Contents
A large detachment of fish, including about 200 species. Most garfish are inhabitants of sea water, but some can exist in low-salt and desalinated water bodies. The main feature of all species is an elongated body, a peculiar head and jaws with large teeth. In some fish, the lower jaw is somewhat longer and protrudes forward. In some cases, the size of the jaw changes during life, and the ratio of the size of the jaws may be an age-related feature of juveniles. Most species of garfish are flocking, pelargic predators. Flocks make long seasonal migrations. It is important for anglers to know that in the warm season, the fish actively feeds from the surface, but is not always in the upper layer, making daily migrations in the vertical direction. According to the way of life, they can be like real predators, so they live by feeding on plankton, and even vegetation. The sizes of fish living off the coast of Europe and the Russian Far East are relatively small – up to 1.5 kg, with a maximum length of about 90 cm. At the same time, a giant crocodile garfish can reach a length of up to 180 cm. An important feature of all species is that hunting or when a garfish is caught on a fishing hook, fish often jump out of the water. Many anglers distinguish garfish for desperate resistance when playing. It is worth noting that some divers claim that garfish are quite aggressive and attack people, especially at night by the light of lanterns.
Fishing methods
Garfish often hunt in the coastal zone, and therefore are a typical prey for anglers from the shore. Everywhere garfish are caught along with other predators on spinning lures. In addition, numerous rigs have been invented that are used to fish with natural baits. No less interesting is spinning fishing from boats. Feeding fish are searched for by splashes in the water. If an active school is found, dozens of fish can be caught in a very short time. Garfish are also caught with flies and streamers, for this they use both long-distance casting rods and fly fishing.
Catching fish on a spinning rod
It is worth immediately dividing spinning fishing into two main types: vertical lure and casting fishing. For fishing from the board, the garfish can be caught quite effectively on various jigs and other spinners. Pilkers are used in various techniques, both with drawing along the bottom and in the water column. When choosing tackle for catching a classic spinning “cast”, it is advisable to proceed from the principle “bait size + trophy size”. They use classic baits: spinners, wobblers and silicone imitations. Reels should be with a good supply of fishing line or cord. In addition to a trouble-free braking system, the coil must be protected from salt water. In many types of sea fishing equipment, very fast wiring is required, which means a high gear ratio of the winding mechanism. According to the principle of operation, the coils can be both multiplier and inertial-free. Accordingly, the rods are selected depending on the reel system. The choice of rods is very diverse, at the moment manufacturers offer a large number of specialized “blanks” for various fishing conditions and types of bait. It is worth adding that for coastal fishing of medium-sized garfish it is possible to use rods of light tests. When fishing with spinning marine fish, fishing technique is very important. To choose a fishing spot and the correct wiring, you need to consult experienced anglers.
Fishing with floats
There are quite a few different rigs for catching this fish with natural baits. They are used both when fishing from the shore and from boats. Long-range casting rods are used, both specialized and long spinning rods are suitable for this. All fishing methods are united by the fact that the bait is served in the upper layers of the water. These methods are effective when garfish hunt without going deep. It is important to know that these fish are very shy, require delicate rigs and long casts when fishing on the shore. If you use various classic “sbirulino-bombards”, then it makes sense to use different types of slow-sinking models. Wiring, as a rule, is used slow, uniform. Another way to feed the bait is based on the fact that the sunken and shipped bright-colored float is on the surface of the water, and the nozzle is fed to a certain depth, usually about 2 m. The methods of fixing the float and supplying equipment can be different and depend on the preferences of the fisherman. It is worth noting once again that snaps should be as delicate as possible.
Baits
Natural baits are most often various pieces of fish meat, shrimp, Nereis worm. Some anglers use chicken fillets. Considering that the garfish is an active predator of small fish, spinningists actively fish for various artificial imitations: spinners, wobblers, silicone lures.
Places of fishing and habitat
The European garfish is very widely distributed: along the entire coast of Europe, from the Black to the Baltic Seas. Its habitat also includes the coast of North Africa. Fish are seasonal. Despite the fact that the fish is found in both warm and cold waters, in most cases, all garfish make seasonal migrations. As a rule, with the onset of cold weather, it leaves the coast. In the spring it returns in search of easier prey.
Spawning
Females mature at the age of 5-6 years, males a little earlier. Spawning takes place in the spring and is quite stretched. This is due to the fact that spawning is portioned, with large intervals. The eggs are sticky and attach themselves to aquatic vegetation. Young garfish do not have a long upper jaw, it grows over time.