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It is believed that zander is very difficult to catch in winter. This is due to the fact that in the cold phase of winter it can fall into suspended animation. In fact, such fishing can bring more catch than summer. True, zander fishing in winter is fundamentally different from other seasons. Consider the features of winter fishing, what gear to catch, where to catch, lures, etc.
Where to look for and catch zander in winter
In winter, pike perch also prefers to dwell at great depths. Especially in pits, brows, depressions. True, during cold periods, the predator has some changes in habits, but not for long. The fish quickly returns to normal.
In the first half of winter, pike perch lives in shallow water, feeding on small fish. You can hunt a predator here for two, three weeks. At the same time, the bite is kept during daylight hours.
With a decrease in temperature, winter zander fishing worsens. The fanged one goes to great depths rich in oxygen, and in shallow water it can fall into a stupor. It is not possible to stir up such a predator, even by feeding the bait under the nose.
In deep places, you can still catch pike perch. The preferred time for fishing starts at sunset and lasts all night.
In the last phase of the cool period, fanged activity resumes. He eagerly begins to eat fry. The best places for fishing are estuaries flowing into the river, snags, spits, pits, old riverbeds, and depth differences. The nibble keeps at any time of the day.
The influence of weather on winter zander fishing
A sharp change in atmospheric pressure has a great effect on fish. Under water, it is felt much stronger than on land. The fish begins to experience severe discomfort and loses interest in food. Therefore, the bite may worsen. In this case, it can save the situation slow wiring.
A short-term warm cyclone brings comfort, but only to anglers. It has no effect on zander. Only the reverse situation can affect the improvement of fishing (catch). If sunny weather changes to cloudy, then the probability of improving the bite increases.
Pike perch is frost-resistant and is able to exist normally at a water temperature of 4 degrees, but goes into an economical mode. It also feeds poorly and tries to move as little as possible.
Closer to spring, fanged “thaws”. It starts to go to smaller places and peck at almost everything. However, there is not much difference in weather changes.
Features of behavior
At the beginning of winter, pike perch lives in the same places as in autumn. The activity of the fish is also no different. A sharp decrease in temperature affects its behavior. It becomes inactive and hides in the ground drops. With thaws, it begins to revive a little and even feed in the daytime.
Migration of small flocks over short distances is possible, but at the same time they try to stay closer to their wintering grounds. This is used by fishermen if they managed to identify such a dwelling.
Large individuals prefer to huddle alone. Due to its large mass, it is very economical in terms of energy. Passes by a trifle and can only budge for more attractive prey. He usually sits in a hole or under a snag, setting up an ambush.
Production and selection of tackle for winter fishing for zander
It is necessary to select tackle for a predator from the characteristics of its behavior. Winter fishing for pike perch is an interesting but difficult activity. Especially for beginner anglers.
The most popular in winter are the following gear:
- A fishing rod 50-70 cm long. You can purchase a ready-made version at a fishing store or make it yourself. For convenience, a warm handle is installed;
- Live bait tackle is a rod where a live fish will be the bait. Basically, a zherlitsa or a nodding device will be used;
- “Postavusha” – tackle with the use of sprats or pieces of dead fish with an open reel. Additionally, the fishing rod is equipped with legs and a nod.
Consider the main elements of gear:
- The reel must be strong and hold up to 30 m of fishing line. It is worth considering that most of the actions will be carried out in mittens, so the coil must be sufficiently mobile. Inertial-free skewers are best suited. They retain the above characteristics in severe frosts.
- The line must also retain plasticity at low temperatures. Braid will not be the best option. Most often, it is she who freezes, but the monofilament forest retains its strength and does not freeze. The recommended diameter is 0,2-0,3 mm. You can use bright colors.
- As practice shows, in winter all baits are good (baits, mormyshkas, balancers, wobblers, soft baits, dead and live fish).
Groundbait is always an important factor in increasing the success of fishing. But in winter, it is necessary to feed not pike perch, but herbivorous fry, which make up the food base of the predator.
Methods of fishing and bait
The main ways of winter fishing for zander are:
- Sheer shine.
- Zherlitsy.
The designs and models of girders are very diverse, but there are uniform parameters. The coil diameter should be from 70 mm. This will prevent the line from jumping off and further tangling. Keep it above water and try not to wet it.
Particular attention should be paid to the sensitivity of the bite alarm. Single hooks N10-12, or twins N7 are suitable as hooks. Monofilament up to 30 m long and 0,35-0,4 mm in diameter. The leader line will be slightly thinner than 0,3 mm.
Live fish (roach, bleak, top, gudgeon, sprat and others) are considered more effective baits. Occasionally pike perch takes on a moth. There are times when a predator starts to catch exotic baits (boiled udder or lard). In some cases, you can try the food base of perch. Still, pike perch belongs to his family.
Live bait should be caught in the place of direct zander fishing.
In winter, as in other seasons, it is advisable to experiment with baits. Try artificial baits (wobblers, ratlins and others) of various types and natural ones. Pike perch can also take on worms, creeps, insects.
Balance fishing technique
One of the popular ways to catch a fanged predator in winter is a balance beam. Often, the standard angling technique is used with rhythmic jerks and short pauses. It looks like this, the bait sinks to the bottom and rises with a sharp movement of 20-50 cm.
Then the balancer sinks to the bottom and a pause of 2-3 seconds is expected. This is how the wiring is done. If there is no bite, then it is worth changing the nozzle, and then the fishing place and technique.
Improvisation in angling can be to increase the pause time to 15 or 20 seconds. You can also experiment with animation. Perform jerking, smooth pulling, tapping on the bottom, etc.
How to catch mormyshka
Mormyshka fishing technique is mostly calm. The bait is tapped on the bottom and gently lifted, giving calm vertical vibrations. Then also slowly lowered.
When conducting wiring, carefully monitor the bite, namely at what moment the predator rushes. Take advantage of this by performing effective animations more frequently.
The choice of bait tackle for catching zander in winter
Roughly speaking, the chimney can be divided into two categories:
- Surface;
- Underwater.
The first tackle is distinguished by the location of the coil over the ice shell. This arrangement simplifies the process of fishing and is used for active biting. In the second case, the tackle can be left overnight. The fishing line falls into the water with a margin, thereby not freezing into the ice.
It should unhindered unhindered by the attack of pike perch. The stock of the forest is needed so that the fanged one is securely hooked on the hook.
Tackle can be purchased at a fishing store (it’s inexpensive), or you can make your own. We cut out a circle from plywood with a slot where the equipment will pass. We attach a coil and a flag with a spring (bite signaling device) to the resulting product.
Equipment requirements:
- The minimum stock of fishing line is 20 m with a diameter of 0,3-0,5 mm;
- Sliding sinker weighing 15-20 gr;
- Single hooks N9-12;
- Leash 40-50 cm long.
Lure fishing technique
Winter fishing is complicated by the lethargy of zander. It is less mobile and reluctant to attack prey.
To fish out prey, you will have to use different options for flashing:
- The spinner drops to the very bottom and rises sharply above the ground by 40-50 cm. A short pause of 4-5 seconds is made and the process is repeated.
- The bait with a sharp stroke of the rod rises the same distance and immediately sinks to the bottom.
- In the coldest periods of winter, the height of the spinner toss should be reduced to 5 cm. The movements should be smooth and slow. Pike perch at this time is the least active and saves energy. Chasing a dynamic fish will definitely not.
- We lower the spinner, as it were, into free fall (remove the brake from the reel). Thus, she will plan to the side for several meters, depending on the depth and model of the bait. Then we pull it smoothly, dragging along the bottom. Such wiring is effective with a very weak bite.
- We touch the bottom with the bait and pull it from side to side, raising the dregs.
Do not forget to pause after each broach. In winter, short stops play a key role.
Pike perch is a rather cautious predator and can wait a long time for a passing moment. Often it is at the moment of pauses that he rushes at the victim.
Methods of fishing for sprat
Tulka is considered the most catchy bait in any period of winter. It features an attractive scent and natural appearance. Pike perch simply cannot stay away.
You can hunt pike perch with the help of a sprat:
- Vertical shine. Here, an additional bait is used – spinners. The sprat acts as a beacon for a predator, and the lure helps to catch fish.
- Also, the sprat is suitable for bait fishing.
- Postavushi. This is one of the varieties of zherlitsy. A mormyshka is attached to the fishing line, and after 30-40 cm a leash with a hook is installed, where the sprat clings.
General principles of tactics for achieving results
If you think that for successful winter fishing for zander it is enough to collect the necessary tackle, drill a hole and start fishing, then you are mistaken.
It is necessary to observe the basic principles:
- The study of the relief of the reservoir. Knowing the deepest places, pits, depressions, where the snag is located, the probability of correctly determining the place of pike perch increases. In this case, an echo sounder helps a lot;
- Having decided on the place, we make several holes at a distance of 5-10 m in a radius of 20-50 m;
- Holes are drilled from the shore towards the greatest depth;
- Each hole is fished with 10-12 wires;
- Periodically change the nozzle and wiring technique;
- Experimenting with depth.
Tips for beginner anglers
Experienced fishermen advise looking for the fanged one in the first ice in the places where he lived in the fall. In the first half of winter, baits should be chosen more weighty and overall. In the coldest phases, look for fish closer to the riverbeds.
Be sure to carry spare items of gear (hooks, fishing line, reel, etc.).