forward to the coming of the season, when at dawn he can walk on hard water, drill the first hole, feel a cautious bite, feel the weight on the fishing line. Winter fishing is fascinating and inviting. Her attraction cannot be expressed in words. Its true essence is deep. Only those who fish can comprehend it, for whom it is not just an activity, but a way of life!

Features of winter fishing

Winter fishing- this is fishing, which involves anglers going out or going out onto the ice of reservoirs. It would be more correct to call her ice fishing. It is no coincidence that in German this type of fishing is called Eisangeln (literally, Eis is ice, and Angeln is fishing).

Winter fishing

This is understandable, since in Germany ice in winter is very rare. And without ice it's just fishing open water in cooler times. In our country, the words “winter fishing” mean fishing from ice, so winter in Russia presupposes the presence of this very ice on the reservoir. Although in use in last years The expression “winter spinning” is also included - a rather exotic type of fishing for us.

Winter fishing is such an exciting activity that a person only needs to visit it once or twice, experience all the delights of this wonderful vacation, and that’s it. Winter fishing is a “disease”, and an incurable one!

How eagerly winter fishing enthusiasts await the start of the next season. In recent years, the weather seems to be specifically testing their nerves. Winter in the central zone comes only in December. And then a holiday comes for winter fishing lovers!

Choosing a site for winter fishing

The choice of place for fishing depends on the following: what kind of fish we need to catch. For example, pike prefers places with grass, and pike perch, in turn, avoids such places, and likes to hide behind heavy snags, stones, etc. So, information about the lifestyle and habits of the fish is not superfluous.

In winter, on ice, you can choose any point in the reservoir as a place for fishing - this is a special advantage of fishing in winter. At the same time, at this time, the underwater world, unfortunately, is closed to the fisherman, and this greatly complicates and complicates the search. Since the warm weather, a true fishing enthusiast has been looking closely at those areas where he is lucky enough to fish on ice. Vegetation in the water, current speed, depth, vector of deflected jets, shallows, rifts, islands, bottom structure (clay, sand, stones, pebbles, boulders) - everything is of interest to him, any information will be used in winter.

In certain places of the reservoir there are thickets of reeds, reeds, and horsetail. Aquatic inhabitants perceive them differently. Reeds can scare fish with their noise, and they almost never enter such places. Reeds are another matter. Among its thickets live pikes, roaches, perches and other fish - some sit out in search of prey, others hide in a safe place.

But the fish are most interested in horsetails. At the beginning of winter days, it often happens that among the thickets of horsetail, which cover large areas of the reservoir, many perches accumulate. different sizes. Horsetails also attract other fish, perhaps due to the fact that the water in such places has special properties due to alkali, and in winter there is more air in such thickets, as it penetrates the hollow stems of the plant and enriches the water. Those fish that have any damage, abrasions, scratches, enter the horsetail thickets as if they were in a hospital. In general, horsetails are a guarantee that there are fish in the reservoir. At the same time, this is a signal to the fisherman about danger, because the ice in the grass area is often less durable than in other places in the reservoir, so you need to approach reeds, horsetails, and various bushes very carefully, checking every step with an ice pick.

Choosing a site for winter fishing

“Piglet” - a relatively shallow place among impressive depths - always attracts fish. Scavengers, perches, and large-sized roaches visit such shallows from time to time; one even wonders how they ended up there. Fishing can be done both directly on the “patch” and on the approaches to it. “Fish trails” really do exist. At some times it is a ditch on an underwater plain, and at other times, on the contrary, it is something like an embankment or shaft that stretches under water in some direction. It happens that such a “path” is guessed by the vegetation, but it also happens that there is no visible vegetation on the bottom, but the fish, nevertheless, do not lose their path and even move along it according to the schedule.

If the hook takes out any greenery from the bottom, the fisherman better inspect it carefully. If it is elodea, then you can leave the hole: as a rule, only small perch and brushes, weighing no more than 20-30 grams, are pecked.

The places where the sandy strip ends and the one covered with pebbles begins are noteworthy; various bugs, larvae, etc. huddle among it - fish of various breeds can live here. Many fish are also attracted by riffles, just like in the summer. Below the rapids, where the depth begins and sometimes goes with ledges, you can often find big fish. At the border where the reverse and forward flow of water intersect, it is convenient to fish with a small jig: there is no current, but fish, nevertheless, can be found.

Search methods used in an unfamiliar body of water may depend on many factors: the time that can be spent fishing, the size of the reservoir and its depth, what kind of fish is preferable for fishing, the absence or presence of various devices, etc.

What is more advisable: searching for fish or waiting for its approach? This is a personal matter for the fisherman: there is no point in recommending an inspection of a large hole to someone who wants to sit and just relax in the fresh air. Such a fisherman chooses a quiet place for himself, drills several holes, feeds and patiently waits for a bite. It happens that patience is rewarded, and the catch of such a fisherman exceeds the catch of a restless fisherman who has tried many holes over the same period of time.

Drilling more than one hole in a meter of ice without checking the first for the presence of fish is advisable only in situations where there is confidence that the work will not be in vain. This approach requires either good knowledge of the reservoir, or, if the reservoir is unfamiliar, the ability to identify fishing spots based on the external environment.

Carrying out a search with depth measurements, or using any signs (openings, cracks, grass) to determine the location of anomalies in the bottom of a reservoir. And only if such a place is found, it is checked whether there is fish. You can do this in the following ways:

The first is to quickly go through the holes with search gear, with further clarification of the fishing methods and the gear used, based on the results of the passage. For example, intensified fishing of the selected horizon, where bites are especially active or, on the contrary, searching for other bottom topography.
The second method is much more reliable, but requires more time, which will be spent on feeding the most successful holes and waiting for the fish to arrive for feeding. In this case, there is a risk of wasting part or all of the complementary food in vain. So it makes sense to feed only those holes in which the presence of fish is very likely to be guessed.
A search method in which a fisherman with ready-made gear “runs” after the intended prey is usually called running fishing. At the same time, an impressive number of holes are fished, with short delays at each. This tactic helps in checking a large area, since time is spent only on fishing and drilling a hole.

Tackle for winter fishing

Winter fishing traditionally loved in Russia. During the winter frosts, the ice of almost every body of water is covered with figures of fishermen who do not leave their shelter until dark in an effort to catch a large fish. Many people point out that it is impossible to use ordinary fishing rods for such fishing; their length of several meters is completely unsuitable for ice fishing. We need a different fishing technology and different gear. And even other bait, and other methods of bait. Any good fishing store will offer fishing fans comfortable gear, a huge selection of winter lures, and a catalog of wobblers, where you can choose everything you need for successful ice fishing.

Fishing rod for winter jig fishing

There are many options for fishing rods for jig fishing, including lightweight ones. The most famous fishing rod is called balalaika, as it is very similar in appearance to this musical instrument. A fishing rod for fishing with a jig should be selected based on its ease of placement in the hand, lightness, and material. The material of the fishing rod must be non-thermal conductive, since fishing with a jig often occurs when holding the tackle with your bare hand.

Fishing rod

Usually it looks like a short light whip no more than 200 mm long. Amateur fishing rods, as a rule, have a massive design that does not allow winter drifting snow to carry them away if the fisherman places the tackle near the hole. The fishing rod usually has supports for mounting on the ice. Most often they are made in the form of thin plastic flyers, although other lightweight material can be used.

fishing line

For this gear, you need to choose fishing lines that are as thin as for a winter float fishing rod. If you plan to fish for large predatory fish, then the cross-section of the fishing line can be increased, but you should remember that this will lead to a deterioration in the performance of the jig.

Nod

For its manufacture the following can be used:

wild boar bristles;
plastic;
spring steel;
rubber, etc.

Its main property is the ability to subtly respond to the slightest movements fishing line It can be replaceable or adjustable. Its task is not only to signal the fish’s bite, but also to ensure that the bait plays.

Mormyshka

It is an indispensable attribute of a winter fishing rod with a nod. The imagination of fishermen has invented many forms and names: “ovsinka”, “pellet”, “droplet”, “Ural”, “plate”, “nymph”, “dreissena”, various “witches”, “devils” and many others. At the moment, the development of this universal bait is proceeding in several directions, but two main ones can be distinguished: in some cases, the jig works with an attachment, in others - without it. Each direction has its own fishing technique and tactics.

Float rod for winter fishing

Winter fishing with a float

A winter float fishing rod does not need a long rod, since it is only needed to hook a pecked fish and weaken its first impulses when fishing. And for this, a short fishing rod is also suitable, quite elastic and flexible, with a length of 30 to 40 cm.

A modern winter fishing rod has a thin and flexible whip, conical in shape, and a small hollow handle. Its design can be solid or collapsible.

Vinyl plastic, bamboo or juniper are used to make the whip; wood, cork, plastic or foam are used to make the handle. Fishing rods are foldable, which is very convenient for carrying. They are made from aluminum tubes and plastic, equipped with a cork handle.

The fishing rod should be different:

strength;
ease;
elasticity;
flexibility when hooking fish, but not excessive.

The reels are attached to the fishing rod, and there is a loop on the top that allows you to secure the line while fishing.

Lines for winter fishing rods must meet high requirements. When preparing for fishing, you need to choose the forest:

thin,
unnoticeable;
durable;
having no nodes.

For winter fishing you need a lightweight, easily visible in the water and highly sensitive float. Winter floats usually have a well-streamlined cone-shaped or cylindrical shape. To make them, cork, plastic, tree bark, and pieces of goose feather are used. The colors for painting them are chosen to be bright, contrasting, and applied in transverse rings along the entire length. When fishing, the float should be upside down with its flat base.

The size of this tackle is chosen depending on the fishing conditions: for calm waters - a small float, for rapids - a larger one.

Winter fishing rod

A winter fishing rod for trolling is chosen depending on the height of the fisherman, but within the range of 50-70 cm. Tackle intended for winter trolling is essentially no different from summer trolling. Some fishermen use a regular short spinning rod for winter fishing.

A winter fishing rod for trolling can be divided into four main components: rod, reel, spoon and line.

For winter predator fishing, choose the same strong fishing rod as for summer fishing. In addition, it should be light in weight, and also equipped with a good, easy-to-run reel that holds a sufficient supply of fishing line.

When choosing a fishing rod for winter fishing, you should remember about guide rings. The winter version usually contains no more than three. Due to the rather large load when trolling, high demands are placed on the quality of the guide rings.

The reel is almost never used in this type of fishing; its task is to store the fishing line.

The fishing line for catching predators is durable and of high quality. For winter fishing you need very little, 30 meters is usually enough. You shouldn’t skimp when buying it, because the winnings can be quite significant. Choosing a high-quality fishing line allows you to reduce its thickness by at least 0.1 mm. The basic rule for choosing a fishing line: the diameter is selected in accordance with the weight of the spoon so that it easily pulls the fishing line without leaving bends or rings. In winter, it is worth abandoning braids, as they quickly lose their plasticity due to freezing.

The most important part of a winter fishing rod for trolling is the spoon. Its quality is determined by several conditions:

its shape should allow it to imitate the movements of live bait during play, provoking the predator to attack;
its color should be attractive, visible from a great distance;
its size should correspond to the size of the prey.

Depending on the size of the spinners, there is some general classification. Spinners are divided into:

Small - from 20 to 30 millimeters;
Medium - from 30 to 50 millimeters;
Large ones - from 50 to 90 millimeters.

Depending on the weight, the spoon is divided into light, medium and heavy. The nature of the game of spinners allows them to be divided into diving, oscillating and falling. In the water, the spoon behaves differently depending on its shape and balance.

Perch, pike perch, pike and chub are caught with a winter fishing rod; grayling and some other species of fish are caught on northern rivers.

Zherlitsy

Classic winter vest

To make a stand winter zherlitsa use aluminum angle or tubes. To make a spool holder, a bicycle spoke or the same corner is suitable. All bends are made rectangular. You can make your own reel from foam or wood, or purchase a factory-made one. It should be 5-10 cm in diameter and 1-3 cm thick.

Half of the reel of the winter fishing line should be painted, this will allow you to notice the winding of the fishing line, and also to hook a predator in time.

To make a winter guardhouse, springy steel wire is used. Its lower end is bent so that it can be inserted into the hole located at the bottom of the rack. The upper curved end should securely lock the reel, preventing it from triggering falsely due to jerking of the baitfish.

To make a winter flag, a waterproof synthetic fabric with preferably melted edges is used. The flag can be sewn to the gatehouse or glued with waterproof glue.

When fishing, the girder stand is fixed in the ice crumbs left after drilling a hole. In frosty weather, water is poured over the crumbs to set the ice. It will securely secure the winter rack.

Having planted the bait, the fishing line is unwound into the hole to the required depth. The guard of the girder is wound by a reel. A bite from a predator will lead to the fishing line being reeled in, which means the guard will be thrown off. This moment should not be missed!

This option for making a winter girder has a drawback - it is not very securely fastened in the ice crumbs. A predator can pull out the entire fishing line and, due to poor fastening, pull the girder into the hole, so it is better to fasten the girder stand in a hole made using a brace with a drill of a suitable size. In addition, such a winter hole allows the hole to freeze, so it has to be covered with snow.

Another type of winter zherlitsa

The base of this winter ice rack is a foam plastic (necessarily made of hard material) or plywood circle with a diameter of 20 cm. The size must be selected so that it is 5 cm larger than the diameter of the ice drill. We make the coil similarly to the previous version. A bolt can be used to secure the coil.

A guard is attached to the base of the vent with a self-tapping screw. The self-tapping screw should have a wide head, for example, like a “bug” for metal profiles. In the case of a foam base, the screw should be lubricated with glue. To make a winter guardhouse, you can use spring wire or a similar material. When transporting, the guard is placed along the base of the trap; when catching a predator, it is wound by the reel.

A hole 5-6 mm in diameter is made in the center of the base of the girder, which is connected to the edge of the base with a cut for winding the fishing line.

The difference between a winter girder of this manufacturing method and the previous one is the elimination of cases of fishing gear falling through the ice. In addition, thanks to the base, the hole is protected from freezing. The advantage of this version of the winter girder is the simplicity and speed of installation, because there is no assembly and disassembly stage. A minor drawback is that the line is bent at a right angle in the center of the base, which can make it somewhat difficult to unwind.

Ice fishing equipment

Accessories

Accessories for ice fishing

Preparation for winter fishing is carried out more carefully than for summer fishing. Therefore, it will simply be impossible to do without some accessories.

For example, in frosty winter the hole constantly freezes, and is also periodically covered with snow. To prevent snow and pieces of ice from interfering with fishing, they must be regularly removed from the hole. You can do this with a handful, but for greater convenience it is worth using a scoop - a special accessory designed to clear the already small space of the hole from various interfering objects, such as snow or ice.

In winter fishing, ice fishing is often accompanied by situations where a catchy spoon or jig gets caught on something on the bottom. If you can’t quickly release the tackle, an accessory called a release can come to the rescue. It is attached to the fishing line and helps to quickly release your favorite tackle, avoiding its loss.

A special accessory for winter fishing is a fishing box. This is generally an indispensable accessory for winter fishing, because it simultaneously performs several functions: a comfortable stool, a place to store various fishing gear and places to store food and drink.

In general, winter fishing is impossible without such an accessory as a fishing drill for ice - ice auger. Since ancient times, an ice pick has been used to cut holes, but this old-fashioned way has long been outdated, as it is quite labor-intensive and also scares away the fish. Modern fishermen widely use auger ice screws, which have proven themselves well and have stood the test of time. With the help of such ice drills you can not only cut ice perfectly, but also immediately remove ice crumbs from the hole. Recently, motorized drills powered by batteries or gasoline have become increasingly popular.

In addition to the already described accessories used by fishermen, there are others that are characteristic of different areas. There are many of them, and they all help simplify and make life easier for fishermen. Most often, fishermen use:

A fish scaler is an accessory for cleaning fish. A kitchen or regular camping knife is not suitable for cleaning fresh fish, so craftsmen came up with such a special accessory. A fish scaler helps make the process of cleaning fish easier and shorter in time.

Extractor - a device for removing a fishing hook from the throat of a fish. It allows you not to damage the fish itself, and also not to break the tackle.

A gapper is a spring-based device that allows you to keep the mouth of a predatory fish open while removing the tackle.

Leskovdevatel – an accessory whose name already says it all. With its help, the fishing line is threaded through the narrow holes of gear and hooks, and the whole process takes much less time thanks to this wonderful device.

Bait containers - wooden boxes used by many fishermen to store animal baits - worms, bloodworms, jigs, caddis fly larvae, etc. With the help of such drawers, the nozzles are protected from heating in summer and from cooling in winter. Lids must have holes for air. Plastic models are more practical, but in winter they protect the nozzles from the cold worse than wooden ones.

A wind shield is the simplest shelter for winter fishing that serves as protection from the wind. It is a structure of three slats, which are covered with light fabric. Using a pick or an ice drill, holes are made in the ice into which the ends of the slats are inserted. A more practical version of such protection, used by some fishermen, is a tent with a cut-out bottom.

In addition, fishermen use other accessories: steelyards for weighing the catch, spoons for casting, bait, beads, anchors, compasses, thermoses, flashlights, binoculars.

Equipment

Lingerie

Equipment for winter fishing

In the autumn-winter period, when the weather is low in temperature, you should give preference to flannel or woolen underwear. It is worn directly on the naked body, as it allows evaporation to pass through, and therefore dries quickly. If woolen underwear causes skin irritation, you should wear thin cotton underneath. For those suffering from radiculitis, it is recommended to use special therapeutic chlorine underwear. Recently, thermal underwear has become increasingly popular.

Socks

Experienced fishermen prefer to choose wool socks, which retain warmth even after getting wet. Sometimes fur stockings can be an excellent replacement for wool socks. They are indispensable if rubber boots are often worn. In addition, fur stockings make it easy to put on and take off boots, especially if you wear nylon women's stockings on top.

Outerwear

The fisherman's outerwear should be light, durable, waterproof, heat- and cold-resistant, and does not interfere with the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the body, that is, “breathable.”

It is better to avoid long fur coats due to their heaviness. Preference should be given to a more comfortable light tanned sheepskin coat with long sleeves and a fur collar. The length of the short fur coat should not be much above the knees, it should be loose at the shoulders and chest, and the sleeve length should reach almost to the ends thumbs hands, but so that if necessary, the edges can be tucked. A short fur coat is chosen for its comfort and good heat retention, as well as for freedom of movement. However, if it gets wet, it should be dried carefully at some distance from the fire.

If you are seriously interested in fishing, you should also take the choice of outerwear seriously. Experienced fishermen prefer branded equipment designed specifically for any fishing conditions. Many companies are engaged in the development of outerwear for fishermen.

There are even special overalls that can serve as a life jacket in certain circumstances. This overalls can hold a person weighing up to 100 kg on the water thanks to a special gasket and a special insulating layer inside.

Shoes

For winter fishing, many anglers choose handmade felt boots. They are distinguished by their softness, lightness and excellent ability to retain heat. However, it is better not to wear such felt boots without high galoshes. And the galoshes will have to be glued from soft rubber so that they fit tightly.

Choosing ordinary small galoshes is not advisable, since snow quickly fills them and they fall off easily. In general, you can’t do without galoshes, otherwise your felt boots will quickly get wet on wet ice. They can only be replaced with shoe covers made of waterproof fabric, but in this case it will be inconvenient to move around. Replacing galoshes with shoe covers only makes sense when fishing without significant movements.

Some fishermen make their own winter stockings, allowing their felt boots to become waterproof.

More comfortable polar boots can replace felt boots. They consist of two layers of rubber separated by a layer of wool fabric. These boots allow you to fish from ice in 30°C frost. They are not afraid of water coming out from under the snow on the ice. Polar boots have a significant advantage over felt boots.

Mittens

One of the main conditions for successful fishing is sensitive hands, so even in severe frost it is very important to maintain contact with the tackle.

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Video about winter carp fishing. Subtleties. Secrets.

Video Winter Fishing for Crucian Carp. No. 17 “About Fishing Seriously.”

Features of winter fishing

Choosing a site for winter fishing

Tackle for winter fishing

Fishing rod for winter jig fishing

Fishing rod

fishing line

Nod

Mormyshka

Float rod for winter fishing

Winter fishing rod

Zherlitsy

Classic winter vest

Another type of winter zherlitsa

Ice fishing equipment

Accessories

Equipment

Lingerie

Socks

Outerwear

Shoes

Mittens