Contents
All useful information about the fish
Rybets is a semi-anadromous fish of the carp family, but there are freshwater forms. The appearance of the fish is quite recognizable because of the peculiar snout: an elongated nose that completely covers the lower mouth. The fish can be confused with the podust, but has a wider body and a rounder mouth. Podust has a square mouth when open. The fish has several other names. In different regions they call it syrt, syrtinka, shreberka, sometimes, mullet. Rybets is a name characteristic of the southern regions. The fish is widespread in the European part of Russia, but rather heterogeneous. Ichthyologists believe this is due to the fact that fish prefer fast-flowing rivers. The size of the syrty can reach a length of 50 cm and a weight of up to 3 kg, but the bulk of the fish is much smaller – 250-300 gr. During the spawning run along the river, it forms large flocks, which, in turn, can be divided among themselves, according to the size of the individuals and the age of the fish. The southern and northwestern populations are slightly different in appearance. Some scientists argue that the vimba can form hybrid forms with other closely related cyprinids. There are three subspecies: common fish (raw), Caspian and small.
Ways to catch syrty
Rybets prefers a benthic way of life. The main food for him is benthos – organisms living in the soil of the reservoir. Related to this are the methods of catching this fish. First of all, these are bottom and float gear. When fishing from a boat, it is possible to use side rods and “ring” type equipment. Fishing with winter tackle is also popular, but varies by region. Syrt, like other cyprinids, can be fly-fished using invertebrate imitations (nymphing). From most of the small rivers, in autumn, the damp rolls down for wintering and feeding in the sea or in lakes and reservoirs. Catching syrt on a float rod Syrt is a very cautious fish, it reacts quite sensitively to rough or improperly adjusted equipment. For fishing with float rods, it is worth considering the most insignificant nuances. Features of using float gear for catching syrt depend on the fishing conditions and the experience of the angler. For coastal fishing for small fish, rods for “deaf” equipment 5-6 m long are usually used. For long-distance casts, match rods are used. The choice of equipment is very diverse and is limited by the conditions of fishing, and not by the type of fish. As already noted, the fish is capricious, so delicate equipment is required. As in any float fishing, the most important element is the right bait and bait.
Fishing for syrty on bottom gear
Syrt responds well to bottom gear. Fishing with bottom rods, including feeder and picker, is very convenient for most, even inexperienced anglers. They allow the fisherman to be quite mobile on the reservoir, and because of the possibility of point feeding, quickly “collect” fish in a given place. Feeder and picker, as separate types of equipment, currently 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. Nozzle for fishing can serve as any nozzle, both vegetable or animal origin, and pasta, boilies. 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, lake, etc.) and the food preferences of local fish.
Catching syrt with winter gear
Rybets stays to winter not in all rivers. Most populations of this fish slide into larger water bodies. However, in the case of winter fishing, for example on the Don, catching fish in winter can be very exciting. Fish are caught on traditional equipment: nodding – jig, float and bottom.
Baits
For catching fish – syrty fishermen prefer to use animal bait: crayfish and shellfish meat, maggot, bloodworm, worm and so on. Including their combinations. In certain periods, the syrt reacts to small spinning baits, which causes surprise and joy among fans of ultra-light gear.
Places of fishing and habitat
The main habitat of syrty – fish is Central Europe. In the southern part of European Russia, the fish is found in the basins of the Black and Caspian Seas, but not in all rivers. The fish enters the Volga in small numbers and remains in the lower reaches. In the North-West of Russia, fish enter the rivers and lakes of the Baltic coast. In large lakes and reservoirs, it can form freshwater populations. Syrt prefers fast-flowing rivers, can live near rifts. In large rivers and in “stagnant” reservoirs, it keeps deep areas. In cold weather, it rolls into the estuarine zone and brackish waters of the seas.
Spawning
The fish becomes sexually mature at the age of 3-5 years. In the pre-spawning period, like many cyprinids, epithelial tubercles appear in fish. From the sea, fish rise to the rivers, and stand on rifts with a pebble bottom. Spawning takes place in early summer. Lake, freshwater forms also move to spawn in tributaries. Due to changes in hydrological conditions and, possibly, climate, fish change their behavior, stay for the winter, not only in lakes, but also in reservoirs, where they form stable populations.