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The peak of activity of large toothy falls on the cold season. This is due to a number of factors: a decrease in shelters, weight gain for wintering, maintaining vital functions in ice water. Fishing is less active in summer. This is due to the high water temperature, a wide food base. With a cold snap, the linen strays into groups and goes to the depths. Pike, in turn, remains without the lion’s share of prey.
How to find a predator during the freezing period
When going fishing, you should note for yourself the promising areas where pike were caught in the summer. Often, the “toothy” remains in its favorite areas of water bodies, even if the food supply is thinning out. If in the warm season the predator feeds on fish, frogs and tadpoles, leeches and water beetles, then in winter it only has fish and crustaceans.
Photo: maxfishing.net
In shallow waters, the spotted beauty manages to hunt perch, rudd and bleak. An inhabitant of the depths pursues larger prey: crucian carp, scavenger and bream. Fans of catching peaceful fish often come across specimens that were previously attacked by a predator. The pike leaves characteristic cuts on the body of the prey, knocking down the scales.
Where to look for pike in winter:
- in shallow bays of rivers and reservoirs;
- upper reaches of private ponds and lakes;
- near snags, platforms;
- on grassy waterings;
- in the backwaters, near the fallen trees.
As a rule, the predator is caught at shallow depths, however, the largest trophies live in the channel edges, where there is a sufficient food supply. It is necessary to search in the pits with large baits or live bait of the appropriate size. At depth, the bite of a small “spotted” is an exception. The by-catch often includes zander and large perch.
Pike chooses a parking lot according to the following principles:
- The presence of shelters. As a shelter, not only a natural obstacle can serve, but also an object left by a person (wheel, logs, construction debris). If the area of the reservoir is a flat plateau without any underwater objects, then the predator can hide in depressions, on differences in depths, dumps and exits from holes. Irregularities of the relief attract him as much as classical shelters.
- feed base. In reservoirs with a poor pike diet, biting is usually more intense. The fish living in such areas are always hungry and you can get a bite even on the worst day. Typically, such reservoirs are formed from hollows into which water from rivers enters. The pike that got there is not able to get back with a decrease in the water level. A striking example of such reservoirs is the ilmen part of the Volga.
- Flow. The presence of a constant water flow saturates the water area with oxygen, and the fish remain active. Oxygen starvation under the ice is a serious problem that is more often faced by anglers who conduct outings on stagnant waters. On ponds and lakes, you should look for springs and places where streams flow. Artificial and natural water areas are formed on the ground with an active stream, which collects the volume of water in the water area. Therefore, the upper reaches for finding a predator are considered the ideal start to a fishing day.
Photo: lt.sputniknews.ru
Of course, the depth in the fishing zone plays an important role in the search. Fish often stay in shallow waters, and even in deep sections of rivers, pike occupies coastal edges, small bays and the edge of cattail or reeds. The working depth is 0,5-3 m, it is possible to catch at great depths, but the result will be unpredictable.
Ways to find and drill holes
For pike fishing, a pick is used if the ice thickness does not exceed 5-8 cm. In other cases, an ice screw remains an effective companion for the angler. For catching a spotted beauty, an auger diameter of 120-130 mm is sufficient. A predator up to 3-4 kg easily enters such a hole. When choosing a wider drill, it is worth considering the diameter of the base of the vents. On a warm sunny day, the hole can thaw, which causes the round-based vents to fall through the ice.
For every fishing trip, it is advisable to take a pick with you, with which you can tap the ice under your feet and break a hole if the pike does not pass. A pick will come in handy when fishing in the cold, when there is no snow on the ice. On such days, the holes quickly freeze through, and the vents are ice-bound with them.
Photo: altfishing-club.ru
To search for pike with a lure, it is necessary to drill holes every 3-5 m. The distance depends on the fishing area: if fishing is carried out in snags and reed thickets, then it should be reduced, in open areas the distance can be increased. A pike often attacks directly from an ambush, so you need to drill holes as close as possible to visible snags, reeds, platforms. Sometimes in cold water the predator refuses to go a few meters to the bait.
Several ways to drill holes:
- around shelters;
- straight line;
- staggered;
- arbitrarily.
Experienced pike hunters drill holes close to visible hiding places. If in these zones only a trifle comes across or there are no bites at all, anglers switch to other search methods. Drilling with a line allows you to find fish along a wall of cattail or reeds. Drilling in a checkerboard pattern is recommended in areas with drops or an edge. Sweeping, but methodical drilling of holes allows you to see the whole picture of the bottom.
Some anglers do not recognize fishing tactics, drilling holes where the heart tells. Oddly enough, sometimes the results of these fishermen are higher, although they rely only on luck.
pike fishing in december
At the beginning of winter, when the first ice is just formed, predator hunters rush to the pond. This period is characterized by a good bite, because the water is still high in oxygen, and the pike continues to gain weight. For fishing, stagnant ponds or river bays are chosen, where the ice is much stronger than in the course. Throughout the winter, flowing water areas may not be covered with ice, so most of their area is not available to winter fishermen.
Where to look for pike at the beginning of winter:
- on sandy beaches;
- near coastal edges;
- in reeds, near cattail;
- under driftwood and trees.
At the beginning of the winter season, you can fish in the same place all day long, because the fish are active and move around the pond. This applies to both flashing and fishing with the help of zherlits.
When fishing in shallow water, the transparency of the ice is of great importance. If the frozen layer is not covered with snow, then looking for a “toothy” one with artificial baits is deeper, where the fisherman’s shadow is not visible at the bottom. In no case should you choose sludge from a hole that has been made so as not to light up the fishing area.
On transparent ice, vents work best, since the angler does not need to be near them. You should approach the triggered gear carefully so as not to frighten off the predator.
A number of holes made should not be ignored. Even if there were no bites in them, this does not mean that the pike completely ignores these zones. It is easier to walk along the old holes, because this activity does not require the effort to drill new holes. On the first ice, anglers go to shallow ponds, lakes and swamps. Pike, as a rule, inhabits up to 90% of the country’s water bodies, it is prolific and quickly bred.
Spawning at the toothy inhabitant of fresh water areas begins in March. Since the beginning of January, pike have caviar, which ripens for several months. The predator leaves for spawning much earlier than the white fish, in some cases this happens even under the ice. Fishing during this period is subject to local fishing regulations, which vary from region to region.
Fishing for a spotted predator in January
The middle of winter is the most difficult period for fishing, because seducing a trophy is no longer as easy as it used to be. Now the pike is passive and reminds of itself with reluctant bites on the most delicate tackle.
During the dead of winter, ice fishing professionals recommend leaving ponds, lakes and other small stagnant bodies of water. At this time, it is better to fish in the course, where there is at least some chance to meet the “toothy”. In January, the ice thickness reaches its maximum, so the water area loses its supply of oxygen, and the level of nitrites and nitrates in the water rises.
Photo: s-fishing.pro
Many wintering pits, which were inhabited in December, are abandoned by their inhabitants due to the high content of harmful substances. Water in such pits stagnates, acidification of the soil occurs. At this time of the year, you can catch pike by exploring the banks of small rivers. Ice in January allows you to move freely in areas with a small current, of course, tapping the road in front of you with the help of an ice pick.
Fishing spots on the rivers:
- coastal edges;
- areas near cattail;
- loose spots in the reeds;
- areas with fallen trees;
- snags and sandy exits from the pits;
- bay entry;
Often pike occupies zones with a change of stagnant water to the current. A constant flow moves the water masses, saturating them with oxygen. On a small river, pike are much more active than on ponds and lakes.
The intensity of biting depends on the weather, the stability of atmospheric pressure, precipitation and wind strength. Usually the peak of activity falls on the morning hours. Pike takes from dawn to noon. In the evening, there are short exits, but they cannot be called strong cool.
Many anglers leave tackle with live bait overnight. In the morning they go out on the ice again, check the vents. In the dark, trophy specimens come across, especially towards the end of winter
Fishing in February
By the end of winter, the ice becomes porous, thawed patches appear, and water comes out of the holes. At this time of the year, the biting resumes with renewed vigor: the water area is saturated with oxygen, and the pike is gaining weight before spawning. In February, catches of trophy specimens are not uncommon, while the fish respond in extremely unusual places.
Where to look for a predator in February:
- in bays of rivers and reservoirs;
- upper reaches of ponds and lakes;
- on dumps and exits from pits;
- near the coastal zone.
It is important to remember that searching for cattail and reed vegetation should be done carefully. In these zones, the ice is the weakest and melts much faster. The ice layer retreats faster in areas with snags, stumps, logs and any cover sticking out of the water.
Photo: www.outsidepursuits.com
At this time of the year, pike is perfectly caught on sheer spinners and large balancers. The activity of the predator lasts almost the entire daylight hours with interruptions. The fish are actively moving, so it is worth periodically checking previously fished areas.
If in January most anglers use fluorocarbon leads, which increase the number of bites, then towards the end of winter, metal analogues made of tungsten, titanium and string again come to the fore.
Fishing on the rivers in February is dangerous, because the current washes away the already thin ice from below. It is often impossible to see the ravine with your own eyes, because a layer of snow lies on top of the ice crust.
Fishing on the river is possible in areas with a slow current or in still water:
- in bays;
- factories;
- near coastal zones;
- at the exits of the bays.
In places rich in grassy vegetation, the ice is less strong. This is due to the release of oxygen by plants. Daylight hours are getting longer, temperatures are rising, and flora is revitalizing. Hornwort, water lily and other higher plants emit air bubbles that rise to the ice and destroy it.
Photo: na-rybalke.ru
Basic fishing methods in winter
For fishing spotted beauty, both artificial and live baits are used. The first include balancers, sheer spinners, rattlins, silicone. A small fish always acts as a live bait.
Lure fishing
For fishing with artificial baits, you will need an appropriate rod. Its length should be such that the angler does not bend over the hole while fishing. The optimal height of the winter blank for ice fishing is a meter. Such spinning rods are characterized by a certain flexibility and power that can withstand the pressure of large fish. The handles are usually made of cork, but there are exceptions with handles made of EVA polymer material.
Fishing rods are equipped with an inertial reel, which has a much lower weight than a non-inertial analogue. In some cases, miniature multipliers are used, but it is worth considering that not every product is suitable for harsh winter conditions.
Photo: activefisher.net
For pike fishing, a light or transparent fishing line with a bluish or greenish tint is used, which is less visible to the eyes of a predator. The diameter of nylon ranges from 0,2-0,3 mm, depending on the size of the baits used and the weight of the expected trophy.
Popular sheer baits:
- pendulum atom;
- Acme Boxmaster;
- Rapala Jigging Rap W07;
- Strike Pro Challenger Ice 50.
Each type of artificial bait has its own game. Sheer spinners are metal products with a flat body and a tee at the bottom, they attract a predator from afar by reflecting light. Balancers resemble a wounded fish, they are located under water in a horizontal position. Due to the plastic tail, the bait makes jerks in different directions, creating some kind of randomness.
Also, rattlins are used to fish a toothy predator – a winter analogue of sinking wobblers without a blade.
The fishing technique is simple and does not require special skills; several basic techniques are used in animation:
- single toss;
- light rocking at the bottom;
- hitting the bottom with a tee;
- slow lowering;
- short dribbling.
The more diverse the wiring, the higher the chances of seducing a spotted predator. Passive pike often attack the bait with an active game, which is considered a strong irritant.
To attract the attention of predators, it is recommended to use sharp strokes. In this way, you can lure the pike from afar, make it approach the artificial bait. Further, the angler acts according to the circumstances. Tapping on the bottom raises clouds of turbidity, which are great for any predator. The spotted beauty attacks during pauses in movement or during smooth play.
For ice fishing, bright colors of lures are rarely chosen. In the vast majority of cases, dark natural colors and metallic colors of baubles prevail. There should be a bright spot on the body of the bait that focuses the attention of the fish. It serves as an attack point and most bites follow this zone. The attack point is placed closer to the hook to increase the percentage of successful notches.
In addition to metal spinners, soft plastic baits are often used in recent years. Leeches, crustaceans and insects made of edible silicone are a great alternative to sheer baubles. Among the models, elongated slugs in natural shades are in the lead. Closer to spring, when the water becomes cloudy, anglers use bright green, orange and red rubber.
In shallow waters, baits are not shipped if the silicone is sinking. In other cases, they use a miniature collapsible sinker in the form of cheburashka. The soft structure of the lure gives the angler more time to hook. When biting, the pike does not immediately release the prey from the mouth, because it resembles a live fish.
Arrangement of girders
In addition to sheer lure, pike can be successfully caught with the help of stationary “baits”, for which the bait is the bait. The pike has a wide mouth structure, so almost any fish is suitable for angling.
The best live bait is considered:
- crucian carp;
- gusteru;
- rudd;
- roach.
Perch and ruff are an absolute must if you cannot get live bait from white fish. The gudgeon or bubyr also performs well; you can find these small representatives of the ichthyofauna on sandbanks.
The bait for pike should have a high stand with a reel and a round base that completely covers the hole. Tackle with a base in the form of a rectangle transmits light into the fishing area, which alerts the predator. A high stand makes it possible to rake a snowdrift onto the platform, thereby preventing the hole from icing up.
Photo: image.fhserv.ru
For zherlitsy use the following equipment:
- on the main fishing line with a cross section of 0,3 mm, a sliding sinker with a size of 5-10 g is threaded;
- next, a silicone stopper is installed that regulates the position of the lead;
- a string, titanium or tungsten models, fluorocarbon are used as a leash;
- a clasp with a hook is attached to the second end of the lead material.
Fluorocarbon is less noticeable than metal, so it is better perceived by pike. However, even the thickest flurry is cut by the sharp teeth of a predator. In the period of deaf winter, in order to increase bites, you can use fluorocarbon, in other months it is better to put a metal twist.
Live bait is planted in several ways:
- double under the gills;
- single crochet for the lip;
- tee behind the back;
- triple crochet for the tail.
Each of the planting methods has a number of advantages, so each angler selects the best option for himself.
Bait fishing is a separate type of fishing, but it can be combined with pike fishing on a balancer or lure. You should also remember about the storage of live bait and its constant replenishment. You can keep the nozzle alive with a rubberized bag or other container, subject to constant water changes.
In connection with the current legislation, the allowed number of vents per angler is 5 pieces. This set of gear applies only to public waters. On private ponds and leased sections of rivers, other rules established by the local administration apply.
The tactic of catching is based on the search. It is necessary to leave the zherlitsa in one place for no longer than an hour. If in 60 minutes there was no bite, you can safely move the set to another promising place.
When biting, the flag rises, signaling the attack of a predator. Approach the tackle should be quiet, so as not to frighten the prey. The pike attacks the fish across, after which it needs time to turn the live bait head towards the esophagus. Depending on where the hook is located, they wait a certain time. Hooking is best at the moment of torsion of the coil. At this time, the pike moves away from the vent under tension and the success rate is much higher. If the fish is in a position with its muzzle to the vent, then when hooking, you can simply tear the live bait out of its mouth.
Weather and pike activity
Despite the strong opinion that fish do not like changes in the atmospheric front, snowfalls and pressure drops often work for the angler. When the whitefish falls into a state of prostration, the pike perfectly hunts vulnerable prey.
Photo: Yandex Zen channel “Rybalka 63”
Fishing is great on sunny days, but the ice should not be transparent. In clear weather, dark colors of baits are used, in cloudy weather – light ones. The girders work well in the rain, when flashing becomes impossible.
Severe frosts can force trophy fish to peck. During this period, it is better to leave the girders overnight, checking them in the morning. The hooks allow you to fish without any constraint from the weather. A comfortable tent with good visibility makes it possible to observe what is happening in the warmth and with hot tea.
In the thaw, the predator is as active as in severe frost, however, at a positive air temperature, individuals of completely different sizes can come across on the hook.
Getting on the pond you never know how active the pike will be that day. That is why fishing for a predator is so attractive to anglers.