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buffalo fishing
Under this name, several subspecies of fish are bred in Russia. It is a common species of American origin. It is also called iktibus. The largest bigmouth buffalo can reach a weight of over 40 kg. In behavior and appearance, the fish is a bit similar to goldfish and carp. Except that the buffalo prefers muddy waters with a muddy bottom.
Ways to catch buffalo
The general similarity of lifestyle and behavior with silver carp can help in choosing fishing methods. The main gear for fishing can be considered bottom and float gear.
Buffalo fishing with floats
A float rod, as in the case of carp, is the most popular equipment for catching this fish. The main criteria for choosing gear are related to the desires of the angler and a particular reservoir. One thing can be said with certainty that in the case of fishing in reservoirs with difficult terrain and fishing conditions, it is better to use gear that can be described as reliable. When catching many carp fish, the basis of successful fishing is attachment, bait and bait. Buffalo is no exception in this case. The second factor in successful fishing is the choice of time and place of fishing. The fish is considered heat-loving, in winter it practically does not eat, falling into suspended animation.
Catching a buffalo on bottom gear
Buffalo can be caught on the simplest gear, but from the bottom it is worth giving preference to a feeder or a picker. This is fishing on bottom gear, most often using feeders. Very comfortable for most, even inexperienced anglers. They allow the fisherman to be quite mobile on the reservoir, and because of the possibility of point feeding, they quickly “collect” fish in a given place. Feeder and picker as separate types of equipment differ only in the length of the rod. The basis is the presence of a bait container-sinker (feeder) and interchangeable tips on the rod. The tops change depending on the fishing conditions and the weight of the feeder used. Nozzles for fishing can be any, both vegetable and animal, including pastes. This method of fishing is available to everyone. Tackle is not demanding for additional accessories and specialized equipment. This allows you to fish in almost any water bodies. It is worth paying attention to the choice of feeders in shape and size, as well as bait mixtures. This is due to the conditions of the reservoir (river, pond, etc.) and the food preferences of local fish.
Baits
For catching buffalo, animal and vegetable baits are used. Among animals, preference should be given to dung worms, and plant nozzles can be very different. These are boilies, canned corn, steamed cereals, dough and bread. In warm weather, the buffalo rises to the upper layers of the water.
Places of fishing and habitat
The homeland of the buffalo is North America, the largest part of the distribution area is in the United States. In Russia, fish is settled in the Volga and its branches, water bodies of the North Caucasus, Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories. In addition, the buffalo lives in some reservoirs of the Altai Territory. Iktibus has been bred in Belarus for a long time. Now it can be fished on paid reservoirs of fish farms. The fish prefers warm water, tolerates turbidity well.
Spawning
Depending on the subspecies, fish mature at 3-5 years of age. Spawns in April-May, females lay eggs on plants. During spawning, they gather in large flocks.