After the harsh winter and frosty nights of March, the hottest time begins for local and visiting fishermen. Fishing in Astrakhan in April is marked by excellent trophies. When the weather changes rapidly, many fishermen notice a rapid change in the species of fish they hook. Fishing in Astrakhan in April requires careful preparation. Considering that here every calendar day of April is significantly different from the previous one, before going hunting it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the nuances of fish behavior associated with an increase in water temperature in rivers. To make the preparation more effective, it is best to remember how fishing took place in Astrakhan in April 2021.
Features of April fishing in the Astrakhan region
With the arrival of spring, the long-awaited warmth at the bottom and in the water column throughout the entire water area, the food supply for fish of various species is rapidly developing. It’s not for nothing that fishermen love to come to Astrakhan for fishing during this period. On warm spring days, clean, transparent water, enriched with oxygen, fills eriks, bays, and rivers, penetrating into all layers and depths. Hungry fish awaken from a long winter torpor. Predators with a ravenous appetite literally pounce on small fish. In the abdomens of females and males, caviar ripens and milk expands. For fishermen, it’s time for excitement, intense fishing that brings large catches. Local fishermen and experienced huntsmen know and professionally determine the migration directions and stopping places of moving fish.
For guests arriving during the spring fishing season, the fishing bases provide services for huntsman escort to promising fishing spots and preparation of gear for a rich catch. The huntsman is familiar with the behavior and habits of fish thanks to studying the underwater world of the Astrakhan region for many years, and often his entire life. Only a specialist will be able to identify and, with a high degree of probability, indicate the most promising places on ridges, in channels, find shallow waters, coastal edges, and snags.
Conditions for successful fishing in April:
- Know the places where there are concentrations of valuable species of predatory fish.
- Preparing equipment.
- Selecting appropriate baits.
Fishing Features
The fact is that carp has a bad character. It is difficult to attract, it is easy to scare away, it carefully studies the bait and can easily escape from a fisherman who is eager to catch a large trophy.
And if you still managed to catch a fish on a hook and hook it, it is not a fact that you will be able to pull it out of the water. Due to its size, a mustachioed fish can not only be left without a hook, but also break the fishing line, break the reel or rod, especially if a beginner takes up fishing and may make a mistake in the assembly.
Therefore, today we’ll talk about everything in order and start with finding the fishing spot.
By the way, don’t forget that excellent carp are caught at the Sazanya Bukhta fishing base. We offer our photos.
Fishing in Astrakhan in mid-April - what kind of fish will you hunt for?
The first spring warmth comes to the Astrakhan region starting in March. After the first ten days of the month, active melting of ice occurs; in the second and third ten days, melted snow and ice rush in stormy streams into the wide Caspian delta.
If the weather in the first ten days of April on the Volga rumbles is very similar to March, then closer to the middle of the month fishermen have a high probability of catching many species of migratory fish in the great Volga River:
- Vobla.
- Carp.
- Gusters.
- Asps.
- Pike-perch
- Catfish.
- Pike.
- Rudds and many other species.
The legendary Caspian roach
This fish will undoubtedly delight any beginner trying his hand at fishing and, of course, housewives and cooks. In mid-spring, fatty individuals with eggs head to the delta. The Astrakhan roach does not swim alone; the fish gather in large schools. Every fisherman with a fishing rod will get a great trophy. If the fisherman arrives at the fishing spot in a timely manner, the fishing process will certainly be crowned with success, and the hunter will return home with a large, generous catch.
What happens next, what to do with the caught roach, you ask. The resulting trophy must be properly preserved so as not to spoil not only the valuable product, but also not to darken your high spirits.
First, the fish must be salted and then dried. The best recipes and techniques for preparing the April catch are known to the employees of the local fishing bases where you may be staying during your vacation. Trust the professionals, and you are guaranteed to bring home a large amount of the famous dried Astrakhan roach for beer. The special charm is that the unusually tasty fish was not purchased at the market in Astrakhan, but was caught while fishing with your own hands.
In the April season, carp will become an honorary trophy
In spring, bronze and golden beauties are caught mainly with fat worms. In April, the carp, like many other individuals, begins the mating season. As soon as the water warms up to the required temperature, its level rises, and the carp will swim together to spawn in the formed hollows and spills.
To catch a smart carp, every hunter will have to try hard. As a rule, fishing for this type of fish in Astrakhan in the spring in April is considered extreme hunting. It is believed that only the most experienced and patient fishermen can handle such a hobby. Individual individuals often swim to the edge of the shore, attracting the attention of fishermen, as if inviting them to try their luck at fishing.
If you do not have sufficient experience and skill in fishing, in particular carp, we recommend listening to the advice of local rangers. They will definitely tell you:
- what equipment to prepare for carp;
- what bait should be used;
- what bait is best to catch large fat carp in April;
- what clothes will be useful, what to take with you when hunting;
- what place to choose;
- about the peculiarities of behavior during fishing.
Fishing for pike perch in Astrakhan in April
If you came fishing in Astrakhan in early April for large pike perch, you will be a little disappointed. This fish is in no hurry to leave winter holes 2–8 meters deep. Pike perch appears in the Volga delta around the middle of the month, and then actively reacts to bait during daylight hours. Moreover, daytime hunting in warm waters is much better than in the morning or evening.
Tip: If you catch at least one fish, it is recommended not to leave this place, anchor the boat and cast the fishing rod several times around the entire area.
In the second half of April, the water becomes noticeably warmer, large sea pike perch (more than 5 kg) enter the delta from the Caspian Sea following white fish species moving to spawn. If you notice a large concentration of seagulls, you can also count on pike perch biting here.
Spring in the Volga Delta
Weather
March is traditionally a cold month.
The thermometer is often in the negative zone. On some days the air warms up to +10 C. The ice on the river, as a rule, has already melted, although in some shallow areas there may still be ice. Water temperature is +4 - +6 C. April is the real arrival of spring in these parts. At the beginning of April, night frosts on the soil are possible, during the day the temperature is above zero, on some days, especially at the end of the month, it can be really hot +20 - +25C. The average daytime temperature at the beginning of the month is about +10C, at night +5C. By the end of April, average temperatures increase by 5-10 degrees. The water in the river warms up to +7 - +10C.
May is almost summer. During the day + 20 - +25 C. At night +10 - +15 C. The water warms up to +15C.
However, it should be borne in mind that the climate is continental and sudden heat can just as suddenly give way to cold. All spring months are characterized by strong and sometimes stormy winds. There are rains. Rainy and clear weather quickly replace each other.
How to dress for fishing
March - the equipment is almost winter. April – warm, waterproof clothes. I would like to advise you to purchase special fishing clothing. May – warm clothes and waterproof shoes are a must, but it can be hot, so sunglasses and shorts won’t hurt either. Particular attention should be paid to sun protection. In a cool wind, you may not notice solar radiation and get severe burns.
Water level
The rise of water in the lower part of the Volga Delta (60 km from Astrakhan and further) is not great in its absolute magnitude. In April - up to 10-20 cm, in May - up to 1 meter relative to the winter level. From the moment the spring discharge of water begins, the flow speed in the river increases. Anglers call this traction.
In the middle and upper parts of the delta the situation is opposite. The rise in water level reaches 3-4 meters. River banks are flooded and hollows are formed, in which many species of fish spawn from the beginning of May.
Where are the fish
The position of fish in the river in spring is as follows.
In March and early April, the fish are in winter camps, concentrated in wintering pits. As the water warms up, the predator begins to become active, leaving the pits, but does not move far from them, since the pits contain a large number of “white fish”, i.e. prey is at hand. This process is wave-like; spring fluctuations in temperature and air pressure force the predator to either increase or decrease its activity. As they say, it doesn’t happen from day to day. Not all pits are wintering. Often, out of a dozen holes, fish accumulate in only one. This creates difficulties for fishermen, since there is literally a crowd near such holes.
At favorable temperatures in the first half of April, “white fish” begin to leave their camps and disperse along the riverbed, concentrating in smaller schools in other holes, followed by a predator. This allows anglers to spread out and get on each other's nerves less.
By the end of April at the beginning of May, an intensive rise in water begins, fish accumulate in sections of the river with a lower flow speed and less “draft”. Floods in the lower part of the Volga delta do not have a strong influence on the bite.
The picture is different in the middle and upper parts of the delta. Due to the flood, it is very difficult to find a predator in the river and cases of capture are the exception rather than the rule. But there is an abundance of roach going to spawn.
Hunting for spring catfish
In April, catfish also gradually awaken from winter anabiosis; most often, their activity begins to manifest itself at rumbles in the Volga delta. The weight of small spring catfish does not exceed five kilograms. To catch catfish at relatively shallow depths, fishermen use:
- jig baits with weights;
- vibrotails;
- large spinners;
- turntables.
At this time, many fishermen also successfully fish for Volga rudd and silver bream. The water is gradually warming up, asp are biting well in the coastal reeds, bushes, and among the snags. On routs, in channels and eriks, perches and hungry pikes that have managed to lay eggs begin to actively peck on the spinning bait.
For lovers of fishing in Astrakhan for peaceful white fish, April is also full of surprises. Fishing from the shore with a donk with a worm at this time will delight you with bream, large ram, and the famous roach.
Spring fishing in Astrakhan
Features of fishing in March
Around mid-March, the ice melts on the Volga rivers, and from this moment the spring fishing season can be considered open.
The fish emerges from a passive state as the water temperature rises and begins to gain strength before spawning - it feeds intensively, accumulating fat. Closer to the third ten days of March, pike attacks the bait; a little later, other predators join in a kind of competition, except for burbot: it spawned back in February. Fishing methods and types of bait
In early March, while the water has not yet warmed up, predatory fish and whitefish will stick to holes and pools. From here you can easily drag quality pike perch with a jig, and there is a chance to catch a good catfish. In the rolling part and small bays, fishing is usually carried out with surface baits (walkers, wobblers, jerkbaits, poppers) and spinners. The exciting method of fly fishing is also popular.
Spinning, donka, float rod, trolling... – choose any fishing method and have fun.
Features of fishing in April
In April, the water in the Volga delta begins to noticeably warmer, and spring fishing becomes more promising. What is one roach move worth? It seems that this fish has little room in the water. She even bites on an empty hook.
Every day in April the water level in the river rises higher (in two weeks it can rise by 4-6 m), and at the same time the conditions for its fauna change. This also affects fishing methods. So, if recently the pike perch was actively grabbing the wobbler, then as the water rises it bites exclusively on live bait.
During high water, almost all the fish begin to prepare for spawning and migrate to flood lakes and channels.
White fish hunt at the entrances to pits and swarm in the grass . Catch it in shallow water and in small eriks using a donka or a float rod.
Fishing methods and types of bait
In mid-spring, all gear is used, but more often - a donk and a feeder. Earthworms, bloodworms, maggots or boiled corn are used as bait. Spinning baits are suitable for both deep and surface: spinners, wobblers, spinners, twisters, poppers, castmasters, etc.
Features of fishing in May
The peak of the flood in the Astrakhan region occurs in May. The weather is truly summer, the water warms up well.
All predatory fish wait for prey at the entrance to the channels that connect to the hollows. It is in the hollows that fish of various species spawn at the end of spring. Roach rush here in shoals, the splash of carp in the reeds does not subside, bream lurks under the bushes, the grass is teeming with a variety of whitefish... May spawning is the most active and therefore attractive for fishermen.
From May 16 to June 20, a spawning ban was established in the Astrakhan region by order of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture. During this period, fishing is allowed only from the shore within a kilometer from a populated area, as well as in fishing areas intended for recreational fishing.
Commercial (minimum) size (cm) of certain fish species:
- Roach, roach, rudd – 17
- Asp, pike – 32
- Tench, saberfish – 22
- Bream – 24
- Sudak – 37
- Carp – 40
- Som – 60
If the length of the caught fish is less than the fishing size, the catch should be immediately released into its natural habitat.
Fishing methods and types of bait
In May, in the Volga delta, people fish with any gear before the spawning ban, then from the shore with a feeder and a float rod. A light spinning rod up to 2.4 m long is also suitable for fishing from the shore.
Common bait in May fishing is maggots and earthworms. And as bait, natural and artificial products of plant origin are used (crushed sunflower seeds, cake, semolina and oatmeal, breadcrumbs, etc.).
The end of May - beginning of June is a haven for spinning fishermen. At this time, the water level in the river decreases, the predator mercilessly attacks peaceful fish - just have time to throw bait to it. Missing such an attraction means missing out on moments of fishing happiness.
The beauty of nature, relaxation and spring fishing in Astrakhan will leave many vivid impressions for years to come!
