Many fishermen, both avid and newcomers, are eagerly awaiting the formation of ice in water bodies. After all, winter fishing on the first ice - what could be more attractive? And not only for ardent fans of ice fishing. Some fishermen manage to get bored during the open water season for the process itself. This is a whole ritual - access to the ice. Especially if for the first time after summer and autumn. Well, if you are a beginner, then even more tempting! Yes, and catches in this happy time for the fisherman are very good, since the fish are actively fed.
Safety comes first
Let's start with perhaps the most important point - fishing safety techniques. After all, every, even the most experienced and experienced angler should observe it. Fishing on the first ice is, of course, exciting and fascinating, but it also carries many dangerous moments. Recently, ice is known to be particularly fragile. Well, if the failure occurred in shallow water. The unlucky fisherman will fall to the waist and will be able to get out of the trap. In the worst case, colds and inflammation are, of course, provided. But a similar case at great depths can be deadly if there is no one nearby.
Some simple rules
- You should know that the thickness of the ice (provided that one person goes there) should be at least 5-7 cm. If the group is at least 10 cm. You should not go on the first ice in transport, since its thickness requires successful thickness over 20 cm, and this rarely happens when fishing on the first ice occurs.
- If possible, do not go ice fishing alone. The comrade will not leave in trouble, in which case he will help to get out of the reservoir.
- On the first ice you need to go smoothly and leisurely, as if not lifting your legs, gliding along the plane. To be sure, check it on foot - a special device with a tip. If the cover can withstand such a blow, then it can withstand your weight, and fishing on the first ice will be relatively calm.
- If you hear ice cracking, you should never run away. You need to lie on your stomach and crawl away slowly to the place from where you came, to a safe area or to the shore.
- Dress for fishing appropriately, but not too hard. This can constrain movement in an extreme situation. Take with you on the ice only the most necessary things.
Features of the bite
On shallow ponds, the ice and the associated active biting fish are fleeting. Everything lasts a maximum of several days. If you miss this period, catchy for the fisherman, do not worry. You can make up for lost on more extensive reservoirs: rivers, reservoirs. There, this period lasts much longer. This means that fishing on the first ice will be productive for quite some time. And you will not be left without prey in any case.
Fishing. Perch. First ice
For catching this small predator, the very first weeks after the formation of the ice cover are preferable. Minkworms peck well in clear frosty weather, in the morning or at dusk, this should also be taken into account. Fishing on the first ice on the perch is a very exciting activity. For quite a short time, you can train a lot of perches. True, most likely, they will not be too large, since the krupnyak is still cautious and keeps at a distance. But with luck, you can get a real trophy!
What gear should I use
Perch at this time (on the first ice) actively feeds and moves throughout the reservoir. Therefore, it pecks quite actively. The tackle for this fish should not be too heavy, with a well-built nod, sensitive to bites. We take a small rod, about 20 cm. The coil and handle should also be comfortable and small. The supply of fishing line necessary for fishing is at least ten meters. It is preferable to use monofilament from 0.12 to 0.25 in diameter, depending on the size of the prey that you are going to catch.
First glacier is unpredictable time, and real fishing trophies can fall on the hook. Therefore, it is best to use the forest is still thicker, 2-3 pounds per gap. The nod is an important tackle segment on the striped predator of lakes and rivers. Previously, experienced fishermen made it themselves from a steel or clockwork spring, flexible wire or other improvised means. Now a nod along with a fishing rod for winter fishing can be purchased in specialized stores. But not the fact that he will be more sensitive than a homemade option. It doesn’t matter what it is: branded or self-made. The main task is to respond to the smallest bites during winter fishing.
Lures
Winter fishing for perch on the first ice is impossible without the right choice of lures. Although many fishermen are sure that during an active zhor, perches rush at everything that moves under water, mormyshki, spinners and balancers will be most preferable.
Mormyshki
So that winter fishing on mormyshka on the first ice is the most successful, you can use quite efficiently both home-made and branded gear. Mormyshka of different types and types are used, as a rule, of small sizes. Some fishermen prefer non-stick. Someone with a bloodworm nozzle. In principle, there isn’t much difference, since the perch in the period of the first ice age responds mainly to movement and bright flickering colors. Bloodworms become important when the active bite ceases and the fish begins to sort out with grubs.
Spinners and balancers
The bait is no less effective - micro-lures with replanting fry. Medium and small minke whales are usually caught on it (as well as on mormyshka). Sometimes large ones slip as well. But if you are going to catch a truly trophy specimen, it is preferable to use larger spinners and balancers. They can also be used if fishing for mormyshka does not give a result. When choosing baits, in most cases you need to focus on weather conditions, fish activity, and depth in the area chosen for fishing.
On the bulldozer
By the way, on the first ice you can catch a large perch on the so-called buld, which many experienced and avid fishermen successfully use as winter gear. It should be noted that this word in different regions refers to different tackle. For example, the Ural bulda is an ordinary, not too large, lure with two hooks that slide on a small piece of fishing line. The tackle is also shipped with an additional sinker, which should touch the bottom with each cast.
It happens that a rather large perch is so indifferent to the tackle, called a bastard, that it swallows it whole even with bottom sediment. Although this folk bait looks rather bulky, its hooks are small and perches of any size sit well on them. As a rule, an additional nozzle is not used. Bright hooks or beads are put on the hooks, which perfectly attract fish even from afar, even when it is not too hungry.
Lure
Bloodworms are considered the best lure for perch during the first ice. It should be small enough and always fresh. Previously, fishermen washed it on their own, cutting rectangular ice-holes near the shore and scooping up with special trays. Today bloodworms can be bought at fishing and pet stores, so there is no problem. You can also use as a good bait and a red worm (earthen, dung), dragonfly larvae, fish eye, cut fins and pieces of fresh fish, fry. Also, the last two baits are considered at the same time as excellent bait hooks for catching perches.
Choosing a place for fishing on the ice
On the first ice, perches are curious, literally go to the noise. Therefore, it is advisable to immediately try to catch it after drilling a hole, perhaps a flock of small perches stands right under your feet, attracted by noise.
- You should also remember the factor that in the pristine ice to a depth far from the coast is not worth going. Firstly, the ice is still too thin, and you can actually fall into the water. And secondly, in the coastal areas of relative shallow water perch (especially small) is enough for a good catch and effective sport fishing. So it’s better without extremism: we choose a place far from the coast without departing.
- When choosing a parking lot, pay attention to areas with eyebrows, pits, uneven bottom topography, undergrowth thickets. Also good are the points at the mouth of a stream or river.
- Do not forget about such an invention useful for the fisherman as an echo sounder. It will help you quickly identify promising places in an unfamiliar pond.
An analysis of the behavior of other fishermen, as well as a large number of drilled holes that allow you to search for fish so that your winter fishing is as catchy as possible, can help in choosing a place for fishing. The first ice is quite thin, so especially zealous is not worth it. And the holes should not be drilled heap, but at a certain distance from each other.