Carp belongs to the carp family and is found in almost all water bodies where there are at least some conditions for this. Crucian carp can get by with a minimal amount of oxygen, so it can also be found in rivers where there is clean running water and in silty lakes and ponds.
It does not belong to valuable commercial fish species, but everyone does not mind seeing it on their table. Fishing for crucian carp is quite an interesting pastime, especially if the crucian is actively biting. During periods of active biting, no one is left without a catch – neither a beginner, nor an avid carp.
Active biting is characterized by sharp bites, with the withdrawal of gear to the bottom. This indicates that the crucian completely swallowed the nozzle, and the matter remained small.
It remains to make a sweep and easily fish out the crucian.
Catching carp at different times of the year
Winter
Carp can be caught all year round and winter is no exception. Young individuals burrow into the silt and wait out the winter in this state, while larger ones continue to feed. With the onset of severe frosts, large crucian lies on the bottom and, only when it gets warmer, does it come out of the pits and come closer to the shore in search of food. His favorite places are reeds or reeds. It is at the moments of warming that the winter bite of crucian carp is observed.
Spring
With the onset of spring, when the water warms up to + 8 ° C, crucian carp begins to become more active in search of food. From this moment, somewhere in the middle of March, its biting begins, although it is not stable, just like spring weather is not stable, when temperature and atmospheric pressure fluctuate constantly. By the time of spawning, at the end of May, crucian carp stops pecking and goes to spawn. It spawns in places where the water has already warmed up well. After this period, which lasts about 2 weeks, there comes a period of active biting, when crucian carp is able to swallow any bait, hungry after the mating season.
Summer
In the summer, when warm summer weather has settled on the street, the crucian actively pecks in the morning and evening hours. In the daytime, he goes to the depths, in search of cooler water. During the summer periods of cooling, the activity of crucian carp also decreases.
Autumn
When autumn comes and the water begins to cool, the crucian ceases to lead an active lifestyle and one should not count on a good catch. When warm autumn weather sets in, when the water in the shallows warms up somewhat, the crucian also comes out to warm up and then it can be successfully caught. He not only warms himself, but also looks for food.
Bottom gear for carp fishing
Carp can be caught on any tackle, as long as there is a hook at the end, and bait on the hook. But then the “trifle” will be caught more, and in order to catch a large crucian carp, it is better to use bottom tackle or a feeder. Depending on their capabilities, anglers use various bottom gear, including a feeder. But a feeder rod is an expensive thing and not everyone can afford it. And yet, knowing the technical characteristics of such rods, one should give preference to them. They are quite sensitive, which is ideal for catching crucian carp, and the presence of a feeder makes fishing quite effective.
Many anglers use spinning rods to complete bottom gear. At the same time, it is very problematic to cast long distances with such a rod, because of its small length. And yet, spinning rods are widely used by anglers because of their low cost.
Choosing a feeder rod for carp fishing
The rod should be chosen based on the conditions of the fishing itself. Here you should take into account the nature of the reservoir and its features. If you need to choose a rod for fishing on a large river or reservoir, then you should pay attention to rods with a length of 4 meters or more. Such rods provide long-range casting of tackle. If this is a small river or lake, then forms up to 4 meters long will do.
All feeder rods can be divided into the following classes:
- Heavy class (heavy feeder) – from 90 to 120 g.
- Middle class (medium feeder) – from 40 to 80 g.
- Light class (light feeder) – up to 40 g.
Weight in grams indicates the maximum allowable load of tackle in curb form on the rod. This load includes the weight of the feeder with stuffed bait, the weight of the sinker and the baited hook. To keep the rod intact, you should select the weight of the entire tackle at the rate of two-thirds of its test indicator.
The middle class of the rod is more versatile and, in some cases, allows you to replace both heavy and light rods. But there are times when it is better to choose the appropriate rod based on the fishing conditions.
Each rod has the ability to bend and therefore, when choosing, you need to pay attention to its structure, which indicates the ability of the rod to bend. There are three types of rods to be found:
- fast is the ability to bend the upper third of the rod;
- medium – designed for bending half of the rod;
- Slow – characterized by the ability to bend the entire rod.
Crucian carp is a fish that is not large in general, therefore, fast or medium action rods are suitable for catching it.
The rod for feeder fishing comes with interchangeable tips. As a rule, there are three such peaks:
- soft, for catching fish in reservoirs with stagnant water;
- medium, for fishing in reservoirs with an average current;
- tough, for fishing in fast currents.
A rod can be made from any material, but all modern blanks are made from lightweight, high-quality components.
Choosing a spinning reel
The feeder reel is selected depending on the power of the rod and its length, as well as the casting distance. When catching crucian carp, no special requirements are required. The main thing is that the fishing line is evenly laid on the spool, and it would not be able to refuse at the most crucial moment.
The reel can have a size from 1500 to 2500, which indicates that not a thick line is used, since it is not necessary to catch big fish. But this does not mean at all that trophy carp cannot peck, and in this case the reel must have a friction brake.
The reel can have from 1 to 3 bearings and this will be enough for carp fishing. It is desirable that all tackle weigh as little as possible.
monofilament line
For catching crucian carp, it is enough to use a monofilament fishing line, with a thickness of 0,1 to 0,25 mm, depending on the intended specimens:
- Carp, weighing up to 250 g – fishing line, 0,1-0,15 mm thick.
- Individuals weighing up to 500 g – the thickness of the fishing line is 0,15-0,2 mm.
- Trophy carp up to 1 kg – line diameter 0,2-0,25 mm.
Basically, 100 meters of fishing line are wound on the reel, which is quite enough for all occasions, including the repair of gear, in case of a break. This does not mean that you do not need to have a spare fishing line.
Leashes are made from thinner fishing line than the main one. This is necessary so that in the event of a break, only the leash breaks, the length of which is in the range of 20-40 cm.
Hooks
Hooks in which the sting is directed inward are very effective. They allow the fish to quickly hook, and after that it is quite difficult for her to free herself from the hook. If bloodworms or boilies are used as a nozzle, then it is better to give preference to hooks with a long forearm.
Hooks No. 10-No. 16 are suitable for catching crucian carp, due to the fact that crucian carp is not a big fish. Dimensions are based on international standards.
Bottom rigs
When using a feeder, the following types of equipment can be used:
- Classic feeder;
- Makushatnik;
- Nipple;
- Carp killer.
Feeder equipment for carp fishing
Such equipment should be sensitive enough. These requirements are met by rigs such as Gardner’s paternoster, asymmetric loop and Method type rig.
Paternoster
It belongs to the simplest, but quite sensitive equipment. Paternoster can be knitted very quickly, spending a minimum of time on it. To tie a snap, you need to take and form a loop at the end of the main fishing line for attaching a leash. Having measured about 20 cm from this loop, another loop is knitted, designed to attach the feeder. In such equipment, there is practically no effect of self-cutting of fish, so the fisherman will have to deal with hooking.
Snap “method”
It got its name from a specially designed feeder for feeder fishing. This feeder always lies on the bottom in such a way that the pressed bait is on top. The design of the feeder allows you to attach it to the fishing line deafly or, giving it the ability to slide along the fishing line. In the first case, it does an excellent job of spotting fish, and in the second, it loses such functions, acquiring the characteristics of sports gear. For reliable compaction of bait, such feeders are sold with special devices that perform the functions of a mold.
Asymmetrical loop
It has become widespread due to its sensitivity. It is a bit heavier to tie than a paternoster, but just as easy. To do this, you need to take and measure 2 meters of the main fishing line, and then fold it in half. At the end of the fishing line, tie a loop for attaching a leash. Move the free end of the fishing line so that, after forming a loop, a shoulder is obtained from it, somewhat longer than the other shoulder. After that, a double knot is knitted. Before tying the loop, a swivel with a clasp should be installed on the long arm, which will then allow you to attach the feeder. In this case, the feeder will move freely along this segment of the fishing line. During casts, there is practically no overlapping of the equipment. This is another advantage of the asymmetrical loop.
Makushatnik
Fish of the carp family, before swallowing the bait, begins to slowly suck it. This feature of crucian behavior is used in the “makoshatnik” rig. The equipment consists of a load weighing 30-50 g and a compressed cube of cake, fixed on the main fishing line. Leashes with hooks are attached to the attachment point of the top bar. There may be several. You can put any bait on the hooks, after which they can simply be stuck into the crown. The crucian, sucking the top, sucks the hook, after which it is difficult for him to get rid of it. With such an installation of equipment, the crucian carp self-locks under the influence of the weight of the load and the top.
Nipple
The principle of operation is similar to the principle of operation of the crown, but various cereals are used as bait, or rather, bait prepared for grafting crucian carp.
The basis of the fishing line is a regular cap from a plastic bottle or another bottle, but with a plastic cap. It is desirable that the diameter of the lid be within 40 mm, but not more. A load is attached to the base of the lid, weighing 30-50 g in any way. Holes are made in the sides of the lid, to which the leashes are attached, from 5 to 7 cm long. In this case, you can use bare hooks immured in the bait mixture. Styrofoam balls mounted on hooks give a good effect.
Equipment “crucian killer”
This equipment is one of the varieties of bottom gear, which are quite catchy. The basis of such equipment are spring feeders. There may be several of them, and they are interconnected by a fishing line, with a diameter of 0,3-0,5 mm. You can attach them in any way. Each spring has from 2 or more leashes, about 7 cm long. The feeders are stuffed with bait mixture, after which the hooks are stuck into the feeders. Can be naked, but can be with a nozzle.
If there is a strong current, then cargo can be added to this “locomotive”. The load is attached at the very end of the entire structure.
Bottom tackle for catching carp, bream, crucian carp.Fishing.Fishing
When going fishing for crucian carp, you need to remember the following:
- It is advisable to take several types of nozzles with you.
- In bad weather, it is better not to leave, because there will be no active biting.
- You have to be very careful when using fragrances. Too much concentration can scare the fish.
- In spring and autumn, it is better to give preference to nozzles of animal origin.
- During spawning, “trifle” is caught more, since it does not take part in mating games.