Sheer trolling from a boat and the right choice of baits

Fishing for pike perch by season

Pike perch fishing is carried out all year round excluding the spawning period. Each season is characterized by its own fishing strategy, the components of which are the choice of place and time of fishing, gear, bait, and wiring technique. Let's look at the strategy for catching this predator at each time of the year.

in spring

In spring, pike perch is quite active, as it needs to gain the reserve of strength necessary for spawning.

At this time, the pike perch begins to feed, gradually moving along its proven routes over the years to spawning grounds - shallow bays and shallows with soft sandy soil and aquatic vegetation or rocks protruding from the bottom.

The main gear for catching pike perch, from spring until late autumn, is a spinning rod. The rod for catching this predator is chosen with a length from 2.1-2.4 (when fishing from a boat by trolling or casting) to 2.4-3.2 meters (when fishing from the shore) of medium or fast action with a test of 10-30 grams with a hard a durable tip equipped with a good high-speed spinning reel and a braided cord with a cross-section of 0.1-0.16 mm. A metal leash is not used on pike perch, as this significantly reduces the number of times the predator grabs while fishing.

Catching pike perch in the spring with a spinning jig does not require elegant fishing. Wiring technique – standard jig “step”, multi-speed retrieve.

In summer

In the post-spawning period, pike perch moves from spawning grounds to the usual deep-sea snags and holes. At this time, the second zhor after spring begins. It is caught for some time near shallow spawning grounds, but this period does not last long. After the pike perch rolls back into the holes and pools, they catch it before dawn and a few hours after sunset using the same jig baits - twisters and vibrotails.

The jig rig bait has proven itself well for jig fishing.

in autumn

At the end of summer, pike perch begins its third meal of the year. It lasts until the onset of persistent autumn cold, usually arriving at the end of November. At this time, pike perch is caught using jig baits, oscillating spoons, and live bait on the bottom.

in winter

In winter, pike perch spend almost most of the season in deep places with the current; closer to spring, they gradually move to shallow bays and the mouths of small rivers. Fishing for pike perch is more active in winter on the first and last ice. Pike perch is weak in the dead of winter and on days with severe frosts.

The main line is monofilament line with a cross-section of 0.18 to 0.22 mm; braided cord is not used due to the fact that in frost and cold water it becomes too stiff and insensitive to the sometimes very careful bites of pike perch. A metal leash is installed only if there is a high probability of a pike grabbing it - this will protect the tackle from being cut when a pike bites, but will also reduce the number of pike perch bites.

Video on the topic:

Spring fishing for pike perch with a jig. Big river. Part 1. S. Balashov, E. Baranov. Anglers Chronicle 16:36

Winter fishing for pike perch using vibrations 23:00

Techniques for catching pike perch with a spinning rod on a jig from the shore - video analysis for beginners 11:22

Catching pike perch in a vertical line 12:34

Tackle elements

For trolling in winter, it is very important to choose the right nod, since the performance of the bait depends on it. To avoid disappointment mixed with strong words when you arrive fishing, take a few nods and test them at home. The correct nod when gliding the spoon holds an angle of about 45 degrees. When the bait is lowered to the bottom, it straightens. Spinner baits with different weights may require different nods, so if you plan to lure pike and perch during one fishing trip, take two fishing rods, since reworking the tackle in the cold is not very comfortable.

You can buy a nod in a store or make it yourself. For trolling perch, a nipple guard made from a piece of nipple is suitable. It is put on the tip of the whip. The advantages of such a nod include low cost and high shock-absorbing qualities. It will not break if handled carelessly or during transportation. It also has disadvantages. Firstly, it is short-lived, and secondly, it freezes quickly, so in conditions of blizzards and wet snow with wind, problems may arise when fishing. You should also protect it from falling into the hole.

Recommendations

You can fish vertically throughout the year, but the highest catches of the fanged predator can be obtained in late autumn, when this fish begins to eat heavily.

It is worth doing vertical fishing for pike perch in areas of the reservoir with a rocky bottom. In such places, when casting spinning tackle from the shore, frequent hooks and breaks of the tackle occur, which is practically eliminated when vertical trolling from a boat or cutter.

When fishing for predatory fish this way, the spoon is tied to the main fishing line without the use of leashes. Even if such a toothy predator as a pike lives in the reservoir. When fishing vertically, the hooking of the fish is carried out instantly and in most cases, even the pike does not manage to gnaw the line, due to the vertical rise of the fish and the predator not swallowing the bait too deeply.

If it is not possible to purchase or rent a watercraft, then good results can be obtained by vertical fishing from some hydraulic structure, for example, a bridge or dam.

When hunting for pike perch from a boat in a plumb line, you can do without a rod and reel at all; just wind the required amount of fishing line on a reel, tie a spoon, and you can fish by hand. With this method of fishing, you should use a fishing line with a diameter of at least 0.5 mm, so as not to cut your hands when fishing for trophy fish. If a rubber inflatable boat is used, then this method should be abandoned to prevent damage to the craft from sharp hooks.

If pike perch fishing is carried out on a large body of water or on a river with intense current, then the use of a boat motor will provide high mobility and allow you to explore a large area of ​​the lake or river.

If the fish is so passive that for a long time the fisherman has to “play” with his gear on his own, then when fishing with artificial bait, you can use the tactics that are used for catching pike perch in winter

To do this, you should tap the bait on the bottom, then slightly lift the bait, then repeat these steps again.

In order to determine promising places in a reservoir for vertical trolling, you should pay attention to sections of rivers with reverse flows and whirlpools; in reservoirs with standing water, deep holes can be identified by the absence of ripples in the water.

Catching pike perch from a boat in a vertical position can be very exciting during the post-spawning feast; at this time, a fisherman, upon discovering a school of this predator, can catch a lot of fanged predators.

It is necessary to start catching pike perch vertically only at depths of 3 meters or more; if the depth is less, then the shy fish will not take the bait, and the angler will only waste time fishing in shallow water.

If the current on the river is significant, then after the predator bites, you need to go back a little upstream and fish the lucky spot again. Pike perch very rarely travels alone, so most likely in this place there is a school that is not at all concerned about the disappearance of its fish brother, and will be interested in the bait lowered to the bottom again.

If at the fishing site there is a hole more than 12 meters deep, and no bites occur when placing the bait near the bottom, then you can try to look for pike perch in the water column

This arrangement of the bait can be very catchy, especially when fishing with live fish.

To successfully catch pike perch from a boat in a vertical position, the weather plays a big role; if it rains a little, then it is still possible to effectively catch pike perch using this method, but if a hurricane wind starts to blow and there is excitement in the reservoir, then you must stop fishing and immediately moor to the shore . Staying in open water under such weather conditions is quite dangerous.

In summer, during extreme heat, it is also not safe to be in open areas of the reservoir; moreover, predatory fish such as pike perch and perch often stand in the shade of trees or bridges at such times. If there is a hole in such places, then the chance of catching a large representative of this type of fish increases many times over.

When fishing vertically, the intensity of movement of the rod should be selected based on the water temperature. In cold water, sudden movements of the bait can even scare off a predator; in summer, on the contrary, it is necessary to manipulate the bait much more sharply.

Fishing from a boat with vertical lures

Photo: Alexander Tokarev.

When cold weather arrives, the hunt for predatory fish does not end, but rather begins and continues until the first ice. Only its conditions and methods change slightly.

Since any fish is now kept in wintering pits or near them, predators also go deeper for their potential prey - small fish.

Even superficial bleak is now found at the bottom, often in deep places. Although during the day these fish still come out to bask in the sun, sparkling in the calm waters of reaches and pools with a reverse current.

Fishing with a spinning rod from the bottom and near the bottom with stepped fishing is now becoming the main method for all predatory fish.

For such fishing, heavy oscillating spoons, castmasters and jigs are used, as well as jig silicone baits with a luminous coating, since fishing often takes place at great depths.

But besides these traditional spinning hunts, there is also fishing from a boat with vertical lures. Moreover, this is not only nostalgia for winter fishing, they say, I would rather go to the ice with a fishing rod and spoon, but also a completely successful method of fishing, often more effective than with a spinning rod.

I discovered this fishing in a place that seemed completely unsuitable, and it was rather forced or by accident.

Arriving one day in early autumn at a village pond, out of habit, I began to swim around in a boat to all the perch spots, checking them with rotating six-gram lures. Just recently, these turntables were frantically catching perch of various sizes. But this time there were almost no bites.

As I understand it, the locals were fishing with whitebait. You could see how they dipped the lifts into the water, in which from time to time something sparkled. And then it was also possible to notice that they threw the hook with the fry no longer to the shore, where the perch had previously been kept, but to a clean reach with a channel hole.

Their rods sometimes bent, and a perch, often quite large, fought on the line. This all happened before our eyes, and I was already annoyed by my failure.

Having rummaged through the supplies and not finding anything to make a lift, I sat thoughtfully in the boat, scratching, as is customary with a Russian person, “turnip”, “pumpkin”, “kumpol”, “pot”... But this process did not contribute something new to the concept of autumn perch fishing. Then I began to sort through everything that was in different boxes and jars.

Sometimes seemingly random things lead to some thought. And so it happened... Soon my gaze settled on a box of winter glitter. I took one silver spinner and turned it before my eyes. Well, it could easily pass for a fry.

On the threesome and the enticement there are scarlet droplets. There was no point in throwing it with a spinning rod - it was too small...

Having attached the spoon, I begin to rinse it near the boat, checking the game. With a sharp twitch upward, the spinner began to fussily dash and hurry somewhere to the side. Now I lower it to the bottom and begin to shine, like in winter. Rise up, reset, pause... Knock on the bottom, rise again, this time sharper, reset, pause, during which I play with the lure, like a jig. Knock!.. Got it!.. Finally...

It seems that this time I even caught local fishermen, because I saw them pointing in my direction and commenting on something.

The perch caught better on winter spinners than on fry, which turned out to be molting. I learned this from the locals only later.

On the very next fishing trip I discovered another feature.

We gathered with spinning rods to the flood zone of the Cheboksary hydroelectric power station. Back then the forest stood in the water almost as if alive. Swimming into a flooded birch grove, we began throwing spoons at whatever we could, but mostly used heavy homemade spoons.

The pike took it sluggishly. Soon, when the sun rose to its zenith, the grips stopped completely. We had lunch... And then I noticed a bucket with some fish in the boat.

It turned out that a friend had caught small crucian carp near a house in the village. Without thinking twice, we put them on the three-pieces of perch spinners and... we begin to drag humpback perches...

Moreover, the perch did not take a stationary spoon, although there was a live fish on it. But as soon as you played with the lure a little, an energetic jerk followed, and the humpback fish pulled the line under the boat, trying to reach the birch stump... The perch did not take the bare spoon this time. We probably just spoiled him...

Sheer trolling from a boat is similar to winter trolling, but the difference is that fishing occurs while the boat is drifting with the wind or with the flow of the river. There are pros and cons here.

When moving, it is possible to fish different areas of the reservoir in a fairly short time, since the bait plays continuously and each time in a new place. It’s good if the place is familiar and the bottom topography is approximately known. Otherwise, it is advisable to “punch” it with a weight or measure it with an echo sounder.

If a catchable place is found, you can anchor. But, as a rule, the bites soon stop. And you have to move further, preferably along the edges along a hole or a flooded riverbed, if it is a reservoir.

If the speed of drifting or rafting with the current is too high, the bait will not be able to fully play, since the fishing line will bend under the pressure of the water.

To level and slow down the movement of the boat, you can make a water anchor, which is a metal frame covered with plastic film or durable fabric. To prevent it from sinking, you need to attach a float to it, for example, from an empty plastic bottle. The water anchor trailing behind the boat will serve as a kind of brake.

It is also possible to slow down the movement with the help of a weight tied to the boat and sliding along the bottom. This could be a brick, a cobblestone found on the shore, a bag of sand, the weight of which can be adjusted to the desired speed of movement.

You can fish from any boat, but it is better if it is a stable aluminum boat. It is clear that boats are even better suited... These boats are stable and hold their course well and dangle less on the wave. A motor is not necessary if the fishing spot is nearby. But it’s better to travel long distances only on a motor, otherwise your arms will fall off...

Low-throttle trolling, which is practiced by Western fishermen, in my opinion, is best used only when it is impossible to move otherwise, unless, of course, this is trolling. Or sea fishing.

For trolling, you can use winter fishing rods, but a short one-handed spinning rod equipped with a reel, or an inertial one, is better suited.

When fishing with rods, the line is pulled out by hand and then often gets tangled in the boat. In addition, it is better to catch large prey using a fishing rod.

A rigid nod guard designed for heavy baits should be attached to the tip of the rod. But he must be quite sensitive to the touches and touches of the bait to the bottom, and also indicate a bite.

When choosing bait, you need to focus on the speed of the drifting boat and the depth at the fishing spot. For fast movement and fishing in the pit, heavy streamlined spoons, triangular spoons, jigs, castmasters, and winter heavy spoons are required.

If fishing is done with slow rafting, then soft baits or live bait on jig heads will work best, and not necessarily live ones.

The most commonly used baits during slow movement include rippers, vibrotails, twisters, foam fish, and winter balancers.

Since silicone baits placed horizontally often twist the line when trolling vertically, they are sometimes replaced with various “squids” made of silicone threads, for example, as in spinnerbaits. These shaggy homemade products are even cut out of rubber balls.

Often, additional flies, streamers, and goat wool wabs are placed above the main heavy jig bait. But it happens that the most successful bait is a simple heavy winter spoon with chopped sprat.

For fishing with heavy lures, use sharp, short strokes with a fishing rod or the tip of a spinning rod. A short swing is especially important when fishing at great depths, otherwise the bait will play primitively, like a nail.

The pause in the lower position is of great importance. Often, grips occur during a prolonged pause.

For vertical fishing, it is best to use braided line, as it is more sensitive to bites and does not require a sweeping hook, like a stretching regular fishing line. Besides. When the boat is drifting and fishing at great depths, the braided line does not give excess slack, which means that the tackle will be more manageable than with an elastic nylon line.

Alexander Tokarev November 13, 2021 at 15:30

Oscillator

It is popular among fishermen due to its varied side-to-side play, which imitates a tired or wounded fish well, which is what the predator pays attention to. In addition, it is suitable for fishing in all weather conditions.

The design is simple but reliable. Allows you to cast at a distance of up to 70 m

In addition, it is suitable for fishing in any weather conditions. The design is simple but reliable. Allows you to cast at a distance of up to 70 m.

The easiest way to make a homemade vibrator is from a spoon. Moreover, you can do it both with a scoop and a handle (handle). But a stainless steel plate will also work.

Depending on the type of workpiece chosen, the method and sequence of bait assembly differ.

From a spoon:

1. There is no need to bend the workpiece.
2. Part of the spoon is cut off from the handle to the very edge.
3. Next, holes with a diameter of 3 mm are drilled on both sides of the future spinner, retreating from the edge to 3–3.5 mm.
4. On one side of the spoon, which is heavier, a double ring is placed; it is also called a clockwork ring. In order to then put a tee of a suitable size there.
5. On the other side there is a hole for a carabiner or twist.
6. The finished product is polished.
7. The spinner is ready.

From plate:

1. A blank of the desired shape is cut out (oval, oblong, diamond-shaped). Depending on the imagination and desire of the fisherman.
2. Then the workpiece is placed under the press. At home, you can clamp it in a vice and bend it with pliers. Another option is to place it on a rounded surface and hit it with a hammer.
3. We polish. Polishing.
4. Further, the assembly technology is similar to the previous view.

From a spoon handle:

1. The handle is cut off or the rest of the spoon is taken.
2. If the handle is bent, then the spoon is almost ready. In the case of a flat surface, bending is achieved using a vice and pliers.
3. Holes for fasteners are drilled.
4. A sharp tee is installed or a double is soldered.
5. We polish and the catchy bait is ready.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the bimetallic spinner - this is a product made of two different metals. Often these are copper and aluminum.

The design and size of the spoon depends on the imagination of the fisherman and what predator he is going to catch.

The assembly sequence is as follows:

1. Take 2 plates of aluminum and copper.
2. 2 blanks of the same shape are made.
3. Then they are superimposed on each other. They are fastened in any convenient way - rivet, soldering, stamping.
4. Installation of fastening elements is similar to other vibrators.

Optional equipment

Considering that many anglers often fish in unfamiliar bodies of water, and vertical fishing is most effective at great depths and various holes, the need for accurate knowledge of the features of the bottom topography becomes clear. With sufficient fishing experience in a particular body of water, it is quite possible to find your way without additional technical equipment, but unfamiliar places make the presence of an echo sounder a necessary condition for successful fishing using vertical lures.

Attention! It is very convenient if the echo sounder has a built-in navigator - with it you will be able to take the necessary position for successful fishing much faster.

When using an echo sounder, it is advisable to focus not only on the features of the relief, but also on the fish displayed by the device - if the device detects a large accumulation of fish near a hole, then these are most likely peaceful species, but single marks on the screen next to such groups are most likely predators.

Useful little things

When choosing a fishing rod, keep in mind that you will have to work intensively, and even in the cold. Therefore, pay special attention to the handle. It is better if it is made of cork or neoprene. Firstly, these materials do not slip, and when a large fish bites, the fishing rod will not slip out of your hands. Secondly, your hands will freeze less than when fishing with a fishing rod with a plastic handle.

The whip plays an important role in fixing the bite and animating the bait. An excessively hard one will not allow you to make smooth movements, while a soft one will lubricate the hook, which will allow the fish to come off the hook. Choose a fishing rod with a medium-hard whip. It is suitable for luring passive perch and hooking pike perch.

If there is a large predator in the reservoir, it is recommended to change the fishing line at the beginning of each season, otherwise it may fail at the most crucial moment. When fishing for sport perch, a line break is not critical, but if you consider that good lures are not cheap, then it is better to play it safe and replace the line on light tackle.

It is better to equip a fishing rod for lure fishing in advance, that is, at home. When going perch fishing, you need to acquire all types of gear - a fishing rod with a jig, and a fishing rod for trolling, so that you can use the entire arsenal on the pond. A fishing line of 0.10 mm – 0.14 mm is suitable for the spinner. The spoon should be no more than 3.5 cm; the best material from which catchable winter baits are made is copper and brass.

Particular attention should be paid to ensuring that the winter fishing rod for trolling has a hard and elastic nod, its handle should be comfortable, it can be made not only of cork, but also of foam plastic. The coil is used as an open type. To some extent, it is true that for spinning perch, pike and pike perch, the tackle should not be too sensitive, because the game of a spinner cannot be compared with the game of a jig. But you still have to adjust the fishing rod if you want to return home with your catch.

The setting depends on the type of fish you plan to catch. In wild bodies of water there is an effect of surprise, so it makes sense to play it safe, but this can only be done against active fish. Using a thicker line on a passive bass would be a grave mistake. It is not necessary to use a large spoon when fishing for pike. This can be done at the beginning of winter, on the first ice, and in the dead of winter small spoons are used to catch pike.

Place and time

The time when you can catch fish in this way begins early in the morning and can last all day until the evening dawn.

The advantage of this method of fishing is that even a passive pike perch, which is located in a deep hole for an “afternoon rest,” can be easily caught with a vertical lure if positioned for fishing directly above the hole.

Pike perch lives in almost all freshwater bodies of Russia. This fish can be found in deep snags; this is the predator’s favorite habitat. Therefore, if you can correctly identify a sharp deepening of the bottom topography, then half the work in preparing for fishing for this predatory fish has already been done.

Rod, reel and line

Sheer trolling for pike perch primarily involves the use of inexpensive short winter fishing rods. Such a fishing rod must be rigid enough to provide high-quality fishing, and powerful enough, because when fishing at great depths there is a considerable chance of encountering trophy specimens. The average length of the rod is about 60 cm; there are anglers who prefer longer or shorter options (which largely depends on the characteristics of the boat), but in most cases, when fishing from a boat, rods longer than 80 cm are extremely inconvenient.

Photo 1. A fishing rod for trolling with an inertia-free reel.

To catch pike perch vertically, the reel must have sufficient strength, however, at the same time, high requirements for strength do not prevent such reels from being inexpensive - many fishermen use the simplest inertial models like the almost legendary “Neva”. The inertialess ones available in the arsenal will also be suitable (only better not ultralight ones, but somewhat larger ones), and even better – multipliers.

Pike perch can be caught vertically using both monofilament and braid, but most anglers believe that here, as in jigs, the best choice is a line. Due to its extremely low elongation, braided fishing line is more sensitive; to animate the bait, a smaller amplitude of movement with the rod is required, and hooking is easier and more efficient.

Fishing rod for pike in winter

Winter fishing rods for pike are powerful, elastic and strong. Of course, you can pull out a toothy one with a weak perch fishing rod, but sooner or later a strong blow from a predator will simply break it right in the angler’s hand. For a targeted hunt for this predator, it is better to use normal fishing rods designed specifically for such fishing.

To make a winter fishing rod for pike, you will need a good hard fishing rod, a reel and a fishing line of 0.2-0.4 mm. The equipment is adjusted depending on how the equipment is used. If the whip is very soft, then during hooking you can simply not break through the hard mouth of the predator. Therefore, a strong rod is chosen, at least 30 centimeters in length. On sale you can find ready-made winter fishing rods with an inertial reel or separately. The general approach is to reduce the weight of the fishing rod whenever possible, but not at the expense of strength. Showing off a heavy “club” all day is a dubious pleasure.

Some modern lures (ratlins, balancers) require a relatively sensitive tip, otherwise it will be impossible to give them the correct action. You should pay attention to the material of the handle. Ordinary plastic is cold in the cold. Handles with neoprene pads are better suited, making it comfortable to hold the fishing rod with bare hands even in cold weather. You can make a fishing rod yourself. Rigid quivertips (tops) from a summer feeder are perfect for this. Pike fishing rods can be of different calibers. It depends on the size of the intended trophy and the weight of the bait used. Perch tackle is also suitable for small-toothed fish.

For regular fishing at shallow depths, a reel may not be required; ordinary reels will do. In its modern form, equipping a fishing rod for pike fishing in winter with a reel is a necessity. Such tackle becomes universal, it is convenient to use at various depths, and the jerks of trophy specimens after a bite can be worked out with a friction brake (if equipped). Most anglers use ordinary plastic reels for winter lures. It is better to choose reels with a large drum - at least 50 mm in diameter. The best option is special inertial reels for winter trolling with an open drum and a friction brake. When hunting trophy specimens, this is an essential part of the equipment. Some hobbyists use spinning reels (spool size 1000-2000). Convenient, but such a reel requires constant care and anti-freeze lubricant.

On the issue of the need for a nod in a pike rig, the opinions of anglers are divided. Some use it, others don't. If you have a high-quality fishing rod with a sensitive tip, the use of a guard is not necessary. If the tackle is oak, then it is better to put a nod. Sometimes, during periods of passivity, even a pike can peck carefully, “on the rise.” A pike guard is used on winter bottoms, as well as when trolling. The lure guard should not make parasitic vibrations when playing with bait. The best thing is a silicone “snot” tube, which bends almost completely under the weight of the bait. For donks, metal or spring alarms are suitable that can withstand the current, with bright balls at the end for visually recording a bite from afar.

When rigging a winter fishing rod for pike, a fairly thick and strong fishing line is used. The fishing line for pike is chosen to be of high quality, rigid, without memory. A soft fishing line is not suitable for winter fishing for pike - it will stretch when hooked, which can lead to fish loss, especially when fishing at depths of 5 meters or more. Winter toothy hunters usually do not use cord or braid. Braid freezes when wet, and in severe frost it is simply impossible to fish with it. Therefore, a regular monofilament with low elongation is used, or better yet, a special winter fluorocarbon. The diameter of the fishing line used varies from 0.2 to 0.4 mm. More often it is still 0.3-0.35 mm. This thickness is sufficient for almost any conditions. When hunting for small pike with small baits, a thinner thread is used, and when fishing for trophy specimens or in snags, a more powerful one is used.

In any case, the tackle must be strong and reliable. When fishing for active fish (on first ice, in February and March), a leash is required. Otherwise, the toothy one will simply cut off your bait. The leash used for pike in winter is the same as in summer. Any industrial leashes used in summer on spinning rods, with a swivel on one side and a fastener on the other side, are suitable for the equipment. Due to the dead winter, in clear water the predator may not take it when using a metal leash. It is also harmful for the game of balancer and ratlin. Therefore, the leash is not always used. At the same time, the threat of losing the bait increases. Fluorocarbon leader line is a great alternative.

Features of fishing and bait

The time of the predator - this can also be called autumn. In addition to spinning fishing, many anglers also engage in vertical lures. In autumn, predators go into the depths following silver fish, which roll into wintering pits. And at this time, heavy and large baits are required, which are carried at the bottom along the deep edges. This is often impossible due to the great depth at which not every spinning bait can work optimally and efficiently. And here is the time to switch to fishing in a vertical line.

The difference between vertical trolling and spinning fishing is only in the method of placing the bait. Sheer lures seem to combine summer fishing and winter ice fishing, since vertical spinners and spinners for horizontal fishing can be used. This also applies to some other baits, in particular, jigs, jig heads, large foam fish, castmasters and even silicone baits, including twisters, vibrotails and edible rubber worms. In addition, at this time various fluorescent baits are already widely used, since fishing often takes place at great depths, where even bright baits with “acid” colors are no longer visible.

In addition, you need to know that during this period, pike perch’s persistent habits of going out hunting in the evening twilight, or even at night, begin to appear. And here the success of luminous baits is much higher than that of spinners, vibrotails and twisters of the usual type, even if they are painted in all the colors of the rainbow. A number of such effective baits include “Admiral” and “Swedish pimple” spoons, which have become widespread in recent years and are often the main ones in catching pike perch from the ice. Luminous jigs are also used, even winter balancers, for example, the famous “Mebaru”, but always with a reflective strip glued to the side. And here we need to take into account one more feature. The spoiled and capricious modern pike perch, in addition to its predilection for luminous baits, has also begun to gravitate towards sprat placed on the hooks of the baits, always fresh ones. That's how he is, fanged. And sprat can be the key to success in fishing, even if the simplest baits are used. This feature is typical for vertical fishing at the end of summer, in autumn and for winter hunting for “fanged”.

Sheer luster method

Sheer lures are suitable for those anglers who love dynamic fishing. In search of fish, you have to constantly move from hole to hole. This method is used to catch predatory fish. On wild reservoirs this is most often perch and pike perch, on free-flowing reservoirs it is trout. The predator bites best on a lure in snags, so there is a high probability of snags. When going to catch perch in such places in winter, don’t forget to take a hook, it will help preserve the bait. Just in case, prepare several spinners, since the risk of the tackle breaking is very high even with a detachment.

The technique of vertical trolling usually does not cause difficulties for novice anglers. First you need to measure the depth, then lower the bait to the bottom, sharply (within reason) tear it off the ground and throw it about half a meter up. The spoon should fall back to the bottom freely. A few seconds of pause - and the bait is thrown up again. This is a classic technique.

Proceeding in this way, approximately 8 entries are made in each hole, after which they move to the next point. Having walked around all the drilled holes, they return to the starting position and check the “rested” holes. The classic game can be alternated with light twitching of the tip of the fishing rod, as a result of which the spoon moves at the very bottom. They pause from time to time. Often it is during such pauses that a bite follows.

Catching pike perch with live bait

A novice fisherman, before starting to prepare for catching pike perch using live bait, needs to become familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of this method. After all, for some personal reasons, this type of fishing may not be suitable.

Advantages:

This method is more effective than using a spinning rod

It is good when the pike perch behaves cautiously, since natural prey causes less doubt in it - the predator will be more willing to attack it. You can fish with live bait using several gears at once, which significantly increases the chances of getting a trophy. Fishing with live bait is a passive activity, which allows the angler to relax in nature or read his favorite book. Disadvantages:

Flaws:

1. The trouble with choosing this method is fiddling with live bait. Experienced fishermen have repeatedly noticed that when the need arises to catch fry, they immediately disappear from everywhere. This is why you should take care of this problem in advance.
2. To keep the fry alive, you need a large container of water and a cool place (a basement or cellar is perfect).
3. In a large water area, to successfully catch pike perch, you need a boat. It is especially necessary in the autumn, when the predator prefers to accumulate in the riverbed edges away from the coastline.

What is better to use - fry or sprat?

A notable feature of this predator is that it feeds only on live fish, so there is a need to use only the most active and viable bait as bait, which will definitely attract attention. In those reservoirs where a large number of fry live, it is better to use it, as it is a tasty prey for pike perch

An alternative to such bait is sprat. It is used during bottom fishing, and, as is known, this fish hunts only in the lower part of the water body

In those reservoirs where a large number of fry live, it is better to use it, as it is a tasty prey for pike perch. An alternative to such bait is sprat. It is used during bottom fishing, and, as is known, this fish hunts only in the lower part of the water body.

Advice! You should always choose the largest individual for the role of live bait (up to 7 cm long), as it can attract a hefty predator.

Also, when storing live bait, you should pay attention to:

• What type of fish does it belong to (if it is a bottom fish, then it will live longer, but if it is a surface fish, then there is a high probability of death in conditions outside the reservoir).
• It is worth periodically changing the water in which the bait is located. In addition, it is necessary to clearly monitor the oxygen level in the water (if the fish is at the surface and takes in air with its mouth, it’s time to change the water).
• Make sure that the water has a temperature of 15–20 degrees.
• Do not place a predator with regular fish in the same vessel.
• The container containing the live bait must be placed in a dark place (if it is very hot outside, it must be additionally covered with a wet cloth).

How to properly place live bait on a hook

Hooking methods:

1. For the tail section. This is the easiest method, which implies that the hook will be inserted into the body at the tail.
2. Behind your back. This method is most suitable for bottom fishing, as it avoids the fishing line getting caught on snags and other debris. When attaching, you should remember that the hook must be hooked to the skin and you must avoid damaging the spine, as the bait will quickly die because of this.
3. Per head. This method is best suited for bodies of water with fast currents. The hook is directly attached to the lips or nostrils (the sting of the hook comes out either through the cheek or through the gill cover).

In addition, there is another quite popular method that does not damage the bait at all. It consists of purchasing a special thread with which the fry will be tied.

Advice! When baited, large hooks severely injure live bait. Therefore, experienced fishermen use medium and small sized gear.

When the bait is attached to one hook, the fry will receive much more damage than if it were attached to two stings at the same time. Then the live bait will be less active, but it will remain viable for a much longer period of time.

Features of winter plumb glitter

Lure fishing in winter often requires the angler to move extensively across a body of water in search of a school of fattening fish. It is impossible to accurately indicate the best depths for fishing with a spinner, but most often at the beginning and end of winter the most suitable depths are from 2.5 to 5 m, and in the middle of winter - 6-7 m.

As mentioned above, they depend on fishing conditions:

• when fishing in still water, a relatively slow rate of lure is allowed and lighter lures are used;
• in the middle current the pace will be more accelerated, the movements of the spoon will be sharper, and the spoons themselves will be heavier, otherwise they will be carried and lifted by the current;
• In a strong current, you should not lure from the ice (the lure is carried away and lifted towards the ice), and an overly heavy lure will not give the necessary game.

Baiting techniques largely depend on the fishing period. So, on the first and last ice, hand movements can be more energetic, but in the middle of winter, when oxygen conditions deteriorate and the fish become lethargic, it is better to use slow and smooth movements. In reservoirs with poor oxygen conditions, trolling is generally possible only in the first days of freeze-up.

The length of the winter day is of great importance. In the middle of winter, the bite begins late, after full dawn, usually from 10 a.m., and then after a break it occurs again around 2-3 p.m.

To find an edge for trolling predatory fish in winter, you need to determine its intended direction and cut holes perpendicular to it, at intervals of 4-5 m, until the edge of the edge is exactly visible. It is advisable to mark the holes above it with poles in order to find them after a snowfall. It must be remembered that during the winter the feeding areas of predatory fish change, for example, pike is caught:

• at the beginning and end of winter - in shallow places;
• in the middle of winter - in deeper ones.

It should be taken into account that near the edge, a change in the depth in two adjacent holes, even by 0.5 m, matters. It may turn out that a hole with a depth of 3 m will give several bites, and a neighboring hole with a depth of 3.5 m will give none.

In regulated reservoirs, the bite is greatly influenced by a drop in water level, as a result of which fish move from shallow places to deeper ones. This usually affects the top of reservoirs most dramatically, where a drop in water of even 0.5 m causes fish to move. The bite of predatory fish usually occurs during low water hours and stops when it stops.

Knowing these features of the winter flashing of predatory fish, in an unfamiliar body of water, first of all, you need to find out the depth at which the predator has so far been successfully caught. By adhering to the explored depth, you can find the right fishing spot.

On sunny days, you should sit so that the angler’s shadow falls on the hole. If this cannot be done due to the wind, the hole must be covered with something, for example a plywood circle with a slot for the line, or dusted with snow. When fishing on sunny days in an open hole, it is better to keep the line at its edge, in a less lit part.

Features of bites during winter trolling:

• pike: in the form of a sharp jerk or a strong pull, depending on when the predator grabbed the spoon - when rising or lowering it;
• pike perch: often takes the lure at the moment of free immersion after rising, while the bite is often not felt at all;
• chub, ide, asp and salmon: fish are transmitted by a short and sharp push.

When landing a large fish, it is sometimes possible to get it into the hole on the first approach, while the fish is moving relatively calmly. If this fails, normal fishing begins. Moreover, in winter, fish get tired due to oxygen starvation faster than in summer. You just need to make sure that when fishing there are no sudden jerks or that the moderate tension of the line is weakened.

Read: How to cast a spinning rod correctly

In the practice of lure fishing, it has been noticed that sometimes after several bites the bite in the hole being fished stops. In this case, you should immediately leave it and, stepping aside, cut down a fresh one. If there are no bites in 2-3 new holes, you should change your fishing location.

The above, however, does not apply to the tactics of catching pike on the last ice. If there were bites in the hole on the fish trail in the morning, then there will be bites later, you just need to wait for the right hour, otherwise you may miss the bite.

When fishing with a spoon, we must not forget that predatory fish come out to feed on the fry moving around the reservoir. Therefore, when looking for a place to catch predatory fish, you don’t need to chain yourself to one place only on the grounds that fish were caught well there yesterday.

From my experience and according to the article by Ya. Krasnoselsky

Do-it-yourself spinner for vertical spinning

Of course, the important thing in vertical trolling is the movement of the spoon. Fishermen with considerable experience even remake spinners bought in a store.

The spinners are bent, the hooks are soldered, the spinners are made heavier or, conversely, they are lightened by adjusting the solder layer. A bathtub filled with water helps to finally achieve the desired tactics necessary for successful fishing.

To make spinners with your own hands, you use brass, stainless steel, and sometimes other alloys. For weighting, tin is used, which is soldered on the inside. The center of gravity is also adjusted by soldering tin. A metal leash is not installed - the fish will be late to swallow the spoon due to the quick hooking during the bite. Small spoons are soldered with a single hook, large ones are equipped with a tee, which should be slightly larger than the spoon.

Fishing with vertical lures - angler's tricks

To increase the efficiency of fishing with vertical lures, experienced anglers use the following tricks:

Read: Catching roach with a float rod

Fishing rod for trolling from ice Trolling from ice is a rather specific type of fishing. Let's consider how to choose a fishing rod for trolling, and what requirements are put forward to the fishing rod when fishing in certain conditions.

Do-it-yourself winter fishing rod Almost any winter fishing rod purchased in a store requires modification, taking into account the characteristics of the reservoir, the species of fish, and bait.

Spoons for vertical trolling from a boat.

A slight modification to any Atom-type spinner can correct the situation. But we'll talk about this a little later. In this article we will try to talk only about spinners suitable for vertical spinning. But you can fish in the current from a boat with other baits, for example, silicone fish, twisters. About them in the next article.

With large bends and low weight, the spinner will either descend too slowly or will glide for a long time. With a fast current, the boat will always be ahead of the spinner, which will lag further and further behind. Eventually you will lose control of the depth you are fishing at.

READ What lures for trout on the platform - Detailed review

What are the consequences of losing depth control? If the depth increases, then nothing bad will happen, the bait will simply not be where it was planned, that is, at the bottom. But if the depth decreases, then the likelihood of getting caught will increase many times over, since your spoon will simply drag along the bottom. We will talk about fishing techniques and tactics in the following articles.

But let's get back to the spinners. The top photo shows some particularly common spinners for vertical spinning. All of them are made from different materials completely from scratch. But the photo below shows a spinner made from a Kastmaster spinner.

The modification of this spoon is simple; a simple single hook or a double hook is soldered to the end with a large amount of tin. In general, as you noticed, all spinners for vertical trolling are equipped with soldered hooks. This is explained by the fact that during fishing, a freely hanging hook or tee overlaps with the fishing line. With a soldered hook this happens noticeably less often.

The next type of spinners are spinners made from various non-ferrous metals or stainless steel.

Any metal is taken, cut out, slightly bent and filled with tin inside the bend with a hook soldered. The largest amount of tin is soldered from the bottom of the spoon to make it heavier and shift the center of gravity to the bottom. The best option would be to use one hook, as in the photo below. There are fewer snags, thin steel penetrates the fish’s mouth better, and when snagged, there is a chance to straighten the hook and release the lure.

Another type of spoon for vertical trolling, which is made of stainless steel rod. An eye for a leash is soldered to the rod blank on one side, an eye for a hook on the other, or the hook is soldered directly to the rod.

Of course, you can come up with a lot of options for spinners from a wide variety of materials. But what we showed you has already been tested by time and the predator :))

For less time, you can purchase the cheapest oscillating spoons in the store. They will need to be sharpened, making them much narrower, and the inner surface will need to be filled with lead or tin.

In the next article, we will look at another type of bait for fishing using the vertical trolling method from a boat, namely, we will talk about soft silicone baits.

Pike fishing in September

The beginning of a sharp increase in the activity of the predator usually coincides with the period of mass flight of leaves from birch trees. This is one of the main signs of the beginning of pike fishing in any region of Russia, which is practically trouble-free and can be used by fishermen as a guide for starting pike fishing on rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

In September, even an inexperienced angler who goes fishing only a few times a year can count on a good catch. The main thing is to choose comfortable gear that will not burden a person during long journeys in search of perch. To catch even the most cautious fish, it is advisable to take an ultra-light spinning rod. The reel must have a sufficient margin of safety, but at the same time be compact.

Perch requires a clear and confident hooking

The fishing line needs to be thin but strong. Only branded fishing line will last for several seasons without problems. It is better to choose Japanese brands, which are valued for their quality and reliability. The leash is made of thin fishing line, it is desirable that the fish does not see it in the water column. For camouflage, it must be selected based on the color of the water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch{q}v=TxwDHAsTkA4

Hooks should have sharp and well-tempered tips, and it is advisable to place several hooks on each bait.

Tackle

The gear for this method of fishing is quite simple and can be made independently at home.

Rules for choosing:

1. If you use store-bought fishing rods, you can purchase the shortest stick, no more than 1 meter long. Pike perch is not too fond of large baits, so the rod test can be only 20 g.
2. The reel, also chosen without “bells and whistles”, copes with its function very well; a small inertial reel, although inertia-free, at a slightly higher cost, is successfully used for this method of catching pike perch.
3. The fishing line must have a diameter of at least 0.4 mm. If the fishing line is chosen thinner, then the play of the bait at depth, with a vertical lure, is not so attractive for this fish.

Read Popular gear for crucian carp for fishing in different conditions
. The bait for hunting pike perch in this way is a vertical spoon, which, when lowered to the bottom and then rises, plays in the water column, thereby resembling a small fish that the pike perch feeds on. To catch this fish, small spoons with a length of 50–70 mm are used.

Plumb fishing spots

For vertical fishing in the cold season, you should take into account the fact that the water at this time is very clear, and fishing takes place literally under the boat. Therefore, it is unlikely that a self-respecting predator will take the bait in the shallows, seeing a boat above him

This means that the most suitable places are pits and exits from pits. If the hole is deep, and there are such things on small rivers, then it is best to tap the bottom along the edge. Usually the bottom topography and the whole situation in general becomes more clear after several rafting trips. Then all the catchy edges are found. They can also be found with an echo sounder, but judging by changes in the fishing law, echo sounders may be banned. However, by simply walking through a place with heavy bait, you can make a rough map of the bottom and catch points.

I recommend to read:

What other materials can be used

Fishing with a spinning rod involves the use of baits taking into account different current intensities, specific fishing patterns and the natural behavior of predators. That is why, the greater the number of catchable spinners in your arsenal, the higher the chance of effective fishing.

Using step-by-step manufacturing instructions from a wide variety of available materials as a basis, you can easily make the same or your own custom fishing lure with your own hands.

From a chrome tube

The whole job will take no more than half an hour.

Step by step work:

1. the pipe section is cut/sawing in half (only one part will be needed);
2. the edges of the pipe half are unbent using pliers, but not until a flat surface is obtained, but so as to leave a slight bend;
3. using a file to correct unevenness at the ends;
4. on one side, a hole is drilled for the winding ring (the fishing line will be attached to this side);
5. the workpiece is processed with solder and a hook is soldered to the side opposite the hole;
6. To avoid rust, the finished lure must be completely melted with solder.

Melting with tin allows you to achieve excellent specularity, due to this the bait is clearly visible to a predator even in muddy water.

An alternative to monolithic soldering of the hook can be solder of the eye, to which tees can be attached through the winding ring.

From coins

You can achieve the desired weight and size of the spinner using different numbers of coins. To imitate the shape of a fish, you can use coins of different denominations, arranging them in order of increasing size. A universal option is to use two or three coins with identical characteristics.

Step by step work:

1. in coins opposite each other, closer to the edge, two holes are drilled;
2. using sandpaper, polish the edges of the holes and the surface of the workpieces;
3. using three winding rings, we connect the coins together in a row;
4. We attach a fourth ring with a tee to one of the free sides.

This vibrating option will allow you to create the necessary game even with simple and not very active wiring.

If you need a heavy bait, you can use twice as many coins

From the tube

In this case, it is preferable that the material of manufacture of the selected tube be brass, copper, aluminum or stainless steel

* used if a non-hollow spinner is being made

Step by step work:

1. at the selected angle, the tube is cut on both sides;
2. holes are drilled on both sides;
3. if you want to fill the cavity of the bait, pour molten lead into it and let it harden;
4. winding rings are inserted into the holes of the tube;
5. On one side, a hook is attached, on the other, a swivel.

Important! A large angle of cut of the tube allows you to increase the working surface of the spoon, thereby increasing the resistance during retrieval. Thus, at the manufacturing stage you can influence the amplitude of the bait’s play.

The combination of two parts connected by a ring allows you to create a great underwater game

Lures from improvised means

There are many options for making spinners from materials that are not intended for this at all, from spoons or beer caps to cuts of reinforcing bars. Fishermen make promising gear from everything that is at hand. It is worth considering the manufacture of spinners from various non-standard materials.

From coins

This design works great on retrieves with pauses, and its play is reminiscent of a loach.

Using small fish as a bait body is another know-how from old-time fishermen. The simplest bait can be made from a coin by simply drilling two holes in it along the edges and attaching a hook through a winding ring. However, there is a more unusual way to create a spinner out of coins.

To make it you need:

1. Select 3-4 coins of different sizes - from largest to smallest.
2. Drill two holes opposite each other in the edges of each of them.
3. Using winding rings, assemble them into a kind of snake. Usually the coins are arranged in descending order.
4. Attach a tee to the smallest one. The largest one is a carbine.

There is a trick on how to make a noise spinner out of such a spinner. It is necessary to secure in one or several places not one coin, but two, folded together, through the same rings - when moving, they will hit each other, making noise.

From the tube

There is another spinner that is quite simple to make from whatever comes to hand. The material for its manufacture can be any shiny metal tube. Typically bronze, copper or aluminum is used for this, but steel options are also available.

To make a spinner from a tube you need:

1. Cut a piece 70 millimeters long from a tube with a diameter of 8–10 millimeters.
2. Saw off one edge at an angle of 70 degrees, and the second at 20.
3. At the ends of the resulting workpiece, drill holes for the winding rings.
4. Clean all sharp corners with a file and sandpaper.
5. Attach a tee and a carabiner with a swivel.

You can make such a lure with your own hands in literally 15 minutes, however, if you want to change the bait’s play to a more measured one, while increasing its weight, the edges or the entire cavity inside can be filled with lead. In order to adjust the weight, lead or tungsten pellets can be placed inside, which will also create a noise effect after the holes at the edges are plugged.

Gear used

Let’s immediately make a reservation that choosing a specialized fishing rod for vertical lures in a fishing store will not be easy due to the scanty number of offers. Manufacturers are not focused on this product due to low demand, so the fisherman will have to look for the optimal gear among the options for winter spinning rods and selecting a spinning rod for open water fishing with a short whip. With reels and cords, the problem is not so acute, and it will not be difficult for a future lure-maker to select the necessary accessories according to the parameters. We will talk further about the intricacies of selecting components for plumb fishing gear.

The rod as the main tool

As has already become clear to the reader, the choice of fishing rod is the most problematic issue on which attention is focused when completing the tackle. The fishing technique requires a rigid form that can respond to any contact of the fish with the bait with a reliable hook.

Such requirements can be provided by ultra-fast and rapid construction of the gear.

The optimal rod length for comfortable trolling from a boat will be in the range from 75 cm to 1.2 meters. Miniature-sized gear can be found in the line of winter spinning rods; options over one meter are looked for in the classic spinning fishing gear departments. A one-piece form or, in extreme cases, a plug-in type of connection is considered effective in fishing.

The blank material can also be fiberglass, which will provide a certain power reserve, but it is more convenient to fish with a lighter rod made of a composite or carbon fiber composition. A cork or polyurethane handle will be a good addition to any fishing rod.

Coil

When choosing a reel, preference is given to inertial mechanism options with medium diameters, not exceeding 10–12 cm. A classic inertial reel with a substantial reserve will accommodate the required number and diameter of cord on the reel, quickly deliver bait to any depth and help in retrieving the caught trophy. From the reel's functionality, a ratchet brake is sufficient. Casting baits is carried out short, and the spinner does not have to worry about the beards that frighten the spinner during normal spinning fishing, so the spinning reel meets all the requirements for a set of tackle.

fishing line

Short fishing distances provide all the prerequisites for using monofilament lines as cords. In the case of vertical trolling from a boat, high stretch coefficients of the material are considered a positive quality of the monofilament, compensating for overloads when fishing for massive fish. Depending on the size of the trophy expected in the catches, fishing line with a diameter of 0.25-0.30 mm is used. In special cases, a fishing line of 0.4 -0.6 mm is used, taking into account the fact that the performance of the bait on a thick cord will be much worse, but this disadvantage can be smoothed out by catching an active and large trophy.

When catching other types of fish, bait is tied directly to the fishing line. As a rule, to ensure vertical fishing, it is enough to have a supply of colorless cord of 25–30 meters.

How to master vertical trolling in open water

I’ll note right away that vertical fishing with spoons is not for the lazy - first of all. And secondly, you shouldn’t think that as soon as you lower the spoon to the bottom, a dozen trophy pike perch weighing 6-7 kg will immediately attach to it... You need to find the fish, lure it correctly by playing the bait, and then hook it and fish it out. So you will have to work with both your hands and your head. For this reason, the result will be memorable. I suggest preparing for fishing with a vertical spoon in the following way.

Tackle and equipment for vertical catching of predators in Trekhrechye (Akhtuba and Mangut)

The composition of the equipment for summer vertical trolling from a boat is simple, but it has some features: - choose a short spinning rod, rather similar to an onboard fishing rod with a sensitive end, length 1.5-2.0 meters, medium hardness. It makes sense to have 2-3 rods of different power and action on hand, since sometimes you have to change position and potential prey, and for perch with a shallow “dive” (an oblong spinner with play only vertically) it is not very convenient to wave a stick at a pike perch; — there are no special requirements for vertical trolling reels at all, great

Even the simplest and therefore reliable inertial “drums” will do (there is no wiring involved and there is no need to cast the bait either). But expensive inertia-free or multipliers are also quite suitable if you want to fish in a fashionable way ;); — the fishing line, taking into account the decent depths and currents in the riverbeds of Trekhrechye, is selected primarily depending on the size and weight of the bait. For standard, store-bought diving and diving-gliding spinners, a monofilament of 0.20-0.25 mm or a braided cord of 0.16-0.18 mm, respectively, is quite suitable. In the case when heavy homemade spoons such as jigs are used in a strong current, it makes sense to take a more serious fishing line: 0.25-0.32 monofilament or 0.18-0.22 braided cord. It’s never an hour - such a bait will be attacked by a mustachioed fish or a 10-kilogram pike, which happens in the Lower Volga. By the way, no one has yet canceled the correct adjustment of the clutch on the reel; — a landing net is required, and a spacious one, with a net made of thick nylon fishing line, so as not to have to worry about unraveling the hooks; - vertical spoons themselves are sinkers, but in some cases, when fishing at great depths and very strong currents (this often happens on Akhtuba), it makes sense to use a rigid onboard fishing rod with a heavy, 60-100 g, blind sinker at the end. In this case, a vertical gliding or diving spoon, which can be quite small, is installed on the outlet leash at the same level. There is no other way to reach the bottom in such a place with small bait.

Lures for vertical (vertical) trolling of predators in Trekhrechye

Lures for vertical trolling are very diverse and practically the same as those used for ice fishing. When fishing for perch and pike-perch, a Heschel-type spinner is often and quite successfully used. However, given that the hook of such a spinner is too small for pike perch and slips are possible, they often use homemade spinners of a similar shape, but larger in size. It is best to choose a hook number 8-10 for pike perch when trolling vertically. Sometimes a small spoon, resembling a yellow or silver fry, is tied 20-25 cm above the main spoon, 20-25 cm higher. Perch and bersh often take such baits. The largest spoons are used for vertical trolling of pike. These are large balancers, homemade diving lures such as jigs. In any case, when planning to fish for predators on the riverbeds of the Lower Volga, you should have a decent set of various spinners of different types, colors and weights. For greater depths and strong currents, large spoons up to 30-40 g will be required. Accordingly, at shallower depths and in calm waters, smaller and lighter spoons are used. There is a lot of debate about camouflaging spoon hooks with wool and bristles. But I, for example, believe that, unlike winter fishing in calm, clear water, this is not necessary when fishing in the current. The water in the riverbeds in summer is quite muddy, and in addition, excess resistance to the flow of various accessories can significantly worsen the performance of the bait. Hooking a spinner bait with live bait, cutting and other “lures” gives the same result - the balance of the spinner changes, and this negates the attractiveness of its movements and vibrations for the predator. In summer, when the fish are most active, it is better to rely on the right game and choice of the type of artificial bait. The color and texture of the surface of the spoon is very important for vertical fishing of predatory fish on the current in summer. When lures from great depths and in low light (cloudy weather, twilight), as well as in muddy water, it is best to use light-colored lures: stainless steel, silver, nickel-plated or tin-plated, which reflect light well.

Some anglers successfully use Castmaster-type spinners of various colors for vertical fishing in the current. At medium depths, two-color spinners with a gold or copper convex side and a silver concave surface have proven themselves very well. In the shallowest places, with clear water and bright lighting, you should not try to use the brightest shiny and contrasting baits - this can scare away cautious pike perch. It is better to use brass, bronze, copper spoons. Sometimes it makes sense to “mute” the shine of the lure’s body by walking over it with fine sandpaper to remove the mirror polish, which can, however, be easily restored by rubbing with polishing paste or felt.

Technique of vertical trolling on the riverbeds of Trekhrechye

First of all, you should understand the habits of the predator and choose places for trolling in

according to the maximum probability of finding fish. Typical habitats and hunting areas for Volga predatory fish on riverbeds, as elsewhere, are sharp changes in bottom topography, bends in the riverbed, holes and obstacles (underwater elevations, flooded trees, snags in riverbed holes). These places most attract pike perch, bass and pike. Promising areas for vertical trolling are holes under rifts, boundaries of straight and breaker jets, island cores, deep drops and edges. An active predator, as a rule, waits for its prey at depth in those places where it is carried by the current from shallow waters. Of course, trolling in snags in the current, even vertically, requires the fisherman to be able to work with the tackle carefully. And still, with a high probability, several spinners will be lost. You can reduce the loss of bait if you use a cutter, which is sometimes very effective in removing vertical one- or two-hook spoons from driftwood (see figure). When fishing vertically in Three Rivers, you will almost always have to work in the current, at depths from 3 to 12 meters. In such a situation, it is more convenient to throw the spoon upstream from the boat and release the line until the bait touches the bottom - this will become noticeable by a slight hit on the fishing rod and weakening of the line. After this, you need to release another 40-50 centimeters of fishing line and make a quick swing of the rod 50-60 cm up and to the starting position. At the same time, the spoon moves to the side, and then, hesitating, returns to its original position and the fishing line is stretched. After the vibrations stop, after about 4-5 seconds, the movement of the rod is repeated. Sometimes you should diversify the movements of the spoon, for example, by lifting it above the bottom by 30-40 cm and making several short twitches.

An attack by a predator, pike perch or pike, can occur at any time, but in summer the bite usually occurs when the spoon is raised or immediately after stopping in the lower position. A large pike perch takes the bait firmly and usually without jerking; its bite can often be confused with hooking on a snag. Pike, on the contrary, attacks sharply - its bite resembles a blow to the rod. And if the pike often hooks itself, then you can’t yawn when biting a pike perch - it has a bony mouth that is not easy to penetrate with a hook and therefore you need to hook it immediately, sharply, and the hooks must always be sharpened. Bersh is also quite actively caught on vertical rods, but its bite is very characteristic - after a slight push it seems to “hang” on the bait and only the tip of the fishing rod bends slightly downwards, which can sometimes be confused with movement from a wave or an underwater turbulence of the stream. When trolling vertically in a strong current, the bait will gradually be carried further and further down from the boat. By gradually releasing the line until the play of the bait is no longer felt, you can thus fish a section of the bottom at a distance of 1 to 10 meters from the boat. In this case, the fishing rod is used short and rigid, and when using small spinners, a 60-100 g sinker is firmly attached to the end of the fishing line. and a retractable leash for bait above. In places where the current is weak or absent (backwaters, eriks, ilmen, whirlpools), it makes sense to use a fairly long rod up to 2.4-3.0 meters, which is easier to accompany the bait carried by the current and fish a larger area around the boat when fishing close to the shore , for example, on landfills. True, it is more difficult to work with a long rod, but the maneuverability of the tackle increases significantly.

Finally, I would like to add that Three Rivers is a real paradise for fishermen, both professionals and beginners. Excellent fishing and recreation in this picturesque and almost untouched by civilization corner of the Lower Volga has been attracting fishermen and tourists from all over the country for many years, not only in the summer, but also throughout the entire period of open water from March to the end of November.

And if you need quite comfortable living conditions, food, boats for fishing and advice from experienced rangers, welcome to the fishing base Fishing Village “Trekhrechye”, located on an island formed by the riverbeds of Akhtuba, Mangut and Kharabalyk.

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