Skinning knives. Hunting knives for skinning

Catching a predator in winter is possible with artificial bait and live bait. There are few anglers for spinners and toothy beasts, since this method is not easy and requires considerable experience from the angler. Another thing is fishing in winter for pike with vents.

This is a prey direction that many fishermen are engaged in. Fishing for pike in the winter with zherlitsy is possible on any body of water in different conditions. The method works throughout the winter and brings good catches, even in the most difficult period for winter fishermen and fish - the dead of winter.

It's relatively easy on the chute. This, perhaps, is the reason for such a massive use of gear. Many beginners also begin to comprehend the intricacies of hunting for toothy precisely from the ice "bait fish". Today, once on any body of water, you can see anglers who catch a predator in this way, and very successfully.

What types of vents have not been invented by anglers today. Each region has its own preferences and subtleties, which leaves its mark on the design features of the gear. In general, everything can be divided into the following types:

  • On a broad base. The most common option that can be seen almost everywhere.
  • On legs. It is used less frequently and mainly on high snow cover.
  • On the rail. Compact and easy to make yourself.
  • Flip-flops on legs. Compact, unpretentious, easy to do yourself. However, they are not so reliable, it is inconvenient to wind the fishing line and it is difficult to fix bites on a snowy ice cover.
  • Under-ice. They are used mainly for night fishing, especially.

The best and most demanded design is a vent on a wide base. It will be discussed below.

Design features of the girders

Zherlitsa is a popular tackle used by anglers in any region of our vast country. Its advantages are obvious:

  • universality;
  • efficiency;
  • simplicity;
  • cheapness.

Pike baits come in a wide variety of designs. They are made independently, you can buy tackle in a fishing store.

Photo 1. Elements of the girders.

Structurally, the scheme of the girders is very simple. It consists of a base, which is usually a plastic disc with a cutout for fishing line. It is installed on the ice above the hole. A rack is attached to it, a coil and a flag for signaling bites are fixed on it.

Photo 2. Zherlitsy in a convenient bag for transportation.

The coil for the vent is made of plastic and is mounted on the rack in such a way as to have free rotation. As a flag, a small rectangular piece of bright fabric is used, fixed on an elastic steel plate or spring, which “shoots” at the moment the pike grabs, signaling the fisherman about a bite.

rigging

Of considerable importance is the equipment of the vent. Depending on the depth in the fishing area, the required amount of fishing line is wound on the reel. The presence of 25–30 meters of monofilament with a diameter of about 0.25–0.40 mm is considered universal.

The use of thicker nylon is impractical for the reason that the tackle becomes rough and clumsy. A thin fishing line, on the contrary, reduces strength and does not allow catching large fish. Braided cord is not used in the vent because of its ability to absorb water and therefore freeze in the cold.

An important aspect in how to properly equip the girders is the method of attaching the sliding sinker. It is usually olive-shaped and is worn on the main cord above the leash. Its weight is selected depending on the depth and strength of the current at the point of fishing. It is important not to overdo it with the weight of the load, because the pike, feeling unnatural resistance when biting, may, frightened, spit out the live bait.

Photo 3. Equipment of the vent.

Leash for zherlitsa

A leash is attached to the main fishing line of the zherlitsa, the length of which ranges from 20 to 70 cm. The material for its manufacture is used differently and the debate about the best has not subsided so far.

Representatives of old school» often use steel leashes. The choice in this direction is explained by reliability. A pike is not able to bite such material with its teeth. However, it can scare away the predator, significantly reducing the number of bites.

A good solution is . A winter zherlitsa with such a leash can be used on the most compacted reservoirs, where the pike is picky and wary of the equipment. This material is sufficiently resistant to abrasion, invisible and has good strength.

Some anglers also use regular monofilament line. In this case, to minimize the cuts from the pike teeth, the nylon is folded in half, twisted into a pigtail and fixed with a knot. This option is inferior in wear resistance to fluorocarbon material, but not by much.

What live bait to choose

The choice of live bait for pike hunting must be approached responsibly. The number of bites and the activity of the predator depend on his choice. It is advisable to choose a type of fish that prevails in the predator's diet in a particular reservoir. This is a perch, or a goby. They can be caught right in the place of fishing with mormyshka.

In winter, meet the following requirements:

  • Size acceptable for local pike. The predator will ignore too large a live bait, and a small toothy one will peck at a small one.
  • The fish, mounted on the hook, must be mobile and not scare away the pike with unnatural behavior.
  • on the hook should not fall asleep quickly, so that the angler does not have to frequently reload the equipment.

Photo 4. Plotvichka is one of the popular live bait fish.

Live bait must be stored in spacious plastic or foam cans. Periodically, it can be fed with a bloodworm or. With the right approach, the bait can be stored for a month or more without losing its quality.

Technique and tactics of fishing

No matter how correctly the vent is equipped and configured, if it is installed in a fishless place, you can not wait for a bite at all, not to mention any catch. It is necessary to go for pike in winter, understanding its habits, parking zones and knowing the features of a particular reservoir. An important role is played by the experience of the angler and the ability to catch in this way.

Fishing spots for bait

You can not put the zherlitsa in any chosen place. It is important to understand how the predator is located in the water, from what position it prefers to attack prey. Features of the behavior of pike also depend on the time of fishing. Typical prospective points where tackle should be located are:

  • . They represent a dump in depth from a shallow area. It is an excellent ambush for pike. In addition, a lot of small fish are always concentrated here, which attracts predators.
  • Along the wall of reeds. A promising coastal site, which can be found, perhaps, on any body of water. Here the pike feeds for the whole winter, so it is unforgivable to bypass such places.
  • snag. It is an excellent hiding place for predators and peaceful fish. Large individuals of pike usually concentrate here. Therefore, when going to fish on a vent in strong places, it is worth equipping the vent with a thicker and more durable fishing line.
  • Various bottom anomalies. Pike are rarely seen on a flat bottom. Here she has nowhere to hide, and small fish rarely concentrate in such areas. It is advisable to install vents in the area of ​​local pits or tubercles, areas with shell rock and other places that stand out strikingly against the general background.

In general, it is not difficult to find a pike in winter, since this solitary ambush predator can stand near any, even insignificant shelter.

How to install a vent

The success of fishing on vents depends not only on the chosen point on the pond, but also on the correct installation of gear. It is important to determine the horizon in which it is necessary to place the live bait. The unfortunate location of the equipment from the bottom practically guarantees a complete "span" and the absence of any bites.

Often, the live bait is placed 5–20 cm above the bottom. But there are situations when the predator feeds in the thickness or under the very ice. To determine the optimal horizon, it is necessary to install several vents at different depths. This way you can quickly understand the behavior of the pike and adjust the gear accordingly.

Features of hooking and fighting

Triggering and subsequent hauling are important steps in bait fishing. As soon as a bite has occurred, you should not run as fast as you can to the hole. Even at a considerable depth, the fish perfectly hears everything that happens on the ice, so it can spit out the live bait before swallowing it.

Noticing the lit flag, you need to slowly, taking a hook just in case, approach the vent. Hooking should be when the pike has stopped reeling off the line from the reel. At this moment, the predator stops and begins to swallow the live bait.

An exception to the rule is catching pike in a snag. Here you can not let the predator go into the nearest blockage and confuse the tackle there. The strike must be fast and decisive. Descents, of course, cannot be avoided, but such are the realities of fishing in strong places.

It is worth taking the pike out slowly. Particular attention should be paid to the last meters before the hole. Blinded by a bright light, the toothy often makes the last strong sharp jerks, which, if not approached correctly, can be fatal for the angler and saving for the predator.

If the pike succumbs, then head into the hole, you can take it with your hand. If a predator of impressive size is caught or does not want to go into a hole in the ice, then a hook will come to the rescue.

Video

- This is a large predatory fish that is found in almost all water bodies of our country. That is why fishing on it is one of the most common types of fishing. The largest specimens of the predator prefer deep, stocky or wetlands of reservoirs. To catch such a trophy, you can use a special device for catching predators - a vent. The design of this gear is simple and even a beginner can use it after watching a video of catching pike on a vent.

The method of catching pike on the zherlitsa appeared a long time ago. IN last years he made way for more modern means fishing. But in order not to waste time preparing gear and get unforgettable experience from fishing, you should at least once try to catch a pike on such tackle as a vent.

There are quite a few varieties of zherlitsa, but each of them consists of:

  • racks in the form of a stalk;
  • tooling;
  • reels with fishing line;
  • bite alarm.

To more accurately understand the design of the vent, you can watch the video instruction.

Rack

It can be made from a wooden block up to one meter long. The optimal turn between the ears of the horn should be no more than sixty degrees.

Some anglers make it out of wire and steel However, during winter fishing, it is not so easy to keep a metal rack.

Reel and leads

The size of the foam or plastic coil should be from forty to fifty millimeters. It is attached to a wooden rack with a duralumin bracket. Can be used as a mount rubber tube or soft cambric. It should be borne in mind that the distance between the ice and the coil must be at least ten centimeters.

Leads that will be used for large bodies of water should have a soft braid and a steel core. Double or single line leashes are suitable for shallow waters. Their length should be from two hundred and fifty to four hundred millimeters.

Making a zherlitsa

A hole is drilled at the top of the rack, and splits are made at the ends of the stalk to a depth of two and a half centimeters. A rope up to fourteen meters long is inserted into the hole on the rack. Before use, the rope is recommended to be lubricated with resin or oil.

Figure eight movements rope is wound on a horn and fix its free end with a leash and a hook in a small slot between the knots. Before lowering the bait into the water, three to four meters of rope should be unwound.

If the pike will be caught in a deep place, then a sinker will be required. It should be heavy and pass a fishing line or rope through it. More detailed instructions the manufacture of zherlitsy can be viewed on the video.

Choice of bait for bait: video

Large and small live bait as bait for pike is excluded. Its size should directly depend on the size of the predator.

The bait should have good mobility and have a color that will stand out in the water column. As live bait, preference should be given to more tenacious fish species.

Places for fixing the bait on the hook:

  • rear part;
  • nostril;
  • lip;
  • back in the place where the fin passes.

The structure can be mounted on a specially prepared pole or hung with its horns down on a tree growing near the water.

A pole rooted in a shallow bottom or bank should be about five centimeters thick and two to three meters long.

Place for installation of a vent must be cleared of grass otherwise the leashes will get tangled.

When installing several structures, it should be remembered that the distance between them should be from ten to twenty meters.

In winter, vents for pike fishing are installed below the ice level in the hole itself or on the ice near the hole. The under-ice vent is lowered under the ice by five to fifteen centimeters and is attached to a stick with a cord or thick fishing line. The live bait should be lowered about eighty centimeters from the bottom. Into the thaw pike can peck near the surface so you need to experiment.

Winter fishing with a zherlitsa: video

Pike fishing can be started after the ice gets stronger and it will be possible to walk on it. You can catch a predator around the clock.

It is advisable to drill several holes by dawn, near which to install vents. Eight to fifteen designs for fishing will be enough.

Fishing in December

Catching a predator on the first ice is considered very successful. but this kind of fishing doesn't last long only five or six days. It happens that today the pike bites perfectly on any bait, but tomorrow there are no bites of large fish at all.

Fishing in January

In this winter month, the predator reduces its activity, so fishing is less productive. But you shouldn't give it up completely. You just need to look for fish habitats, throwing vents from hole to hole for this. By changing the place of fishing every hour, you can increase the number of bites and catch good pikes.

Fishing in February

Large predators can be caught with zherlits throughout the winter months, however, it is in February that they are more effective. This is related to the fact that spawning begins and the fish fatten under the ice.

In winter, tackle for large pike should be strong, with strong clasps and carabiners. The optimal length of the leash is at least thirty centimeters.

Technique for playing pike during winter fishing

Depending on the weather conditions the predator can immediately swallow the bait or just keep it in the mouth for a long time.

The bite begins during the capture of the live bait. By inertia, the fish moves on, while unwinding the fishing line on the reel.

She then turns the live bait in her mouth to swallow it. This process is accompanied by the rotation of the coil. At this time, hooking should be done, because when the pike is not moving, it is problematic to do so.

A passive predator with a meal may not be in a hurry, so while catching, you need to be patient and wait. This process can be quite lengthy and tedious.

To get more detailed information and hear comments on all actions, you can watch the video instruction for winter fishing for pike using a vent.

Pike zherlitsy are winter bottom gear for catching a predator on live bait. Catching pike on zherlitsy in winter requires knowledge of some points. We will talk about the intricacies of winter fishing on zherlitsy today. It will be about the following:

  1. The device zherlits on a pike and equipment;
  2. How and from what to make a zherlitsa with your own hands;
  3. Which live bait is better and how to plant it correctly;
  4. Arrangement of vents on the ice of the reservoir;
  5. Subtleties in catching pike on zherlitsy in winter.


There are two types of winter vents for pike:

  1. Classic ice chute for pike;
  2. Under-ice zherlitsa or postavush.

Each type of girders has great amount varieties in design.

A classic over-ice vent for pike for winter fishing, it consists of a vent rig and its holder along with a bite signaling device in the form of a flag. That is why, catching pike on zherlitsy in winter, sometimes called fishing on the flags. It is about this type of vents that we will talk more about.

The under-ice vent (postavushka), as the name implies, is installed under the ice. Most often, this type of vents is used for covert installation in order to avoid detection by outsiders. Catching on such vents occurs according to the principle: set for the night - checked the next day. An exceptionally passive way of fishing, more often used for catching burbot than pike.

Rigging girders

Regardless of the design, the equipment of the vents on the pike is mounted in the same way.

  • The main fishing line with a diameter of 0.3 - 0.4 mm;
  • Sliding sinker "olive";
  • A leader made of leader material, fluorocarbon or thicker line, or a flexible metal leader;
  • Sharp triple, double or single hook.

For pike fishing, a double hook (double) is more often used.

The length of the leash for pike (the distance from the load to the hook) depends on the depth and ranges from 0.5 to 1 meter (the deeper, the longer). The length can be adjusted by moving the load along the line.

The sinker must be able to hold the bait bait on the desired horizon (weight depends on the size of the bait bait, depth and current). In shallow water (up to 1 meter), you can do without cargo at all.

Installation of equipment zherlitsy on pike:

Ice chute device

The principle of operation of the winter vent is based on the operation of the flag during the bite of the pike. In addition, the zherlitsa should provide the pike with free movement after the grip of the live bait, since it does not swallow it immediately.

A winter pike chute mounted on ice consists of the following elements:

  • Tooling;
  • Rack girders;
  • Reel (lesoderzhatel) with a supply of fishing line;
  • Bite signaling device (flag).

The most primitive vent can be considered a rig on a wooden line, a flexible twig with a slot for fishing line and a red flag at its tip. When biting, the fishing line is pulled off the twig, and it soars up, a supply of fishing line is left on the ice for the pike to choose. The bream is securely fixed on the ice.

However, there are more advanced, convenient and at the same time simple designs.

The vent rack, the reel or the holder and the flag are the basis of the vent, which is one device that serves to interact with the vent equipment. The base of the girders is installed on the ice and can be made as:

  • Platform cover for the hole;
  • Tripod;
  • Rack for installation in ice;
  • Changeling or "cross".

The vent on the lid covers the hole, thereby slowing down the process of formation of an ice film. This is the most common type of girders. The device is a structure that includes the following elements:

  • A flat platform-cover, most often in the form of a circle, with a slot for the fishing line;
  • Vertical removable rack with a rigging reel attached to it;
  • Flag on a spring plate fixed in the platform.

After installing the vent, the flag is loaded with an emphasis on the coil. When biting and rotating the coil, it is released and works - it straightens up, signaling the bite of a pike (shoots).

A zherlitsa on legs, most often on three (tripod) is installed above the hole. This is a fairly simple and common design, including:

  • Folding support on legs;
  • Spool for fishing line zherlichnoy equipment;
  • Bite signaling device - checkbox.

This is the simplest design. All elements of such a vent are fixed on a single stand, which serves as a support and is installed by freezing into ice or ice chips formed after drilling a hole.

Zherlitsa-shifter or "cross"

The design of the reversal vent is a tube that serves to store a supply of fishing line and is a bite signaling device at the same time. A removable cross made of metal rods is mounted in the tube. The fishing line of the rigging is wound directly on one of the ends of the tube.

Zherlitsa "Cross" or "Changeling"

When the pike grabs the live bait, the changeling dives halfway into the hole, signaling a bite with the other end. The line is freely shed, giving the pike a free ride. The cross is used to install the shifter on the ice in working position, and after a bite, it does not allow the pike to drag the entire structure under the ice.

According to a similar principle, but without plunging into the water, vents work on a platform with an overturning “flag” that is also a reel.

Under-ice construction (delivery, self-trapping)

An under-ice vent (flagless vent, postavushka, self-trap) is completely immersed in water, being fixed in the hole with a plank or pole, having a length greater than the diameter of the hole.

The most primitive design of an under-ice vent does not have a line-releasing device. It is tightly attached to the bar, and a small supply of fishing line, sprinkled with snow, is located on the ice.


Pike

A more complex design of the under-ice vent for pike has a device with a supply of fishing line for the pike's move after the grip of the bait bait. This is either a reel or a line holder capable of unimpededly dropping a fishing line from itself.

Anglers have an ambiguous attitude towards the flagless self-trapping vents. Many consider this method of catching a predator to be barbaric, highly unsportsmanlike and unacceptable.

It should be noted that there are under-ice structures of girders with flags, but they are inconvenient and rarely used.

Other designs

In addition to the described designs of girders, there are many others that are modernization or an independent design solution. They may have fundamental differences in the way the vent elements are attached or the special design of the bite signaling device, but in general, this does not really matter.

Do-it-yourself zherlitsa

Due to the simplicity of the design of the vents, lovers of homemade products make vents with their own hands from improvised materials. Various designs of girders have different manufacturing complexity, but even the most complex one can be done independently.

How to make a bait for a pike:

Bait fishing in winter


There is an opinion that catching pike on zherlitsy in winter is an unsportsmanlike, passive way of winter fishing. One could agree with this, if not for a few “buts”: catching pike on vents in winter is the production of live bait, drilling a large number of holes, the angler’s run to the vent, which “shot” (signals a bite), rearrangement of the vents. All these “buts” taken together require so much strength that active fishing or flashing will seem like just a rest.

Installation scheme on ice

If it is not known at what depth and what places the pike sticks to, the first vents are set in a row from the shore to a depth at a distance of 8-15 meters from each other, depending on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe reservoir and the diversity of the bottom topography.

On real fishing with vents in the winter, some of the vents work, and some are completely ignored. The bait fisherman carries non-working baits closer to those that bring fish, keeping a safe distance (to avoid entanglement, live bait fish should not reach each other).

How to bet

Consider the procedure for installing an over-ice vent for pike fishing.

After the installation scheme of the vents is determined and the holes are drilled, we proceed to install the vents on the ice. The procedure for installing a separate vent on a pike:

  1. We determine the depth at the place of installation of the vent by lowering the equipment under the ice;
  2. We fix the equipment at the desired depth near the bottom by charging the flag;
  3. We raise the equipment of the vent and put the live bait;
  4. We lower the live bait to the bottom and set the vent to the working position above the hole.

Holes should not be illuminated, especially in shallow water. They are darkened by sprinkling with snow, especially if the base is not in the form of a lid. Even if the base covers the hole, it is still sprinkled with snow - so the hole does not freeze longer.

At what distance from the bottom is it better to place the live bait? When catching pike on vents, depending on the depth at the place where the gear is installed, the live bait is raised 20-50 cm from the bottom. It is believed that this way it will be more noticeable to pike. When catching burbot, the live bait is lowered to the bottom.

Which bait is better

For use as live bait on a pike vent, it is better to use a medium-sized roach, bream, crucian carp, gudgeon or perch. Ruff is more often used when catching burbot, but with a shortage of live bait, it is also suitable for pike.

The live bait must be a typical inhabitant of the reservoir, the object of pike hunting is the local live bait. Crucian carp is distinguished by its vitality, roach and silver bream, at first, more actively attract pike. Many people think that the best live bait for pike is perch.

In general, you can use any live bait, if it is caught in the same reservoir.

How to plant a live bait

Pike fishing in winter on vents is the most popular type of predator fishing in winter period. It is much more catchy than lure or jigging, and installing gear at several points around the angler at once allows you to multiply the catch.

In this article, we will analyze the nuances of assembling a zherlitsa, show the correct equipment, the technology of setting a live bait and, of course, the technique of playing a pike.

The most successful time for pike fishing in winter is fishing on the first and on last ice. During this period of the fishing season, the fish is active in the search for prey, travels long distances and it is easier for them to find live bait, which we will offer with our bait.

Types of vents for winter pike fishing

At the beginning of 2019, anglers created 3 types of similar gear, differing both in the type of placement on the ice and in the equipment. In use different types zherlits can be found both positive and negative sides. Let's see which varieties are better.

Platform

This type of girders has a flat square base, in standard form each side of the base has 25 centimeters. Often there are variations of bases in the form of round and rectangular shapes. The material that makes up the platform is plastic, less often wood.

The zherlitsa is placed with a platform directly above the hole. Installation here is the easiest, it remains to sprinkle with snow so that the wind does not blow away.

Pros:

  • The sun does not fall into the hole, which means that the fish are not afraid of light rays.
  • The water in the hole is closed from the wind by the vent platform, which means that the water in the hole will freeze more slowly. As a result, the fishing line is wound and unwound without inconvenience.

Minuses:

  • Big size.
  • Weak coil. (This common cause shop-bought vents, so careful inspection is required before purchase.)
  • It is not uncommon for a platform to freeze into ice, and without damaging the girders, it can be very difficult to remove it from the shackles of ice.
  • The girders, although wide, are low, which is very inconvenient in conditions of heavy snowfall, since it can simply be covered with snow, then you have to buy signal poles.
  • Provided that the air temperature is below -10 ° C, the vent will not save the fishing line from freezing in ice.

Editor's Choice- platform chute. Easy to find in the store, easy to install, and the disadvantages are not significant.

On one pole


This type of girders has a lower cost, however, they have more disadvantages compared to the platform:

  • During installation, snow is needed. If it is, then the vent is fixed in a pile of snow above the hole, this guarantees the stability of the structure.
  • Racks are usually made of metal, which contributes to the rapid freezing of hands in extreme cold.
  • It often falls in the sun, especially during thaws, as the metal heats up and the pile of snow under the vent melts.
  • There is no possibility to install the vent on pure ice, plus the open hole is slowly covered with ice.

Taganok (tripod construction)

There are also girders called "taganok" - usually an aluminum tripod with a coil, but there are also plastic models. There is a signal pole.

  • The zherlitsa is convenient in terms of transportation and, perhaps, this is the only plus.
  • Unstable both with wind and with bites.
  • The coil is not fixed by anything and the metal itself is easily deformed.
  • Hands freeze very quickly in winter in severe frost.
  • Often, the leg locks freeze to the ice, as water gets on them, after which it is almost impossible to disassemble the girders without damage.
  • On plastic vents, when biting a pike, the legs often fold, and as a result, the vent sinks.

Choice of girders


A plastic coil is better than a metal one. The fishing line will not freeze to it.

Coil. A huge advantage will be a plastic coil (so that in severe winter frost you can hold it with your bare hands), with a somewhat difficult move (otherwise, a “beard” will be provided in case of a sharp bite). The main thing is that the movement of the reel should not be very difficult, otherwise the fish will feel resistance and release the bait. There should be plenty of room for fishing line in order to fish at great depths.

Bite alarm. Choose a flag that is bright (red, orange or bright green) and large. A signaling device with a length of 45-55 centimeters will provide a greater range of visibility of the bite. The elasticity of the signaling device should be average in order to withstand the jerks of the live bait and work in time for the bite of the pike.

For night fishing, use fluorescent flags. They will allow you to quickly determine whether the fish have bitten or not when the flashlight glows.


Choose a bright flag so that it can be seen from afar

TIP: the gasket that is between the coil itself and the nut that presses it allows you to correctly adjust the rotation of the coil. The coil, when properly adjusted, should make 5-6 revolutions and stop.

The right rig

  • fishing line
  • sliding sinker
  • sinker stopper
  • swivel with clasps
  • leash
  • tee

You can see the scheme of the vent device in the following photo:


Scheme of installation of winter girders

It is not difficult to assemble such a vent, the whole trick is in the correct selection of components, planting a live bait and choosing a place. About all this further.

fishing line for pike fishing on a winter zherlitsa, it must be monofilament and elastic so that after unwinding from the reel it does not coil up with a spring. It is undesirable to use braid, because, firstly, it is thinner than ordinary fishing line, which means that when playing fish, you can cut your fingers, and secondly, it quickly freezes.

Number of fishing line: 17-21 m. Thickness: 0.35-0.45 mm, which will allow you to fight large individuals.


To create mass, a sliding sinker-olive is usually used. It's great if it is oblong, but other shapes are also possible.

Since the sinker is necessary to hold the live bait at a certain depth and so that it cannot swim away to cover, select the weight depending on the calculated fishing depth and the size of the live bait.

A too heavy sinker will reduce the number of pike caught, as it, feeling resistance, will spit out the bait bait, and a too light sinker will allow the bait bait to independently go either to the depth into the shelter or it will swim all over the reservoir.

The correct mass would be from 7 to 12 grams at shallow depths, and from 17 to 22 grams at deep waters.

Change to rubber fishing stoppers. Reliable and convenient.

The stopper of the sinker is lead shavings or a piece of rubber used in float fishing with a sliding float. The stopper allows you to adjust the movement of the sinker along the fishing line, the “freedom” of the live bait is regulated accordingly. And also with the use of a swivel, the sinker does not break on the swivel.

The hook is a tee or double on water bodies without a current, or a single hook for fishing in a current. You will need hooks of different sizes. It depends on the size of the live bait and the intended prey.

According to the results of repeated observations, it was noticed that the most commonly used tees of sizes 5-8 of the Russian numbering. Doubles are used with different hooks, where a live bait is placed on a smaller one, while a large one remains for a predator.


Tee hooks

Leash it is best to use it from a double line, since it can still bite one, and do not bite the second for sure, which will allow you to successfully fish out a pike. You should not use a steel leash, as it still reduces the number of bites, because it is tougher, which means that the pike will feel it and, as a result, spit out the bait more often.

It is easy to make such a leash on your own:

  1. A fishing line about 70 centimeters long is taken, from which a loop is knitted, which will be a leash.
  2. The loop is knitted as follows: the end of the line, the length you have chosen, is folded in half, after which the rounded end is threaded into the resulting loop 4-5 times so that the loop does not tighten, after which, holding the place where the free end of the line is located, it is tightened loop, slowly the knot recovers to the free end of the fishing line.
  3. The remaining tip is removed with a lighter or match flame. The main thing is not to burn the main fishing line on which the loop is held. Such a knot is called a surgical knot.
  4. A fastener clings under the loop knot, and a hook on the opposite end.

Such a leash can be purchased at the store. Fast and convenient! How to increase the catch of fish?

For 7 years of active passion for fishing, I have found dozens of ways to improve the bite. Here are the most effective ones:

  1. Biting activator. This pheromone additive lures fish the most in cold and warm water. .
  2. Raise gear sensitivity. Read the appropriate manuals for the particular type of tackle.
  3. Lures based pheromones.

How to plant live bait

There are two most popular ways of gaining:

  • through the gill cover
  • through the back

It is inserted through the gill cover as follows: a leash is inserted through the gills so that it comes out of the mouth, where the tee subsequently clings.

A similar method is used most often in cases where the zherlitsa is left overnight. Thus, the pike swallows the live bait and calmly swims away with it, after which, even if it swallows, it feels the line and starts spitting it out, the tee will firmly cling to it and the pike will not go anywhere.

Just make a longer leash, as the pike will swallow the bait bait completely, which means it can swallow the leash as well, reaching the main line. It will not be difficult for a pike to eat the main line during the night.


Through the back there are two options for planting:

  1. Between the upper edge of the live bait body and the spine. With such planting, the live bait will remain alive longer and will be more mobile than planting in the second way.
  2. Under the spine If you do not get into the nerves and do not damage the vertebral body, then the live bait will be active and mobile, but if one of these elements is damaged, then you can not hope for its mobility, as well as for a long existence.

How to choose a live bait

An excellent live bait is a small perch, as it is able to stay alive for a long time and is very active in cold water on a hook. Less productive will be pre-prepared roach and bream. Live bait should not be large. Usually no more than 10 centimeters. Such live bait is more attractive to pike and more mobile in the water column.


Small perch is the best live bait for pike

fishing technique

Follow instructions:

  • Choose a location;
  • Plant a live bait;
  • Launch it into the water;
  • Fasten the vent, tighten the fishing line and fasten the signaling device.

The signaling device is adjusted so that at the time of the bite it shows this, but so that it does not react to the twitching of the live bait. After completing the adjustment, just wait for the bite. As soon as the signaling device has risen - cut. After hooking, pull out of the hole. If the hole is too small and the fish does not go into it, let the fish go a little and drill your hole, after which you can safely pull out the predator.

Sometimes the pike hooks itself, since it does not feel much resistance, which means it freely swallows the live bait.

If the pike is not biting, but you are sure that there is one in this area, then bait this place with purchased or homemade bait or winter bite activators .

Choosing a fishing spot


Places near snags are a good place to look for pike

In winter, it is best to fish in a familiar area, where the places where the fish are parked are probably known. Otherwise, the chances of success decrease. But do not despair, there are universal tips.

It is best to look for pike near the snag, near the coastline near the thickets of reeds or reeds.

The main number of fish after the first ice is in shallow water. Basically, these are depths from 40 to 60 centimeters. Later, when the ice crust becomes thicker, the fish move to deep water. At this time, pike will be best caught in the brows and flooded ravines.

It often happens that at great depths oxygen-poor zones are formed, which indicates that there will be no fish in them. If it is noticed that the live bait is dying quickly, then it probably falls into just such a zone. In such cases, catch half water.

A very promising place for fishing will be the transitions between the pits. In such places, pike will be caught throughout the season.


After choosing a location, we proceed to the installation. The first pike outings are from 8:30, therefore, the vents should be in position by this time. The main thing is not to make too much noise while drilling holes, otherwise you can scare away all the fish.

Set some of the vents in shallow water, and some in depth. Thus, you can “probe” the reservoir for the presence of pike.

It is important to remember that any place cannot be unpromising. If you know the bottom of the reservoir and the choice of location falls on the slope, then it is necessary to set it both in the upper part of the slope and in the lower part. On lakes and ponds, vents are usually placed along the shore, not far from coastal grass thickets.

The girders are usually installed at a distance of 6-8 meters from each other. The order of placement will not matter.

Instruction:

The zherlitsa must first be installed on the bottom of the reservoir, and only if the bait bait will often die - to fish in half-water. To check the depth of the fishing line with a sinker, installed on the vent, lower it into the water until the sinker touches the bottom. And remember that a leash is located below the sinker. So, it is important to rewind the coil to the length of the leash. This length of the fishing line will be the depth of the reservoir in the selected location. After checking, you can plant a live bait, if there is one, or go after his capture.

Important: after setting the live bait, screw the reel 2-3 turns to keep the live bait above the underwater vegetation and he could not confuse the line, or simply hide from the pike.

On warm days, or with the onset of thaws, or during low pressure pike usually rises to the middle of the reservoir or to its very top. It will be especially productive to put the live bait at half water at lunchtime.

If since the vent was fixed, no bites followed within the next 1-2 hours, then the vents are transferred to a neighboring place 20-25 meters from the previous fishing spot. If in one of the places the pike began to take live bait, then next to it, 2-3 meters away, you can drill one more hole and set the same depth.

If pike fishing is carried out in too cold weather and the vent is not equipped with a flat base, then it is necessary to cover the hole to prevent it from freezing. This can be done with cardboard, paper, a piece of plywood, or any other material that can close the hole in the hole. If there is nothing at hand, then you can powder the hole with snow.

It will not be superfluous to cover the hole even in normal sunny weather, without severe cold weather, so that the pike is not afraid of the light rays passing through the holes.

Features of hooking and fighting

There are several aspects to successfully hooking and playing a pike. Do not cut right away, give the pike some time to swallow the live bait, otherwise, when trying to strike, the pike may open its mouth, and the hook will freely come out of it.

After successful cutting keep the line tight, but not too tight. If you give up slack, the pike can go into the grass or into the snags, and as a result, confuse the fishing line. If the tension of the line is too strong, you can break the line firstly on the sharp teeth of the pike, and secondly on the edge of the ice in the hole. It is worth remembering that fighting is done with your fingers.

Pike up to 1.5 kilograms can be pulled out immediately, as it will not give much resistance. When bringing a pike to the hole, the beam will use the gaff. If this is not the case, then you can gradually, then let go, then drag the pike to the hole. After 4-5 such manipulations, the pike will enter the hole itself.

There is one trick in playing pike: when it is felt that the pike is large and there is a high possibility that it will bite the line, just let the fish go a little, not allowing the line to weaken, and then slowly slow down the fish by pulling the line towards you. Thus, the fishing line, being on the edge of the mouth, closer to the body, will catch on the so-called “mustache” and after that the pike can be dragged towards you without fear that it will rub its teeth against the fishing line. Yes, and the pike goes easier - it makes fewer blows.

Edge fishing

When fishing on the edges, keep the live bait at a depth of 0.1-0.5 m from the bottom. In riverbeds, the depth can be halved.

What to do if the slope is gentle?

If the stall is gentle, then let the live bait immediately sink to the maximum depth, that is
you need to know the location of the holes in the reservoir or use the “poke” method to look for depth.