Contents
The jigging method of fishing has proven to be excellent when fishing pike perch in open water. Fishing in this way will be effective only if the spinner chooses the right place, correctly builds the tackle, and also knows how to pick up a working bait and efficient wiring.
Where to fish for zander with a jig
Fishing for zander with a jig is usually carried out at depths of 4–10 m. The fanged predator avoids areas with a silted bottom and is more common on the following types of soil:
- stony;
- clayey;
- sandy.
This predator also likes to stand in areas of reservoirs, the bottom of which is covered with shell rock. In such places, peaceful fish of the cyprinid family, which forms the basis of the pike perch diet, always keeps.
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You should not look for accumulations of this fish in areas with a flat bottom. Fangs of “fanged” are usually found in places with difficult bottom relief. To achieve the maximum number of bites, jig bait must be carried out:
- on deep dumps;
- along the channel edges;
- along the edges of underwater hills;
- in areas located at the exits of deep pits.
Pike likes to stand under bridges. In such places, as a rule, there is a lot of construction debris that serves as a hiding place for a predator. Sites located near flooded buildings may also be of interest to fans of jig fishing.
Seasonal features of predator behavior
When fishing with a jig method, it is important to understand how zander behave in different periods of the year. This approach will make fishing more meaningful and productive.
Spring
In the spring, spinning fishing (including the jig method) is prohibited on public water bodies. However, there are “payers” where you can successfully catch zander during this period.
Interesting fishing for “fanged” jig begins 10-15 days after the ice melts. At this time, the predator keeps in large flocks and readily reacts to baits presented in the near-bottom horizon.
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In April, the largest number of bites occurs during the day. With the onset of May, pike perch begins to be well caught in the morning and pre-sunset hours.
By mid-May, pike perch forms small groups and goes to spawn. It is almost impossible to catch him during this period. After the end of spawning, the fish “gets sick” for some time and its biting resumes only in summer.
Summer
In June, the ban on fishing with spinning tackle ends and the launching of watercraft becomes allowed – this opens up new opportunities for fans of jig fishing. On a boat or boat, a spinner can get to the most remote parts of the reservoir and find places with the maximum concentration of fanged predator.
An increase in water temperature in summer leads to a decrease in the feeding activity of zander. During this period, the main part of the bites occurs at dawn and at night. You can count on successful daytime fishing in cloudy, rainy weather or many days of cold snap.
The picture changes only towards the end of the summer season. In August, the water begins to cool, and the bite of the predator is activated.
Autumn
Autumn is the best season for jigging zander. With the cooling of the water, the “fanged” gathers in large flocks and begins to accompany the accumulations of “white” fish. That is why they look for a predator where bream, roach or white bream feed.
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From September until the start of freezing, pike perch readily responds to jig types of baits. His feeding trips occur several times a day. You can get a good bite at any time of the day. In autumn, the largest specimens of this fish are caught.
Winter
In winter, pike perch can be caught on a jig in non-freezing rivers, as well as in areas located near hydroelectric dams. At this time of the year, “fanged” behaves passively. It moves little in the water area and stands on local points.
In winter, biting is in the nature of short-term exits lasting about half an hour, which can occur both in daylight and in the dark. In order for fishing during this period to be effective, the spinner will need to study the bottom relief of the reservoir well and determine the most likely places for the predator to stay.
Applied tackle
When choosing accessories for fishing for zander with a jig, you need to take into account the type of reservoir on which you plan to fish. If this rule is not observed, it will be difficult to perform high-quality wiring of the bait and feel the delicate bites of a predator.
For the river
Tackle used for jig fishing in moderate current conditions includes:
- spinning with a rigid blank 2,4–3 m long and 20–80 g dough;
- “Inertialess” with a spool size 3500-4500;
- braided cord 0,1–0,12 mm thick;
- fluorocarbon or metal leash.
When fishing from a boat, it is better to use a spinning rod with a length of 2,4 m. It is much more convenient to fish with such a rod in confined spaces, especially when there are several fishermen on the boat.
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A short rod will not be able to perform an ultra-long cast, but this is not necessary, because on a boat you can swim close to the predator’s parking lots. Spinning with a length of 2,4 m is more convenient to control the bait and perform complex types of wiring.
When fishing with a jig from the shore, you need to use “sticks” 2,7–3 m long. Such rods will allow you to perform ultra-long casts, which is extremely important, since pikeperch parking lots are often at a distance of 70–90 m.
The rod used must have a rigid blank, which will allow:
- reliably cut through the bony mouth of pike perch;
- it is good to control the bait during posting;
- perform the most accurate casts;
- quickly determine the nature of the bottom relief.
A spinning rod with a blank test range of up to 80 g will allow you to perform long casts of heavy jig heads, which are usually used in conditions of current and great depth.
It is advisable to complete the tackle with a high-quality “inertialess” with a small gear ratio (no more than 4.8: 1) and a low-profile spool with a size of 3500–4500. Such models are distinguished by reliability and good traction, and also provide easy line release, thereby increasing the casting distance.
When fishing using the jig method, a “braid” is wound on the spool of the coil. This type of monofilament is distinguished by high strength characteristics and minimal stretch, which makes the tackle reliable and as sensitive as possible. For this type of fishing, multifilament, sinking lines, oriented to spinning fishing, are better suited.
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Pike-perch does not have such frequent and sharp teeth as pike, and is unable to cut the “braid”. However, jig fishing involves fishing in the near-bottom horizon and frequent contact of the line with underwater objects. To protect the end part of the main monofilament from chafing, the tackle package includes a metal leash made of a guitar string 15–20 cm long. .
In some types of jig rigs, leaders made of fluorocarbon line 0,28-0,33 mm thick are used. Their length can vary from 30 to 120 cm.
For stagnant water bodies
For jig fishing for pike perch in standing types of reservoirs, a lighter version of the tackle is used, which includes:
- spinning with a rigid blank 2,4–3 m long and a test range of 10–25 g;
- “Inertialess” series 3000-3500;
- “braids” 0,08–0,1 mm thick;
- a lead made of guitar string or fluorocarbon line.
The ease of tackle used on lakes and reservoirs is due to the absence of a current, the use of relatively light jig heads, less strong resistance of the fish when playing
In combination with the jig class of lures, the casting tackle set also works great, including:
- spinning with a dough of 15–60 g, equipped with low-set rings and a trigger near the reel seat;
- medium sized multiplier reel;
- braided cord 0,12 mm thick;
- a rigid metal leash made from a guitar string.
Spinning, equipped with a trigger near the reel seat, goes well with the multiplier reel. This combination of tackle elements allows for the most comfortable grip of the rod and casts without using the second hand.
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In contrast to the “inertialess”, the multiplier reel has a direct pull, which allows for additional control of the bait when retrieving in the fall phase, by pinching the cord between the thumb and forefinger. This option plays the most important role when fishing for passive walleye, when fish bites are very delicate and poorly transmitted to the tip of the rod.
The casting gear set can be used both in flowing and stagnant water bodies. However, it is not suitable for fishing at low temperatures, since even a small frost formed on the line will disrupt the operation of the “multiplier”.
Varieties of snaps
When fishing a fanged predator using the jig method, various equipment options are used. The type of installation is selected depending on the specific conditions of fishing and the degree of activity of the fish.
Almond
Mandula is one of the best lures for pike perch in open water. It works stably for both active and passive predators.
The body of the mandula consists of several segments with a movable joint. This ensures the active play of the bait on any type of wiring.
Floating elements of the mandala’s body ensure its vertical position at the bottom, which significantly increases the number of realized bites. To catch the “fanged” baits are usually used, consisting of two or three segments. Their length is 10-15 cm.
When catching pike perch, the most effective are mandulas of the following colors:
- brown with yellow;
- red with blue;
- black with yellow;
- green with yellow;
- pale pink with white;
- pale purple with white;
- brown;
- black ones.
Mandulas work great in combination with a Cheburashka sinker. It is good if the rear hook of the bait is equipped with colored plumage or lurex.
We offer to purchase sets of author’s handmade mandulas in our online store. A wide range of shapes and colors allows you to choose the right bait for any predatory fish and season.
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On a classic jig head
The rig on a classic jig head with a soldered hook works great when fishing in stagnant waters. It goes through snags quite well, which allows it to be used in moderately cluttered places.
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It is easy to put any type of silicone bait on a jig head with a soldered hook. The disadvantages of this installation include the low realization of bites, as well as poor aerodynamic qualities, which negatively affect the casting distance.
The weight of the used jig head, as a rule, is 20–60 g. Heavier options are used for catching trophy pike perch on large vibrotails.
On the cargo-cheburashka
The most popular jig equipment is mounted on a Cheburashka load. Its benefits include:
- good aerodynamics;
- low percentage of fish gatherings and high sale of bites;
- active game during posting.
The good aerodynamics of the rig allows you to cast the bait over a long distance, which is especially important when fishing from the shore. After the cast is completed, the sinker flies in front, and the soft imitation plays the role of a stabilizer, which ensures long-range flight.
This installation has a movable connection between the load and the bait. This provides a higher percentage of effective strikes and reduces the number of fish coming off the fight.
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The swivel connection of the elements ensures the active play of the bait during wiring. Often this quality plays a decisive role in the effectiveness of fishing.
The weight of the used sinker-cheburashka depends on the depth and strength of the current at the place of fishing. This parameter is usually 20–80 g.
With leash
Mounting with a retractable leash (“Moscow” equipment) helps a lot with low predator activity. Thanks to the 80–120 cm long leash, the bait slowly sinks to the bottom during a pause during the retrieval, provoking even a passive zander to bite.
When catching “fanged” leash is made of fluorocarbon fishing line with a thickness of 0,28-0,33 mm. The weight of the applied load is usually 20–60 g. This rig works well both in rivers and in still water.
jig rig
The jig rig has proven itself well when fishing pike perch on underwater dumps. The installation is thrown into a shallower area and slowly pulled into the depths.
In pike-perch jig-rig installation, it is better to use a lead sinker of the “bell” type weighing 12–30 g. To reduce the number of hooks in the rig, an offset hook No. 1/0–2/0 is used. All elements are fixed on a medium-sized carabiner tied to a fluorocarbon leash.
“Texas”
“Texas” equipment is very effective when fishing a fanged predator in snags. Thanks to the sliding bullet weight and offset hook, this montage goes well through dense underwater obstacles.
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In order for the “Texas” rig to work correctly, the weight of the applied weight should not exceed 20 g. This type of installation is most effective in still water.
“Caroline”
The “Caroline” rig differs from the “Texas” rig by the presence of a fluorocarbon leash 60-100 cm long, which allows for smoother and slower lure retrieval. This montage is also very effective when fishing in dense snags and has proven itself well in conditions of low feeding activity of the predator.
Bait selection
When fishing pike perch with a jig, various artificial lures are used. It is advisable to take several types of different imitations to the reservoir, which will allow you to choose an option that will arouse greater interest among the fish.
twister
Twister – silicone bait, often used to catch “fanged”. It has a narrow body and a movable tail, which actively plays when retrieving. Pike perch is best caught on models of the following colors:
- light green;
- yellow;
- carrot;
- red and white;
- “machine oil”.
The predator is more willing to take twisters 8–12 cm long. This bait is more often used in combination with a classic jig head, a Cheburashka load and a diverting leash.
Vibrotail
Vibrotails are also successfully used when fishing “fanged” in a jig way. When posting, this silicone bait imitates a wounded fish. For pikeperch, imitations of the following colors work better:
- carrot;
- yellow;
- light green;
- white;
- natural colors.
To catch small and medium-sized fish, vibrotails 10–15 cm long are used, and for targeted catching of trophy specimens, 20–25 cm. This type of bait is often equipped with a jig head or a Cheburash sinker.
Various creature
The class of baits called creatures includes silicone imitations of worms, crustaceans and leeches. They have practically no game of their own and work well on passive fish.
Pike perch responds best to dark-colored creatures 8-12 cm long. This type of bait is usually made from “edible” silicone. Such imitations are more often used with jig rigs, as well as in Texas and Carolina rigs.
Wiring technique
When fishing for pike perch on a jig, several methods of baiting are used. It is desirable for a spinner to know each of these options – this will allow him to stay with the catch at various degrees of activity of the predator.
Classic “step”
In most cases, the “fanged” responds well to the classic stepped wiring, which is performed according to the following scheme:
- The angler casts the bait and waits for it to sink to the bottom;
- The spinner brings the rod to a position at an angle of 45 ° to the surface of the water;
- Makes 2-3 quick turns with the “inertialess” handle;
- Pauses and waits for the bait to touch the bottom;
- It repeats the cycle with winding and pause.
This type of wiring is universal and works consistently with all tooling options. When fishing on a mandala, especially when the predator is passive, you can let the bait lie motionless on the bottom for several seconds.
With a double pull
Stepped wiring with a double jerk has proven itself well when fishing active pike perch. It is performed according to the same algorithm as the classic “step”, but during the rotation of the reel handle, 2 sharp, short (with an amplitude of about 20 cm) jerks are made with the rod.
With drag along the bottom
Wire dragging along the bottom is used when fishing on a jig rig or mandala. It is performed as follows:
- The spinner is waiting for the bait to sink to the bottom;
- Lowers the tip of the rod closer to the water;
- Slowly rotates the handle of the reel, while simultaneously performing small-amplitude swings with the tip of the spinning rod.
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Every 60–80 cm of wiring, you need to pause for 1–4 s. Bite can occur both on the movement of the bait, and when it stops.
We offer to purchase sets of author’s handmade mandulas in our online store. A wide range of shapes and colors allows you to choose the right bait for any predatory fish and season.
GO TO THE SHOP
Fishing strategy
Fishing pike perch with a jig method is an active type of fishing. To achieve a result, the spinning player often has to change fishing points and look for a predator at various depths.
Approaching a promising point, the spinner must act as follows:
- Throw the bait so that it sinks to the bottom behind the promising area;
- Make a wiring, trying to guide the bait through a large area of a promising area;
- Catch the entire interesting area, performing casts with a fan at a distance of 2-3 m from one another.
After biting and playing the fish, you should try to throw the bait at the same point where the attack occurred. If the pike perch does not manifest itself in any way in the area chosen for fishing, you need to change the type of bait, the method of wiring, or move to another place that differs in the depth and nature of the bottom relief.