Balancers for winter fishing: ice fishing for a predator, features of lures and rating of the best models

Perch, pike, pike perch are the most common predators of freshwater areas, which often become prey in ice fishing. One of the most effective lures for sheer fishing is the balancer. Its ability to hang in the thick, sweeping play and similarity to a small fish make the artificial bait attractive to predatory fish species.

Balancers, their design and advantages

This type of fishing came from Scandinavia at the beginning of the 21st century. Lures quickly took root and fell in love with local fishermen. The balancer, whose initial focus was on catching salmon species of fish, turned out to be interesting for insipid predators. At the moment, the market offers many varieties, shapes, models, sizes and colors for every taste.

The design of an all-metal fish consists of several parts:

• body made of lead or other alloy;
• a plastic tail planted on glue;
• two hooks extending from the head and tail of the bait;
• a tee with an epoxy drop suspended from the bottom loop;
• upper loop for hooking on the carabiner of the leash.

Thus, it can be argued that the balancer cannot be simply disabled. The metal base is too tough for a predator, so the baits serve more than one season. The only weak point of the all-metal fish is the plastic tail. Many anglers complain about certain models that the same walleye tears off the tail in the first few bites. It’s about the glue used. Ordinary cyanoacrylate is not suitable for joining metal and plastic.

If the tail has fallen off, it can be replaced by making a similar piece of thick plastic. Due to the lower density, the game of the fish will change, but the bait will remain working. Also tails for balancers can be ordered from China.

The body of the bait is of several types. In some models, it is completely proportional, in others there is a thickening towards the abdomen. The balancer is a bait with perfect balance, no matter how you throw it, it returns to its original position. The shift in the center of gravity in the metal base means a variety of play. The smallest models with a weight of 2-4 g are used for perch fishing, pike and zander models have a larger body, the size of which reaches 10 cm. Since the bait is completely made of metal, even a small product will have a decent weight.

Photo: manrule.ru

On both sides of the balancer, large single hooks stick out, slightly bent upwards. Experienced anglers recommend having several identical models in the box. One is a search engine with a full set of hooks, the second is for catching active fish, the front and rear singles are sawn off from it. Three hooks on the bait make it difficult to remove it from the mouth of a predator, so when a fish is found, you should switch to a model with a single hanging tee. According to statistics, the predator falls on the triple hook, so it cannot be removed.

Advantages of balancers over other types of sheer baits:

• sweeping game;
• attracting fish from long distances;
• a large arsenal of hooks;
• stable animation on a strong current;
• lure durability.

Each bait has an amplitude animation due to the existing tail. Without a plastic part, a metal product is of no interest to a predator. On a swing, the bait rises to the side, on a fall it returns back. The plastic tail guides the product, so with each stroke the fish rises to the corner where the bow was facing.

Some balancers for ice fishing have a red tail, which serves as a center of attack for a predator. A plastic target is not the best choice; such models can quickly lose their tail. Many manufacturers make the tail transparent by adding an epoxy droplet target on the tee or a colored speck on the lure.

The point of attack focuses the attention of the predator on itself, increasing the implementation of bites. As a rule, the target is located near the hook for a better serif.

Balancers are able to work in any conditions: in shallow waters, depths, currents, etc. They are used as search bait, because the metal fish is visible from afar, lures and collects fish under the hole. The heavy base works great in the current, but the bait is difficult to use in snags. 80% of cliffs are due to branches and vegetation residues sticking out in the water. The sweeping game drives the bait into snags and it is difficult to get it with three hooks.

Lure fishing technique

For fishing on a balancer, a special ice fishing rod is used. It has a comfortable handle, a small spool or reel, and a medium hard whip. The length of the rod should be sufficient for fishing in a sitting position, without bending over the hole. Because of the work with short whips, anglers often have back pain, they have to fish in the wrong shackled position.

Lure animation is a combination of basic details:

• high tosses;
• short strokes;
• bottom strikes;
• stops between games
• small dribbling on the spot;
• slow descents and ascents.

Depending on the type of predator, the fishing technique is selected. Pike likes smoother prey movements with long pauses. Perch and zander respond when the bait is actively played.

Photo: velykoross.ru

When fishing on a balancer, it is important to keep the rhythm, but with every 3-5 retrieves, add something new to the animation. When catching a perch, the monotonous game of the fish “striped” bothers, which explains a couple of bites from one hole. First of all, active fish are suitable, but with each posting, the perch’s interest decreases. It is necessary to maintain activity and passion with the help of various animations, changing the fishing horizon and, of course, changing the bait. If the fish stopped actively taking on the hole, but it remains in the fishing area, you can resort to replacing the balancer. Most often, a product of a different color improves the situation.

When catching perch, the leader material is not used. In places where there is a possibility of meeting with a pike, a fluorocarbon segment is used, which increases the chances of saving the bait from being cut. Purposeful pike fishing requires the presence of a metal twist in the equipment. The fish rarely swallows the product deeply, since fishing is carried out in a plumb line. A small titanium or tungsten leash up to 10 cm long is enough. When fishing for zander, fluorocarbon is also used.

Predator balancer selection

When going out on the ice, you need to have a supply of various artificial lures with you, among which a separate place is given to balancers. In the arsenal you need to have products of different sizes and colors.

For fishing on the current, baits with a shifted center of gravity to the abdomen are used. Such models are not deflected by the flow of water, have a stable game and perfectly catch river pike and perch. In stagnant water, products with a homogeneous body are suitable.

The size of the bait depends on several factors:

• type of predator
• fishing depths;
• the presence of a current;
• daily activity;
• characteristics of the reservoir.

At the beginning of winter, larger balancers are used than in the middle of the season. This is due to the voracity of the fish and the high level of oxygen in the water. When the oxygen balance drops, the fish becomes lethargic, does not pursue prey and does not attack large baits. This applies to both perch and pike with zander.

Interestingly, in some rivers, the chub is considered the main prey of the balancer. As a rule, these are small reservoirs with a small amount of food supply. Water with a strong current there freezes slowly, and ice can become only by the middle of winter.

The deeper the fishing zone, the larger the bait you need to use. In clear winter water, preference is given to dark models, at least during the first ice period. Bright artificial baits are used to search for fish, as they are visible from afar and perfectly collect a predator. Professionals use several rods equipped with lures of the same size in different colors. Active fish are knocked out with provocative products, passive members of the flock are obtained with natural products.

Bright baits become in demand during the dead of winter and the last ice. In the first case, the acid-colored balancer provokes and annoys the inactive predator. On the last ice, a bright color works better because it is noticeable in muddy water. With the advent of spring, the ice begins to melt, mud streams flow into the reservoirs, making the water area muddy.

When choosing a balancer, you should look at the name of the manufacturer. As a rule, Chinese and budget models of local craftsmen are equipped with low quality hooks, have weak tails, and the coating is often erased on them. In rare cases, inexpensive baits are caught at the level of branded products. Factory models undergo multi-stage testing before they go on sale, so their price and efficiency are much higher.

When buying, you should pay attention to the design details:

• size and weight;
• presence of marking;
• the integrity of the drawing;
• attachment of the tail to the body;
• reliability and sharpness of tees.

The size and weight, orientation, color must be indicated on the box with the product. Many manufacturer lines offer a wide range of colors. Monochromatic baits are quite rare, usually balancers are painted in two or more shades. Some products resemble fish in color, others combine several colors, creating something new that does not exist in nature.

Many lures come with an interchangeable tee. If an epoxy drop hangs on the main hook, then it may not be on the spare. Not the last selection criterion is the price. Branded Scandinavian models are expensive, they can be replaced among branded domestic products.

Before fishing on a balancer, you should determine for yourself the type of prey and the place of fishing. The bait is selected already on the pond, based on transparency, time of day, depth, lighting and mood of the predator.

Classification of balancers for ice fishing

Among the abundance of metal baits, three directions can be distinguished: for perch, pike and zander. Such baits differ not only in size, but also in shape. Also, artificial sheer nozzles are classified into natural and provocative. The first products resemble a small fish, they are used for a passive predator. The second is a classic search model or bait for fishing in troubled waters. Bright colors also work in sunny weather, when the illumination under water increases.

The shape of the balancers is:

1. Narrow and long without shifting the center of gravity. Such models quickly bounce on the swings and also rapidly fall down. Their game is more active, they instantly collect fish under the hole. These baits are often used when catching zander. There are no peculiarities in the number of hooks and colors.
2. With enlarged head. This type of artificial bait is designed for slower soaring in the water column. Also, models with a large head have an amplitude sweeping game. In their animation, it is important to pause until the product completely stops moving.
3. Triangular shape. The main thing in these baits is to maintain balance, and, accordingly, a horizontal position under water. A non-standard body opens up new types of animation for the model.
4. Repeating the structure of the fish. Some companies offer lines of balancers with a complete repetition of the body of a small fish. They have eyes, fins and original colors.

If you remember that the balancers came from Scandinavia, it will become clear why there are so many “trout-like” colors in this type of bait. Spotted colors work great in mountain rivers, where graylings, lenoks, coho salmon, etc. are found from the predatory family. In the middle latitudes of the country, spotted colors are less popular.

Photo: activefisher.net

Some models have soft plumage instead of a hard epoxy droplet. It has a short service life, but is easily changed to a similar part. There are also products with plumage on the tail. They can hardly be called balancers, since there is no plastic part that sets the tone for the game.

16 Best Winter Balancers for Ice Fishing

A good lure should have a perfect position in the water, a secure tail and sharp hooks. The balancer rating was compiled according to the observations of winter angling professionals. Many products were tested in different types of reservoirs on various predators. The best products are included in the top 16 winter lures.

RAPALA Jigging Rap 05

This model tops the list of the best lures for winter predator fishing. The elongated body of the “rapala” balancer is slightly curved and has a weight shift towards the front of the structure. A special type of tail is planted on a special glue, it does not fly off when a predator attacks and hits the ice. At the bottom there is a sharp tee, at the top there is a loop for a hook. Single hooks are mounted on both sides, bent upwards.

The color of the lure has a glowing GLOW effect, noticeable at great depths. The size of the fish is 50 mm, it is used for fishing for perch, zander and pike.

Aqua Long Death-9

A large balancer with a length of 95 mm and a weight of 22 g is perfect for deep searching for zander and large pike. The metal structure is made under the body of the fish, has natural eyes and fins. The red transparent tail not only sets the tone for the wiring, but also imitates a real fish tail. Equipped with three sharp hooks and a carabiner hook.

The elongated body is perfect for catching “fanged”, because narrow-bodied fish species enter the food base of pike perch. Anglers are given a choice among natural and provocative colors.

Scorana Ice Fox

The 45 mm model perfectly catches both the usual predator and trout. The product has three rounded edges with an extension in the middle of the structure. A reliable tail of a transparent color clings tightly to the metal. The balancer has high-quality single hooks, but it is better to replace the triple hook.

The model works great in the first ice, when the predator is active and gathers under the hole from afar. The metal fish has natural eyes, as well as a wide selection of shades.

Nils Master Nisa 5cm 12g

This balancer has a rounded shape. The compressed body visually reduces the size of the fish, while maintaining a large weight. With a length of 5 cm, the metal nozzle weighs 12 g. It is suitable for catching pike and zander, large perch.

In front of the structure are protruding parts from the body. This gives the lure a zest for the game. The lineup is represented by a variety of fish colorings, provocative tones.

AQUA TRAPPER

This model has no restrictions on the depth of use. A special curved shape, along with a thicker head and a special tail, allows the bait to fly up to 80 cm to the side, slowly returning to its original position. The wide amplitude of the game makes it possible to attract a predator from a long distance.

The product is equipped with two sharp hooks and a hanging tee, at the top there is a loop for attaching a carabiner. The main purpose of the nozzle is fanged zander.

Challenger Ice 50

A small bait completely repeats the anatomical shape of a live fish. The balancer gives out a variety of acid colors that are not found in the middle latitudes of the country. Natural eyes, dorsal fin, head shape – all this makes the predator think that it is real prey.

The balancer is equipped with a tail made of thick plastic, it has a bright game both on swings and on dribbling. Detailing is added by imitation of scales and a side line on the body of the lure.

Karismax Size 1

A classic sheer lure made of dense metal alloy. A feature of this model is considered to be a sweeping game. A fish with natural eyes and a large selection of colors is used in both stagnant and flowing waters. The main target of the product remains pike, although perch and pikeperch come across as by-catch.

There is an epoxy resin droplet on the hanging tee that serves as a target for attack. The translucent tail is securely fixed in the tail section of the structure.

Midge score 35

A small type of lure designed for bass fishing. The length of the balancer is 35 mm, the weight is 4 g. The product has a high quality suspension tee with a drop serving as an attack point. The red tail is securely attached to the body. The product is recommended for use at a depth of up to 4 m.

The line is represented by models of different colors that imitate fish species, as well as acid colors that provoke a predator to attack.

Akara Pro Action Tensai 67

The authentic shape of the bait resembles a fish, has anatomical gill covers and glued eyes. The upper fin in the form of a metal plate has 3 holes for attaching a carabiner. Depending on which hole the clasp is closed for, the balance bar occupies a certain position in the water.

Unlike analog models, this product does not have singles, it is equipped with two tees, while the rear hook is attached in a special way, it is brought out of the plastic tail. The length of the bait is 67 mm, weight – 15 g.

Lucky John 61401-301RT Baltic 4

The company Lucky John presents a model for catching zander and pike, large perch. The size of the bait with a wide body is 40 mm, weight is 10 g. Suitable for any fishing conditions: current, depth up to 8 m.

This model is included in the top of the company’s most popular winter fishing lures. The hanging tee has a droplet of epoxy, which is made up of four colors: green, yellow, red and black. It serves as an excellent target for pike and other predators.

Nils Master Jigger-1

The completely smooth body of the bait has a shift in the center of gravity towards the head. A design feature is a hanging tee on a long spoke. On both sides there are sharp single hooks. On the back there is a small hook for mounting a carabiner.

Nils Master Jigger catches not only perch and pike, it is also used when fishing for the salmon family. The tail does not break when struck by a predator, it is elastic and hermetically glued to the tail.

Lucky John Fin 3

The smallest model in the Fin line. It has a size of 40 mm and a weight of 4 g. It is used by lovers of perch and trout fishing at a depth of up to 3,5 m.

At the bottom there is a tee with a drop of epoxy, at the top – hitting for the fastener. The tail part makes up 40% of the body of the product.

Rapala W07 18g

This lure is loved by professionals of ice hunting for a predator with its impeccable figure eight, which is “written out” by the product when the rod is swung. The size of the balancer is suitable for angling pike and zander, it can be used both in stagnant and flowing waters.

The Rapala W07 model is also used in marine conditions. With a weight of 18 g, the product can be used at any depth. Sharp hooks will not let off the trophy predator, which often comes across this bait.

Lucky John BALTIC 4

A small lure with a size of 40 mm is designed for perch fishing in the coastal zone. The balancer has an attractive game and a wide body. The weight of the product allows it to be used at depths up to 4 m.

Sharp hooks securely cut through and hold the fish. In the back there is a plastic tail that is responsible for the game of the bait. The product has an anatomical shape of a fish head, which visually attracts a predator.

AKARA balancer Ruff 50 BAL

An artificial metal nozzle 50 mm long perfectly catches zander and pike. The fish has a thin body with an imitation of natural eyes. On the top there is a fastener hook, on the bottom there is a high quality triple hook with a drop of epoxy resin.

The plastic tail withstands the sharp fangs of a predator and gives the lure the amplitude of the game. The model range is presented by a set of products in various color schemes.

ALLVEGA Fishing Master T1 N5

The large balancer, designed for angling pike and zander, has an elongated body with natural eyes. Classic equipment with two single hooks and a tee will not let the predator get off. The model has a strong eye for hooking, as well as a tee change system.

In the line you can find a lot of lures in bright and natural colors for any fishing conditions.