How to catch pike on zherlitsy in winter: installation and fishing process

If you visit any local history museum, you can still see ancient fishing equipment that dates back to the Stone Age. This indicates that mankind has been practicing fishing since ancient times. But in those days, fishing was not a kind of hobby, which it is now, except for commercial fishing. Fishing in the past is a way to feed yourself, but not a way to take a break from everyday hustle and bustle. In addition, ancient gear can not be compared with modern ones. Over time, recreational fishing equipment has undergone major changes: they have become much more effective. Such devices include the modern vent for pike fishing, with the help of which predatory fish, especially pike, are caught. Although this is such a simple device that it is difficult to talk about some kind of “advancement”.

Fishing on zherlitsy, as an interesting type of winter fishing

Along with the use of spinners, balancers and amphipods, the use of which is justified in certain fishing conditions, vents are more versatile gear that allows you to catch pike in those waters where there are very few of them, and she is very careful. If there is a sufficient amount of pike in the reservoir, then fishing for vents will always be effective. Under similar conditions, spinners with balancers can be used with the same success. But in reservoirs where there are few pike, it can only be caught with the help of a vent. Considering the fact that the vents can be set for an indefinite time, then at night, or rather closer to the morning, there is a high probability of catching a trophy pike.

Depending on the size of the reservoir, different tactics are used for fishing on vents. On large reservoirs, several dozen holes are drilled at once and vents are placed. In those holes where there were pike bites, they begin to catch the water column with the help of spinners of various origins. If fishing is carried out only using vents (many anglers do this so as not to bother too much and not to carry a whole bunch of gear with them), then additional vents are placed next to the holes where the predator was biting. Some anglers practice catching both predatory and peaceful fish. Unfortunately, this does not lead to effectiveness, especially if there are several vents that have to be monitored. If the pike begins to be actively caught, then it is unlikely that it will be possible to catch peaceful fish at the same time.

The advantage of the zherlitsa is that it is effective on any, including unfamiliar body of water. Put it on and wait for a bite. And a certain number of vents always give hope for productive fishing.

This is a very simple device in terms of design, but quite effective. The main thing is to learn how to use it correctly.

In fact, today there are several designs of girders. Moreover, each angler can have his own, exclusive design. Despite the structural differences, they all consist of the main components:

• Racks.
• Lines with a reel.
• Bite alarm.
• Snap.

Preparing for fishing

If we take the simplest vent as a basis, then it consists of a wooden rack, at the top of which a swivel bracket made of duralumin is fixed. At the opposite end there is a place for attaching the coil. This is where the reel with fishing line is attached. The fishing line is fixed on the axis with the help of a cambric.

In some designs, the bracket is replaced with a regular axle that can pass through the body of the rack. The stand is either made of wood or metal, although in the latter case, especially in the cold, you can freeze your fingers. In addition, the presence of water makes its own adjustments to the use of materials. Unfortunately, it is better not to use metal parts.

There are also designs where a tripod is used instead of one stand. It is more stable, regardless of fishing conditions.

The equipment of any zherlitsa includes:

• Sinker.
• Hook.
• Fishing line.

Typically used:

1. Monofilament fishing line, 0,3-0,35 mm in diameter. Braid should not be used, as it is afraid of low temperatures.
2. Hook number 1 or 1/0.
3. Leash made of fishing line, 0,5-0,6 mm thick. Although it is possible to use other leashes.
4. Sliding sinker, weighing 7-16 grams, depending on the fishing conditions.

The length of the fishing line should correspond to about 30 meters.

And that’s why:

• Firstly, the depth of the reservoir is very different in different parts of the water area.
• Secondly, very often there are hooks, and the tackle has to be cut off (shortened). Therefore, a supply of fishing line should always be present on the reel.
• Thirdly, the fish grabs the bait and goes to the side where it swallows it there. If there is no stock of fishing line, then there will be many gatherings.

As leashes, it is better to use a thick fishing line or special material.

How to determine the depth

Determining the depth of a reservoir is not at all difficult. To do this, a pellet (made of lead) is put on the hook and the tackle is lowered into the water. Actions are as follows:

1. Tackle with a similar depth gauge is thrown into the water. If the float antenna began to peek out of the water, then this means that the depth is known.
2. After determining the depth, you can start fishing.

Installation of a bait for pike fishing

Determination of a fishing spot

They begin to catch on vents as soon as the reservoir is covered with solid ice. Small lakes and ponds are covered first.

If possible, even before the ice appears, you can go boating on the reservoir and measure the depths at different points. It is better to put all the data in a notebook so as not to forget. With the help of such measurements, it is very easy to determine interesting places that will help in the winter in search of fish.

On small rivers, deep pools that lure carps can be interesting, as these places are distinguished by an abundance of food and a slow current. As soon as ice appears on the reservoir, the pike occupies the water horizon, 2-3 meters deep. Moreover, these areas are distinguished by the presence of aquatic vegetation. These places are perfect for fry, which are included in the predator’s diet. As the algae die off, the pike moves to areas with cleaner water and the presence of underwater currents that enrich the water with oxygen. If there are no such conditions, then the pike can lie on the bottom and be there, in a state of stupor. During periods of warming, pike can move around the reservoir in search of food.

When is the best time to install vents?

When fishing for pike on vents in winter, remember that it does not feed at night, so tackle should be set before sunrise. Just before sunrise, bites of large pike are possible. As a rule, gear is placed along the edge line if the bottom relief of the reservoir is known. Zherlitsy can be installed either randomly or according to a certain pattern. Live bait can be either immediately baited on the hook, or after all the bait are placed. If there are a lot of vents, then the second option is more suitable, since after putting the live bait on the hook of the 5th or 6th vents, the first one can already work and then it will be problematic to set all the vents.

When installing vents on the edges, the depth is chosen so that the live bait is at a distance of 0,5 meters from the bottom, if installed in the riverbed, then at a depth of 1 meter from the bottom. If there are a lot of snags at the bottom, then the live bait should not be lowered too low, as he can immediately find shelter for himself. In this case, you can lose some of the gear and hope for good luck.

After the tackle is installed, the hole is sprinkled with snow or covered with something else so that it does not freeze, otherwise the fishing line will not be able to unhindered from the reel or it will be cut off by an ice edge. It is also desirable to close the holes because larger pike are not afraid to approach such holes.

The process of bait fishing

Pike fishing on the shore

After the appearance of the first ice, somewhere around 2 weeks, the pike does not experience any discomfort and continues to behave as if there is no ice: it remains in its original places and hunts for fry. As a rule, such places are edges, where there are significant differences in depth.

The fishing process is simple, but some rules are required:

• The coil must not have play. In the process of attaching it, you should choose bushings from such a material that can withstand severe frosts and do not allow ice to appear.
• The bite signaling device should have a sensitivity of 0,1-0,15 kg.
• The reel should be slowed down when the fishing line is unwound from it.

Catching pike on spring ice

Precautions never hurt, especially when fishing on spring ice. One of the main ones are:

• It is better to go to the pond together.
• You should always take a pawn with you.
• In addition to the ice pick, you should also grab a rope.

With the advent of spring, there is a high probability of catching trophy pike. As a rule, massive pikes peck in the spring on lakes and rivers. Pike takes on small roach and rudd. As a rule, in spring it is not so actively caught on perch or ruff.

Pike fishing on the edge

On the edges there is always a high probability of catching pike. Most fishermen do not know the intricacies of catching predatory fish and pike are caught incorrectly. Holes are punched in the area of ​​​​the stall. They are arranged in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 9-16 meters. It must always be remembered that pike perch prefers depth, and pike prefers shallower areas of the water area.

Permutation of girders

Fishing with the help of girders has its own characteristics. In order for it to be effective, the vents must be regularly rearranged, breaking through new holes. As for the live bait, it must be kept in a bowl of water so that it remains active.

In the absence of bites for 2 hours, you should move to another place, punch holes and set the vents on a new one. Every half an hour it is necessary to check the tackle for the presence of live bait.