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Roach, one way or another, but always found in the fisherman’s catch. Some anglers go fishing purely for roach, while others catch it along with other fish. For some anglers, it interferes with fishing, constantly knocking down the bait. Unfortunately, not every fisherman is able to catch larger roaches. Indeed, for this it is not enough to come fishing, plant a worm and cast a fishing rod. You need to know where the large roach is kept and what to catch it on.
Where to look for large roach in the pond
Large roach is found in fairly large water bodies, such as:
- large and medium rivers;
- deep channels;
- large lakes and reservoirs;
- deep ponds;
- deep artificial reservoirs.
If such reservoirs have an appropriate food base, have an influx of fresh water and a serious predator is found in them, then large individuals of roach can be found here. Roach feels good next to crucian carp, bream and tench. Carp and carp are food competitors of roach, and predators such as bottom pike, pike perch and catfish are its enemies.
The roach prefers to move in search of food in flocks of 5-8 individuals. In winter, roach gather in numerous flocks, mixed with small specimens.
Depending on the nature of the reservoir, as well as food competitors, the behavior of this fish is formed. In large and medium-sized reservoirs, roach prefers to be at a depth of 3 to 5 meters, where there is a weak current. As a rule, underwater pits or depressions are located near such places. They catch roach directly from the bottom. If bream or carp like to gather in this place, then they drive the roach away from this place.
Large roach are caught at the very bottom in ponds where there are significant thickets of aquatic vegetation. He likes to stay in mid-water, a little higher than bream and silver bream. It prefers to feed on flat, deep-water areas of the reservoir.
In winter, roach is caught from a depth where it moves in the water column.
This fish does not feed on algae or aquatic vegetation, except near sluices where it may feed on tufts of algae.
Roach can be found using an echo sounder or an underwater video camera. She does not betray herself by her behavior, therefore, it is possible to determine the place of the roach’s parking lot only by chance. This may be an occasional bite, indicating the presence of roach in this fishing area.
The search for roach can be focused on deep areas with a weak current, which attracts this fish. At the same time, it makes no sense to look for roach on the river where the current is completely absent.
Any character of the bottom of the reservoir can serve as a haven for roach, not counting large individuals. They prefer places with a hard bottom, where there are sandy or rocky placers. If there are areas with a muddy bottom on the river, then it makes no sense to catch roach in such areas. If a similar nature of the bottom of the reservoir is extended to the entire reservoir, then roach can be caught in any part of the water area.
Large individuals can be under trees hanging over the water, waiting for various bugs and worms that fall into the water from time to time.
Tackle for catching large roach
roach in winter Ice fishing using the following gear:
- winter float rod;
- nozzled or non-attached mormyshkas;
- using garlands.
In the summer suitable for this:
- bottom gear;
- feeder;
- float rod.
Since the roach prefers to stand at the very bottom, a bottom fishing rod or feeder may be the best tackle. Classical requirements are imposed on the tackle: a strong reliable rod, a reel with a friction clutch and the appropriate thickness of the fishing line. In addition, attention should be paid to the selection of hooks and the choice of float, depending on the fishing conditions. Large fish tend to be quite cautious, so the length of the leash plays a very important role. The longer the leash, the more likely it is to catch a roach and more than one. Moreover, the leash should be made of fluorocarbon, which will not alert the fish, and it will take the bait without fear.
Bait for large roach
What kind of bait and how to deliver it to the fishing point depends entirely on the fishing conditions and the place where the fish are staying.
In winter, when catching fish from the ice, in order to feed the roach, you will have to use a bell-type feeder. When using feeder gear, ordinary feeders of a smaller volume are used. When fishing in the summer on a float, the bait is delivered using manual casting, after the formation of bait balls.
The composition of the bait for catching roach should include:
- the bulk of the bait (purchased mix “feeder” or “roach”);
- filler (various cereals);
- additive (to create a cloudy spot);
- flavoring agent (to enhance aromatic properties);
- nozzle (bloodworm, barley, lupine, etc.);
- weighting agent and baking powder (land from the shore of the reservoir).
As a rule, it is enough to add land from the shore to the bait and the bait that creates a cloud of turbidity causes an increased interest in the fish.
In winter, it is enough that the bait consists of small fractions, and in the summer, it is desirable to add larger fractions in the form of cereals prepared from various ingredients.
Winter roach fishing is characterized by the use of bait, which is able to leave behind a trail of food that slowly sinks to the bottom. Roach can stand at different depths. The most important thing is to find out exactly on what horizon it is. If it moves in the upper layers of the water, then you can not use the feeder, but lower the ball from the bait to the bottom. If the roach is closer to the bottom, then the feeder must be used.
When fishing from a boat in the current, it is better to use one, but a large reel. Very good results can be obtained when fishing for bream, if you apply this tactic.
Bait for big roach
Large individuals do not stop feeding either in summer or in winter. Although there may be some exceptions:
- with the appearance of the first ice, large roach take a break in feeding until they get used to the new conditions;
- in the dead of winter, when there is a lack of oxygen;
- during the spawning period and for 10 days after it;
- with the onset of heat, when a lack of oxygen also begins to be felt in the upper layers of the water. This causes the fish to go to the depths, in search of underwater keys.
As a rule, large specimens of fish prefer larger baits. In winter, such baits can be:
- muckworm;
- bloodworm;
- maggot;
- moth larva.
In the summer, she prefers:
- barley;
- lupine;
- corn;
- peas;
- bread.
When the mayfly begins to fly, most fish, including roach, switch to feeding on the mayfly. In the summer, large individuals do not refuse baits of animal origin, such as:
- dragonfly larva;
- burdock moth larva;
- bark beetle larva.
As a rule, anglers know the preference for roach in those waters where they constantly fish. Large individuals do not change their preferences and are constantly caught on the same bait. If you plan to catch roach in an unfamiliar body of water, then before fishing it makes sense to get information from fishermen in terms of bait for roach.
When to catch big roach
The most productive fishing can be in the fall, when the fish are trying to stock up on fat before the onset of winter. During this period, roach, like other fish, has a great appetite and can be caught on any bait. But if you choose this bait correctly, then there is a high probability of catching large specimens.
This does not mean at all that it does not make sense to rely on large roach biting except in autumn. This is not at all the case, and with the right approach, this problem can be solved at other times of the year. As for autumn, during this period such a task is greatly simplified.
When going fishing for large roach, you should know that large individuals do not lead an active lifestyle throughout the day. If small roach is more active from morning until late evening, then large roach begins to move around the reservoir at dusk. Therefore, large specimens will begin to be caught after sunset. This activity continues until late at night. As for the morning, it is better to get up an hour before dawn and then there is a possibility of bites of large individuals. The rest of the time, a small roach is in charge of the pond. Large specimens go to rest.
Despite this, it is possible to catch a weighty roach during the day, but this is more an accident than a pattern. As a rule, small individuals do not allow single large specimens to approach bait. It should also be taken into account that other fish lead an active lifestyle in the daytime. Therefore, the chances of catching large fish are drastically reduced.
Moreover, the activity of large roach is strongly influenced by weather conditions. The warmer it is outside and the better the water warms up, the more active the fish behaves and roach is no exception. During a cold snap, the activity of roach decreases sharply, and they seem to freeze in anticipation of warming. When the weather is good, roach can peck around the clock, with the only difference being that larger individuals go out to “hunt” after sunset. Whoever does not sleep at night will definitely be with a catch, and the basis of the catch will be individuals of serious sizes.