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The mandula fishing lure is very effective when fishing pike perch for spinning using the “jigging” method. It often rescues the angler when the predator is passive and does not respond well to silicone imitations of food objects.
Mandala Benefits
Compared to foam fish and silicone types of jig baits, the mandula has several advantages:
- the presence of floating elements;
- active game without additional animation by the angler;
- good aerodynamics.
Due to the presence of floating elements, after lowering to the bottom, the bait does not lie on the ground, but occupies a vertical position. This allows the predator to attack more accurately, which in turn increases the number of successful strikes.
Since floating material is used for the manufacture of the mandala, even with a sinker lying on the ground, its individual elements continue to actively move under the influence of the current, resembling a pike perch feeding from the bottom of a fish. This quality is especially important when the predator is passive and does not react to the fast wiring of the bait.
Photo: www.activefisher.net
Thanks to the articulated joints of all elements, the mandala has good aerodynamic qualities. After the cast is completed, the load is in front, and the rest of the parts follow it, acting as a stabilizer. This increases the flight range of the bait, which is of great importance when fishing pike perch from the shore.
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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Size selection
Mandulas 10–13 cm long are more often used to catch pike perch. They correspond to the usual size of predator food objects. Such models usually include 3 floating elements, one of which is located on the hook.
In the autumn, when the “fanged” accumulates fat before wintering and preys on larger fish, options with a length of 14–16 cm work better. Models with a size of 17–18 cm are used to purposefully catch trophy specimens.
Photo: www.activefisher.net
With low activity of pike perch, two-piece mandulas about 8 cm long often turn out to be the most catchy. Such options are especially effective when fishing for a medium-sized predator weighing up to a kilogram.
Most catchy colors
When catching pike perch on lakes with clear water, mandulas of the following colors have proven themselves better:
- blue with white;
- pale pink with white;
- pale purple with white;
- brown;
- black ones.
When fishing “fanged” on rivers and reservoirs, it is better to use mandulas of contrasting colors:
- black with yellow (“beeline”);
- brown with yellow;
- green with yellow;
- red with blue
- red with yellow;
- green with red and orange;
- green with red and black;
- orange with white and black.
Models of contrasting colors are more visible to the predator in muddy water, which contributes to an increase in the number of bites.
Bait Equipment
The mandula is usually equipped with triple hooks in the amount of 1-3 pcs. (depending on model size). The stings of the “tees” should move away from the soft elements of the body of the bait by at least 0,5 cm – this will provide a more reliable hooking.
Experienced spinningists note that when fishing pike perch, mandulas with colored plumage on the lower “tee” work better. It is made from various materials:
- woolen threads;
- synthetic wool;
- Lurexa.
The color of the plumage is selected in such a way that it contrasts with the main palette of the bait.
Photo: www.pp.userapi.com
The mandula itself weighs quite a bit, so it is always equipped with a Cheburashka load. This allows you to perform long-range casting and make high-quality wiring.
Most anglers use lead weights to equip the mandala. They are relatively inexpensive, which is extremely important when fishing is carried out in snarled areas where the likelihood of a hook is high. The disadvantage of such sinkers is their softness. When biting, the pike perch tightly compresses its jaws and its fangs get stuck in lead – this often does not allow for high-quality hooking and piercing the bony mouth of the fish with hooks.
“Cheburashki”, made of tungsten, are devoid of this drawback. However, they are much more expensive than lead models, which, when fishing in thick snags, can significantly increase the cost of fishing.
When fishing pike perch in stagnant water, mandulas with a weight of 15–40 g are usually used. For fishing in the course, “cheburashkas” weighing 30–80 g are used.
To equip the mandala with a Cheburashka sinker, you will need:
- Attach the head hook of the lure to the winding ring;
- Attach the same winding ring to one of the weight wire loops;
- Attach another wire loop of “cheburashka” to a leash or a carabiner fastened to it.
Large zander can show strong resistance when playing, so the winding rings and carabiners used in the equipment must be of high quality. You can also use cheburashka weights with a built-in fastener, which allow you to perform installation without additional connecting elements.
Technique of fishing
The mandala fishing technique is quite simple. The spinning player finds a promising point (a snarled hole, a deep drop, a channel edge) and methodically catches it, making 10-15 casts. In the absence of bites, the anglerfish moves to another, interesting place.
Photo: www.manrule.ru
When fishing pike perch on a mandala, you can use several wiring options:
- classic “step”;
- step wiring with a double jerk;
- dragging on bottom soil.
When performing stepped wiring, the spinner must hold the rod at an angle of 40-60 degrees relative to the surface of the water. The lure animation process is as follows:
- The angler is waiting for the bait to sink to the bottom;
- Makes 2-3 quick turns of the reel handle;
- Waiting for the next touch of the bottom with the bait;
- Repeats the cycle.
When the fish is passive, you can slow down the pace of the wiring and let the mandala lie motionless on the bottom ground for several seconds.
With the active behavior of the predator, stepped wiring with a double jerk works perfectly. It differs from the classic “step” in that during the rotation of the handle of the reel, the spinning player makes 2 short, sharp jerks with the tip of the rod (with an amplitude of 10–15 cm).
Photo: www. activefisher.net
Pike perch often feeds on shallow, deep dumps. Under such conditions, it is better to present the mandala to the fish by dragging along the bottom. This wiring method is performed according to the following scheme:
- The spinner casts and waits for the mandula to reach the bottom;
- Makes 3-5 slow turns of the reel handle;
- Makes a pause of 3–7 s;
- Repeats the cycle with slow winding and short pauses.
With this method of feeding, the bait drags along the bottom, while raising a cloud of turbidity, which the predator quickly draws attention to.
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
Applied tackle
When catching a fanged predator on a mandala, spinning tackle is used, including:
- spinning rod with a rigid blank 2,4–3 m long;
- “Inertialess” series 4000-4500;
- “braid” with a thickness of 0,12–0,15 mm;
- metal leash.
Rigid spinning allows you to feel the delicate bites of zander and provides reliable hooking. For fishing from a boat, rods with a length of 2,4 m are used. When fishing from the shore – 2,7–3 m. Depending on the weight of the bait, the test range of the blank can vary from 15 to 80 g.
Photo: www.manrule.ru
A large spinning reel has good traction characteristics – this plays a significant role when angling large fish. It is important that the “inertialess” winds the cord evenly and has a fine adjustment of the friction brake.
A thin “braid” with a thickness of 0,12-0,15 mm will allow you to perform long-distance castings of the mandula. The minimum stretch of the cord ensures good sensitivity of the tackle.
Pike-perch do not have such sharp and often spaced teeth as pike, so they cannot bite the cord. However, when fishing with a jig method, it is necessary to use a leash about 15 cm long. This is due to the fact that a fanged predator is often caught on hard ground covered with stones and shell rock. In the absence of a lead element, the lower part of the “braid” will wear out quickly, which will inevitably lead to a decrease in the reliability of the tackle.
As a leash, it is better to use a piece of guitar string with twists at both ends. This design is characterized by reliability and ease of manufacture.