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For many years, fishermen have hunted for the whitefish family, as it is characterized by excellent taste characteristics. The most important thing is to know where to look for whitefish and how to catch it.
In fact, it is quite difficult to catch a representative of the whitefish family, since they do not live in every body of water and prefer only clean and very cold water, which can only be found in the northern regions. In addition, this is a trophy fish, which is not given to everyone to catch, and even more so to cope with it after being caught.
Whitefish family: a variety of forms
The whitefish family includes more than forty different types of fish. A passing sig is considered widespread. The family itself is distinguished by a variety of forms, which is sometimes regarded as the presence of independent species. These include sand, Neva, river, sea whitefish, as well as Valaam. These representatives of the whitefish family can be found in areas of North America, Europe and Asia. At the same time, the largest of them are found in North America and can weigh up to 10 kg.
General information
The whitefish family is characterized by the presence of a long, laterally compressed body, a small head and relatively large eyes, as well as a small mouth. On the sides, the body of the fish is distinguished by a silvery color, and the back can shimmer with a bluish-gray-green tint. As a rule, the sizes of individual individuals reach quite large values, with a weight of more than 10 kg. Approximately such characteristics have lake whitefish. Fish meat has excellent taste and is a traditional element of northern cuisine. The meat of this fish helps the peoples of the north to survive in such difficult environmental conditions.
Habitat
This predator feels great only in perfectly clean and cold water. Small individuals prefer to be in the coastal zone, near the channels and in places where there are steep drops in depths nearby. Larger specimens choose places closer to the fairway of the river, near rifts, where there are deep holes, as well as areas where the border between fast and slow currents passes. Whitefish get along well with grayling and perch. Moreover, this is typical for those areas where the habitat horizons of these fish do not intersect. Otherwise, the whitefish will easily deal with those who want to occupy its territory.
Life
The way of life of these inhabitants of the deep sea depends on their size. Small individuals prefer to stay closer to the coast. Larger individuals prefer deep places, with the presence of fast water flows. Early in the morning or late in the evening, whitefish can also be found in shallow water.
Interesting! Sig waits for his prey, being in the pit.
The fish feed for all 12 months, including the winter months. The main source of food for whitefish are benthic microorganisms. Whitefish do not strain plankton like other types of fish do.
In this regard, the whitefish diet includes small specimens of other fish species. Some scientists argue that whitefish do not mind tasting the caviar of other types of fish, including their fellows.
After 3 years of life, a period of puberty begins. During this period, fish lay their eggs in the fairway of the river. At the same time, whitefish spawn from September to December. Moreover, females do not cover their eggs. As soon as the cold begins to set in, the whitefish goes to look for warmer water areas. Such places may be deep holes that are known to the fish and where it has been before. After the spawning process, the eggs remain in this state until spring, when the last snow begins to melt and turn into cold river water. During this period, the first fry of this amazing fish appear. By this time, enough heat and the required amount of feed are provided.
Types of fish of the whitefish family
The whitefish family is distributed on many continents. A special condition – reservoirs must be distinguished by special cleanliness and coolness. This family is distinguished by the presence of individual species, which are characterized by a limited habitat, and the presence of polymorphic specimens. In this regard, attention should be paid to the many varieties of forms that need to be mentioned.
Muksun
This is a fish that is distinguished by very tender, pink-colored meat. It is a freshwater fish and is characterized as semi-anadromous. This is due to the fact that in the process of spawning, the predator carries out significant migrations. This fish is found in the waters of Siberia and is a permanent inhabitant of the waters of the Arctic Ocean.
Nelma
This is the same representative of the desalinated waters of the Arctic Ocean. If you go fishing in the mouth and deltas of the northern rivers, then you can safely count on the capture of this predator.
Omul
At the same time, there are both Baikal and Arctic omul. The first variety of omul prefers waters originating from the Arctic Ocean, and the second subspecies prefers the waters of such rivers as the Pechora, Yenisei, Lena, Kolyma, Indigirka and Khatanga.
peliad
This is a lake-river species, which has a second name – cheese. It is a particularly valuable fish and is of interest on an industrial scale.
European vendace
This small representative of the whitefish family is especially common in the Baltic Sea basin.
Siberian vendace
This fish is also called ripus or keel. This is a small fish that prefers freshwater reservoirs.
Sig through
This is a subspecies of whitefish, which is able to break up into many different forms of representatives of whitefish. They can be distinguished from other varieties by the shape of the head and the lower position of the mouth. It does not have such a hooked snout as the whitefish, but is much larger.
Whitefish Ussuri
At the same time, one should pay attention to the Ussuri whitefish, which is also called the Amur whitefish. These subspecies are found in the middle and lower reaches of the Amur, on the Amur Estuary, on the Tatar Strait and in the southern part of the Sea of Okhotsk.
Sig valek
This is a purely river representative of the whitefish family. It can be found from the Yenisei to Chukotka and from Alaska to the Atlantic coast of North America.
A relative
This is an endemic of the northern rivers of Siberia, flowing into the Arctic Ocean. This indicates that this subspecies of the whitefish family, except for the rivers of Siberia, is not found anywhere.
Ulcer
It is a representative of the whitefish family, which choose the conditions of freshwater rivers located beyond the Arctic Circle.
Whitefish fishing technique
As soon as the snow melts, you should immediately go fishing for whitefish. The main artificial bait for whitefish is considered to be a mormyshka, modernized specifically for catching whitefish. With the advent of the month of May, when grayling spawns, you can also hunt for whitefish, since he, in turn, does not mind hunting for grayling caviar. It is during this period that gear that takes into account such a factor may turn out to be the most suitable. In other words, at this time, caviar or bait imitating fish caviar will serve as the most suitable bait.
With the advent of summer and until the period of its height, mosquitoes-twitchers, which are part of the diet of whitefish, are active on the reservoir. During this period, artificial baits similar to this insect will be most effective. Starting from the middle of summer and up to September, the whitefish does not show much activity and it is difficult to interest him in anything. This is due to the fact that at the height of summer the whitefish does not lack food elements.
Fishing for whitefish in the summer on Lake Storuman
With the onset of cold weather, when the reserves of natural food in water bodies are depleted, the whitefish begins to show some activity. During this period, you can count on the catch of whitefish in the coastal zone, but the specimens will not be large. If he goes to the fairway of the river, then you can count on the capture of a trophy specimen.
Sig pecks without hesitation, sharply and powerfully. At the same time, 2 phases of the attack differ: the first phase is characterized by the float moving diagonally upwards, and the second phase is a sharp turn and the predator goes to the depth. Sometimes, having grabbed the bait, it can stay on the same horizon for some time, but these cases are quite rare and are not included in the rules of whitefish bites.
If the fish has swallowed the bait, then you need to prepare for a powerful counteraction. This is a cunning and intelligent fish that is able to resist, both when fishing from the shore and when fishing from a boat. With inability and inexperience, most bites end in a fish gathering.
Fishing for whitefish with a float rod
Despite the fact that the whitefish is a predator, it is practiced to catch it with a float rod. It can be especially effective in the spring, when a predator can indiscriminately peck at any bait, including a worm. This is due to the fact that the fish are pretty hungry during the winter period. Therefore, for catching it, you can take an ordinary telescopic rod, up to 5 meters long, equipped with a monofilament line designed for catching large individuals. Most anglers prefer braided line, up to 0,2 mm thick, as well as a small float.
Particular attention should be paid to the coloration of the underside of the float to minimize the alertness of the fish. The hook is selected depending on the size of the individuals that peck within a certain section of the river.
Fly fishing for whitefish
This method of fishing is suitable at any time of the year, both in summer and in winter. The equipment includes a rod, up to 0,6 meters long, equipped with a movable spool. It is very important to have a pear-shaped sinker, weighing up to 15 grams, which is attached to the tip of the leash. At a distance of 30 cm from it, 2 nymphs are attached. Nymphs can be bought, or you can knit yourself using red yarn.
To catch a whitefish, you first need to find its location in the water column. It will be difficult to do this without an echo sounder, but if you are lucky to catch at least one individual, then you should mark the depth and catch it from this depth. As a rule, tackle sinks to the very bottom. After that, in search of whitefish, tackle is gradually raised from the bottom surface. The fact is that whitefish can be at any depth.
Catching a whitefish with a spinning rod
The most interesting will be catching whitefish on a spinning rod using jig baits and jig fishing techniques. To do this, you should use a powerful rod, a powerful reel and a reliable braided fishing line. As for baits, zander silicones or deep-sea wobblers are suitable. Moreover, one should not forget that the whitefish has a small mouth, so you should not choose massive and voluminous baits. It is better to take not large and narrow, with a runaway shape.
As a rule, the predator attacks light-colored lures more, as well as brightly colored lures. Although, as with catching other types of fish, you will have to experiment to decide on the color.
Bottom fishing for whitefish
This fishing technique is applicable only in late autumn. During this period, whitefish quite often come close to the shore. The bottom tackle will consist of a strong rod equipped with a monofilament line and a reel with an increased gear ratio. We should not forget about the sinker.
Maggot can serve as the main bait. The main task is to catch whitefish from the bottom of the reservoir. At the same time, the bait is carried out along the bottom of the reservoir. The sig will be interested in a lure that moves slowly and makes small stops. There are several options for bottom fishing. Very often they use artificial baits of red color. Since whitefish prefer to be at depth during this period, it is advisable to catch deep places, such as holes.
Technique and tactics of winter whitefish fishing
As a rule, winter fishing is significantly different from summer fishing. For winter whitefish fishing, you should choose nodding rods that can withstand this powerful fish. The material for the manufacture of rods can be wood. Its length is 0,3-0,4 meters. Moreover, it is not necessary to install a nod, just like a coil. The fishing line is stored on the same rod, which is shaped like a reel. The fishing line is necessarily monofilament, as it is more frost-resistant. Its diameter should be at least 0,17 mm.
The sheer flashing method is also suitable for catching this predator. If there is a high-quality bait on the tackle, then the catch of a trophy specimen is guaranteed. Spinner wiring is no different from basic wiring: it is an alternation of short jerks with short pauses.
No less catchy can be high-quality balancers. Many anglers use homemade lures such as jig or fake flies.
Flies can be attached next to the lure, which greatly increases the chances of the fisherman.
What kind of bait, bait and bait are used
Various imitators of invertebrates, fish fry and eggs of other fish species are suitable as artificial baits.
When using bottom equipment, it is recommended to give preference to worms, mollusk meat and a number of invertebrates that are included in the diet of whitefish.
It responds well to flies imitating various insects with light elements, as well as to medium and large sized jigs.
Whitefish is considered a tasty fish, therefore it is very popular among anglers.